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

Bob Porterfield spent twelve seasons pitching in Major League Baseball, moving through five different teams from 1948 to 1959. He came from Newport, Virginia, and as a right-hander, he saw both the thrill of leading the American League in wins and the frustration of playing for struggling teams back in baseball’s golden era.

Porterfield hit his stride in 1953 by leading the American League with 22 wins for the Washington Senators. That year, The Sporting News named him Pitcher of the Year. He bounced from the powerhouse New York Yankees to the rebuilding Washington Senators, then the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs. Over his career, he put together an 87-97 record, a 3.79 ERA, and 572 strikeouts.

Let’s look at how Porterfield went from a Yankees prospect to a veteran pitcher who faced the ups and downs of mid-century baseball. His story shows the tough choices players made, from team trades and salary talks to leaving the game behind and, for Porterfield, working as a welder at Westinghouse after baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Bob Porterfield grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Virginia, learning baseball with limited resources. Before starting his pro career in the mid-1940s, he served in World War II.

Childhood in Virginia

Erwin Coolidge Porterfield was born August 10, 1923, in Newport, Virginia. He was the youngest of six, living at the foot of Bald Knob in a family that loved baseball.

His dad, Jesse Clyde Porterfield, worked as a plumber and ran a small farm near the West Virginia line. Jesse played semipro ball himself and passed that passion down. He started calling his youngest son “Bob” when the boy turned six.

Family Baseball Tradition:

• All four sons played baseball
• Two pitched, two caught
• Bob started out as a catcher
• Sister Reba was considered the family’s best athlete

Jesse made homemade gear for the kids. He used rags, yarn, string, and tape to make baseballs and carved bats from hickory branches.

Cecil, Bob’s older brother, apparently outshone him as a player when they were young. Their sister Reba was a star in both softball and basketball at school.

Semi-Pro Baseball Beginnings

When Porterfield came home from military service in January 1946, he worked construction jobs with his dad. He’d grown to 6-foot-1 and weighed around 190 pounds. His time away had sharpened his baseball skills.

That spring, he joined a local semipro team. He told the story of how his team challenged the Class D Radford Rockets and how he struck out six pros in a row.

His strong showing landed him a contract with the Radford team. He racked up 143 strikeouts in just 105 innings. His best game? A one-hitter with 17 strikeouts.

The Yankees’ Class B farm club in Norfolk bought his contract before the season wrapped up. At the end of that year, he married Jean Robinette, a local woman.

Military Service During World War II

Porterfield’s military story gets a bit murky, with his accounts not always matching official records. He finished high school in 1942 and got drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943.

Official Military Record:

• Served with the 13th Airborne Division
• Division didn’t see combat
• In the Army from 1943 to 1946
• Some members transferred to 82nd Airborne after Germany’s surrender

Porterfield said he volunteered before Pearl Harbor and fought with the 82nd Airborne, making five combat jumps and getting wounded in his left wrist. But the records don’t back this up.

The 13th Airborne formed but never went overseas to fight. After the war ended in Europe in 1945, some got transferred elsewhere.

He stayed in the Army until early 1946, then returned home to work with his dad.

Major League Baseball Debut and New York Yankees Years

Bob Porterfield debuted with the New York Yankees on August 8, 1948, at age 24, after a strong minor league season. In his early Yankees years, he showed promise but also ran into setbacks as he tried to secure a spot in a tough starting rotation.

Joining the New York Yankees

Porterfield signed with the Yankees in 1946 after coming back from the Army. He moved quickly through their farm system, leading the Norfolk team with 208 strikeouts in 1947.

His big break came in 1948 at Triple-A Newark. He went 15-6 with a league-best 2.17 ERA in the International League. That included three straight shutouts and 36 scoreless innings.

Key 1948 Minor League Stats:

• 15-6 record
• 2.17 ERA (led the league)
• Led the league in strikeouts the year before

Manager Bucky Harris wanted him on the big league roster sooner, but general manager George Weiss hesitated. After newspapers started asking “Where’s Porterfield?” during the tight pennant chase, Weiss finally called him up.

Early Performances as a Pitcher

Porterfield made his debut on August 8, 1948, in Cleveland during a crucial series. The Yankees and Indians were just half a game behind first-place Philadelphia. He held Cleveland to one run on two hits through six innings, but lost the lead in the seventh.

A line drive from Hal Peck hit Porterfield’s bare hand, forcing him out of the game. That injury was just the start of a string of bad luck during his Yankees career.

He finished his rookie year with a 5-3 record and a 4.50 ERA over 78 innings. Manager Casey Stengel once said about Porterfield’s time with the Yankees, “There was always something wrong, sore arm, sore head, sore back, sore legs.”

The 1948 season ended on a sour note. Harris picked Porterfield over 19-game winner Vic Raschi to pitch the season finale against Boston. The Red Sox scored four runs in the third inning, and the Yankees lost 10-5, missing out on the pennant.

