Frank Barrett – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank Barrett’s name might not pop up in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but his journey through Major League Baseball has the makings of a dedicated pitcher who stuck it out at the top level for more than a decade. Born Francis Joseph Barrett in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he made a respectable career as a relief pitcher during a time when the game was changing fast.

Between 1939 and 1950, Barrett pitched for four different MLB teams. He put together a 15-17 record with a 3.51 ERA in 104 games. His career ran through some of baseball’s toughest years, including World War II, when so many players left to serve in the military.

Barrett’s path took him from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Boston Red Sox, then to the Boston Braves, and, finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What makes Barrett’s story stand out is how he managed to fit in with different teams and pitching styles over the years. His experience gives us a peek into the life of a journeyman pitcher during baseball’s golden age.

He started out in Florida, then moved on to coaching and managing in the minor leagues after his playing days ended.

Early Life and Background

Francis Joseph Barrett was born on July 1, 1913, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He grew up in a multicultural family that shaped his outlook.

Barrett’s athletic side really showed during his years at St. Leo’s, where he played a bunch of sports before settling on baseball.

Childhood and Family

Frank Barrett grew up on a truck farm in Fort Lauderdale with his older sister Claressa. His parents, Lorenzo Clark Barrett and Harriet Emily (DuChene) Barrett, came from different parts of the United States.

Lorenzo was from New York, and Emily came from Minnesota. Emily’s family background was even more varied, with a mom from Kentucky and a dad from France.

The Barretts brought together French, Irish, and Scottish roots. That mix was pretty common in Florida’s growing towns back in the early 1900s.

Life on the farm taught Frank the value of hard work. That agricultural upbringing gave him discipline and grit, which would help him later in baseball.

Education and Early Baseball Influences

Barrett went to public school in Fort Lauderdale before heading to St. Leo’s High School in St. Leo, Florida. People described St. Leo’s as a “serious English-style prep school” in Pasco County.

At St. Leo’s, Barrett played multiple sports. He pitched for the baseball team, lined up as an end on the football field, played center in basketball, and even threw his weight around on the track team.

His athletic versatility was obvious. Still, baseball became his top sport as he got older.

Barrett also played American Legion baseball, which gave him more chances to compete. That program helped launch a lot of future pros in the 1920s and 1930s.

Path to Professional Baseball

After high school, Barrett kept playing semipro baseball while figuring out what to do next. At first, he thought he’d end up farming like his family.

No one seems totally sure how Barrett got spotted by pro scouts. Still, the St. Louis Cardinals organization noticed his talent in 1935.

Barrett signed with the Cardinals and started out with the Albany Travelers in the Georgia-Florida League. His first season was rough—he went 8-10 with a 6.63 ERA.

Even after those early struggles, the Cardinals saw something in him. At 6-foot-2 and 173 pounds, Barrett had the size and tools to stick as a pitcher.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Francis Joseph Barrett played pro baseball for 18 years. He spent five years in the majors from 1939 to 1950.

He pitched for four teams and became a steady relief pitcher with a 15-17 record and 3.51 ERA in 104 games.

Major League Debut and Teams

Frank Barrett made his major league debut on October 1, 1939, with the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. He was 26 when he first took the mound in the big leagues.

Barrett’s MLB journey took him through four different organizations. After his first game with the Cardinals, he didn’t get back to the majors until 1944, when the Boston Red Sox traded for him.

The Red Sox picked up Barrett on June 10, 1944, trading lefty Stan Partenheimer and some cash to get him. He pitched two seasons in Boston, from 1944 to 1945.

In 1946, Barrett joined the Boston Braves after they bought his contract from the Indianapolis Indians on June 27. His last big league stint came with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950, where he pitched in five September games before calling it quits.

Role as a Pitcher

Barrett worked mainly as a relief pitcher during his major league run. Out of 104 games, he started just two, spending nearly all his time in the bullpen.

He had his best seasons with the Red Sox during World War II. In 1944, he went 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 38 games, closing 26 of them and picking up eight saves.

Barrett got even better in 1945, finishing with a 2.62 ERA and a 4-3 record. He pitched only in relief that year, again closing 26 games for Boston.

The right-hander stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 173 pounds. He threw and hit right-handed, keeping his mechanics steady throughout his career.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Barrett picked up his first major league win on June 14, 1944, in a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at Fenway Park. He threw 7⅔ innings of long relief that day, giving up just one run on seven hits.

Before making it to the majors, Barrett had some minor league highlights too. In 1939, he tossed a seven-inning no-hitter for the Houston Buffaloes against Beaumont on August 7.

Over his MLB career, Barrett posted a 15-17 record with a 3.51 ERA. He struck out 91 batters and walked 97 in 271⅔ innings.

