Al Cicotte – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Al Cicotte wrapped up his major league career in 1962. That marked the end of a five-year run where he bounced around six different teams, collecting memories of both promise and, well, a fair share of frustration.

This right-handed pitcher from Melvindale, Michigan, could really bring the heat. Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher, admired his fastball. But Cicotte struggled with control, and that kept him from making a bigger impact in the majors.

Cicotte put together a career record of 10 wins and 13 losses over 102 major league games from 1957 to 1962. He posted a 4.36 ERA while pitching for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Colt .45s. He started his journey in the minors in 1948 after signing with the Yankees, but his development got interrupted when he served in the Air Force Reserve.

As the nephew of the infamous Black Sox pitcher Eddie Cicotte, Al carried the pressure of family history and big expectations. His story shows just how tough it is for even talented players to stick in pro baseball. Raw ability is one thing—turning it into steady performance is another. From his early days as a high school star to his last season with the Houston Colt .45s, Cicotte’s career gives a window into mid-century baseball and the personal costs of chasing the major league dream.

Early Life and Background

Al Cicotte was born Alva Warren Cicotte on December 23, 1929, in Melvindale, Michigan. That’s a small suburb just southwest of Detroit.

His family had deep roots in the Detroit area, and his connection to one of baseball’s most infamous figures shaped his early years and his path to the pros.

Birth and Family Origins

Alva Warren Cicotte came into the world as the second of three children born to Alva A. and Eileen Edith (Moore) Cicotte. His dad worked as a public-works foreman in Melvindale, following a family tradition since his own father did the same kind of work.

The Cicottes had been in America for a long time. Al’s seventh great-grandfather, Jean Cicot, left France for Montreal, New France (now Canada) in 1650 when he was just 19. Ten years later, Jean married Marguerite Maclin, a fellow French native. The family later changed their name to Cicotte before the 1700s rolled around.

In the early 1700s, Jean’s grandson Zacharias Cicotte moved to Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit. France wanted to attract settlers, so they offered free land near the growing fur-trading post. That move started the Cicotte family’s long connection to Detroit.

Melvindale, Michigan Roots

Growing up in Melvindale, Al Cicotte quickly became a multi-sport athlete at Melvindale High School. He played baseball, basketball, and football for coach Val DeLuca, who had been a standout athlete at the same school back in the 1930s.

Cicotte really shined in football, earning All-State honors as a quarterback in 1948. Still, his real love was baseball, especially pitching.

He looked up to Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller. Under coach DeLuca, Cicotte absolutely dominated high school baseball, racking up 29 wins and just one loss. That kind of record got major league teams interested, including the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics.

Connection to Eddie Cicotte

Al Cicotte’s family connection to baseball’s darker side came through his great-uncle, Eddie Cicotte. Eddie was one of the Chicago White Sox players banned for life for the 1919 World Series scandal. Actually, Eddie was Al’s grandfather’s older brother, so they were great-uncle and great-nephew.

Even after the scandal ended Eddie’s career decades before, he offered Al some valuable advice. In 1953, when Al was making waves at Yankees spring training, Eddie told him, “Work on your control, boy. This is a good game. Always was… there’s no telling how far you can go.”

Eddie didn’t just talk about baseball mechanics. He added, “Watch yourself, but watch your companions more. Stay away from gamblers. Stay away from wrong people.” It’s advice born from hard experience, and it showed the family’s hope that Al would succeed where Eddie didn’t.

Path to Professional Baseball

Al Cicotte’s road to the majors started with a standout high school career in Michigan. He excelled in several sports before pro scouts took notice. That athleticism eventually led him to sign with the New York Yankees in 1948.

Amateur and High School Achievements

Cicotte made a name for himself as a standout athlete at Melvindale High School during the 1940s. He played baseball, basketball, and football, and his versatility earned him a spot as quarterback on the All-State Michigan High School team in 1948.

But baseball was his true calling. He idolized Bob Feller, the Cleveland Indians pitcher. Under coach DeLuca, Cicotte posted a dominant 29-1 record in high school baseball games.

His pitching caught the eye of several MLB teams. The Detroit Tigers let him work out with their big league club. The Philadelphia Athletics used him as a batting practice pitcher when they came through Detroit.

Those experiences gave Cicotte a taste of professional baseball. He learned firsthand how the big leagues operated. As his high school days ended, more teams started to chase after him.

Signing with the New York Yankees

After finishing high school in 1948, Cicotte made his move. He signed a $250-per-month contract with Yankees scout Red Meyers, joining the Yankees’ deep farm system.

