Buddy Rosar – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Warren “Buddy” Rosar built a memorable 13-year career in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1951. Born in Buffalo, he caught for four different teams, including the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.

Rosar called it quits after the 1951 season, having made a name for himself as one of the most defensively skilled catchers of his era. From 1939 to 1951, he racked up five All-Star selections and took home two World Series championships. He finished with a .261 batting average, 18 home runs, and 367 RBIs in 988 games.

Let’s take a look at Rosar’s journey, from his early days in Buffalo to his major league highlights, the rough patches he hit, and the mark he left on the game. His story gives us a glimpse into the life of a pro athlete during baseball’s golden age, plus the kind of defensive play that made him respected behind the plate.

Early Life and Background

Warren Vincent “Buddy” Rosar was born on July 3, 1914, in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in a family with strong baseball connections.

His journey from local sandlots to professional baseball started with his family’s influence and some standout high school years.

Family Heritage and Upbringing

Warren Vincent Rosar was Frank and Caroline E. (Fryer) Rosar’s only child. Frank, Buddy’s father, worked as a plumber and had French or French-Canadian roots, but he passed away when Buddy was still a kid.

Caroline’s side of the family shaped Buddy’s athletic side the most. Her brothers, Jack and Chris, played pro baseball themselves. These uncles gave Warren the nickname “Buddy” and nudged him toward sports from early on.

Buddy, a redhead, had a knack for multiple sports. He played football and basketball well, not just baseball. Living close to the Buffalo Bisons’ ballpark meant he saw professional baseball all the time.

His uncles spotted his talent early and pushed him to stick with baseball. They also encouraged him to keep up with other sports, which probably helped his all-around athleticism.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Buddy went to Buffalo’s East High School, where he mostly played catcher but would pitch now and then. His senior year in 1933 turned out to be something special for him and the school.

Rosar led the East High Panthers to an undefeated season. They won the Cornell Cup, the regional championship, which drew the attention of pro scouts.

Besides high school ball, he played semipro for the Buffalo Karts. He also spent three years in American Legion baseball. His Legion team reached state and sectional finals while he was there.

Buddy even co-managed the Legion team for at least one season. That early leadership showed he knew the game beyond just playing it.

Path to Professional Baseball

The International League Buffalo Bisons offered Rosar a contract in spring 1933, just before he graduated high school. He surprised people by turning down his hometown team’s offer.

Instead, Buddy signed with Yankees scout Gene McCann in the fall. There are a couple of stories about how the Yankees discovered him. One says Elizabeth McCarthy, the wife of Yankees manager Joe McCarthy, spotted him in 1933.

But most likely, McCann saw Rosar catching for pitcher Emerson Dickman during a charity game at Bisons Stadium. Because he signed late in the fall, he didn’t start his pro career until May 1934.

He had his first professional at-bat on May 3, 1934, with the Class A Binghamton Triplets. In his debut, Rosar lined a home run off Elmira’s Winslow White.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Rosar’s 13-season career took him through four organizations. He made his mark as one of baseball’s best defensive catchers. He started with the powerhouse New York Yankees and had big roles with the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.

Debut With the New York Yankees

Rosar broke into the majors on April 29, 1939, with the New York Yankees at age 24. He came in as backup to Hall of Famer Bill Dickey, so his playing time was pretty limited at first.

Even with few chances, Rosar impressed when he got on the field. He had two 4-for-4 games in his rookie year, against the St. Louis Browns and Philadelphia Athletics.

He got more chances in 1940. On July 4, he hit his first two major league home runs against the Boston Red Sox, both off pitcher Emerson Dickman. Just two weeks later, he hit for the cycle against the Cleveland Indians—a rare feat.

Rosar’s best Yankees season was probably 1941, when he batted .352 at the All-Star break. He made his first All-Star team in 1942 and played in two World Series, winning championships in 1939 and 1941.

His Yankees run ended suddenly after he left the team without permission in July 1942 to take a police entrance exam and be there for his son’s birth. That move led to his trade to Cleveland in December 1942.

Stint With the Cleveland Indians

The December 1942 trade to Cleveland changed Rosar’s career. The Yankees sent him and Roy Cullenbine for Roy Weatherly and Oscar Grimes, finally giving Rosar a shot at being a regular starter.

Rosar welcomed the chance, even though he was upset about leaving New York at first. “I’ve got a big break,” he said. “If I had caught 100 games a year for the Yankees, in the eyes of the public I’d still have been a second-string catcher.”

He took the starting job from Gene Desautels and earned back-to-back All-Star selections in 1943. That year, he hit .283 and played solid defense.

In 1944 and 1945, things got tough. Rosar worked at a war materiel factory in Buffalo during World War II. He didn’t report to spring training those years, working factory jobs by day and joining the team at night and on weekends.

