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

Bob Humphreys carved out his own place in Major League Baseball during the 1960s as a relief pitcher who just didn’t buy into early rejection. Scouts told him he couldn’t make it in the big leagues, so Humphreys scribbled “YOU CAN’T MAKE IT!” on his glove for motivation and pitched nine seasons in the majors from 1962 to 1970.

He played for five different teams: the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Washington Senators, and Milwaukee Brewers. His biggest moment? Being part of the 1964 World Series champion Cardinals. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 165 pounds, he leaned on his smarts and a quirky “rocking chair” pitching motion instead of raw power to get through at baseball’s highest level.

Growing up in Virginia, he learned early how much grit and adaptability it took to keep a baseball career alive, especially in an era when players often needed off-season jobs to pay the bills. His journey stretched from small-town high school fields in Virginia all the way to the World Series, giving a peek into the tough, rewarding world of mid-century baseball.

Early Life and Education

Robert William Humphreys was born August 18, 1935, in Covington, Virginia. His dad, Russell, worked as a contract hauler, and Bob grew up with three sisters.

He got his start in baseball at Hampden-Sydney College, where he pitched and played third base while earning a liberal arts degree.

Childhood and Family Background

Bob Humphreys came from a working-class family in Covington, Virginia. Russell, his father, made his living as a contract hauler. His sisters were Sylvia, Betty, and Linda.

He went to Montvale High School, playing both baseball and basketball. His high school baseball team won the district title during his junior and senior years.

Humphreys graduated from Montvale in 1954, and by then, people had already started noticing his baseball skills. That success pushed him to continue his education and keep playing ball.

Hampden-Sydney College Achievements

In the fall of 1954, Humphreys began college at Hampden-Sydney. He lettered in both baseball and basketball for the Tigers. As a pitcher and third baseman, he picked up team MVP honors twice over four seasons.

A serious eye injury during batting practice nearly ended his baseball dreams. After that, he focused mainly on pitching. That move paid off, and he made the All Mason-Dixon Conference baseball team in both 1957 and 1958.

During the summers, Humphreys played semipro ball around Roanoke and New Market, Virginia. At 5-feet-11 and 165 pounds, he wasn’t exactly intimidating. Instead, he used his head and developed a “rocking chair” windup that kept hitters guessing.

He also got elected vice president of his senior class. Humphreys graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. In 1988, the college inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame during the very first year of that honor.

Virginia Roots and Influences

Humphreys’ Virginia upbringing shaped how he approached baseball. He first fell in love with the sport in 1944, listening to radio broadcasts of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns. That made him a lifelong Cardinals fan and a big admirer of Stan Musial.

Virginia’s baseball scene gave him plenty of chances to get better. Playing semipro ball in Roanoke and New Market helped him bridge the gap between college and pro baseball.

He never lost his connection to Virginia. During off-seasons with the Washington Senators, he worked in the Capitol Hill office of a Virginia congressman. After retiring from playing, he went back to coach at Virginia Tech University from 1974 to 1978.

Path to Major League Baseball

Bob Humphreys’ journey from a small college in Virginia to the majors started after he graduated from Hampden-Sydney in 1958. He signed with the Detroit Tigers for a $1,000 bonus, spent four years in the minors, and finally made his MLB debut that kicked off a nine-year career.

Signing with the Detroit Tigers

After earning his degree, Bob Humphreys caught the eye of Detroit Tigers scout Frank Skaff. The Tigers signed him for a $1,000 bonus and $250 a month.

He started his pro career in 1958 with Montgomery of the Alabama-Florida League (Class D). Humphreys made an immediate mark, going 10-5 with a 2.29 ERA over 126 innings.

His college years had set him up well for pro ball. At 5-feet-11 and 165 pounds, Humphreys leaned on intelligence and his funky “rocking chair” windup, not brute strength. He’d developed that delivery as a senior, focusing on hiding the ball from hitters.

After his first season, he took a break to serve six months with the Marines, then jumped right back into baseball.

