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

Don Richmond wrapped up his baseball career in 1951, almost quietly, after a decade that World War II and brief stints in the majors interrupted. The third baseman from Gillett, Pennsylvania, played his last professional game on May 13, 1951, with the St. Louis Cardinals. That day, he closed the book on a career that stretched across parts of four major league seasons.

Richmond’s big league numbers were modest—a .211 batting average, two home runs, and 22 RBIs in 56 games split between the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. His stats might not jump off the page, but honestly, his story feels like it belongs to so many players whose careers got derailed by wartime service and the cutthroat nature of pro baseball in the ’40s and early ’50s.

Richmond’s journey through pro baseball shows just how tough it was for players to carve out a spot in the majors during those unpredictable years. He lost four prime seasons to military service. He had some standout moments in the minors. And he faced the harsh reality of fighting for roster spots as the sport grew more competitive.

If you look at his path from small-town Pennsylvania to the big leagues, you get a real sense of what baseball looked like in the mid-20th century.

Profile of Don Richmond

Don Richmond was born on October 27, 1919, in Gillett, Pennsylvania. He lived to age 61 before passing away in Elmira, New York.

His baseball career lasted over a decade, even though he faced some big interruptions. He left a real mark in minor league baseball.

Early Life and Background

Don Richmond came into the world in Gillett, Pennsylvania, back in 1919.

He went to Troy High School in Troy, Pennsylvania. That’s where he really started to hone his baseball skills.

Richmond kicked off his professional baseball career in 1940, when he was 21. World War II, though, forced him to put things on hold for four years, just like it did for so many others.

He made his major league debut on September 16, 1941, with the Philadelphia Athletics. Richmond was just 21 when he first took the field in the majors.

Physical Characteristics:

• Height: 6 feet 1 inch
• Weight: 175 pounds
• Batted: Left-handed
• Threw: Right-handed

Richmond mostly played third base, though he spent some time in the outfield too. Batting left-handed and throwing right-handed gave him a kind of versatility that managers usually appreciate.

Personal Life and Legacy

Richmond passed away on May 24, 1981, in Elmira, New York, at 61. They buried him at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Elmira.

He made his biggest impact in the minor leagues, honestly. Richmond won the International League batting crown in both 1950 and 1951 with the Rochester Red Wings. That .350 batting average in 1951? Pretty impressive.

In 1959, Richmond took on the dual role of player-manager for the Batavia Indians. That move really showed off his baseball smarts and leadership.

People recognized his contributions later on. Richmond got inducted into the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1990. Then, in 2013, he joined the International League Hall of Fame.

MLB Career Overview

Don Richmond played in the majors for parts of four seasons between 1941 and 1951. He put together a .211 batting average, 2 home runs, and 22 RBIs in 56 games.

His MLB career got interrupted by military service during World War II. That left a big gap between his early and later appearances.

Teams Played For

Richmond suited up for two MLB teams. He started with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1941, making his debut as a 21-year-old third baseman.

After coming back from military service, Richmond returned to the Athletics for the 1946 and 1947 seasons. He didn’t get a ton of playing time, but he did pick up some valuable experience.

His last shot in the majors came with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1951. Richmond played just 12 games for the Cardinals before his major league days ended. That short stint pretty much closed the chapter on his top-level career.

The Athletics gave him most of his big league chances. The Cardinals gave him one last opportunity to show what he could do at 31.

MLB Debut and Retirement Year

Richmond made his MLB debut on September 16, 1941, with the Philadelphia Athletics. He was 21 years and 324 days old. That first game was against the St. Louis Browns, and Richmond managed one hit in six at-bats.

World War II interrupted his development. He served four years in the military, missing the 1942-1945 seasons entirely. That gap really changed his career trajectory.

He came back to the Athletics in 1946 and played a bit over the next two seasons.

His final MLB appearance happened on May 13, 1951, with the St. Louis Cardinals. Richmond was 31 when he played his last game, ending a career that, honestly, never got the momentum it could’ve had.

Notable Moments in the Major Leagues

Richmond’s time in the majors was more about persistence than big moments. His .211 batting average says a lot about the uphill battle he fought at the top level.

He hit two career home runs—not a lot, but they were flashes of power in limited chances. With only 152 at-bats over four seasons, Richmond just couldn’t lock down a regular spot.

That four-year gap for military service really hurt his development. When he came back, he found the competition for roster spots had only gotten tougher.