This part-time arrangement frustrated manager Lou Boudreau, even though Rosar led American League catchers with a .989 fielding percentage in 1944. Eventually, the Indians traded him to Philadelphia in May 1945.

Years With the Philadelphia Athletics

Rosar’s trade to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 29, 1945, for Frankie Hayes brought a new beginning. He struggled at first because of his long layoff but gradually got back in shape.

The 1946 season stood out as one of his best. Rosar set a major league record by catching 147 straight games without an error. That record lasted until Yogi Berra broke it by just one game in 1959.

He made the All-Star team in both 1946 and 1947 with the Athletics. His defense was his calling card, with his caught stealing percentage among the best in baseball history.

Rosar’s caught stealing percentage of 54.81% ranked just behind Hall of Famers Gabby Hartnett and Roy Campanella through 2015. This stat really showed off his arm and game-calling skills.

During his time with the Athletics, Rosar was at his defensive best. He became one of the most reliable catchers of the era, even though the team struggled.

Final Season With the Boston Red Sox

Rosar wrapped up his major league career in 1951 with the Boston Red Sox. He mostly served as a backup, offering veteran leadership to a younger team.

His last game came on September 19, 1951, closing out a 13-year run from 1939 to 1951. Rosar finished with a .261 batting average, 18 home runs, and 367 RBIs in 3,198 at-bats.

The Red Sox season was a quiet end to a solid career. Even as his bat cooled, his defensive skills still mattered.

He collected five All-Star selections and two World Series championships. Above all, he set the standard as one of the best defensive catchers of his time.

Notable Achievements and Statistics

Buddy Rosar stood out as one of baseball’s most dependable catchers during his 13 years in the majors, from 1939 to 1951. He earned five All-Star selections and built a reputation for defensive excellence, making him a real asset to every team he played for.

All-Star Selections and Honors

Rosar’s steady play behind the plate earned him five All-Star Game selections. These honors reflected both his consistent hitting and his defensive skills as a catcher.

He played for four major league teams: the New York Yankees (1939–1942), Cleveland Indians (1943–1944), Philadelphia Athletics (1945–1949), and Boston Red Sox (1950–1951).

His All-Star nods came at different points in his career, proving he could perform at a high level for several teams and over many seasons.

Defensive Excellence as a Catcher

Rosar made his name with his defense. As a catcher, he worked well with pitching staffs and kept base runners in check.

His stats back up his reputation. Rosar kept solid fielding percentages throughout his career and was especially good at throwing out runners trying to steal.

The catcher position demands quick reflexes and strong game management skills. Rosar brought both to the table during his 13 seasons.

His defensive abilities made him valuable to managers and pitchers. Teams leaned on his experience and leadership behind the plate.

Record-Breaking Streaks

Rosar showed impressive consistency both at bat and in the field. He posted a .261 career batting average with 836 hits in 3,198 at-bats over 988 games.

Offensively, he tallied 18 home runs and 367 RBI in his career. He also scored 335 runs in his 13 seasons.

His durability as a catcher was impressive for his era. Rosar played almost 1,000 games, showing his toughness and dependability.

He played from 1939 to 1951, covering the war years and the era right after. That kind of longevity isn’t easy in baseball.

Challenges and Controversies

Buddy Rosar’s career wasn’t without drama. He ran into some big disputes, often because he put family or wartime work ahead of baseball. These choices led to tension with several teams and left him with a reputation as a bit of a contradiction.

World War II and Work Commitments

During World War II, Rosar chose to work at a weapons factory in Buffalo instead of going to spring training. In 1944 and 1945, he refused to join the Cleveland Indians for spring training, deciding to stay at the war materiel plant.

The Indians ended up working with Rosar, finding him a similar job at a Cleveland plant. This setup let him work during the day and play for the team at night and on weekends, home or away.

Commissioner Kenesaw Landis approved this arrangement, but player-manager Lou Boudreau wasn’t thrilled with the part-time deal. Ray Mack, Rosar’s teammate, got the same arrangement, and other players across baseball had similar setups during the war.

Noteworthy Team Disputes

Rosar’s biggest dust-up came with the New York Yankees in July 1942. He left the team without permission to take a police department entrance exam and to be there for his son’s birth on July 20, 1942.

Manager Joe McCarthy didn’t cut him much slack, especially with Bill Dickey hurt at the time. Team president Ed Barrow threatened a trade and slapped Rosar with a $1,000 fine.

McCarthy managed to get the fine dropped to $250, but the relationship was already damaged. The Yankees quickly signed veteran catcher Rollie Hemsley to fill in. By December 17, 1942, Rosar was traded to the Cleveland Indians along with Roy Cullenbine for Roy Weatherly and Oscar Grimes.