Minor League Progression

From 1959 to 1961, Humphreys moved up through Detroit’s minor league system. He pitched for teams like Durham in the Carolina League, Victoria in the Texas League, Knoxville in the Sally League, and Birmingham in the Southern League.

He worked as both a starter and reliever during those years. At Knoxville, he tossed a career-high 169 innings, showing he could handle a heavy workload.

The 1962 season really changed things for Humphreys. He started out with Denver in Triple-A, pitching only in relief. He was excellent, appearing in 58 games and posting a 9-7 record with a 2.88 ERA.

That strong year got him his first shot at the majors. The Tigers called him up in late September 1962.

Debut and Early MLB Experiences

Humphreys made his major league debut on September 8, 1962 in Detroit, facing the Minnesota Twins. He came in during the eighth inning with the Tigers down 8-2, and things got tense right away. Earl Battey singled off him, and the Twins tacked on another run.

The next day, Humphreys notched his first major league save. His first season didn’t last long—just five innings over four games, with a 0-1 record and a 7.20 ERA.

Two days after his debut, he faced the Yankees in a tie game. He got Clete Boyer to hit into a double play but then gave up a home run to Yogi Berra in the tenth, taking his first big league loss.

After the season, the Tigers invited Humphreys on their six-week exhibition tour of Japan. That trip doubled as his honeymoon—he married Tania Lee Taylor on October 6, 1962. “Quite a week for me,” he said. “I never thought I’d be taking a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, Japan, and places like that.”

Major League Career Overview

Bob Humphreys put together a nine-season MLB career from 1962 to 1970, mostly as a relief pitcher with a style all his own. He played in 319 games, won 27, lost 21, and suited up for five different teams. The highlight? His World Series run with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Humphreys made up for his modest frame with brains and an odd delivery that kept hitters off balance. He came up with his “rocking chair” windup as a college senior. That motion hid the ball in his glove, swinging it in a wide arc behind his hip before letting it fly.

He used that delivery throughout his career, and it worked. Hitters just couldn’t get a good look at the ball.

Injuries and advice from teammates shaped his pitching mix. Frank Lary taught him a slider/cutter, which became his best pitch after an elbow injury in 1965. Later, Bobby Tiefenauer showed him how to throw a knuckleball, which helped when shoulder problems made him cut back on his curveball.

Career Statistics and Wins

Humphreys appeared in 319 major league games with a 27-21 record over nine seasons. He mostly pitched in relief, starting only four games in his whole career. His best years came with the Washington Senators from 1966 to 1970, where he threw 396 of his 566 total MLB innings.

In 1966, he set career highs with 58 appearances and 111⅔ innings pitched. That season, he picked up seven wins for a Senators team that finished 71-88.

Career Highlights:

• World Series appearance: 1964 St. Louis Cardinals
• Best ERA in starts: 0.95 (3-1 record in four starts)
• Peak season: 1966 with Washington (7 wins, 3 saves)

His teammates recognized his value during the 1964 World Series run, giving him a three-quarters share of the World Series money even though he didn’t pitch much in the postseason.

End of MLB Playing Days

Humphreys’ last MLB chapter started when the Washington Senators released him on June 13, 1970. He called himself the “most surprised man around” after the sudden release, especially since he’d put up a 1.35 ERA in five games.

The Milwaukee Brewers picked him up two days later on June 15, 1970. Manager Dave Bristol liked his attitude, saying, “He’s a competitor. He can pitch his way out of a jam, and that’s the kind of performance our club needs.”

Bristol told Humphreys to focus on his knuckleball. That move paid off early—he got three saves and a win in his first seven appearances.

His final MLB appearance was a bit unusual. Humphreys started the second game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on September 25, 1970. He threw five innings, allowed just one run, and the Brewers won 3-2. That was his last career win.

The Brewers released him during spring training in 1971, ending a 15-year run in professional baseball.

Teams and Notable Seasons

Bob Humphreys pitched for five teams during his nine-year MLB career from 1962 to 1970. He shined brightest with the 1964 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, but spent the most time with the Washington Senators from 1966 to 1970.

