Balor Moore – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Balor Moore’s name doesn’t show up with baseball legends in the Hall of Fame, but his journey through Major League Baseball is a pretty compelling story of grit, early flashes of greatness, and the tough realities of pro sports. This lefty from Texas managed to carve out an 11-year career, pitching for three teams before finally hanging up his cleats in 1980.

Moore has the unique honor of being the first player ever drafted by the Montreal Expos, going 22nd overall in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft when the franchise was just starting out. That little piece of history makes him an important figure for Expos fans, even though his path eventually led him to California and Toronto before it all wrapped up.

His story covers the ups and downs that so many pro athletes face—from standout early years in the minors to arm injuries that really threw his career off track. Moore’s time in baseball included some great seasons, big moments like a perfect game in Puerto Rico’s winter league, and the tough road of rebuilding after major elbow surgery.

Balor Moore’s Career Overview

Balor Moore pitched in Major League Baseball for eight seasons between 1970 and 1980. He finished with a 28-48 record and a 4.52 ERA, playing for three different teams.

The lefty racked up 496 strikeouts in 180 games during his career.

Major League Debut and Final Years

Moore debuted in the majors on May 21, 1970, with the Montreal Expos at just 19 years old. He became the first Deer Park High School graduate to reach the big leagues—a pretty big deal for both him and his hometown.

His rookie year was short but memorable. Moore pitched in six games, starting two, and posted an 0-2 record with a 7.45 ERA. The numbers weren’t pretty, but you could see flashes of potential that kept teams interested.

Moore wrapped up his career in 1980 with the Toronto Blue Jays. That year, he pitched in 31 games, mostly as a reliever, and notched his only career save on April 27, 1980, against the Milwaukee Brewers. That four-inning save was honestly a highlight in his last year.

Teams Played For

Moore’s career took him through three organizations in both leagues. He spent four seasons with the Montreal Expos (1970, 1972-1974), putting up a 16-29 record and a 4.12 ERA in 71 games.

He missed the 1975 and 1976 seasons, then joined the California Angels for 1977. That stint was short—just seven games, 0-2 record, and a 3.97 ERA.

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up Moore’s contract from the Angels, and he played his last three seasons there (1978-1980). In Toronto, he went 12-17 with a 4.96 ERA over 102 games, working as both a starter and reliever.

Positions and Playing Style

Moore mainly pitched left-handed, moving between starting and relieving throughout his career. He started 98 of his 180 appearances, showing a versatility that teams liked.

His best year by the numbers was 1972 with Montreal. That season, he went 9-9 with a 3.47 ERA in 22 starts. Moore struck out 161 batters, completed six games, and threw three shutouts.

As his career went on, Moore’s pitching style changed. Early with Montreal, he struck out a lot of hitters, averaging 8.7 K’s per nine innings. But when he got to Toronto, that rate dropped to just 3.8 per nine innings.

He finished with 16 complete games and four shutouts, most of them during his Montreal days when he started more often.

Key Achievements and Baseball Highlights

Moore’s career featured some pretty impressive strikeout numbers for a lefty in his era. His 1972 season with Montreal really stands out as his best. He could dominate hitters early in his career, and that 1972 run showed why the Expos picked him first.

Strikeout Rankings and Records

Moore piled up 496 strikeouts in his eight years in the majors, using his fastball to overpower hitters. His best strikeout season was 1972, with 161 K’s in 147.2 innings.

That year, he averaged almost 10 strikeouts per nine innings, drawing comparisons to Nolan Ryan as a hard-throwing lefty. His 9.8 K/9 in 1972 was right up there with the best National League pitchers.

Moore finished with a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.36, which showed pretty solid control for a power pitcher back then. He really shined during his Montreal years, averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Major Statistical Milestones

Moore’s 1972 season was the high point of his career. He went 9-9 with a 3.47 ERA, completed six games, and threw three shutouts.

He fanned 161 batters that year, making him one of the Expos’ top arms. Moore threw 147.2 innings with a WHIP of 1.226, which speaks to his command.

