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

Allan Fulton “Red” Worthington wrapped up his 14-year Major League Baseball career on October 2, 1969, stepping off the mound for the last time as a Minnesota Twins reliever. The right-handed pitcher from Birmingham, Alabama, started out as a struggling starter with the New York Giants in the 1950s but eventually became one of the American League’s most reliable closers by the end of the decade.

Worthington retired in 1969 after putting together 75 wins, 82 losses, and 110 saves over 602 games. He left behind a legacy as one of baseball’s early relief specialists.

Worthington’s journey to retirement in 1969 showed remarkable consistency and a strong sense of moral conviction that shaped his character both on and off the field. He led American League relievers with 18 saves in 1968 and became the first pitcher in Twins history to notch 20 or more saves in a season.

But there was more to his story than just numbers. Worthington took a principled stand against sign-stealing, which actually ended his career for a time in 1960. He later returned to baseball and developed into a closer who helped shape the modern bullpen role.

If you look at Worthington’s baseball journey, you see how a lanky college pitcher from Alabama grew into a pioneer of relief pitching. After retiring, he went into coaching and athletics administration, showing the same dedication he brought to the mound.

From his shutout debut against the Philadelphia Phillies to his last game against the Chicago White Sox, Worthington’s career offers a glimpse into baseball’s changes during the 1950s and 1960s. His story is about personal integrity in pro sports and the lasting impact one player can have on the game.

Career Overview and 1969 Retirement

Al Worthington played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1953 to 1969. He finished with 75 wins and 82 losses and a 3.39 ERA with six different teams.

He ended his career at age 40 with the Minnesota Twins, where he really found his stride as a relief pitcher.

Professional Debut and Teams Played For

Worthington made his MLB debut on July 6, 1953, with the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. He threw a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing just two hits over nine innings.

In his next start, he pitched another complete game shutout, beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-0 at Ebbets Field. Those back-to-back nine-inning shutouts set a National League record that still stands.

During his career, Worthington played for several teams:

• New York Giants (1953-1959)
• San Francisco Giants (1960)
• Boston Red Sox (1960)
• Chicago White Sox (1960)
• Cincinnati Reds (1963-1964)
• Minnesota Twins (1964-1969)

He stood 6’2″ and weighed 195 pounds, pitching right-handed. Over 14 years, he appeared in 602 games, starting 62 of them, but he really made his mark as a reliever, especially with Minnesota.

Final Season Highlights and Retirement Decision

Worthington’s last season was in 1969 with the Minnesota Twins. He pitched his final game on October 2, 1969, against the Chicago White Sox.

In that last outing, he threw one inning, gave up no hits, and struck out one batter. During his six seasons with Minnesota (1964-1969), Worthington became one of baseball’s top relief pitchers.

He appeared in 327 games for the Twins, going 37-31 with 88 saves. His ERA during those years was a stellar 2.62, with a 1.19 WHIP.

Between 1964 and 1969, Worthington arguably pitched some of his best baseball. He struck out 399 batters in 473+ innings for Minnesota.

Only one major league reliever had more saves than Worthington during his time with the Twins. At age 40, he decided to retire from professional baseball, closing out a career that lasted almost two decades.

Impact on Major League Baseball

Worthington finished with numbers that showed his value as both a starter and a reliever. His 75 wins and 82 losses, along with a 3.39 ERA, reflected steady performance over 14 years.

He struck out 834 batters and recorded 110 saves in 1,246.2 innings. That total put him among the top relievers of his era.

People remember him as one of the first great closers in Minnesota Twins history. He started out as a pitcher who could toss record-setting shutouts, but he found his real place in the bullpen.

Worthington put up a career WAR of 17.2, which shows his overall value to his teams. His 1.329 WHIP and his ability to improve with age made him a real asset, especially during those Minnesota years when he helped define the closer role.

Pitching Career Achievements

Al Worthington put together a 14-year career with 75 wins, 82 losses, 834 strikeouts, and a 3.39 ERA over 602 games. He made a splash early with consecutive shutouts in his first two major league outings, then later became one of the league’s top relievers with 110 saves.

Major Wins and Notable Victories

Worthington had a memorable debut with the New York Giants in 1953. He threw back-to-back shutouts in his first two games, matching a record only three other pitchers in baseball history have reached.