St. Louis Cardinals World Series

The Cardinals picked up Humphreys from Detroit in March 1963, starting his most successful stretch. After beginning the season with Triple-A Atlanta and posting a 5-1 record with a 1.13 ERA, the Cardinals called him up in late May.

The 1964 season was his best. Humphreys appeared in 28 games, went 2-0, and had a 2.53 ERA. He notched his first major league win on September 6 against the Cubs in a wild extra-inning game.

World Series Performance:

• Made one appearance in Game Six against the Yankees
• Pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a Cardinals loss
• Received three-quarters share of World Series money from teammates

The Cardinals won the 1964 World Series, making Humphreys a champion in just his second full season. His teammates gave him a significant cut of the World Series money, showing their respect for what he brought to the team.

Chicago Cubs Stint

The Cardinals traded Humphreys to the Cubs on April 7, 1965. The Cubs already had a strong bullpen with Ted Abernathy and Lindy McDaniel, so Humphreys didn’t get many save opportunities.

He worked mostly in middle relief, making 41 appearances and pitching 65⅔ innings. He won two games, didn’t record any saves, and finished with a 3.15 ERA.

Humphreys didn’t love all the day games at Wrigley Field. He later admitted the Cubs’ heavy day schedule pushed him to ask for a trade.

At the end of the season, he went to Cubs General Manager John Holland and requested a move. The Cubs granted his wish just before the 1966 season started.

Washington Senators Impact

The Cubs traded Humphreys to the Washington Senators on April 2, 1966. That move finally gave him the stability he’d been looking for after bouncing between three teams in five seasons.

Humphreys pitched for the Senators from 1966 to 1970. He logged 396 of his 566 career major league innings during those years.

1966 Season Highlights:

• Career-high 58 appearances
• Career-high 111⅔ innings pitched
• 7-7 record with 3 saves
• Won three games in five days during August

The Senators ended up 71-88 in 1966, finishing eighth in the American League. Even though the team struggled, Humphreys made his mark as a steady reliever.

Between 1967 and part of 1970, he put together a 14-12 record for Senator teams that went 253-287 overall. He also stepped up as the team’s player representative during his time in Washington.

Milwaukee Brewers and Retirement

The Senators released Humphreys on June 13, 1970, after he pitched just 6⅔ innings in five games. The Milwaukee Brewers picked him up two days later on June 15.

Brewers manager Dave Bristol liked Humphreys’ competitive edge. “He’s a competitor,” Bristol said. “He can pitch his way out of a jam, and that’s the kind of performance our club needs.”

Bristol pushed Humphreys to rely on his knuckleball more. That approach paid off early—Humphreys notched three saves and a win in his first seven outings.

Final Season Statistics:

• 23 appearances
• 45⅔ innings pitched
• 2-4 record
• 3.15 ERA

Humphreys made his last major league appearance as a starter in the second game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. He went five innings, gave up just one run, and the Brewers won 3-2.

The Brewers let go of Humphreys during spring training in 1971. That pretty much wrapped up his nine-season, 319-game major league career.

Memorable Moments and Legacy

Bob Humphreys built a solid nine-year career with plenty of clutch moments and reliable relief work. His World Series win with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals stands out as the peak, and a few mentors along the way helped shape him into a dependable bullpen guy.

World Series Championship

Humphreys hit his biggest milestone as part of the 1964 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. After the Cardinals recalled him from Jacksonville in late June, he proved his value during their title run.

He got his World Series shot in Game Six against the New York Yankees. Humphreys came in for the ninth inning—St. Louis lost that game, but he still tossed a scoreless frame under some real pressure.

His first major league win came at a pretty perfect moment. On September 6, 1964, Humphreys beat the Chicago Cubs in extra innings while his dad watched from the stands. It was the first time Russell Humphreys had seen his son pitch in the majors after driving all the way from Virginia.

His teammates showed their appreciation by voting him a three-quarters share of the World Series money. That season, Humphreys finished with a 2-0 record and a 2.53 ERA over 28 appearances.

