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

Al McBean wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1970 after a solid run that spanned a decade. He made his mark as both a starter and reliever in Major League Baseball. Coming from the Virgin Islands, he spent most of those ten seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During the mid-1960s, he really developed into one of the National League’s top relief pitchers.

McBean put together a career record of 67 wins and 50 losses with a 3.13 earned run average across 409 games. He struck out 575 batters and notched 63 saves. His best season? That was 1964, when he earned The Sporting News National League Fireman of the Year award by going 8-3 with 21 saves for the Pirates.

His journey from a spontaneous tryout in the Virgin Islands to the big leagues is honestly pretty fascinating. McBean played for three different teams, switched from starting to relief pitching, and eventually returned home, where he kept making a difference in his community even after his baseball days were over.

Early Life and Background

Al McBean was born on May 15, 1938, in Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands. He became baseball’s first major league player from the Virgin Islands.

He played baseball growing up on the islands before attending Charlotte Amalie High School. That’s where his athletic talents really started to show.

Family and Childhood in the Virgin Islands

Alvin O’Neal McBean spent his early years in the Virgin Islands, where baseball was a favorite pastime for local kids. In Charlotte Amalie, he found his love for the game on the island’s fields and beaches.

The climate in the Virgin Islands made year-round baseball possible. Local games and pickup competitions were everywhere.

Growing up in a close-knit community shaped McBean’s childhood. Baseball wasn’t just for fun—it was also a possible ticket to bigger things. His athletic talent became obvious during his teenage years.

Education and Charlotte Amalie High School

McBean went to Charlotte Amalie High School and kept working on his baseball skills there. The school’s athletic programs gave him some structure and helped him refine his pitching.

Those high school years really prepared him for a shot at pro baseball. The Virgin Islands’ education system in the 1950s didn’t have as many resources as mainland schools, but McBean still managed to excel both in class and on the field.

Charlotte Amalie High School set the stage for his baseball career. Teachers and coaches noticed his talent early. Even though the school’s baseball program was modest, it gave him the training and competition he needed.

Discovery by the Pittsburgh Pirates

In 1957, the Pittsburgh Pirates held a tryout in St. Thomas that ended up changing McBean’s life. He actually went there just to take photos for a local paper—part of his job at the time.

But his friends talked him into trying out instead of just snapping pictures. That one decision turned out to be huge for him. Pirates scouts liked his natural pitching ability and strong arm.

After the tryout, the Pirates invited him to Spring training in 1958. McBean signed his first professional contract as an amateur free agent. That opportunity was a huge leap—from the Virgin Islands right into the world of professional baseball.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Al McBean pitched in the majors for nine seasons from 1961 to 1970, finishing with a 67-50 record and a 3.13 ERA in 409 games. He spent the bulk of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the San Diego Padres picked him in the 1968 expansion draft.

Debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates

McBean made his MLB debut on July 2, 1961, in the first game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants at Forbes Field. Things didn’t start great for him—Ed Bailey reached on an error, then came a double, wild pitch, and single, giving the Giants two runs.

But McBean bounced back. Over his next six appearances, he pitched 10.2 innings without allowing a run and picked up his first two career wins.

He wrapped up his rookie year with a 3-2 record and a 3.75 ERA in 27 games. On September 11, he made his first career start against the Giants, giving up three earned runs over nine innings but didn’t get a decision.

The Pirates moved McBean to a full-time starter in 1962. He responded with a strong 15-10 record and a 3.70 ERA, proving himself as a reliable part of the rotation.

Role and Achievements with the Pirates

In May 1963, McBean switched to relief pitching and found his groove. He went 11-2 with a 2.12 ERA and 11 saves coming out of the bullpen, showing he really belonged in that role.

His peak came in 1964 when he won The Sporting News NL Fireman of the Year award. That year, he posted an 8-3 record with 21 saves and had a remarkable 0.69 ERA through June 27.

Career Statistics with Pittsburgh Pirates (1961-1968):

• Record: 58-38
• ERA: 3.04
• Saves: 52
• Games: 337

McBean stayed among the NL’s best relievers in 1965, going 6-6 with a 2.29 ERA and 19 saves. But in 1966, Roy Face came back from injury and took over the closer spot, which pushed McBean to mop-up duty.

Manager Danny Murtaugh put McBean back in the starting rotation in 1967. McBean answered with a 4-1 record and a 2.11 ERA in seven starts, even completing five games.