His first win came on July 6, 1953, with a 6-0 two-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Just five days later, he blanked the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-0 at Ebbets Field, allowing only four hits.

Those consecutive shutouts made Worthington the first pitcher to do so in the National League since the modern era began. Shutting out Brooklyn was especially impressive—it was the only time the Dodgers got shut out all season.

In 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, Worthington had his best season, going 11-7 with a 3.63 ERA. He started games, closed others, and even pitched long relief, showing his versatility.

League Rankings and Milestones

In 1968, Worthington led all American League relievers with 18 saves while pitching for the Minnesota Twins. That year, he really established himself as one of the top closers in baseball.

Over 14 seasons, he pitched 1,246⅔ innings in 602 games, but only started 69 times. That highlights just how much he worked out of the bullpen.

His 3.39 career ERA stacked up well against his peers, and his 834 strikeouts showed he could get batters out year after year.

Worthington appeared in the 1954 World Series with the Giants. He didn’t pitch in the series, but he still received a one-third share of the championship earnings.

Saves and Relief Roles

Worthington’s move to the bullpen paid off, especially with the Minnesota Twins from 1965-1969. He tallied 110 career saves, with his best stretch coming in 1966-67, when he saved 32 games in two seasons.

His 18 saves in 1968 led the American League, which really showed off his closing skills. That performance helped make the Twins’ bullpen one of the more dependable groups in baseball.

Throughout his career, Worthington finished 110 games, proving he could handle the pressure. Back then, closers often pitched more innings than they do today, and Worthington handled those long stretches.

His slider became his go-to pitch during his relief years. Teammates and coaches often praised his mental toughness and ability to shine in late-game situations.

Statistical Breakdown and Performance

Al Worthington finished with a career record of 75 wins and 82 losses over 14 seasons, a 3.39 ERA, and 834 strikeouts. In 1969, his final season, he pitched in 46 games and posted a combined ERA of 4.58 in home and road games.

Career ERA and Pitching Style

Worthington kept a 3.39 career ERA over his 14-year run from 1953 to 1969. That put him among the more reliable pitchers of his era, especially as a relief specialist.

He stood 6’2″ and weighed 195 pounds, throwing and batting right-handed. Over his career, he appeared in 602 games for five different teams.

He started out as a starter but shifted to the bullpen as his career went on. The 834 career strikeouts show his steady ability to retire hitters, which made him a solid reliever.

Seasonal Performance Highlights

Worthington picked up 75 career wins and 82 losses in 14 seasons. His best years came in the mid-1960s when he became a reliable option out of the bullpen.

In 1969, his last season, Worthington pitched in 46 games for the Twins. At home, he had a 4.55 ERA over 22 games, throwing 27.2 innings and allowing 33 hits and 14 earned runs.

On the road that year, he pitched in 24 games with a 4.62 ERA across 33.1 innings, giving up 32 hits and 17 earned runs. He walked 20 batters in total that season, with seven at home and 13 on the road.

He threw one wild pitch during away games but otherwise kept things under control.

Postseason Results

Records don’t show much postseason action for Worthington during his career. The teams he played for in the 1950s and 1960s just didn’t make the playoffs that often.

His last game was on October 2, 1969, against the Chicago White Sox. Worthington pitched one inning, gave up no hits, struck out one, and didn’t allow any runs or walks.

He retired at the end of the 1969 regular season, closing out his career at age 40. In his later years, he mainly worked out of the bullpen.

Noteworthy Seasons and Playoff Contributions

Al Worthington hit his peak in the mid-1960s with the Minnesota Twins, especially during the team’s 1965 American League championship season. He really stepped up in high-pressure spots when the Twins needed a steady hand in relief.

1965 AL Championship Season

Worthington played a key role for the Minnesota Twins during their 1965 run. He posted a sharp 2.13 ERA in 62 appearances, all in relief.

He notched 21 saves, ranking among the league leaders, and those saves were crucial to the Twins’ pennant chase. The veteran righty pitched 80.1 innings and struck out 59 batters, showing excellent control.

His WHIP of 1.220 showed he could limit baserunners in big moments. Worthington’s experience became a major asset during the team’s push for the playoffs.

He appeared in 36 games as the closer, going 10-7. His steady work helped anchor a bullpen that was vital to Minnesota’s first American League championship.

The Twins clinched the AL pennant by seven games over the Chicago White Sox. Worthington’s efforts throughout the season earned him a reputation as one of the league’s most dependable relievers.

