Bob Barton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Barton isn’t exactly a household name like Johnny Bench or Tom Haller, but he managed to put together a solid, decade-long run in Major League Baseball before calling it quits in 1974. Born Robert Wilbur Barton in Norwood, Ohio, he spent ten seasons as a dependable catcher for three National League teams, sometimes starting, often backing up, but always hanging in there.

Barton played his last Major League Baseball game on July 30, 1974—his 33rd birthday, oddly enough. That game closed out a career that ran from 1965 to 1974, with stints on the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds.

His journey through pro baseball gives you a glimpse into what life was like for the many players who quietly held MLB rosters together in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Barton’s path—from his early days with the Giants to his breakout with the Padres in 1971—shows the ups and downs of a journeyman catcher. He bounced between organizations, racked up stats, and supported some of the game’s greatest stars. It’s an interesting window into a time when baseball was really starting to change.

Early Life and Path to Major League Baseball

Robert Wilbur Barton was born July 30, 1941, in Norwood, Ohio. He built up his baseball chops through high school sports in Kentucky.

He was a dual-sport athlete, but in the end, he picked professional baseball over a basketball scholarship.

Childhood and Background

Bob Barton came into the world on July 30, 1941, in Norwood, Ohio. His full name? Robert Wilbur Barton.

From the start, Barton just had a knack for sports. He played baseball in local leagues around town, putting in a ton of hours to get better.

As a kid, his love for baseball only grew. He kept at it, always working on his fundamentals and showing the kind of drive that would later get him to the pros.

High School and Amateur Career

Barton attended Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky. He stood out in both baseball and basketball, making a name for himself as a two-sport athlete.

College scouts noticed his athleticism. The University of Kentucky even offered him a basketball scholarship.

Still, Barton couldn’t shake his love for baseball. He faced a tough decision—should he go to college for basketball or chase his big league dream?

Signing as a Professional Catcher

At just 17, in 1959, Barton made his choice. He signed with the San Francisco Giants right out of high school, turning down that Kentucky basketball offer.

The Giants gave him a $25,000 signing bonus—pretty substantial for a teenager back then. That kind of money showed they really believed in his potential as a catcher.

Barton started his pro career in the minors with Hastings in the Nebraska State League. He spent six years honing his skills there before making his major league debut on September 17, 1965, with the Giants at age 24.

Major League Debut and San Francisco Giants Years

Bob Barton made his MLB debut on September 17, 1965, with the San Francisco Giants at age 24. He spent his first five seasons with the Giants, mostly as a backup catcher, learning the ropes behind the plate.

MLB Debut Highlights

Barton’s first big league appearance came in a 9-1 Giants loss to the Milwaukee Braves at County Stadium. He came in during the seventh inning, taking over for Jack Hiatt.

He actually did pretty well in his debut. In his first at-bat, Barton got a hit, and in that short stint, he went 4-for-7.

He’d worked his way up through the Giants’ minor league system after signing straight out of high school. That September call-up in 1965 marked the start of a ten-year MLB career.

He played only four games that season, but it gave him a taste of the majors before his first full year in 1966.

Role as Backup Catcher

Barton carved out a spot as a reliable backup catcher for the Giants from 1965 to 1969. He played in 149 games over five seasons, mostly working behind the plate.

His busiest year with San Francisco was 1969, when he appeared in 49 games. In 1968, he played 46 games, which was his second-highest total with the team.

The Giants valued Barton’s defensive skills, even if his bat wasn’t exactly hot. He managed pitching staffs well and provided depth at catcher.

They used him mostly as a late-inning replacement, like in his debut against Milwaukee. Having come up through the Giants’ system, Barton understood what the team wanted from him.

Performance with the Giants

Barton’s offense with San Francisco was pretty modest, which is about what you’d expect from a backup catcher. He hit .210 in 315 at-bats over those five years.

His best year at the plate was 1968, when he batted .261 with 24 hits in 92 at-bats. That season, he posted a 0.6 WAR, his best with the Giants.