His ability to play third base helped him get several opportunities. Richmond’s left-handed bat and right-handed arm gave managers some tactical options.

Even though he didn’t rack up big numbers, Richmond’s determination to reach the majors twice, after being interrupted, speaks to his grit.

1951 Season and Retirement

Don Richmond spent his last season in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals. He only appeared in 12 games during that final campaign, and his career ended without much fanfare.

Final MLB Appearances

In 1951, Richmond’s playing time with the Cardinals was pretty limited. He got into just 12 games for the whole season.

His last appearance came on May 13, 1951, when he was 31 years old. That game marked the end of a career that World War II had interrupted so heavily.

He split those 12 games between home and away—2 at home, 10 on the road.

With so few appearances, it was clear the Cardinals didn’t see him as a regular anymore. Richmond mostly came off the bench as a pinch-hitter or filled in for spot starts.

Statistics From the 1951 Season

Richmond’s stats in 1951 showed he really struggled at the plate. He managed just 3 hits in 34 at-bats, leaving him with a .088 batting average.

He did hit 1 home run and drove in 4 runs during his 12 games. Richmond also scored 3 runs that year.

His on-base percentage sat at .206, and his slugging percentage was .162. Those numbers were a big drop from what he’d done earlier in his career.

He actually posted a .375 on-base percentage at home, even though he didn’t get any hits in 5 at-bats.

Circumstances of Retirement

After that rough 1951 season with the Cardinals, Richmond stepped away from MLB. At 31, his chances to play were pretty much gone.

His career numbers in the majors: a .211 batting average, 2 home runs, and 22 RBIs in 56 games. Losing those four years to World War II really set him back.

Richmond didn’t walk away from baseball, though. He kept playing in the minor leagues. In fact, he won International League batting titles in 1950 and 1951 with the Rochester Red Wings.

He hit .350 with Rochester in 1951, which makes you wonder what might’ve been if he’d gotten more chances in the majors.

Richmond later moved into managing, becoming player-manager for the Batavia Indians in 1959. Years later, the Rochester Red Wings put him in their Hall of Fame in 1990.

Minor League Achievements

Richmond’s real baseball talent showed up in the minor leagues, especially with the Rochester Red Wings. He won back-to-back International League batting titles there. Later, he took on leadership roles as a player-manager.

International League Batting Titles

Don Richmond hit his stride in the International League in 1950 and 1951. He picked up consecutive batting crowns with the Rochester Red Wings.

His 1951 season, in particular, stands out. He batted .350, showing off the hitting skills that didn’t quite translate in the majors.

Those back-to-back titles proved Richmond could really swing the bat. He managed these feats after his major league days had basically ended, which says a lot about his ability to keep competing.

Rochester Red Wings Success

Richmond’s time with the Rochester Red Wings was the highlight of his pro baseball life. The team gave him plenty of playing time and a real chance to show what he could do.

He did way better with Rochester than he ever did in the majors. While he hit just .211 in the big leagues, he thrived in the International League.

The Red Wings recognized what he brought to the table. Richmond’s great run in Rochester earned him a spot in their Hall of Fame in 1990.

He wasn’t just piling up stats, either. Richmond became a key guy for the franchise during his years there.

Player-Manager Role in Batavia

Later on, Richmond moved into a leadership role. He took over as player-manager for the Batavia Indians in 1959, combining his on-field experience with managing duties.

That dual role let him pass on his baseball knowledge to younger players. Having major league experience, even if it was brief, gave him insights that other guys could use.

A lot of former big leaguers went into player-manager roles to keep their careers going and help develop new talent.

Richmond’s leadership made a difference for the Batavia Indians that season. He had the right mix of experience and baseball sense for the job.

Playing Style and Positions

Don Richmond mostly played third base in the majors, but he also spent some time in the outfield. He batted left-handed and had reliable defensive skills, which made him a handy utility player for both the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.

Primary Position: Third Base

Richmond really made his mark as a third baseman for most of his career. At 6-1 and 175 pounds, he had the build for the hot corner.

He played steady defense at third. Richmond’s right arm was accurate, making those long throws across the diamond look routine.

Third base takes quick reflexes and solid hands, and Richmond picked up those skills in the minors.

When he got the chance to start in the majors between 1941 and 1951, he was usually at third base. Managers liked having him there for some defensive stability.

