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

Albert Joseph Widmar’s baseball career wrapped up quietly in 1952, but honestly, his time in professional baseball was just getting started. This right-handed pitcher from Cleveland pushed through five tough seasons in the major leagues, ending up with a 13-30 record and a 5.21 ERA for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox.

His playing days in the big leagues were short and, let’s be real, not exactly headline-grabbing, but they really only set the stage for what became a wild 59-year ride in pro baseball.

Al Widmar retired as a player in 1952 after his last major league appearance on April 17, when he pitched two innings in relief for the Chicago White Sox against the Cleveland Indians. His stats as a player were nothing to write home about—143 strikeouts across 114 games—but Widmar’s true mark on baseball was still ahead.

He moved from struggling pitcher to respected coach and executive, and that shift really defined his legacy.

Al Widmar’s story doesn’t stop at his retirement. He went from a war-era prospect to a World Series-winning coach. He bounced around the minor leagues as a player and manager, then took on coaching gigs with several franchises.

Eventually, he landed in front offices, helping to build championship teams. His journey from a Cleveland schoolkid to a baseball lifer proves that success in sports can look like a lot of different things.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Albert Joseph Widmar was born March 20, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio. His dad came from Slovenia, and his mom had Balkan roots.

He grew up in a house where multiple languages and sports—baseball and basketball—shaped his future. That upbringing led him to sign with the Boston Red Sox in 1942.

Childhood in Cleveland, Ohio

Al Widmar spent his early years in a close-knit, culturally rich Cleveland household. His father was Slovenian, and his mother also had Balkan heritage.

At home, Widmar spoke Slovenian with his parents and brothers. That multilingual setting definitely influenced his early life.

His family put a real emphasis on both education and sports. Cleveland in the 1930s and early 1940s had a strong sports culture.

Widmar honed his athletic skills in that environment. He was good at both baseball and basketball from the start.

Physically, he stood out. He eventually reached 6 feet 3 inches and weighed 185 pounds.

That size gave him a big edge in both sports as he moved toward a pro career.

High School Sports Career

Widmar went to Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland. The school had a solid athletic program and really helped him grow as an athlete.

He focused mainly on baseball there, pitching and batting right-handed. Scouts started to notice his pitching during those years.

He also played basketball, and his height and athleticism made him stand out on the court. That two-sport success opened doors for him in both baseball and basketball.

His high school achievements set the stage for his professional life. MLB scouts kept a close eye on him.

With his size and skills, he became a very attractive prospect.

Signing with the Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox signed Widmar in 1942 when he was just 17. That kicked off his 59-year career in pro baseball.

He signed right out of high school, thanks to his success at Cathedral Latin. World War II was going on, so Widmar spent his early years in the minors during the war.

He kept working on his game while waiting for a shot at the majors. The Red Sox saw something in him and invested in his development.

They kept him in their minor league system, and their patience paid off. He finally made his MLB debut on April 25, 1947, at Fenway Park.

Signing with Boston started him on a path that took him through multiple teams. His Cleveland roots and high school years really set him up for what came next.

Major League Career Highlights

Al Widmar’s major league run lasted five seasons, from 1947 to 1952. He finished with a 13-30 record and a 5.21 ERA over 388.1 innings.

He made stops with the Boston Red Sox, the St. Louis Browns, and finally the Chicago White Sox, where his playing days ended.

MLB Debut and First Seasons

Widmar debuted in the majors on April 25, 1947, facing the Philadelphia Athletics. At 22, he pitched two-thirds of an inning, faced three batters, and walked one in an 11-7 loss.

His hometown of Cleveland honored him with a pregame ceremony on May 3, 1947. The celebration didn’t last long—he gave up a grand slam to Joe Gordon in a 9-3 defeat.

After some rough outings, Widmar headed back to Louisville. He spent most of 1947 in the minors, finishing with an 8-8 record and a 4.93 ERA.

The Red Sox traded him on November 17, 1947, in a big deal. He was part of a package with six other players and $310,000 cash sent to the St. Louis Browns for All-Stars Jack Kramer and Vern Stephens.