Expansion Draft and Move to the Padres

The San Diego Padres picked McBean as the 50th player in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. That move ended his long run with the Pirates.

McBean only made one appearance for the Padres before they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal sent him to L.A. in exchange for Tommy Dean and pitcher Leon Everitt.

With the Dodgers, McBean mostly worked as a reliever. He went 2-6 with a 3.91 ERA and picked up four saves in 1969.

His last MLB season came in 1970, and it was a short one—he pitched just one inning for the Dodgers before they released him.

The Pirates brought him back for a final stint in 1970. He made seven relief appearances before his release on May 18. That ended his major league career, with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings that season.

Performance and Career Statistics

Al McBean put together a solid 10-year career, finishing with 67 wins and 50 losses and a 3.13 ERA in 409 games. He handled both starting and relieving, picked up 63 saves, and struck out 575 batters over his decade in the majors.

Wins, Losses, and Saves

McBean’s best win total came in 1962, when he notched 15 victories against 10 losses. His win percentage peaked in 1963—he went 13-3 as he settled into a relief role.

He was especially effective as a closer. In 1964, he racked up 21 saves and established himself as one of the National League’s best relief pitchers. That year, he was named the National League’s Fireman of the Year.

In 1965, McBean added 19 saves, ranking him fourth in the NL. Closing games really became his specialty in the mid-1960s.

Overall, he totaled 63 saves and kept a .573 winning percentage. He won 67 career games, with 65 of those coming while he was with Pittsburgh.

ERA and Pitching Effectiveness

McBean’s best season for ERA was 1964, when he posted a 1.91 ERA in 58 relief outings. That stands as one of the best relief seasons in Pirates history.

Over his career, his 3.13 ERA showed he was consistently effective in different roles. He managed an ERA below 3.00 in four seasons, including 2.57 in 1963 and 2.29 in 1965.

His career ERA+ of 111 means he was 11% better than the league average pitcher. In 1964, his ERA+ jumped to 184.

McBean had a WHIP of 1.327, which shows solid control. He gave up 8.9 hits per nine innings, limiting hitters pretty well.

Strikeouts and Pitching Style

McBean struck out 575 batters in his 10 seasons, averaging 4.8 strikeouts per nine innings. His best strikeout season was 1962, when he fanned 119 as a starter.

He added a slider and slow curve to his pitching arsenal in 1965, which helped him stay effective as a full-time reliever.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio was 1.58—not bad for the era. He issued 365 walks in his career but kept decent command of the zone.

McBean’s pitching style changed as he moved from starter to reliever. His best years came during his relief-only stretch from 1964 to 1966. He finished 187 games as the final pitcher, really showing off his closing ability.

Runs, Hits, and Other Key Metrics

Batters collected 1,058 hits off McBean in 1,072.1 innings. He allowed 430 total runs and 373 earned runs during his career.

He gave up 63 home runs, averaging 0.5 per nine innings. McBean’s knack for keeping the ball in the park was a big part of his success.

He hit 30 batters, committed six balks, and threw 35 wild pitches. Those numbers are pretty typical for pitchers from his era.

McBean faced 4,518 batters throughout his career. During his best years in Pittsburgh, opponents struggled to get on base against him.

His FIP was 3.32, which lined up closely with his ERA. That suggests his stats reflected his actual pitching, not just good defense behind him.

Teams Played For After the Pirates

After leaving Pittsburgh in 1968 via the expansion draft, McBean played for three teams in his final two seasons. He went from San Diego to Los Angeles and then made a brief return to Pittsburgh.

San Diego Padres Tenure

The San Diego Padres picked McBean as their 50th selection in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. That was a big change for him, since he’d spent his whole career with the Pirates.

His time with the Padres was super short. He made only one appearance before they traded him.

San Diego sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 17, 1969, in exchange for Tommy Dean and Leon Everitt.

That short stint just showed how expansion teams often reshuffle their rosters quickly. The Padres were still figuring out their lineup.

Time with the Los Angeles Dodgers

McBean found a bit more stability with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969. He returned to his usual reliever role after years of bouncing between starting and relieving.

With the Dodgers, McBean posted a 2-6 record and a 3.91 ERA. He also picked up four saves out of the bullpen.

The 1969 season was his most consistent since leaving Pittsburgh. He pitched in several games and brought some veteran presence to the Dodgers’ staff.