That season, he posted a career-high 102 ERA+, meaning he was just a bit better than league average. Those three shutouts in 1972 were also a personal best.

Notable Performances

Moore threw a memorable complete game win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14, 1972, winning 9-1 after a rough start to the season. That game really turned things around for him that year.

He became the first Deer Park High School grad to reach the majors when he debuted on May 21, 1970, at 19. Moore’s pro debut came after a fantastic minor league start in 1969.

In his rookie pro season, he went 9-1 with a 0.41 ERA between the Gulf Coast League and Florida State League. That early success showed the raw talent that made him Montreal’s first-ever draft pick.

Career Timeline and Seasonal Progression

Moore played pro ball from 1970 to 1980. He started strong with Montreal, hit some rough patches in the mid-70s, and finished things up in Toronto.

Rookie Seasons and Early Promise

Moore debuted in the majors on May 21, 1970, with the Montreal Expos at 19. He was the first from Deer Park High School to make it, though his first stint was short.

He pitched just 6 games and 9.2 innings as a rookie, posting a 7.45 ERA with two losses. Typical rookie struggles for a teenager facing big-league hitters.

In 1972, Moore really broke out. At 21, he became a regular starter for Montreal, making 22 starts in 22 games.

He went 9-9 with a 3.47 ERA over 147.2 innings. Moore struck out 161, and those three complete game shutouts showed his potential as a workhorse.

That season laid the groundwork for his big-league career. His 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings were well above average for the time, and he established himself as a power pitcher in the National League.

Peak Years

In 1973, Moore took on a bigger role as Montreal’s rotation anchor. He made 35 appearances, starting 32, and pitched 176.1 innings.

But the heavy workload brought some struggles. His record dropped to 7-16 with a 4.49 ERA, though he still struck out 151.

Control started to become an issue. Moore walked 109 batters that year, up from 59 the season before. His WHIP jumped to 1.474, which meant he had trouble finding the zone.

In 1974, Moore’s role shrank a lot. He pitched just 8 games, starting 2, and threw only 13.2 innings for Montreal.

He finished that year with a 0-2 record and a 3.95 ERA. The light workload pointed to either injury issues or maybe the team deciding to go a different direction.

Final Playing Years

Moore missed the 1975 and 1976 seasons, then came back in 1977 with the California Angels. That comeback didn’t last long—just 7 games and 22.2 innings.

The Toronto Blue Jays picked him up for 1978, and he found his most stable role in a while. Moore pitched in 37 games, starting 18, and went 6-9 over 144.1 innings.

In 1979, Moore appeared in 34 games, starting 16. He finished with a 5-7 record and a 4.84 ERA, serving as a middle-of-the-rotation guy for the young Jays.

The 1980 season was Moore’s last in pro ball. He mainly worked out of the bullpen, making 31 appearances and starting just 3 games for Toronto.

He wrapped up with 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 save over 64.2 innings. His career totals ended up at 28 wins, 48 losses, and 496 strikeouts in 180 big-league games.

After baseball, Moore jumped into business. He bought Brittex Pipe Company in 1984, and he still owns it today.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Balor Moore’s baseball career ended during the 1980 season after 11 years in pro ball. He switched gears from the field to the business world, eventually becoming a successful entrepreneur in the steel industry.

Circumstances of 1980 Retirement

Moore retired in 1980 at age 29 while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. That season marked the end of his 8-season major league run from 1970 to 1980.

He split his time between starting and relieving with the Blue Jays. In 1979, he worked in both roles, but by 1980, he mostly came out of the bullpen.

Moore finished with 28 wins and 48 losses in 180 games and racked up 496 strikeouts.

Arm trouble had already taken a toll in the mid-1970s. He started having serious arm issues in 1974, which kept him out of the majors for two full seasons (1975-1976).

The Blue Jays were still trying to find their footing as an expansion team when Moore retired. The organization was in the middle of a rebuild.

Transition Away from MLB

After leaving baseball, Moore jumped right into the steel industry. He started at a steel company and learned the ropes from scratch.