He wasn’t a power hitter—never hit a home run in his 315 at-bats there. He focused more on making contact and moving runners along.

Barton’s defense mattered more than his numbers suggested. His fielding percentage stayed strong, and he handled the game well from behind the plate.

After the 1969 season, the Giants traded Barton to the San Diego Padres. That move gave him the chance to play more and put up his best numbers.

San Diego Padres Career Highlights

Bob Barton got his most playing time with the San Diego Padres, serving as their main catcher from 1970 to 1972. He peaked in 1971, finally getting the chance to start full-time and putting up career-best numbers while leading the National League in several defensive stats.

Transition to Starting Catcher

Barton landed with the Padres in 1970 after five years of backing up with the Giants. San Diego gave him a shot to actually play regularly behind the plate.

In his first season with the Padres, Barton started to prove himself as a reliable catcher. It was a big change—he went from backup to a guy with real responsibility.

The Padres liked Barton’s defense and the way he called games. His experience with the Giants helped him adjust to a new team and coaching staff.

Peak Season in 1971

The 1971 season was the high point of Barton’s career. He played 121 games as the Padres’ starting catcher, hitting .250 with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs.

He also hit 17 doubles, showing he could drive in runs and contribute at the plate. That year was the only time he started full-time for a whole season.

Handling the grind of a starting catcher’s schedule isn’t easy, but Barton managed it. His performance that year made the Padres look smart for giving him the job.

Defensive Accomplishments

Barton’s defense really stood out in 1971. He led National League catchers in several categories, making a name for himself as a top defender.

He threw out 42 runners trying to steal and finished with a 51.2% caught stealing rate. That’s a big deal—it shows his arm was legit and he controlled the running game.

On the flip side, Barton also led NL catchers with 15 errors and finished second in assists with 67. Sure, the errors were an issue, but overall, his defense was a big plus for the Padres.

Cincinnati Reds and the Final Seasons

Bob Barton’s time with the Cincinnati Reds in 1973 was short but worth mentioning. He played behind Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, and after the Reds let him go, he returned to San Diego for his final season in 1974. Fittingly, he wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on his 33rd birthday.

Brief Tenure with Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds picked up Bob Barton on June 11, 1972, trading for him with the Padres in exchange for catcher Pat Corrales. The Reds were building their Big Red Machine dynasty at the time.

Barton barely saw the field with Cincinnati. He played just three games in 1973 before the Reds released him on June 18.

That short stint says a lot about how deep the Reds’ roster was. As a backup, Barton just didn’t get much of a chance to contribute.

Playing Behind Johnny Bench

Barton’s role with the Reds was tough, mainly because of Johnny Bench. Bench was in his prime and had already locked down the starting catcher spot.

Bench’s dominance meant backup catchers like Barton rarely got meaningful playing time. Bench was just too good and too durable to sit out much.

Even though Barton’s defense had always been his strength, Bench outshone him in almost every way. There really wasn’t any competition for the job.

Return to San Diego Padres and Retirement

After Cincinnati released him, Barton signed with the Padres as a free agent on April 2, 1974. Going back to San Diego gave him one last shot at playing in the majors.

He played 30 games for the Padres in 1974. His last game was on July 30, which, oddly enough, was his 33rd birthday.

That final game marked the end of Barton’s ten-year run in the big leagues. He played for three teams from 1965 to 1974, mostly as a steady, defensive-minded catcher—even if his bat didn’t always cooperate.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Bob Barton’s decade in Major League Baseball left him with numbers that were modest but respectable for a defensive-minded catcher. His stats fit the typical backup catcher from the ’60s and ’70s, but honestly, his impact went beyond what you see on paper.

Batting and Fielding Statistics

Barton finished with a .226 batting average over 393 games, picking up 237 hits, 9 home runs, and 66 RBIs. His career, from 1965 to 1974, added up to 1.7 WAR by Baseball Reference’s numbers.

