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

Bob Beall made his way through Major League Baseball in the mid-to-late 1970s, suiting up for the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1948, Beall spent four seasons in the majors and finally called it quits in 1981 after a short run as a player-coach.

Beall played professionally from 1975 to 1981, getting into 148 major league games and putting up a .231 batting average. He really showed the perseverance you need to even make it to the big leagues. He got his start after a standout college career at Oregon State University, where he became the first left-handed third baseman in Pac-8 conference history.

Let’s look at how Beall developed as a high school star in Oregon, climbed the ladder through the minors, and then transitioned to life after baseball with Nike. His story isn’t flashy, but it’s one that a lot of players can relate to—reaching the major leagues even if they never become household names.

Overview of Bob Beall’s Baseball Career

Robert Brooks Beall played in the big leagues for four seasons between 1975 and 1980. He spent time with the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates, mostly as a first baseman and pinch hitter.

Major League Baseball Journey

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Bob Beall in the 28th round of the 1970 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Oregon State. He made his MLB debut on May 12, 1975, at 27 years old with the Atlanta Braves.

His career lasted four seasons, from 1975 to 1980. Beall played in 148 games total. He batted as a switch-hitter and threw left-handed.

He stood 5-foot-11 and weighed 180 pounds. That versatility let him play first base, left field, and center field.

After a short run with Pittsburgh in 1980, Beall played the 1981 season as a player-coach for the Portland Beavers, the Pirates’ Triple-A team in the Pacific Coast League. He retired from pro baseball in 1981 and started working at Nike.

Key Career Achievements

Beall finished his MLB career with a .231 batting average, collecting 54 hits in 234 at-bats. He picked up 18 RBIs and scored 32 runs in the majors.

His best year came in 1978 with Atlanta. He played 108 games and hit .243, racking up 45 hits in 185 at-bats. That season made up the bulk of his career.

On August 24, 1978, Beall hit his only career home run—a pinch-hit shot off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Silvio Martinez. He also had 12 doubles in his career, but never managed a triple.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 148
• Batting Average: .231
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 18
• Hits: 54

Notable Teams Played For

The Atlanta Braves gave Beall his shot at Major League Baseball. He played for Atlanta in 1975, 1978, and 1979, making 145 of his 148 career MLB appearances with them.

He broke in as a rookie in 1975, appearing in 20 games. Beall came back in 1978 for his busiest season, then had a short 17-game stint in 1979.

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up for 1980. His time there was brief—he only played three games and went 0-for-3 at the plate.

Both teams mostly used Beall off the bench and as a pinch hitter. As a utility player, he filled in at first base and in the outfield when needed.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Bob Beall’s journey to pro baseball started in Hillsboro, Oregon. His family’s immigrant background influenced his early years. His talent on the field really started to shine in high school, setting him up for a standout college career at Oregon State.

Childhood and Family Background

Robert Brooks Beall was born April 24, 1948, in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in Hillsboro, descended from Conrad and Elisabeth Derr, who came from Norka, Russia as Volga German immigrants.

The Beall family was athletic. Bob’s brothers, Jim and Gene Beall, also played baseball.

His Volga German heritage connected him to a tight-knit immigrant community in the Pacific Northwest. That background gave him a foundation of hard work and determination, which definitely helped him in sports.

Hillsboro High School Accomplishments

Bob went to Hillsboro Union High School and quickly became one of Oregon’s top baseball players. His senior year in 1966 was the highlight of his high school days.

That season, Bob earned the title of “Baseball Player of the Year“ for the whole state of Oregon. Hillsboro Union High School also won the state championship that year.

His play drew plenty of attention from colleges. He received full-ride scholarship offers from both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.

The mix of individual awards and team success made him a top baseball prospect in the Pacific Northwest.

Collegiate Career at Oregon State University

Bob chose Oregon State University and studied mathematics while playing baseball. He stood out in the tough Pac-8 Conference.

His versatility really showed during his sophomore and junior years. Bob made Pac-8 history as the first left-handed third baseman in the conference, which is pretty unique.

By his senior year, Bob had become a top first baseman. He earned first-team All-Pac-8 honors and captained the team.

He graduated in 1970 with a math degree. His college career set him up for the next step, and the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in the 28th round of the 1970 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Professional Career Highlights

Bob Beall’s big league career lasted four seasons, from 1975 to 1980. He played in 148 games, mainly as a pinch hitter and utility guy. 1978 was his best season with the Braves—he hit his only career home run and became a reliable bench option.

Major League Debut and Breakthrough

Bob made his MLB debut on May 12, 1975, with the Atlanta Braves at age 27. He worked his way up through the minors after the Phillies drafted him in 1970.

His big break came in 1978 with Atlanta. That year, he played in 108 of his 148 career games and became a go-to bench player.

He hit .243 in 1978, his best batting average in the majors. The highlight came on August 24, 1978, when he smashed a pinch-hit homer off St. Louis’s Silvio Martinez.

That home run turned out to be the only one of Beall’s pro career. His ability to switch-hit and play first base and left field made him useful to the roster.

Minor League Success

Before he got to the majors, Beall spent several years developing in the minors. The Phillies picked him out of Oregon State in 1970.

After a trade in December 1973, the Braves brought him in for Gil Garrido. That move gave Beall the chance he needed to reach the majors.

His time in the minors helped him become a utility player. Being able to play different positions and bat from both sides made him a good fit for major league teams.

Transition to the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Braves traded Beall to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 16, 1980, for Jerry McDonald. That was the final stop of his big league career.

Pittsburgh used him the same way—as a bench player and pinch hitter.