Just four years after retiring, Moore’s entrepreneurial side kicked in and he bought the company in 1984. That business, Brittex Pipe Company, became his main focus.

His move into business showed how tough it can be for athletes to find their footing after sports. Unlike some players who stick with baseball as coaches or broadcasters, Moore stepped away completely.

Owning the steel company gave Moore long-term financial security after baseball. By 1984, he’d gone from employee to owner at Brittex Pipe Company.

Moore’s success after baseball showed how he could use the discipline and work ethic from his playing days in the business world. The company has stayed under his ownership for decades since he left pro sports.

Personal Life and Background

Balor Lilbon Moore’s story started in Smithville, Texas, where he was born on January 25, 1951. His quick rise in baseball began when the Montreal Expos picked him as their first-ever draft pick in 1969.

Early Life and Education

Balor Lilbon Moore was born in Smithville, Texas, on January 25, 1951. He spent his early years in a small Texas community before his family moved closer to Houston.

He went to Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Texas, where he started honing his pitching skills. People started to notice his athletic talent, especially as a left-handed pitcher.

When Moore made his major league debut on May 21, 1970, he became the first Deer Park High School graduate to reach the majors. That was a pretty big deal for both Moore and his old high school.

Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 178 pounds, Moore had a lean build that you often see in successful pitchers. His left-handed throw made him a real asset in professional baseball.

Draft and Entry into Baseball

The Montreal Expos picked Moore as their first-ever draft pick in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft. They chose him 22nd overall, which showed how much they believed in him.

Moore started his professional career right out of high school. The Expos pushed their top prospect quickly through the minor leagues.

He made a splash in his first pro season at the rookie and High A levels. Moore went 9-1 with a 0.41 earned run average in the Gulf Coast League and Florida State League.

His rise didn’t slow down in 1970. Moore began the year with the High A West Palm Beach Expos, then made a direct leap to Triple A Buffalo Bisons.

At just 19 years old, Moore debuted in the majors on May 21, 1970, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s still the youngest player in Montreal Expos franchise history at 19 years and 116 days.

Off-Field Contributions

Moore joined the army during his professional career, which interrupted his baseball development for a while. He served between the 1971 and 1972 seasons.

During the winter, Moore played in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He pitched for San Juan and hit a memorable milestone there.

Moore threw a perfect game for San Juan in Puerto Rico. At that time, it was the first nine-inning perfect game in the league’s 36-year history.

His performance in winter ball showed his commitment to getting better all year. That perfect game really stands out among his achievements outside Major League Baseball.

After he retired from professional baseball in 1980, not much is documented about what he did next.

Net Worth and Legacy

Balor Moore’s financial standing reflects his long run as a pro pitcher, while his historical significance comes from his role in baseball’s expansion era. He stands out as a pioneering figure for the Montreal Expos and for his local impact in Texas baseball.

Estimated Net Worth

Moore’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million, according to recent assessments. This number reflects his earnings from an 11-year professional baseball career from 1970 to 1980.

His main income came from his Major League Baseball salary during his time with three teams. Moore played for the Montreal Expos, California Angels, and Toronto Blue Jays in 180 games.

His earnings matched what most players made in that era, before salaries really took off in later years. Moore played in the pre-free agency period, back when player salaries were much lower than today.

He probably receives retirement benefits from Major League Baseball’s pension system. Players from his era became eligible for pension benefits after reaching the required service time.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Moore actually became the first player the expansion Montreal Expos ever drafted, back in 1969. They picked him 22nd overall in the Major League Baseball draft, and he turned into a foundational piece for the franchise’s early years.

In Texas, his local legacy still feels strong. He was the first Deer Park High School graduate to make it to the major leagues, so you could say he paved the way for anyone from his hometown with big league dreams.

Moore finished his career with 28 wins and 48 losses. Honestly, his best run came in 1972, when he went 9-9 with a 3.47 ERA for Montreal.

He really burst onto the scene, going 9-1 with a 0.41 ERA during his first season across rookie and high-A levels. That kind of start definitely showed why Montreal wanted him as their top draft pick.