His last big league game came on September 15, 1950, against the Boston Braves. Barrett pitched one inning, allowed one hit, and didn’t record any strikeouts. That wrapped up his major league career after 11 years in pro baseball.

Notable Seasons and Performances

Barrett’s career had clear phases with different teams. His best years came during World War II, when he made a name for himself as a reliable relief pitcher.

His 1944 season with Boston was his breakout, while his short runs with other teams showed how he could adapt as a journeyman pitcher.

Performance with St. Louis Cardinals

Barrett debuted in the majors in 1939 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in just one game during that first stint.

That brief shot gave him a taste of big league baseball. Barrett was 26 at the time.

After that single game, Barrett went back to the minors for a few years. The Cardinals experience gave him valuable exposure before his bigger contributions later on.

Boston Red Sox Years

Barrett hit his stride with the Boston Red Sox in 1944 and 1945. In 1944, he finished with an 8-7 record and 9 saves over 90.1 innings.

That 1944 season was easily his best. At 30, he finally stuck as a regular in the majors.

World War II opened doors for players like Barrett, since so many stars were away serving. He made the most of it, showing what he could do as a relief pitcher.

His efforts helped the Red Sox get through the wartime seasons. Barrett stayed with Boston through 1945, keeping his spot in the bullpen.

Contributions to Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates

Barrett pitched for the Boston Braves in 1946, then took a few years away from the majors. He came back in 1950 with the Pittsburgh Pirates for his last season.

His final game was on September 15, 1950, against Boston. Barrett threw one inning, allowed one hit, and didn’t walk or strike out anyone.

At 37, Barrett wrapped up his big league days with the Pirates. That last season included just five games.

Barrett finished with 15 wins, 17 losses, and 12 saves in 104 games over five seasons. His 3.51 ERA showed he was pretty solid during his time.

Retirement and Later Life

Frank Barrett ended his baseball career in 1950 after a short return to the majors with Pittsburgh. That capped an 18-year run in professional baseball.

He moved into coaching and managing, then found success as a businessman in Florida.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1950

Barrett’s last major league game happened on September 15, 1950, with the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 37. The Pirates had bought his contract from the New Orleans Pelicans on August 31, giving him one more shot in the majors.

He appeared in just five games that September. Those outings had a bit of everything—some good, some not so much.

On September 4, Barrett came into a game against the Cubs with Pittsburgh down 3-1 and runners on base. He threw one pitch, got a groundout, and ended the inning.

The Pirates rallied for three runs in the seventh, giving Barrett the win even though he was lifted for a pinch-hitter.

His next two games didn’t go as well. Both times, he gave up the winning runs in extra innings. Barrett finished with a 1-2 record and a 4.15 ERA for that last MLB stint.

Minor League Coaching and Managing

After playing, Barrett stayed in pro baseball as a manager. In March 1951, he took over the Burlington, North Carolina Bees in the Class-B Carolina League, a Pirates farm team.

His first shot as a manager was tough. On June 30, Mike Kash replaced him, and Barrett moved to manage the Butler Tigers in Pennsylvania’s Class-C Middle Atlantic League. Burlington ended up in last place that year.

Barrett kept managing and pitching at the same time. He went 2-2 on the mound in Burlington and 4-3 in Butler. That player-manager role was pretty common in the lower minors back then.

In 1952, he managed the Mayfield Clothiers in the Class-D Kitty League for a full season. Barrett pitched 120 innings in 39 games, going 3-2. Still, the team landed in last place.

His last managing job came in 1953 when he took over the Leesburg team mid-season, stepping in for a manager known as “Red.”

Life After Baseball

Barrett made a smooth move from baseball to running a business in Florida. In 1953, he opened Red Barrett’s Drive-In Restaurant and ran it until 1966. The place became a local hangout in Leesburg.

He also bought a Phillips 66 gas station in 1954 and kept it going until 1978. Folks who stopped for gas or repairs might have had their car worked on by a former big league pitcher—probably without knowing it.

Barrett married Helen Schneemilch on January 1, 1943, while he was playing for Columbus. Helen worked as a cashier, and her dad sold insurance in Columbus. They had one daughter together.

Francis Joseph Barrett lived quietly in Leesburg for decades after baseball. He passed away at Leesburg Regional Medical Center on March 6, 1998, at age 84. His death certificate listed his job as “Baseball Player, Professional.”

His wife Helen survived him, and he was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Leesburg. Barrett’s 25-year path from Fort Lauderdale farm kid to major league pitcher ended right back in central Florida.

Statistics and Career Legacy

Frank Barrett played five years in the majors and finished with a 15-17 record and a 3.51 ERA in 104 games.

His stats and career details are still out there in baseball reference books, even if he never set records or picked up any big awards.