Influential Managers and Teammates

Frank Lary played a big role for Humphreys in Detroit. Lary taught him a slider/cutter that became his go-to pitch after an elbow injury made him move away from his curveball.

Bobby Tiefenauer stepped in as another mentor in Atlanta. Tiefenauer showed Humphreys how to throw a knuckleball, which turned out to be a lifesaver later when shoulder issues limited his other pitches.

Dave Bristol, his skipper in Milwaukee, really believed in Humphreys. “He’s a competitor,” Bristol said. “He can pitch his way out of a jam, and that’s the kind of performance our club needs.”

Bristol wanted Humphreys to lean on his knuckleball as his main weapon. That advice paid off right away, with Humphreys picking up three saves and a win in his first seven games for the Brewers.

Noteworthy Games and Performances

Humphreys grabbed his first major league save on September 9, 1962, just a day after debuting for Detroit. He bounced back fast from a rough first outing against Minnesota.

One of his best regular season games happened on July 2, 1964, against Milwaukee. Humphreys pitched three scoreless and hitless innings versus the Braves, locking down a save in his first game back from Jacksonville.

He showed his nerve in a dramatic extra-innings win over Philadelphia on September 9, 1964. Humphreys kept the league-leading Phillies scoreless in the 10th and 11th, and even picked up his first big league hit and RBI.

For his final major league appearance, Humphreys started for Milwaukee against the White Sox. He went five innings, allowed just one run, and helped the Brewers win 3-2.

Life After Baseball

Bob Humphreys shifted from his nine-year major league career into coaching and mentoring, sticking with baseball for decades. He stayed close to the game through coaching jobs at the college level and kept working in player development well into his 80s.

Post-Retirement Involvement

After his playing days ended in 1971, Humphreys didn’t waste much time getting back into baseball through coaching. From 1974 to 1978, he coached baseball at Virginia Tech University.

His time at Virginia Tech turned out pretty successful. The team won 135 games and lost just 60 in his five years there. His squads made the NCAA regional playoffs twice.

In 1977, Humphreys led the team to a wild 31-game winning streak. That kind of run really showed his knack for developing players and building tough teams.

Humphreys didn’t hide his ambition back then. “The job at Virginia Tech is a great opportunity,” he said, “but I’d leave tomorrow for” a shot at returning to the majors.

After Virginia Tech, he did a short stint at Hampden-Sydney College before heading back to the minors with the Cardinals’ organization. Even in his 80s, Humphreys kept teaching baseball as a pitching mentor with Home Run Club Virginia, run by former Virginia Tech player Orvin Kiser.

Honors and Recognitions

Humphreys picked up recognition for his baseball contributions at several levels. In 1988, Hampden-Sydney College put him in its Athletic Hall of Fame during the program’s first year.

That honor celebrated both his college playing days and his lasting impact on the sport. At Hampden-Sydney, he’d been the team’s MVP for two of his four seasons.

He also made the All Mason-Dixon Conference baseball team in 1957 and 1958. Those early honors helped lay the groundwork for his pro career.

Personal Life and Community

Humphreys married Tania Lee Taylor on October 6, 1962, right as his major league career was getting underway. They actually took their honeymoon in Japan, since Humphreys joined the Detroit Tigers’ exhibition tour at the same time.

They raised three kids together: Kristina, Kari, and Scott. The family really gave him a sense of stability during all those years on the road and later, when he moved into coaching.

While he played for the Washington Senators, Humphreys stepped up as the team’s player representative. He even spent a few off-seasons working in a Virginia congressman’s Capitol Hill office, which is pretty unusual for a ballplayer.

He was born in Covington, Virginia, and honestly, he never lost his connection to his home state. His dad Russell worked as a contract hauler, and Bob grew up with three sisters—Sylvia, Betty, and Linda.

Even at 81, Humphreys kept busy with baseball instruction. He just couldn’t seem to quit helping young players learn the game, and his dedication to passing on his baseball knowledge was obvious.