Things didn’t last long, though. In 1970, after pitching just one inning, the Dodgers released him on April 24.

That release ended his time in Los Angeles. His brief 1970 outing would be his last as a Dodger.

Final Return to Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up McBean as a free agent the very same day the Dodgers let him go. That move brought the veteran pitcher right back to where his major league journey started.

McBean pitched in seven relief outings for the Pirates during this final stretch. He came out of the bullpen each time, sticking to the role he’d become known for.

He made his last major league appearance on May 10, 1970, wearing a Pirates uniform. The Pirates let him go on May 18, 1970, which closed the book on his big league career.

McBean finished things where he’d started, after spending most of his career with Pittsburgh from 1961 to 1968.

After his release, McBean kept playing in the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league system through 1971. He retired for good after that.

Key Highlights and Notable Achievements

Al McBean earned a reputation as one of the National League’s best relief pitchers in the 1960s. In 1964, The Sporting News named him NL Fireman of the Year.

He built his career on clutch performances in high-pressure situations. McBean also made a real impact on baseball’s growth in the Virgin Islands.

Top National League Rankings

McBean really stood out among NL relievers during his prime with the Pirates. In 1964, he finished second in the National League with 21 saves, just behind Houston’s Hal Woodeshick.

That same year, he went 8-3 and had a ridiculously low 0.69 ERA through June 27. His steady performance earned him The Sporting News NL Fireman of the Year award.

He kept his spot among the league’s top relievers in 1965, posting 19 saves, a 2.29 ERA, and a 6-6 record. With 63 career saves, McBean ranked as one of the era’s most dependable closers.

He wrapped up his career with 67 wins and 50 losses over 409 games. McBean struck out 575 batters and carried a 3.13 ERA across 1,072.1 innings.

Memorable Games and Saves

McBean’s major league debut on July 2, 1961, almost went sideways against San Francisco. The Giants scored twice off him in the first inning, but Pittsburgh came back with four runs in the eighth to save him from a loss.

In his next six outings, McBean showed what he could do. He tossed 10.2 scoreless innings and notched his first two career wins. That early run proved he could be a reliable bullpen arm.

The 1963 Latino All-Star game at the Polo Grounds was a highlight. After Juan Marichal’s four scoreless innings, McBean matched him with four of his own. He even drove in a crucial run with a sixth-inning triple, pushing the NL to a 5-2 win.

McBean could handle a bat, too. He hit a grand slam off Cardinals pitcher Larry Jaster and homered in just his second career at-bat. Not bad for a pitcher.

Community Impact and Recognition

When McBean retired in 1970, he returned to the Virgin Islands and joined the St. Thomas Housing, Parks & Recreation Department. He eventually became deputy commissioner and led youth baseball development efforts.

He started the Little League program on St. Thomas and took charge of beautification projects around the island. On top of that, he ran his own landscaping business.

His biggest legacy lives on through the Alvin McBean Recreation Complex on St. Thomas. The facility still carries his name and keeps serving young athletes today.

McBean broke barriers as the first major league pitcher from the Virgin Islands. His success opened doors for other Caribbean players and inspired plenty of young athletes back home.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Al McBean’s professional baseball career ended in 1971 after those last seasons in the minors. He went back to the Virgin Islands and settled into life after baseball.

Transition to Post-Baseball Life

McBean didn’t leave the game all at once. After the Pirates released him in May 1970, he kept pitching in the minor leagues for the Phillies’ AAA club.

He spent the rest of 1970 and all of 1971 with their top affiliate. That stretch let him keep playing while figuring out what came next.

He officially retired from pro ball in 1971 at age 33. Over a decade in the majors, he racked up 575 strikeouts and pitched for three teams.

McBean’s final major league appearance happened in 1970 with the Pirates, the same club that gave him his start in 1961.

Return to the Virgin Islands

After retiring, McBean went back to the Virgin Islands, where he was born. He spent his later years in his home territory, staying close to his Caribbean roots.

McBean was born on May 15, 1938, in Charlotte Amalie. That’s the capital of the US Virgin Islands, right on Saint Thomas.

His return really felt like a full-circle moment, bringing him back to the place where his baseball journey began.

He lived in the Virgin Islands for more than five decades after his playing days ended. McBean stayed there until he passed away on January 31, 2024, at age 85.

Young athletes in the territory still look up to him, since he was the first major league pitcher from the Virgin Islands. His legacy kept inspiring people long after he left the game.