Fielding Abilities

Richmond’s fielding was good enough for the majors. Those defensive chops helped keep him in pro baseball for more than a decade, even when his bat cooled off.

He showed decent range at third and could handle routine grounders without much trouble. His 6-1 frame gave him some extra reach for line drives and foul pops.

His throwing arm was strong enough for the job. Richmond didn’t make many costly errors, and that reliability counted in close games.

Pinch Hitting and Versatility

Richmond played multiple positions, which made him a valuable bench player. Managers could put him at third base or move him to the outfield whenever they needed a quick fix.

He batted left-handed, giving teams a new angle against right-handed pitchers. Richmond often stepped in as a pinch hitter late in games.

This versatility kept his career going longer than his .211 batting average might suggest. Teams back then really wanted players who could handle different roles, especially since rosters were smaller than what we see today.

Career Statistics and Analysis

Don Richmond spent four years in Major League Baseball, hitting .211 across 56 games with the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. He faced plenty of challenges at the plate, especially since military service during World War II interrupted his prime years.

Batting Average and Offensive Metrics

Richmond’s .211 career batting average tells you he struggled to find consistent success at the plate. His best stretch came in 1946 with Philadelphia, when he hit .290 over 16 games.

During his 1941 rookie season, he managed a .200 average in limited action. After missing four years for military service, Richmond returned in 1946 and put up his strongest offensive performance.

In 1947, he dropped to .190 across 19 games. By 1951 with St. Louis, he finished with just a .088 average in 12 games.

His on-base percentage sat at .241, and he slugged .316, which shows he didn’t have much plate discipline or power. These numbers put him well below league averages during his playing days.

Home Runs and Run Production

Richmond’s power numbers stayed modest throughout his career. He hit just 2 home runs in 56 major league games, both coming during his time with Philadelphia.

He drove in 22 runs over four seasons. In 1946, he had his best run production, knocking in 9 RBIs in only 16 games.

Richmond crossed the plate 11 times in his career, but he didn’t do much on the basepaths. He stole just one base and got caught three times.

He collected 6 doubles and 2 triples as extra-base hits. Without steady power, his offensive value in the majors stayed pretty limited.

MLB and Minor League Comparison

Richmond put up much better numbers in the minors than he ever did in the big leagues. He won International League batting titles in 1950 and 1951 with the Rochester Red Wings.

In 1951, he hit .350 for Rochester, which really highlights the gap between his minor and major league results. That’s a 262-point difference, if you’re counting.

He played pro ball for 14 seasons and bounced around 10 different minor league teams. Honestly, it’s clear he had talent, but it just didn’t translate consistently to the majors.

Losing his prime years to military service probably hurt his development and timing.

Recognition and Accolades

Don Richmond picked up several posthumous honors that celebrated what he did in minor league baseball. His statistical records live on in modern baseball databases, so researchers and fans can still look up his career achievements.

Hall of Fame Inductions

The Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame inducted Richmond in 1990, recognizing his standout performance with the team in the early 1950s.

In 2013, he got his biggest honor with induction into the International League Hall of Fame. That award celebrated his back-to-back batting championships in 1950 and 1951 with Rochester.

His .350 batting average in 1951 stands out as one of the best single-season performances in International League history. Winning two straight batting titles showed he could deliver excellence at the Triple-A level.

The International League Hall of Fame put Richmond among the elite minor league players of his time. They inducted him more than 30 years after he passed away, which says a lot about how his stats still resonate.

Historical Impact on Baseball

Richmond’s career bridged the pre-war and post-war baseball eras. He lost four years to military service, just like so many players during World War II.

He moved into a player-manager role with the Batavia Indians in 1959, which was a pretty typical next step in baseball back then. Even after his playing days, he stayed involved in the game.

Richmond found a lot of success in the minors, but he didn’t get as many chances in the majors. His story really captures what happened to a lot of talented guys in an era with fewer major league teams and roster spots.

Retrosheet and Statistical Legacy

You can still find Richmond’s career stats on Retrosheet, which is a pretty thorough baseball database. They even break down his major league games one by one, so you can see exactly how he performed.

If you check out Retrosheet.org, you’ll see his full statistical profile. He hit .211 in the majors and had 152 at-bats, which isn’t something you see every day. Thanks to these records, his baseball legacy sticks around for anyone curious enough to look.

People still mention his minor league achievements, especially those International League batting championships, in old baseball references. Honestly, it’s nice that his contributions to pro baseball haven’t faded into obscurity.