Don Bollweg – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Bollweg spent six years chasing his major league dream, but World War II got in the way. The left-handed first baseman from Wheaton, Illinois, finally broke through at age 29 when the St. Louis Cardinals called him up in September 1950.

Bollweg played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1955, appearing in 195 games and winning a World Series championship with the New York Yankees in 1953. His career took him from the Cardinals to the Yankees, then on to the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics before he decided to hang up his cleats.

Here’s a look at how a player who spent most of his time in the minors made the most of his shot in the majors. From his Army service during World War II to that championship moment with Casey Stengel’s Yankees, Bollweg’s story is a real example of the grit it took to make it in 1950s baseball.

Early Life and Entry Into Baseball

Donald Raymond Bollweg was born in Wheaton, Illinois, on February 12, 1921. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1942, but then he put baseball on hold to serve during World War II.

His journey from small-town Illinois to professional baseball got interrupted by military service. That experience shaped his character and delayed his shot at the majors.

Birth and Family Background

Donald Raymond Bollweg came into the world on February 12, 1921, in Wheaton, Illinois. He grew up in this Chicago suburb during the 1920s and 1930s.

Wheaton had a strong baseball culture that probably sparked Don’s love for the game. The town gave him a solid foundation to build his skills.

We don’t know much about his parents or siblings, but his brother Bob Bollweg later shared details about Don’s life and career.

Don stood 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 190 pounds. Those physical traits served him well at first base, especially his reach and size.

Signing With the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals spotted Bollweg’s talent and signed him in 1942, starting his pro baseball career at age 21.

They sent him to the Washington Red Birds of the Class D Penn State Association. Right away, he showed promise as a rookie first baseman.

In 112 games that first year, Bollweg hit .295 and flashed some serious power. He led the league with 25 home runs and knocked in 105 RBIs, finishing second in the league.

Those numbers made it clear he could hit for both average and power. The Cardinals took note of his knack for driving in runs.

Military Service During World War II

World War II cut Bollweg’s baseball career short almost as soon as it started. He joined the Army in 1942 and served at Camp Beale, California.

Even in the service, he kept playing ball. In 1944, the Army Air Force stationed him at Sioux Falls Army Airfield in South Dakota.

At Sioux Falls, Bollweg played for the Sioux Falls Marauders with Monty Basgall. Former big leaguer Art Bramhall coached the team, and they became a powerhouse.

Bollweg’s military service lasted until 1946, keeping him away from pro baseball for four years. That delay meant he didn’t reach the majors until he was 29.

Professional Career Overview

Don Bollweg played pro baseball for 14 years, from 1942 to 1956. He spent five seasons in Major League Baseball between 1950 and 1955.

His journey included Army service in World War II, standout years in the minor leagues, and time with four MLB teams as a first baseman and pinch hitter.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Bollweg made his Major League Baseball debut on September 28, 1950, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 29. He had spent eight years in the minors before finally getting his chance.

His first big league appearance kicked off a five-year MLB career with 195 games played. The Cardinals didn’t give him much playing time that rookie season.

Bollweg, a lefty both at bat and in the field, stood 6’1″ and weighed 190 pounds. He fit the mold for a first baseman, especially against right-handed pitchers.

His late arrival in the majors mostly came down to his Army service during World War II. He missed three key development years from 1943 to 1945.

Minor League Performance and MVP Season

Bollweg actually found more success in the minor leagues than the majors. He played ten seasons in the minors, batting .275 and showing off his power.

In the minors, he racked up 215 doubles, 83 triples, and 165 home runs. Those stats show he could hit for average and power at that level.

His best minor league year came in 1952 with the Kansas City Blues of the American Association. He won the league’s MVP award that season.

That MVP year with the Blues really put him on the map. It helped him get more chances in the majors.

Transition Between Teams

Bollweg played for four different MLB teams. He started with St. Louis, then went to the Yankees, followed by the Philadelphia Athletics, and finished with the Kansas City Athletics.

His best years came in 1953 and 1954. He got to play in the 1953 World Series with the Yankees, making three appearances and earning a championship ring.

He wrapped up his MLB career with a .243 batting average, 11 home runs, and 53 RBIs. His last major league game came on May 10, 1955, with the Kansas City Athletics.

After leaving the majors, Bollweg kept playing in the minors through 1956. He played in the 1955 Junior World Series with the Minneapolis Millers before calling it a career.

New York Yankees Achievements

Bollweg’s trade to the New York Yankees in May 1951 turned out to be the highlight of his major league journey. He became part of the Yankees’ dynasty in the early 1950s and picked up a World Series ring in 1953.

Joining the Yankees

The Cardinals traded Bollweg to the Yankees in May 1951 after he played just nine games that season. That deal ended up working out for both Bollweg and his hopes for a championship.

After the trade, Bollweg finished 1951 with the Kansas City Blues, the Yankees’ top minor league team. He put up a .303 average and 20 home runs that year.

He stayed hot in 1952, hitting .325 with Kansas City. The American Association named him Most Valuable Player that year, showing he was ready for more big league action.

1953 Season Highlights

Bollweg got his most playing time in 1953 with the Yankees. He played in 70 games, mostly as a first baseman and pinch hitter.

The Yankees used him in key spots during the season, especially as they chased their fifth straight World Series title.

Bollweg often filled in for veteran first baseman Johnny Mize. He offered steady defense at first and came through with some timely hits.

His contributions helped the Yankees stay on top in the American League. Their depth at first base, including Bollweg, made a real difference that year.

World Series Champion Experience

Bollweg won a World Series championship when the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953. That victory gave the Yankees their fifth title in a row, which is just wild to think about.

The 1953 World Series lasted six games against the Dodgers. Bollweg got to be part of a Yankees team loaded with talent and depth.

