Dick Sisler – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Sisler put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, handling first base and outfield for three different teams before calling it quits in 1953.

He grew up in baseball’s shadow, being the son of Hall of Fame first baseman George Sisler. That meant Dick had to carve out his own path in a sport where his dad once hit .420 in a single season—pretty wild, right?

Sisler’s biggest moment came in 1950, when he smashed the pennant-clinching home run for the Philadelphia Phillies. That swing sent the “Whiz Kids” to their first World Series in 35 years, and honestly, it kind of defined his whole career.

He finished with a .276 batting average and 55 home runs over 800 games with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds. Most people remember that one home run, but he chipped in a lot more during his time on the field.

Dick Sisler never put up numbers like his dad, but his career tells a story of grit, family, and showing up when it counted. He went from minor league hopeful—his progress interrupted by World War II service—to a key contributor on championship teams.

His determination really shaped who he was, both on and off the diamond.

Dick Sisler’s Early Life and Baseball Background

Richard Allan Sisler was born November 2, 1920, in St. Louis, Missouri. He arrived with a baseball pedigree thanks to his dad, George Sisler, who was already a Hall of Fame first baseman.

His family focused on education, integrity, and, of course, baseball. His dad’s influence and his years at the progressive John Burroughs School set the tone for Dick’s early years.

Family Legacy and Influences

Dick Sisler came from a family that lived and breathed baseball. His father, George Harold Sisler, had just won his first batting title with a .407 average when Dick was born.

The Sisler kids—George Jr., Dick, Dave, and Frances—grew up surrounded by the game. Both George Jr. and Dave followed the baseball path, with Dave making it to the majors as a pitcher in the 1950s and 60s.

George Sr. made sure his kids knew right from wrong. Dave once said their dad “had scruples like you wouldn’t believe,” and just wanted to pass that on.

Baseball was the main topic at dinner. Frances, their sister, even admitted she’d get “so sick of it” when the guys wouldn’t stop talking baseball.

Dick’s earliest memories? Hanging around big-league ballparks. He met Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig when they stopped by to say hello to his mom. Later, living in Boston, Dick would grab ice cream with Rogers Hornsby, who seemed to like the kid.

Education at John Burroughs School

George Sisler Sr. really valued education—he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in mechanical engineering. He helped start the John Burroughs School in St. Louis in 1923, describing it as “progressive, nonsectarian and college preparatory.”

All four Sisler kids went there. Dick played football, basketball, track, and baseball, excelling in each.

The school’s focus on academics lined up with the Sisler family’s values. George Sr. was one of the few college grads in baseball at the time, and he wanted his kids to have the same shot.

After John Burroughs, Dick joined his brother George Jr. at Colgate University. He kept the family’s tradition of higher education alive, at least for a while.

Path to Professional Baseball

Dick’s time at Colgate didn’t last long. After less than a year, he signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

His parents probably weren’t thrilled. His dad’s biographer even said it was “probably much to the chagrin” of George Sr. and his wife Kathleen.

Dick started his pro career in 1939 with the Washington Redbirds in the Class-D Pennsylvania State Association. He hit .319 and led the league with 16 home runs as a rookie.

The road wasn’t smooth. Other players taunted him about living up to his dad’s legacy, saying things like “You’ve got to earn your own way in this league” or “Why don’t you let your dad field for you?”

Still, Dick kept producing in the minors. In 1940, he moved up to the Lansing Lancers, hit .322, and led the league with 12 triples.

Major League Career Overview

Dick Sisler played eight seasons in MLB from 1946 to 1953. He finished with a .276 batting average, 55 home runs, and 360 RBIs in 799 games.

He played for three teams, leaving his mark on pennant races and World Series runs.

Debut with the St. Louis Cardinals

Dick Sisler made his MLB debut on April 16, 1946, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 25. He had just come back after three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he made chief petty officer.

Before his debut, the Cardinals sent him to Cuba to learn first base. Cuban fans loved his power—he hit two home runs in his first game there and three more in another.

That 1946 season started things off right for Sisler. He helped the Cardinals win the National League and the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

He only pinch-hit in the Series, going hitless in two at-bats, but he still picked up a championship ring.

Sisler played as a role guy for St. Louis in 1946 and 1947. He stood 6’2″, weighed 205 pounds, batted left, and threw right.

Philadelphia Phillies and Whiz Kids Era

The Cardinals traded Sisler to the Phillies in 1948. In Philly, he finally got regular playing time.