Memorable Games and Key Performances

Al Worthington really made his mark with Minnesota between 1964 and 1969. In 1968, he led all American League relievers with 18 saves and posted a 2.71 ERA in 54 appearances.

His 1966 season? That one stands out. Worthington notched 16 saves, put up a 2.46 ERA, and struck out 93 batters in just over 91 innings.

That year, his 3.44 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranked among the best of his career.

From 1966 to 1967, Worthington saved 32 games combined. Those seasons cemented him as Minnesota’s primary closer.

During his later career, Worthington thrived in high-leverage situations. He came through in close games, and the Twins leaned on him during their competitive mid-1960s years.

Personal Life and Legacy

Al Worthington grew up in Alabama, and his strong Christian faith shaped how he approached baseball and life. He took a stand against unethical practices in the sport, letting his beliefs guide him.

After his baseball career, he focused on youth development and community service. People remember him as a man of integrity, both on and off the field.

Early Life and College Baseball

Allan Fulton Worthington was born on February 5, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the seventh of ten children.

His dad, Walter B. Worthington, worked as a newspaper compositor for the Birmingham News and played amateur baseball locally.

Baseball was just part of the Worthington family’s DNA. Two of Al’s older brothers, Robert and Walter, went after professional baseball careers in the minors.

Robert caught in the St. Louis Cardinals system from 1946-48. Walter caught in the Philadelphia Athletics farm system in 1939 and 1940.

Worthington went to Inglenook Elementary, then graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he was considered pretty lanky for his time.

He spent three years at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, playing both baseball and football.

Worthington played end on the Crimson Tide football team and showed real promise. But after injuring his left arm and shoulder during his sophomore year, he quit football to focus on baseball.

The injury took a while to heal. In December 1950, at age 21, he married Shirley Reusse.

Life After Baseball and Community Contributions

Worthington’s Christian faith became the center of his life while he was still playing, especially after attending a Billy Graham Crusade in 1958. That spiritual shift led him to stand up against things like sign-stealing in baseball.

“I told Bill that I had been talking to church groups, telling people you don’t have to lie or cheat in this world if you trust Jesus Christ,” Worthington said when he challenged his manager about cheating. His faith set him apart from a lot of other players.

After he retired in 1969, Worthington stayed close to the game and worked as the Minnesota Twins’ pitching coach for two seasons. He also got involved with the Brotherhood of Christian Athletes and spoke to church groups about his journey.

In April 1961, his wife Shirley made headlines for saving the life of 3-year-old Bruce Whitaker in Birmingham. She heard the boy’s mother screaming, found him in a drainage ditch, and gave him artificial respiration.

Worthington’s legacy goes far beyond his 110 career saves and 3.39 ERA. He stood for integrity in a time when the lines of fair play got pretty blurry, and people respected him for sticking to his principles even when it cost him.

Honors, Recognition, and Influence

Al Worthington picked up honors for both his achievements on the field and his moral courage off it, especially when he spoke out about sign-stealing scandals. He led the American League in saves and joined the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Awards and Records

During his 14-year career, Worthington reached several milestones. At age 39, he led the league with 18 saves in 1968, showing he still had plenty left in the tank.

The Minnesota Twins honored him as their first pitcher to save more than 20 games in a season. He also became the first Twins pitcher to lead the league in saves.

Worthington finished out his career with a 75-82 record, 3.39 ERA, and 110 saves over 602 games. His teammates called him “Old Reliable“ for good reason.

In 2012, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inducted him. Liberty University renamed its baseball stadium Worthington Field in 2019, honoring his 13 years as head coach, where he picked up 343 wins.

Cultural and Historical Impact

Worthington made his biggest mark when he took a stand against electronic sign-stealing. He called out teams for using technology to steal signals, first with San Francisco in 1959, then again with Chicago in 1960.

He felt so strongly about his beliefs that he left the White Sox in 1960 rather than cheat. “If I hadn’t been saved, I wouldn’t have had the nerve enough to quit,” Worthington admitted.

His decision grabbed headlines all over the country. It set him apart from most players back then, showing that sometimes integrity really does trump ambition.

After he retired, Worthington spent 13 years coaching at Liberty University. He guided future major leaguers like Sid Bream, Lee Guetterman, and Randy Tomlin, teaching them baseball and sharing his values.