Major League Statistics

Barrett played for four different teams between 1939 and 1950. He put up a 3.51 ERA over 217.2 innings pitched, with 90 strikeouts and 90 walks.

He had his best season in 1945 with the Boston Red Sox. That year, Barrett threw in 37 games, picked up 4 wins and 3 losses, and finished with a 2.62 ERA. He added 1.4 WAR that season, which was the highest single-season mark of his career.

Barrett mostly worked as a relief pitcher. He started just 2 games but came out of the bullpen in 67, usually as a closer or middle reliever. He notched 12 saves over his major league run.

Barrett’s 1.383 WHIP shows he struggled with control, walking almost as many batters as he struck out. With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of exactly 1.00, he showed about average command for pitchers of that era.

Recognition and Records

Barrett didn’t win any big awards or set records during his career. He never made an All-Star Game or got MVP votes. His stats put him firmly in the category of journeyman relievers from the 1940s.

His most notable season came in 1944 when he racked up 8 saves for Boston. That was a solid boost for the Red Sox bullpen during World War II, when so many stars were off serving in the military.

Barrett managed to stick around with four different teams, which says something about his value as a steady relief option. Teams kept signing him, even though his numbers were modest, probably because they respected his work ethic and attitude.

He pitched his last game on September 15, 1950, facing the Boston Braves. Barrett worked one inning, gave up one hit, and didn’t allow any runs, walks, or strikeouts.

Baseball Almanac and Reference Sources

You’ll find Barrett’s career stats in all the big baseball reference sites and archives. Baseball-Reference.com keeps his full profile, including minor league and fielding data.

The Baseball Cube and StatsCrew.com also track his numbers and bio details. They list his birth date as July 1, 1913 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and his death on March 6, 1998 in Leesburg, Florida.

ESPN’s historical database shows Barrett’s stats by season and career totals. These sources make sure his time with four major league teams stays on record for researchers and baseball fans.

Stat sites note he stood 6’2″ and weighed 173 pounds. They also mention he went to St. Leo College before going pro.

Personal Details and Legacy

Francis Joseph Barrett left a modest, meaningful legacy that went past his days on the mound. After baseball, he ventured into business and eventually passed away quietly in Florida, closing a life spent serving both the sport and his local community.

Name, Nickname, and Personal Traits

Francis Joseph Barrett was born July 1, 1913, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. People usually called him “Red” during his baseball career and after.

Barrett was 6-foot-2 and weighed 173 pounds in his playing days. He threw and batted right-handed.

His red hair earned him the “Red” nickname, and it stuck with him for life. He even used it later on when he got into business.

Barrett grew up on a truck farm in Fort Lauderdale with his older sister, Claressa. His parents, Lorenzo Clark Barrett from New York and Harriet Emily Barrett from Minnesota, raised him.

The Barrett family had French, Irish, and Scottish roots. Barrett went to St. Leo’s High School in Pasco County, where he played baseball, football, basketball, and ran track.

He married Helen Schneemilch on January 1, 1943, while he played for the Columbus Red Birds. Helen worked as a cashier, and her father sold insurance in Columbus. They had one daughter.

Death and Memorials

Frank Barrett died on March 6, 1998, at 84 years old. He passed away at Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg, Florida.

His death certificate listed his usual occupation as “Baseball Player, Professional,” which says a lot about how much the game meant to him, even decades after he retired.

His wife Helen survived him, and they’d been together for more than 50 years. After his playing days, they built their life in Florida.

Barrett was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Leesburg, Florida. That cemetery became his final resting place, right in the community where he built his post-baseball career.

His grave marker mentions his baseball career, serving as a lasting tribute to what he gave the sport in the 1940s and 1950s.

Impact on Baseball Community

Barrett made his mark on baseball well beyond just his stats. After his playing days ended in 1950, he jumped into managing and coaching in the minor leagues.

In 1951, he took charge of the Burlington, North Carolina Bees in the Class-B Carolina League. A bit later, he managed the Butler, Pennsylvania Tigers in the Class-C Middle Atlantic League.

He kept managing through 1953. During that time, he worked with the Mayfield Clothiers in the Kitty League, then stepped in mid-season to manage in Leesburg.

Barrett didn’t just manage—he also pitched while running the team. That sort of multitasking? Not everyone can pull it off.

His move from player to manager really showed how much he understood the game. In the early 1950s, he helped shape younger players coming up through the minor leagues.

After he left baseball, Barrett still found ways to stay involved with his community. In 1953, he opened up Red Barrett’s Drive-in Restaurant and ran it until 1966.

From 1954 to 1978, he ran a Phillips 66 service station. Those businesses made him a familiar face around Leesburg.

A lot of longtime residents probably remember him more as the guy from the drive-in or gas station than as a former big league pitcher. Funny how life works out sometimes.