Transitioning Within the Yankees Rotation

Porterfield couldn’t find steady success in the Yankees rotation from 1949 to 1951. Before spring training in 1949, he cut his feet on broken glass while playing with his son. Then came arm trouble, and he pitched just 12 times that year.

In 1950, things got worse. He had an 8.84 ERA when Detroit’s Paul Calvert beaned him on June 9. The broken jaw and concussion with lingering headaches pretty much ended his season.

By June 1951, he was back in Triple-A Kansas City. When Washington manager Bucky Harris called about a trade, Porterfield pleaded, “Please, get me. Don’t worry about my arm, it’s good, and I’ll pitch it off for you.”

The Yankees sent him to Washington with Fred Sanford and Tom Ferrick for Bob Kuzava and $50,000. The Washington Post ran the headline, “Nats Pick Up Three Losers From Yankees.”

Career Highlights and Washington Senators Era

Bob Porterfield went from a struggling Yankees prospect to one of baseball’s elite pitchers after joining the Washington Senators in 1951. With the Senators, he hit his peak, especially during the historic 1953 season that put him among the American League‘s best.

Trade to the Washington Senators

In June 1951, the Yankees traded Porterfield, Fred Sanford, and Tom Ferrick to the Senators for Bob Kuzava and $50,000. The Washington Post called the deal “Nats Pick Up Three Losers From Yankees.”

Porterfield couldn’t wait to leave Triple-A in Kansas City. When Bucky Harris, now managing Washington, asked about his arm, Porterfield begged, “Please, get me. Don’t worry about my arm, it’s good, and I’ll pitch it off for you.”

The move changed everything for him. He ended 1951 with a 9-8 record and a 3.24 ERA, better than anything he managed as a Yankee. The deep outfield at Griffith Stadium fit his pitching style, and center fielder Jim Busby helped cover his mistakes.

Breakout 1953 Season

Porterfield’s 1953 season was one for the books in Senators history. He led the American League with 22 wins, 24 complete games, and 9 shutouts and posted a 3.35 ERA.

He started the season with three straight losses but quickly turned things around, shutting out Chicago on five hits. Soon after, he hit a grand slam and threw a complete game win with 16 hits allowed.

His most memorable game came against Philadelphia when he retired the first 18 batters. Eddie Joost broke up the no-hitter in the seventh, but Porterfield finished with a one-hit shutout and homered at the plate.

The Sporting News named him American League Pitcher of the Year. Quite the turnaround for a guy the Yankees gave up on.

All-Star Recognition and Team Leadership

Porterfield made his only All-Star team in 1954. His 13-15 record didn’t show how well he pitched, considering his 3.32 ERA. The Senators’ weak offense often left him with little run support.

Between 1951 and 1954, Porterfield went 57-47 with a 3.16 ERA, consistently ranking among the league’s top 10 in wins and ERA. He became the clear leader of the Senators’ pitching staff.

He also became a fan favorite and team leader. Porterfield started the “Official Bob Porterfield Fan Club” and sang tenor in a quartet with teammates Clyde Kluttz, Tom Ferrick, and Irv Noren.

Backup catcher Kluttz worked closely with him to refine his changeup, which became a key pitch alongside his fastball and slider.

Later Career and Final MLB Teams

After his best years with the Senators, Porterfield played for three more teams as his career wound down. His stints with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs marked a period of transition as he tried to hold onto his earlier form.

Boston Red Sox Stint

Porterfield joined the Boston Red Sox after his strong run in Washington. It was a chance to contribute to a contending American League team.

In Boston, he worked mostly as a starter. He brought experience to the rotation, having already proven himself as a solid big leaguer.

The Red Sox counted on Porterfield’s knowledge of American League hitters. He knew the opposing lineups and shared that insight with the pitching staff.

Still, his performance with Boston didn’t match his earlier peak. Age and years of pitching began to catch up to him.

Time with Pittsburgh Pirates

Porterfield moved to the National League when he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. That meant facing new hitters and adjusting to a different style of play.

The Pirates used Porterfield in several roles. He started some games and came out of the bullpen in others, showing he could adapt late in his career.

Pittsburgh represented a fresh start for the veteran. The change in league and scenery brought new challenges.

He helped younger Pirates pitchers by sharing what he’d learned over more than a decade in the game.

His time with the Pirates showed he could fit into different team cultures and expectations. He stayed a steady presence in the clubhouse.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1959

Porterfield finished his big league career with the Chicago Cubs in 1959. That year closed out a 12-year run in the majors.

The Cubs gave him one last shot to pitch at the top level. He wrapped up his career with 87 wins and 97 losses and a 3.79 ERA.

He struck out 572 batters in 322 games. Those numbers showed he stayed productive throughout his time in the majors.