He started as the main first baseman in 1948 and 1949, then moved to left field for 1950 and 1951.

1950 was his best year—he made the National League All-Star team and set career highs in games, hits, average, homers, and RBIs.

1950 Season Highlights:

• Games: 141
• Batting Average: .296
• Home Runs: 13
• RBIs: 83
• On-base Percentage: .373

On the last day of the 1950 season, Sisler hit a three-run homer in the tenth inning at Ebbets Field. That shot gave the Phillies the pennant—their first National League title in 35 years.

His dad, George Sisler, was actually scouting for the Dodgers that day. He watched his son’s home run and later admitted he felt “awful and terrific at the same time.” Can you imagine?

Final Playing Years and Retirement

After his Philly years, Sisler bounced around a bit. He went to the Cincinnati Reds in 1952, then back to the Cardinals later that season.

The Cardinals got Sisler and Virgil Stallcup from the Reds for Wally Westlake and Eddie Kazak on May 13, 1952. That move brought him back to where it all started.

Sisler played his last MLB game on August 1, 1953, with the Cardinals. He finished with 720 hits, 55 home runs, 360 RBIs, and a .984 fielding percentage.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .276
• Games Played: 799
• Home Runs: 55
• RBIs: 360
• Hits: 720

Ernest Hemingway even mentioned his 1950 home run in “The Old Man and the Sea,” which is just cool—baseball and literature, all in one.

Career Highlights and Key Moments

Dick Sisler’s career had some unforgettable moments. That pennant-clinching home run in 1950 really stands out, but he also made an All-Star team and played in more than one World Series.

1950 Pennant-Clinching Home Run

Sisler’s biggest claim to fame happened on the last day of the 1950 season at Ebbets Field. The Phillies needed to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers for the pennant.

In the tenth inning, Sisler crushed a home run that clinched the championship. That blast became the most famous home run in Phillies history.

That win sent the Phillies to the World Series after years of tough seasons. Sisler showed he could come through in the clutch, capping off a year where he hit .325 by the All-Star break.

All-Star Selection and Achievements

Sisler made the National League All-Star team in 1950 as a reserve. He earned it, batting .325 through the first half.

During the All-Star Game, he delivered a pinch-hit single. The National League won in 14 innings, thanks to a Red Schoendienst home run.

His final numbers: .276 average, 55 home runs, and 360 RBIs in 799 games. Solid stuff for an eight-year career.

He played both first base and outfield, giving his teams some flexibility.

World Series Appearances

Sisler played in two World Series, each with a different team. His first was with the Cardinals in 1946, when they beat the Red Sox in seven games.

He only pinch-hit twice in that Series and grounded out both times. Still, he accomplished something his Hall of Fame dad never did—he played in a World Series.

His second shot came in 1950 with the Phillies, right after his famous home run against Brooklyn.

Those World Series trips marked the peak of Sisler’s team success. Both came with clubs that had fought hard to reach baseball’s biggest stage.

Dick Sisler’s Statistical Contributions

Dick Sisler put up solid offensive numbers over eight seasons, hitting .276 with 55 home runs and 360 RBIs in 799 games.

His best years came with the Phillies, where he hit career highs and got All-Star recognition in 1950.

Batting and Fielding Performance

Sisler put up steady offensive numbers throughout his career. From 1946 to 1953, he racked up 720 hits and scored 302 runs in the majors.

His standout year came in 1950 with Philadelphia. That season, he played in 141 games and set personal records in several categories.

He hit .296 that year, tallying 155 hits in 523 at-bats. Sisler also hit 29 doubles and scored 79 runs, both career highs for him in 1950.

His on-base percentage climbed to .373, and his slugging percentage reached .442 that season. Those numbers really show how much he contributed at the plate.

On defense, Sisler posted a .984 fielding percentage while playing mostly first base and left field. He switched between those spots, handling first base for Philadelphia in 1948 and 1949 before moving to left field for the 1950 and 1951 seasons.

Home Run and RBI Records

Sisler showed reliable power at the plate throughout his career. He hit 55 home runs overall, with his best power year coming in 1950 when he knocked 13 homers.

He drove in 360 runs over his career, and 1950 was his top season with 83 RBIs. The Baseball Almanac lists him as a dependable run producer during his best years with Philadelphia.

People still talk about his most famous home run, which happened on the last day of the 1950 season. In the tenth inning against Brooklyn at Ebbets Field, Sisler smashed a three-run homer that clinched the National League pennant for the Phillies.