That championship run happened during one of the Yankees’ most dominant stretches. Five straight World Series wins from 1949 to 1953—nobody’s matched that since.

Bollweg’s World Series ring had to be the high point of his career. Not many players get to call themselves champions at the game’s highest level.

Later Major League Years

Bollweg’s last seasons in the majors saw him moving between teams as rosters shifted. He went from the American League back to his original organization, then finished with the new Kansas City franchise.

Trade to Philadelphia Athletics

The Philadelphia Athletics picked up Bollweg in 1954, giving the veteran first baseman more chances to play. He appeared in games that season, usually as a backup first baseman and pinch hitter.

In Philadelphia, Bollweg kept working counts and getting on base. His left-handed bat gave the team an edge against righties. The Athletics used him in matchups where he could help most.

Bollweg’s experience was good for the younger guys on the team. He’d already been to a World Series with the Yankees, and his knowledge helped beyond just his stats.

Move to Kansas City Athletics

When the Athletics moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season, Bollweg went with them. The newly named Kansas City Athletics became his last stop in the majors.

In Kansas City, Bollweg didn’t get much playing time early in 1955. He appeared in just a handful of games and struggled at the plate, hitting .111 in limited chances.

That move marked a new chapter for both Bollweg and the franchise. The team was settling into a new city, and Bollweg’s veteran presence helped provide some stability.

Final MLB Games and Retirement

Bollweg played his last Major League Baseball game on May 10, 1955, against the Baltimore Orioles. He was 34 when he walked off the field as a big leaguer for the last time.

He finished his major league career with a .243 average over 195 games. Bollweg collected 110 hits, including 22 doubles, seven triples, and 11 home runs. He drove in 53 runs during those five years.

After Kansas City, Bollweg kept playing in the minors with the Minneapolis Millers in 1955 and 1956. He played in the 1955 Junior World Series with Minneapolis, then retired after the 1956 season.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Don Bollweg put up modest but respectable numbers in his five-year major league career. He hit .243 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs in 195 games.

He carved out a spot as a reliable utility player, shining in specific situations even without everyday playing time.

Batting and Fielding Stats

Bollweg’s stats reflect his role as a part-timer, not a regular starter. He picked up 110 hits in his MLB career, with 22 doubles, seven triples, and 11 home runs.

His best season came in 1953 with the Yankees. That year, he batted .297 in 70 games, hit six home runs, and drew 21 walks in 178 plate appearances.

The lefty struggled with consistency at the plate, and his .243 career average was a bit below league norms of that era.

Bollweg’s 21 walks in 1953 showed he could work the count and get on base when needed.

His fielding numbers were solid for a first baseman. At 6’1″ and 190 pounds, he had the size for the position.

Role as First Baseman and Pinch Hitter

Bollweg mostly played as a backup first baseman and pinch hitter. In 1953, he started 34 games at first base for New York, which turned out to be his best season.

He swung left-handed, so managers liked using him against right-handed pitchers. Teams put him in platoon situations to get the upper hand.

The Yankees brought him in as a defensive replacement late in games. He gave them a steady glove when they needed to protect a lead.

Later in his career, he pinch hit more often. He took on this role with the Athletics during 1954 and 1955.

His most memorable pinch hit happened in Kansas City’s first home game in 1955. He singled and drove in two runs at Municipal Stadium.

Notable Performances

Bollweg had his best season in 1953, helping the Yankees win their fifth straight World Series. He got into Games 3 and 4 as a pinch hitter, but struck out both times.

In Game 6, his defense stood out. He replaced Johnny Mize at first base in the ninth inning.

Before making it to the majors, Bollweg tore up Triple-A pitching. He hit over .300 in both 1951 and 1952 with the Kansas City Blues.

He won the 1952 American Association MVP award. That season opened the door for him with the Yankees.

Bollweg’s two-RBI single in Kansas City’s 1955 home opener was a real highlight. Oddly, it ended up being his only hit in nine at-bats for the new franchise.

Legacy and Post-Baseball Life

Don Bollweg’s impact on baseball went beyond the numbers. In his later years, he faced career changes and some tough health struggles before passing away in 1996.

Influence on Baseball

People remember Bollweg as a steady utility player in the early 1950s. His biggest moment came as part of the 1953 World Series Champion New York Yankees.

That year, Bollweg made a splash in the first half of the season. He led the American League with a .375 average at the All-Star break, but then manager Casey Stengel cut back his playing time.

He got two at-bats in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, both as a pinch hitter. After one called third strike, Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella told him it was “the worst call he’d ever seen.” You have to wonder how that felt.

Bollweg finished his career with a .243 average in 195 games. He suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Athletics.

Life After Retirement

After his last game in 1955, Donald Raymond Bollweg headed back to Wheaton, Illinois. He started out in real estate, then switched over to insurance.

In the 1960s, Bollweg made appearances for Wheaton developer Jay Stream. That kept him involved in his hometown.

From 1981 on, he worked at the DuPage County Board of Elections. That job gave him a steady routine in his later years.

Bollweg married Blanche, and they stayed together for 27 years. Their marriage lasted through all his career changes and health battles.

Remembrance and Passing

Back in 1993, Bollweg had a disabling stroke. He couldn’t speak after that, and honestly, it turned his whole world upside down. The situation brought on financial hardship for him and his wife, Blanche.

They burned through their life savings surprisingly fast because the medical bills just kept piling up. The Baseball Assistance Team (BAT) noticed and stepped in, offering some much-needed financial support.

Don Bollweg died on May 26, 1996, at the DuPage County Convalescent Center in Wheaton. He was 75.

Later on, his hometown honored him by putting him into the Wheaton Community High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. That recognition highlighted both his Major League Baseball career from 1950 to 1955 and his military service from 1943 to 1945.