He made his final major league appearance on September 23, 1980. That last stint with the Pirates gave Beall one more shot at the highest level.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

After the 1980 season, Beall retired from the majors. He wrapped up his career with a .231 average, one homer, and 18 RBIs in 148 games.

Once he stepped away from baseball, Beall started working for Nike in Hillsboro, Oregon.

He retired at 32, closing out a professional baseball run that started a decade earlier. His move to Nike marked a new chapter, shifting from sports to the corporate world.

Statistical Performance and Playing Style

Bob Beall’s four-year MLB career led to a .231 batting average in 148 games. He didn’t hit for much power, but he got on base at a decent clip. Defensively, he played first base and the outfield, but most of his time came as a pinch hitter or bench player.

Batting and On-Base Metrics

Beall’s offensive numbers show he was more of a utility guy than an everyday starter. He finished with a career batting average of .231 and an on-base percentage of .355 in 285 plate appearances. His OPS of .649 was below league average, with an OPS+ of just 76.

He showed patience at the plate, drawing 45 walks and striking out 41 times. That discipline helped push his OBP well above his batting average. His best year was 1978, when he hit .243 with a .368 OBP in 108 games.

Beall didn’t hit for much power—just one home run and 12 doubles in 234 at-bats. His slugging percentage was .295, which fits with the typical utility player of that era.

Fielding and Defensive Analysis

On defense, Beall mainly played first base but also saw time in the outfield. His fielding percentage at first was .987, a bit below the league average of .991 for those years.

At first, he handled 375 chances in three seasons, making 341 putouts and 29 assists. He committed 5 errors and turned 29 double plays. His range factor of 7.25 per game was lower than the league average of 9.91.

All of his outfield work came in 1978 with Atlanta. He played 8 games out there and didn’t make an error, though that’s a pretty small sample size. Most of his outfield innings were in left field, where he handled 7 chances cleanly.

Key Stats: Plate Appearances, Hits, and RBI

Beall totaled 285 plate appearances in his MLB career, producing 54 hits and 18 RBIs. He scored 32 runs, mostly during his active 1978 season with Atlanta.

Most of his hits were singles, with 12 doubles and just one home run as his only extra-base hits. His RBI total of 18 reflected his limited chances with runners on base as a part-time player.

With Atlanta, he had 282 plate appearances, 54 hits, and 18 RBIs. His short time with Pittsburgh saw him go hitless in 3 at-bats.

Notable Seasons and Game Highlights

Beall really hit his stride in 1978, which turned out to be the best year of his career for both playing time and production. He played in 108 games for Atlanta and picked up 45 hits out of 185 at-bats, ending up with a .243 average.

That season made up most of his career stats, honestly.

Back in his rookie year in 1975, Beall showed some early potential, even though he didn’t play much. He appeared in 20 games and hit .226, but his .351 OBP hinted at the plate discipline that stuck with him throughout his career.

He managed 7 hits in 31 at-bats, including 2 doubles.

Things changed in 1979, and his playing time took a big hit. Beall only got into 17 games and picked up just 2 hits in 15 at-bats, dropping his average to .133.

This smaller role set the stage for his short final run with Pittsburgh in 1980. He only had 3 plate appearances that year and didn’t manage a hit.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

Bob Beall’s baseball cards still catch the eye of collectors, and his 1979 Topps card stands out as the one people recognize most. Right now, there are 8 Beall cards out there, including 1 rookie card and 8 different variations.

1979 Topps Card Spotlight

The 1979 Topps card is probably the one that comes to mind first when people think of Bob Beall’s cards. It shows Beall during his Atlanta Braves days.

Collectors still love the classic 1979 Topps look. The card features Beall in his Braves uniform, capturing him in the middle of his big league run.

A lot of fans remember Beall mainly through this card. Since he played before many current collectors started following baseball, this card often serves as their main link to his career.

The whole 1979 Topps set has a loyal following among collectors. Beall’s card fits right in and is part of what many enthusiasts hope to complete.

Collectible Value and Popularity

Bob Beall cards still draw steady interest from collectors. Cards in Near Mint-Mint condition usually get the best prices.

His rookie card means a lot to people who chase first-year player cards. With 8 variations, collectors can pick and choose based on what they like and what they can afford.

You can find cards from his time with the Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates. There are also minor league cards, like those from the Portland Beavers, for folks who enjoy the more obscure stuff.

The 1980 TCMA Minor League card is another option for collectors. These cards appeal to people who like regional or lesser-known sets from that era.

Life After Baseball

Bob Beall made a pretty smooth transition from pro baseball to a corporate gig at Nike in 1981. He built a long career with the company and kept his Oregon connections strong.

Career with Nike

Beall joined Nike right after he finished playing baseball in 1981. The timing worked out well, since Nike was just starting to take off in the athletic gear world.

He moved up through different roles at Nike over almost thirty years. Eventually, he became Director of Planning for Jordan Apparel, which is a pretty big deal in the Nike universe.

The Jordan brand, of course, is Nike’s partnership with Michael Jordan. Beall handled strategic planning for the apparel side of that high-profile division.

His math degree from Oregon State University probably helped him out in those planning and analytical jobs. The discipline and teamwork he learned from baseball didn’t hurt either.

Beall retired from Nike in 2009, wrapping up a 28-year run. That kind of longevity really shows he could adapt and make a difference in the business world.

Community Involvement and Leadership

After he retired from Nike, Beall stayed connected with his Oregon community. People around town respected him, probably because of his baseball background and all that corporate experience.

He started out as an Oregon high school baseball star, then played pro ball, and later jumped into a corporate executive role. That’s quite a story, right? It’s no wonder folks saw him as a local success.

His journey opened doors for him to mentor young athletes and business professionals. You can see how his athletic skills helped him thrive at Nike, showing that those abilities really can carry over into business.