Boston Red Sox Tenure

Widmar’s time with the Red Sox was short but memorable—it was his entry into the majors. He showed up to spring training in 1947 with a lot of buzz after leading the American Association with a 2.43 ERA the year before.

He struggled to find his footing in Boston’s competitive organization. His side-arm delivery, which he developed to work around elbow pain, caused control problems.

He made the team out of spring training but only appeared in a handful of games. That included his debut against Philadelphia and the tough outing in Cleveland.

Boston decided to send him to St. Louis as part of a blockbuster trade. They figured he needed more development time.

The trade ended up mattering for both teams, especially with Vern Stephens becoming a big part of Boston’s success.

St. Louis Browns Years

Widmar played his most major league games with the St. Louis Browns from 1948 to 1951. In 1948, he was their most reliable reliever, making 49 appearances—second-most in the league.

His 1950 season was a turning point. After a heated contract dispute that made national headlines, Widmar threatened to sue Major League Baseball over the reserve clause.

Commissioner Happy Chandler stepped in to settle things. Without spring training, Widmar struggled at first but eventually found his rhythm as a starter.

He even beat his childhood idol Bob Feller on June 27, 1950, pitching a complete-game 4-3 win. On September 12, he threw his only career shutout, holding the Athletics to three hits.

The Browns years also had their quirky moments. Owner Bill Veeck encouraged players to form a “team band”—Widmar played standup bass alongside teammates like Satchel Paige.

Chicago White Sox Final Games

The Chicago White Sox picked up Widmar in a multi-player trade on February 24, 1952. The deal brought him, catcher Sherm Lollar, and Tom Upton to Chicago for five players, including Joe DeMaestri and Jim Rivera.

Widmar barely saw action with the White Sox. He pitched two innings of relief on April 20, 1952, against Cleveland, allowing one run and four hits.

That was his last major league game. On April 28, 1952, the White Sox sold his contract to the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League.

Just like that, his MLB career ended at age 27. His short stay in Chicago closed out a career full of ups and downs.

Widmar left a mark on the game, not just for his pitching but for challenging the reserve clause and testifying before Congress about player rights.

Trades and Significant Transactions

Al Widmar’s career moved along thanks to two big trades that shuffled him between three teams. The biggest one sent him from Boston to St. Louis in a massive eight-player, $300,000-plus deal in 1947.

Boston-St. Louis Browns Trade

The biggest trade in Widmar’s career happened on November 17, 1947. The Boston Red Sox traded him and six other players to the St. Louis Browns in a blockbuster move.

Boston sent Widmar, Pete Layden, Joe Ostrowski, Roy Partee, Eddie Pellagrini, and Jim Wilson to St. Louis. They also threw in $310,000 to seal the deal.

This trade took Widmar from a third-place team to the struggling Browns. It was one of the largest trades of the 1940s by both player count and money.

The move gave Widmar more playing time. He only got into 2 games for Boston in 1947, but became a regular reliever for St. Louis in 1948.

Notable Players Involved

The trade really revolved around two stars the Browns wanted to get rid of. Vern Stephens and Jack Kramer were the big names Boston wanted.

Stephens, an All-Star shortstop, became a key part of Boston’s lineup, hitting over 30 homers in his first two seasons there.

Kramer, a solid starting pitcher, won 18 games for Boston in 1948 and gave their rotation a boost.

The other players in the deal had mixed results. Roy Partee was a veteran catcher who gave Boston some depth. Eddie Pellagrini filled in as a utility infielder.

St. Louis-Chicago White Sox Deal

Widmar’s final major league trade came during the 1952 season. The St. Louis Browns sent him to the Chicago White Sox in a smaller transaction.

Details on this trade aren’t as well documented as the Boston deal. Widmar only made one appearance for Chicago before his major league days ended.

After that, the White Sox sent him to the Seattle Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League. He played there until 1955, then bounced around other minor league teams.

That trade marked the end of his time in the majors. Widmar never returned to MLB after his lone game with Chicago in 1952.

Minor Leagues and Later Playing Days

After his major league career ended in 1952, Widmar kept playing in the minors for several more years. He found success as both a player and a manager.