The Yankees sent him to the Butler Yankees in Pennsylvania. That Class C Middle Atlantic League team became his first stop as a pro. At 18, Cicotte tied for the club lead with 32 appearances in his debut season.

His first year in pro ball had its ups and downs. He finished with a 7-8 record and a 5.49 ERA in 136 innings. Control was already an issue—he walked 74 batters and gave up 169 hits.

Signing with the Yankees was a big step. Their minor league system had plenty of places for him to develop. Cicotte’s professional baseball career had officially begun.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Al Cicotte pitched in the majors for five seasons between 1957 and 1962. He suited up for six teams, appearing in 102 games. He finished with a 10-13 record and a 4.36 ERA, working mostly as a reliever and struggling to find consistent control.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Cicotte made his big league debut on April 22, 1957, with the New York Yankees. He was 27 years old. He pitched the ninth inning against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium, giving up one run on two hits and two walks.

His career took him to several teams. He started with the Yankees in 1957, then joined the Washington Senators in 1958. Later that year, the Detroit Tigers traded for him on June 23.

The Cleveland Indians picked him up in November 1958 as part of a deal that included Billy Martin. Cicotte played the 1959 season in Cleveland before being sold to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He returned to the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. His last MLB season came in 1962 with the Houston Colt .45s. He made his final appearance on May 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pitching Style and Role

Cicotte stood 6’3″ and weighed 185 pounds. He threw right-handed and could really fire a fastball, but control was a constant problem.

He relied mainly on his fastball and curveball. In the minors in 1954-55, he added an effective slider that gave his career a bit of a boost.

Teams usually used him as a relief pitcher. Out of his 102 major league games, he started just 16. Managers often called on him in long relief when games were already decided.

Control issues followed him everywhere. He walked 119 batters in just 260 innings, which made every outing a bit of a tightrope.

In 1961, Cicotte vented his frustration, saying, “You can’t learn to pitch sitting in the bull pen, and that’s what I’ve been doing the last ten years.”

Key Career Highlights

Cicotte picked up his first major league win on June 29, 1957. He shut out the Kansas City Athletics on one hit over four innings in a 7-6 Yankees victory. That game was a bright spot in his rookie year.

His best MLB season came in 1957 with the Yankees. He went 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 65⅓ innings, striking out 37 and walking 30. For a while, his control seemed to improve.

People nicknamed him “Bozo” because he liked Bozo the Clown ice cream. Even with the playful nickname, Cicotte took pitching seriously.

He finished his career with 149 strikeouts and a 4.36 ERA over 260 innings. The numbers aren’t flashy, but they show he could compete at the highest level, even with his control problems.

Cicotte’s last MLB game came on May 8, 1962. He faced three Dodgers batters and retired them all in a perfect inning.

Notable Seasons and Team Tenures

Al Cicotte pitched for six different teams during his five years in the majors. His best days came with the New York Yankees. After that, he moved around a lot, finishing up with the expansion Houston Colt .45s.

Time with the New York Yankees

Cicotte debuted with the New York Yankees on April 22, 1957, at 27 years old. He’d spent almost ten years in their minor league system after signing in 1948.

In his rookie season, Cicotte appeared in 20 games for the Yankees. He put up a 2-2 record and a 3.03 ERA—his best season in the big leagues.

The Yankees mostly used him out of the bullpen. His low ERA looked promising for a rookie breaking in at that age.

That was his only season with the Yankees in the majors. Even after a decent year, they didn’t keep him around after 1957.

Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers Years

Cicotte spent 1958 split between two American League teams. He started with the Washington Senators and then got traded to the Detroit Tigers.

His numbers slipped that year compared to his Yankees debut. All the moving around probably made it tough for him to settle in and build relationships with coaches.

The Detroit Tigers kept him for part of 1958, but Cicotte couldn’t quite find his rhythm. His stats reflected the challenges of joining new teams and adjusting to different roles.

After Detroit, he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1959. That made it four teams in just three seasons—a pretty unstable ride for any player.

St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians Period

After his time with Cleveland in 1959, Cicotte spent 1960 in the minors. He had a huge year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, throwing an 11-inning no-hitter and winning the International League Triple Crown.

That success got him another shot at the majors. The St. Louis Cardinals brought him on for the 1961 season, making them his fifth big league team.

Cicotte’s time in St. Louis was short. He finished up his major league career in 1962 with the expansion Houston Colt .45s. His final MLB appearance came on May 8, 1962.