He retired at 35, which was pretty typical for pitchers back then. The job had taken a toll on his body after twelve seasons.

After leaving the field, he moved into coaching. Porterfield worked with Syracuse in the International League during the 1960s, passing on his experience to younger players.

Pitching Style, Achievements, and Career Statistics

Bob Porterfield put together an 87-97 record with a 3.79 ERA over his 12 years in the majors. His 1953 season really stands out—he led the American League with 22 wins. People remember him for his knack for finishing games and tossing shutouts, especially when he played for the Washington Senators.

Signature Pitching Approach

Porterfield built his reputation as a workhorse. He leaned on control and stamina, not blazing fastballs. His right-handed delivery focused on precision, not pure power. You can see that in his 572 career strikeouts over 1,567 innings.

During his best years, he showed off serious command on the mound. In 1953, he pitched 24 complete games and tossed nine shutouts. That year, he led the league in wins, showing just how valuable he was, especially to the Senators.

He found the strike zone with impressive consistency. Even as a rookie, he walked just 34 batters and struck out 30 in 78 innings, throwing only one wild pitch. That focus on control defined the way he pitched throughout his career.

Porterfield mixed up his pitches to keep hitters guessing. In his standout 1953 season, he threw two one-hitters. When his command was on, he could shut down a lineup completely.

Notable Statistical Records

Porterfield’s stats show both his high points and his overall reliability. He finished with an 87-97 win-loss record and a 3.79 ERA in 322 games.

That 1953 season remains his best. Porterfield led the AL with 22 wins and posted a 3.35 ERA. He also topped the league in complete games and shutouts.

In 1952, he managed a 13-14 record despite getting little run support, but still put up a sharp 2.72 ERA, ranking seventh in the league.

Porterfield could swing the bat a bit, too. He hit six career home runs and drove in 43 runs. His first home run was a grand slam on May 5, 1953, right in the middle of his best year.

Awards and Honors

Porterfield made the All-Star team in 1954, representing the American League during his prime with the Senators. This came right after his 22-win season.

The Sporting News named him Pitcher of the Year for his remarkable 1953 performance. He finished seventh in AL MVP voting that year, showing just how much he meant to his team.

In 1953, he led the league in wins, complete games, and shutouts. That season really put him among the top pitchers of his time.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inducted Porterfield in 2005, honoring both his baseball achievements and his Newport, Virginia roots. It’s a nice recognition, even if it came after his passing.

Despite his solid career, Porterfield got just one vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. He didn’t make the cut to stay on future ballots.

Personal Life, Post-Baseball Career, and Legacy

After baseball, Bob Porterfield focused on his family and found a new path outside the game. He worked as a welder at Westinghouse Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, and lived there until he died from lymphoma in 1980.

Family and Personal Background

Porterfield grew up in Newport, Virginia, the youngest of six in a family that loved baseball. His dad Jesse worked as a plumber and ran a small farm at the base of Bald Knob in the Blue Ridge Mountains. All four boys played ball—two pitched, two caught.

The Porterfields had deep roots in southwestern Virginia, and a lot of relatives shared their last name. His sister Reba, actually, was the best athlete in the family, starring in high school softball and basketball.

Bob married Jean Robinette after his 1946 season with the Radford Rockets. They had three kids: Robert Lee, Sandra Jean, and Cynthia Ann. When his career took off with the Senators, Porterfield bought a house in West Virginia, keeping his family close to both Washington and their Virginia hometown.

Coaching and Professional Endeavors

After his major league career ended in 1959, Porterfield stayed in baseball for a bit. He played for Charleston in 1960, sticking close to home in West Virginia. In 1961, he joined Syracuse as a pitcher-coach, but the team fired him in June after some drama over a supposed mutiny against the manager.

He left pro baseball for good after that. Porterfield ran a variety store in St. Petersburg, Florida, for a while and coached at Florida Presbyterian College for a year. Later, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he took a job as a welder at Westinghouse.

Switching from baseball to factory work was a big change, but Porterfield adjusted. He kept at it until health problems forced him to retire.

Remembering Bob Porterfield’s Impact

Porterfield’s baseball legacy really centers on that remarkable 1953 season with Washington.

He racked up 22 wins, led the league with nine shutouts, and The Sporting News even named him AL Pitcher of the Year.

His performance actually brought some much-needed excitement to Senators fans during a pretty tough decade.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inducted him, which honestly just makes sense, since he grew up in Newport and made it all the way to the majors.

Fans connected with Porterfield’s story, probably because he came from such a small Virginia town and still managed to make it big.

His career showed just how high a player could climb in baseball, but also how tough it is to stay at the top.

Porterfield passed away on April 28, 1980, at age 56 after fighting lymphoma.

He left behind memories of a brief, but honestly unforgettable, stretch as one of the American League’s best pitchers.