His post-MLB days included standout seasons with Baltimore in the International League and later managing the Tulsa Oilers.

International League Achievements

Widmar’s best minor league season came in 1949 with the Baltimore Orioles in the International League. After the St. Louis Browns sold him to their affiliate, he turned into one of the league’s top pitchers.

He racked up an impressive 22-win season. Widmar led the league in wins, innings pitched (294), and complete games (26).

He earned All-Star honors and finished second in MVP voting. Not bad, especially since his team went just 63-91.

His dominant year caught the eye of Browns scouts Jack Fournier and Freddie Hofmann. They pushed for the major league club to buy his contract back.

Pitching Excellence with the Baltimore Orioles

When Widmar pitched for Baltimore, he quickly became their ace. He started the season hot, grabbing ten of the team’s first 21 wins.

Jack Dunn, the team president and manager, noticed what Widmar brought to the table. Dunn once joked, “One more Widmar, and I’d be a good manager,” a backhanded way to highlight the pitcher’s importance to the struggling club.

Widmar posted a 2.43 ERA—the best in the American Association—during his 1946 season with Louisville. He also racked up 12 wins, helping the Colonels reach their third straight Junior World Series.

He developed a side-arm delivery to deal with elbow pain, and that became his trademark. Those new mechanics helped him fix the control problems that bothered him earlier in his career.

Pacific Coast League and Seattle Rainiers

After his short 1952 run with the Chicago White Sox, the Seattle Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League picked him up. The unaffiliated club gave Widmar a shot to keep playing out west.

He often pitched on short rest, but still put up some eye-catching stats with Seattle. Widmar won 20 games in less than a full season, finishing third in the league for wins.

His 2.30 ERA ranked as the second-best in the Pacific Coast League that year. He showed everyone his pitching still had plenty of life, even after leaving the majors.

That Seattle chapter turned out to be a solid transition. It let him stay sharp and figure out his next move.

Tulsa Oilers Player/Manager Era

Widmar joined the Tulsa Oilers and took on the challenge of being both player and manager. That shift added a new layer to his baseball journey, mixing his playing with leadership.

He stayed with Tulsa through the 1958 season, serving as player/manager the whole time. Six years in that dual role really showed how much he cared about growing as a manager and helping younger guys.

Across several teams, his minor league stats stood out. Widmar finished with 169 wins and 130 losses and a 3.53 ERA in 467 games from 1942 to 1958.

The Tulsa stint set him up for life after playing—coaching and front office jobs. His success as a player/manager showed the baseball smarts that later made him a respected big league pitching coach.

Coaching and Executive Roles

When Widmar hung up his spikes, he moved into coaching and front office work that would shape his legacy. He spent decades helping pitchers grow with teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays. He played a big part in molding some of the game’s best arms.

Philadelphia Phillies Pitching Coach

Widmar started coaching with the Phillies in 1960 as a minor league pitching instructor. He did that for two years, then moved up to the big league staff in 1962.

As the Phillies’ pitching coach from 1962 to 1964, Widmar leaned on his playing days to help young pitchers develop. He paid close attention to details and took a patient approach, which made him great at helping pitchers tweak their mechanics.

He went back to minor league instruction from 1965 to 1967. The Phillies trusted him with their prospects, knowing he could spot mechanical issues before they became big problems.

He returned to the major league coaching staff from 1968 to 1969. In Philadelphia, Widmar built a reputation as a trusted voice in pitcher development and set himself up for future success elsewhere.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

After his time with the Phillies, Widmar joined the Milwaukee Brewers. His role grew to include coaching, scouting, and front office work, showing his deep grasp of baseball operations.

With the Brewers, Widmar worked hands-on with pitching prospects. He helped them fine-tune their technique and mental game, drawing from his experience overcoming his own mechanical hurdles.

The Brewers leaned on Widmar’s knack for breaking down pitching mechanics. He could explain complicated stuff in a way young pitchers could actually use, which made him a real asset in their farm system.

Toronto Blue Jays Legacy

Widmar left his biggest mark with the Toronto Blue Jays, serving as pitching coach for 10 seasons from 1980 to 1989. He joined the team on November 1, 1979, and played a key role in building up their pitching staff.