In that last game, he pitched 1.0 inning and didn’t allow a hit, strikeout, walk, or run. Not a bad way to close out a career that took him all over the league.

Statistics and Career Milestones

Al Cicotte’s MLB career lasted five seasons, from 1957 to 1962. He finished with a 10-13 record and a 4.36 ERA in 102 games. Over 260 innings, he struck out 149 batters while pitching for six different teams before retiring at age 32.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Cicotte wrapped up his MLB career with 10 wins and 13 losses, so his winning percentage landed at .435. His career ERA sat at 4.36, which really shows the tough road he faced as a journeyman pitcher in the majors.

He had his best season in 1957 with the New York Yankees. That year, he put up a 2-2 record and a 3.03 ERA over 20 appearances.

He pitched 65.1 innings that season and earned a reputation as a reliable reliever. Not a bad way to make a mark.

The 1958 season felt like a mixed bag for Cicotte since he played for two teams. With Detroit, he went 3-1 and posted a 3.56 ERA in 14 games.

His stint with Washington didn’t go as well—he finished 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA there.

He hit his lowest point statistically in 1959 with Cleveland. Cicotte struggled, putting up a 5.32 ERA even though he managed a 3-1 record in 26 appearances.

That year really marked a shift in his career.

Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

Cicotte racked up 149 strikeouts over 260 innings during his career. His strikeout rate averaged 5.2 per nine innings, which honestly seems a bit modest for pitchers from that era.

He threw the most innings in 1958—71 total between Washington and Detroit. But in 1961 with St. Louis, he pitched 75 innings, his highest single-season total.

He bounced between starting and relief roles. Cicotte started 16 games in his career and came out of the bullpen in 42 others.

He managed to pick up 5 saves along the way. That kind of versatility probably helped him stick around as long as he did.

Career Pitching Totals:

• Games: 102
• Innings Pitched: 260.0
• Strikeouts: 149
• Walks: 119
• WHIP: 1.535

Final Season and Retirement in 1962

Cicotte’s final MLB season came in 1962 with the Houston Colt .45s, who eventually became the Astros. He appeared in just 5 games that year, pitching 4.2 innings with a 3.86 ERA.

He made his last appearance on May 8, 1962, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers. In that outing, he threw one inning—no hits, no walks, no runs, and no strikeouts.

By 1962, the 32-year-old pitcher saw his playing time drop off a cliff. He’d averaged over 20 games per season earlier, but his role basically vanished that final year.

After the 1962 season, Cicotte walked away from professional baseball. He finished with five seasons in the majors, playing for six different teams in both the American and National Leagues.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

Al Cicotte left baseball and jumped into the insurance industry, where he built a successful career and even owned his own agency. Sadly, later in life, he faced financial challenges, probably due to health issues, before passing away in 1982 at just 52.

Post-Retirement Activities

After hanging up his cleats, Cicotte went back to work he’d already started during his playing days. He’d taken offseason jobs in insurance even while still pitching.

Once he retired in 1962, he worked full-time in insurance. Eventually, he owned his own agency.

That career move let him stay in Michigan. He kept close to his Detroit-area roots for the rest of his life.

The insurance business gave Cicotte steady income, which was important for supporting his family after baseball.

Recognition and Influence on the Game

Cicotte’s major league career was short but memorable for a few reasons. He pitched in 102 MLB games over five seasons from 1957 to 1962.

He finished with a 10-13 record and a 4.36 ERA, numbers that show how much he struggled with control.

Cicotte’s connection to baseball history went past his own stats. He was the grandnephew of Eddie Cicotte, the notorious pitcher from the 1919 Black Sox scandal.

That family link brought extra attention—and probably some pressure. Eddie Cicotte even warned his great-nephew to avoid gamblers and bad influences as Al’s career got going.

Despite his control problems, Cicotte could be impressive. His fastball once caught Hall of Famer Yogi Berra’s attention during spring training.

Personal Life and Passing

Cicotte spent his later years struggling with money. Starting in the 1970s, he faced some pretty tough financial stress. Health issues likely made it harder for him to work and keep up with bills.

He died on November 29, 1982, at just 52 years old in Westland, Michigan. That’s not old at all, honestly, and it really shows how serious his health problems must have been.

His father, Warren John Cicotte, outlived him and passed away in 2004. Warren kept the family’s connection to the infamous Eddie Cicotte alive.

The Cicotte family’s roots run deep in Detroit. Generations of them lived in the area after their ancestors moved there in the early 1700s, when France gave away land around the old fur-trading community.