He had his best offensive season in 1971 with San Diego, hitting .250 with 94 hits and 5 homers in 121 games. That year, he also posted his highest WAR at 1.6.

Behind the plate, Barton showed solid defensive skills. In 1966, he posted a .994 fielding percentage and consistently proved he could handle pitching staffs throughout his career.

Comparison to Other Catchers

Barton’s stats put him right in line with the usual backup catchers from his era. He hit .226 for his career, which fell below the league average, but honestly, that’s not surprising for a guy known for his glove behind the plate.

He posted a 65 OPS+, so he hit about 35% below league average. Still, teams back then mostly cared about catchers who could handle pitchers and control the game defensively, not just swing the bat. You can see that in how much value they placed on defensive contributions and the ability to call a good game.

Barton finished with 1.7 career WAR. That number tells you he basically gave teams replacement-level value. Sure, it won’t turn heads, but for a backup who bounced around, that’s actually a pretty steady contribution.

He spent his longest stretch—five seasons—with San Francisco. The Padres, though, gave him the most action. He played 241 games for San Diego over four years.

Impact and Reputation

People knew Barton for his steady defense and how well he worked with pitchers. Back then, teams expected catchers to anchor the defense, not rack up hits.

He caught during a time when baseball was shifting, especially in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He played for three National League clubs, including the brand-new San Diego Padres during their rough early days.

After he retired in 1974, Barton jumped into the insurance business. He didn’t collect a bunch of awards, but he brought the kind of steady, journeyman professionalism teams needed.

Barton passed away in 2018 in Vista, California. He left behind a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher, someone who helped three Major League teams over a solid ten-year run.

Personal Life and Post-Retirement

Bob Barton moved on from baseball and built a career in insurance. He kept close ties to his family and stayed connected with the baseball world even after he retired. Honestly, you get the sense he valued those relationships as much as anything.

Life After Baseball

After he hung up his cleats in 1974, Barton started working in the insurance industry. He brought the same work ethic he showed on the field to his new job.

In 1975, he married Connie. She became his lifelong partner, and later she talked about how much Barton loved his time in the Major Leagues.

Family Life:

• Five children: Brian, Tony, Joshua, Joseph, and daughter Katie Riley
• Married Connie Barton in 1975
• Lived in Vista, California during his later years

Barton didn’t just stick to baseball as a kid. He stood out in both baseball and basketball in high school back in Covington, Kentucky. He even turned down a basketball scholarship from the University of Kentucky so he could chase his baseball dream with the Giants.

Later in life, Barton faced some tough health issues. He dealt with dementia for several years before passing away on January 15, 2018, in Vista, California, at 76.

Legacy in the Baseball Community

Robert Wilbur Barton made his mark in Major League Baseball over a decade and also stepped up as a player representative. He played a leadership role during the 1972 players’ strike as the Padres’ rep, showing he cared about more than just his own career.

He started his pro journey in 1959, signing with the Giants for $25,000 when he was just 17. He kicked things off in Hastings in the Nebraska State League, then finally made it to the majors six years later.

Barton had his best year in 1971 with the Padres. He hit .250, smacked five home runs, and drove in 23 runs over 121 games. That season was the only time he got to be a regular starting catcher.

People in baseball circles remembered Barton for his dedication to the sport. Connie, his wife, once said, “he played sports all his life” and truly loved being a major leaguer.

Net Worth Information

Nobody really knows Bob Barton’s exact net worth. When he first signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1959, he got a $25,000 bonus, which would be about $250,000 now.

Back then, Major League Baseball didn’t pay like it does today. Players in the 1960s and 1970s often had to pick up second jobs just to stay afloat after leaving the game.

After baseball, Barton moved into the insurance business. That job gave him steady pay, and honestly, a lot of retired players from his era went down a similar path.

Since players didn’t get much in the way of pensions or union protection during Barton’s time, they really had to think ahead if they wanted to stay financially secure.