That blast kept the Phillies ahead of the Dodgers and gave them their first pennant in 35 years. Ernest Hemingway even mentioned Sisler’s hitting in “The Old Man and the Sea,” which is pretty wild when you think about it.

Team Impact and Recognition

Sisler’s stats earned him a spot on the 1950 National League All-Star team. He got that honor during his best season, helping the “Whiz Kids” Phillies make history.

He won two World Series championships with his teams, though his personal World Series numbers were limited. In 1946, he didn’t get a hit in two pinch-hitting tries for St. Louis but still walked away with a championship ring.

During the 1950 World Series, Sisler managed just one hit in 17 at-bats, ending with a .059 average as the Phillies got swept by the Yankees. Even though he struggled, his regular season had been crucial for getting Philadelphia to the Series.

He played on winning teams, especially with the Phillies from 1948 to 1951, when he was a regular starter and helped drive their success.

Family, Legacy, and Life After Baseball

Dick Sisler grew up surrounded by baseball greatness and carved out his own legacy in the sport. After he retired as a player in 1953, he moved into coaching and managing while keeping close family ties to the game.

Relationship with George Sisler and Dave Sisler

Dick’s father was Hall of Fame first baseman George Sisler, who batted .400 twice for the St. Louis Browns. That family connection brought both perks and pressures during Dick’s career.

He grew up in a baseball household, always around the game. Dick liked to remember meeting legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig at the ballpark when they’d stop to say hello to his mom.

Education and integrity mattered in the Sisler family. His dad graduated from the University of Michigan as a mechanical engineer and started the John Burroughs School in St. Louis back in 1923.

Dick’s younger brother Dave Sisler pitched in the majors for seven years during the 1950s and 1960s, working for four different teams.

In 1962, Dick coached the Cincinnati Reds while Dave pitched for the team, so they got to work together. Their older brother George Jr. played in the minors and later became a respected minor league executive.

Coaching and Managerial Career

After hanging up his spikes in 1953, Dick Sisler stayed in the game as a coach and manager. He started coaching with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961, jumping into a new phase of his baseball life.

When Fred Hutchinson got sick in 1964, Sisler stepped up as interim manager of the Reds. He kept managing through the 1965 season, gaining experience leading a big-league club.

Sisler’s coaching career stretched across decades and several teams. He coached the San Diego Padres in 1975 and 1976, bringing his baseball smarts to the National League West.

He finished his coaching days with the New York Mets in 1979 and 1980. That last job let him pass on what he’d learned to a new wave of players.

Personal Life and Legacy

Dick Sisler married Dorothy Ann Campbell on September 18, 1942, after meeting her while swimming in Asheville during his time in the minors. They stayed married for 56 years, right up until his death in 1998.

They raised four kids together: Kathleen, Shari, Patricia, and Richard. Dick always kept family at the center of his life, following the example set by his parents.

Teammates in Philadelphia called him “the Big Cat.” He was known for keeping spirits up, leading the team in singing in the shower or on the bus, even though he had a stutter.

His most unforgettable moment came with that tenth-inning, three-run home run at Ebbets Field on the last day of the 1950 season. That hit clinched the pennant for the Phillies and made Sisler a part of baseball lore.

He did something his Hall of Fame father never managed, playing on two pennant winners. He contributed to the 1946 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and the 1950 Phillies, who won the pennant.

Death and Commemoration

Dick Sisler died on November 20, 1998, at 78, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, and people remember him as a skilled player and a key member of one of baseball’s most storied families.

Passing and Cause of Death

Sisler passed away in Nashville on November 20, 1998, at 78 years old. He had been living there in his later years.

He died just 18 days after his 78th birthday, which was on November 2. His life spanned almost eight decades, marking the end of an era for the Sisler baseball family legacy.

Public records don’t offer many details about his exact cause of death. He died peacefully in Nashville, the city he called home in retirement.

Burial and Memorials

Dick Sisler rests at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee. He spent his final years in this city, and the cemetery marks the end of his journey.

His grave marker highlights both his baseball career and his family ties. You’ll see the memorial recognize everything he gave to Major League Baseball from 1946 to 1953.

Sisler’s burial site keeps his memory alive in the world of baseball. People can visit his grave at the Nashville cemetery, and honestly, it’s become part of what he leaves behind.

The Find a Grave memorial database lists his burial spot. That makes it easier for baseball fans and curious researchers to visit, remember, or just learn a little more about him.