Decisions Impacting His Career

Rosar’s career really took a turn because he hesitated to fully commit to baseball at some key moments. At first, he felt angry about the Yankees trading him, but that changed to optimism once he realized he might finally become a regular starter.

“I’ve got a big break,” Rosar said about the trade. “If I had caught 100 games a year for the Yankees, in the eyes of the public I’d still have been a second-string catcher.”

In 1945, he refused to report to spring training, which kicked off rumors about a trade to the St. Louis Browns. He got stuck in a salary dispute, and even though he almost went back to the Yankees, the team ended up sending him to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 29, 1945, for catcher Frankie Hayes.

Retirement and Later Life

Warren Vincent “Buddy” Rosar wrapped up his 13-year Major League Baseball career in 1951 after playing his last season with the Boston Red Sox. When he left professional baseball, he headed back to his hometown of Buffalo, looking for opportunities outside the sport but still keeping some ties to the baseball world.

Transition from Baseball

Rosar played his final season in 1951, right before the Boston Red Sox released him. He saw limited action that year, which really signaled the end of a career that spanned four teams.

After the release, he went back to Eggertsville, New York, just outside Buffalo, where he’d already made his home. Even though he was in his late thirties, Rosar wasn’t quite ready to give up on baseball for good.

The next spring, he worked out with the Buffalo Bisons and hoped a major league team would take notice. Unfortunately, no one offered him a contract.

Rosar didn’t exactly embrace retirement right away. He had talked about wanting to stay in the game as a coach or manager, but it just didn’t happen.

Life After Professional Sports

After baseball, Rosar settled into life around Buffalo. During World War II, he’d worked at a war materiel factory in Buffalo, showing he could juggle work outside baseball with his playing career.

He married Ruth Therese Boyle in Buffalo in 1941, and together they had four children. Family life took center stage after he left professional baseball. Back in 1942, he had even left the Yankees without permission so he could be there for his son’s birth.

Rosar wasn’t just about baseball—he showed some entrepreneurial spirit, too. In 1948, he took drama lessons to improve his public speaking, figuring it would help him after baseball.

His wife Ruth shared his love of sports and was an accomplished bowler herself. They stayed in the Buffalo area, where Rosar had deep roots—his uncles had played professional baseball, too.

Legacy in Baseball

Buddy Rosar left his mark on Major League Baseball with his defensive skills. His 54.81% caught stealing percentage ranked among the best in history, behind only Hall of Famers Gabby Hartnett and Roy Campanella through 2015.

He set a record by catching 147 consecutive games without an error, a mark Yogi Berra eventually broke by just one game in 1959. That kind of reliability earned him respect as a catcher.

Rosar made five All-Star teams and even hit for the cycle, joining a pretty exclusive group as only the fifth catcher in major league history to do it. His career batting average of .261 showed he could handle the bat, too.

He played from 1939 to 1951, suiting up for the Yankees, Indians, Athletics, and Red Sox. He won two World Series championships with the Yankees, helping out during the team’s dynasty years.

People respected Rosar not just for his stats, but for the way he carried himself. He stayed professional and dedicated to the game, even when he clashed with management about personal matters.

Personal Life and Recognition

Warren Vincent “Buddy” Rosar kept his personal life pretty private, both during his baseball career and after he retired. Still, his contributions to the sport earned him recognition, whether he was playing or not.

Family and Personal Relationships

Rosar was born Warren Vincent Rosar on July 3, 1914, in Buffalo, New York. He lived until March 13, 1994, spending almost 80 years tied to his hometown.

After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1951, Rosar moved back to Buffalo and started a new career. He worked as an engineer at the Ford plant, shifting from pro athlete to steady industrial work.

That move showed he took a practical approach to life after baseball. A lot of players from his era needed regular jobs once their playing days ended.

Rosar stayed connected to Buffalo throughout his later years. He became part of the local community, working alongside other folks at the automotive plant.

His move from the spotlight of baseball to a quieter life in Buffalo really shows what the game was like back then. Players in the 1940s and 1950s often went back to regular jobs after they retired.

Honors and Posthumous Recognition

People recognized Buddy Rosar for his baseball achievements while he was alive, and even after he passed away. The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame honored him for what he brought to professional baseball.

He got inducted into the Buffalo hall of fame, which really celebrated his status as a five-time All-Star player. That recognition made his connection to his hometown feel even stronger and called attention to his success at the top level.

The hall of fame specifically pointed out how good he was defensively as a catcher. Back in 1946, he set a record by playing 117 consecutive games without an error, and people still talk about that.

Buffalo took a lot of pride in having someone like Rosar come from their city and make it to the majors. His time with four different MLB teams really brought some positive attention to Buffalo.

Even after he was gone, people kept his legacy alive for new generations of Buffalo sports fans. The hall of fame stands as a permanent reminder of everything he gave to professional baseball.