Under Widmar, the Blue Jays saw several pitchers blossom. Dave Stieb became the team’s ace, earning All-Star nods and Cy Young votes. Jim Clancy turned into a reliable starter who logged over 200 innings more than once.

Jimmy Key thrived with Widmar’s guidance, earning a reputation for pinpoint control and changing speeds. Doyle Alexander also sharpened his game while working with Widmar.

The Blue Jays’ pitching improved a lot during Widmar’s years. His focus on mechanics and the mental side of pitching helped Toronto become a real contender in the AL East in the 1980s.

Scouting and Front Office Contributions

After coaching, Al Widmar moved into scouting and front office roles, still shaping baseball talent behind the scenes. As a special assignment scout and executive, he helped teams find and develop future MLB players.

Special Assignment Scout Positions

The Blue Jays brought Widmar into their front office as a special assignment scout after his decade coaching from 1980 to 1989. In that job, he evaluated specific players and situations as the team needed.

Special assignment scouts like Widmar handled all sorts of unique jobs. They traveled to check out trade targets, draft picks, or free agents. The role called for serious baseball know-how and the ability to size up players quickly and accurately.

Switching from pitching coach to scout felt like a natural move for Widmar. His years working directly with players gave him a real eye for what made a major leaguer. That experience came in handy when scouting talent for the Blue Jays.

Special Assistant to the Vice President

The Blue Jays promoted Widmar to special assistant roles in their front office. That put him closer to big decisions and let him influence more than just scouting.

As a special assistant, Widmar likely gave advice on personnel moves and team strategy. These jobs usually go to baseball lifers who can offer perspective and sound judgment.

His long run in pro baseball made him a natural fit for that kind of role. With experience as a player, coach, and scout, Widmar brought a well-rounded view that executives really valued.

Development of Future MLB Talent

Widmar’s scouting helped teams spot and develop players who reached the MLB. Decades of experience at every level shaped his eye for talent.

He scouted countless prospects in the minors and among amateurs. Widmar could spot raw ability and project who might make it, helping teams make smarter picks and signings.

The Milwaukee Brewers trusted his evaluation skills enough to name him Scouting Director from 1975 to 1977. In that executive job, he ran the whole scouting department and oversaw the team’s draft plans.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Passing

Al Widmar lived a full life off the field, staying close to his family and Slovenian roots. After decades in baseball, he lost his fight with colon cancer in 2005 at age 80.

Family and Personal Interests

Al Widmar grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a family with Balkan roots. His dad came from Slovenia, and his mom also had Balkan ancestry.

At home, the Widmars kept their culture alive. Al and his two brothers spoke Slovenian with their parents as kids.

He went to Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland before chasing his baseball dreams. That immigrant background gave him a strong work ethic and plenty of grit.

During his playing days, Widmar did something unusual—he played pro basketball for three off-seasons to stay in shape.

His basketball career took him to several leagues. He suited up for the Binghamton Triplets in the Eastern Professional Basketball League and also played for the Scranton Miners and Allentown/Carbondale Aces in the American Basketball League.

Battle with Colon Cancer

Al Widmar faced his toughest opponent when doctors told him he had colon cancer. The disease took his life on October 15, 2005.

He died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 80. He’d made Tulsa home after managing the Tulsa Oilers years earlier.

The Toronto Blue Jays put out a statement confirming his passing. They recognized his big impact during his ten years as their pitching coach.

Widmar was laid to rest at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. That spot reflected his strong connection to the Oklahoma baseball community.

Impact on Baseball Community

Widmar spent 59 years in professional baseball, and honestly, his impact still lingers in the sport. He shaped the game not just with stats, but through coaching and working in front offices.

People in the Toronto Blue Jays organization really felt his absence. Back in the 1980s, he pitched in as their coach while the team climbed to the top.

He helped build pitching staffs that could actually win championships. Thanks to his work, the Blue Jays grabbed American League East titles and even took home World Series championships.

Players and colleagues talk about him as a dedicated baseball professional. He shared his knowledge with young pitchers, and that made him a mentor who actually mattered.