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

Bob Purkey retired from Major League Baseball in 1966 after a 13-year run as a knuckleball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals. Purkey was born in Pittsburgh in 1929. He grew into one of the game’s most effective control pitchers during the 1950s and 1960s, snagging five All-Star selections and helping the Cincinnati Reds win the 1961 National League pennant.

Branch Rickey, the legendary baseball executive, taught Purkey the knuckleball. He added that pitch to his mix, which already included a slider, changeup, and a lively fastball.

Purkey’s best season? That was 1962. He went 23-5 with a 2.81 ERA for Cincinnati and finished third in National League Cy Young Award voting. His sharp control and ability to mix pitches really frustrated hitters all through his career.

Purkey started out as a hometown hero with the Pirates. Then he hit his stride in Cincinnati, before finishing up in St. Louis and finally back in Pittsburgh. His journey through pro baseball really shows the competitive spirit and the changing strategies of the game in that era.

His story includes military service, some memorable World Series moments, and the tough reality of staying effective as a finesse pitcher while power pitching took over the league.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Bob Purkey grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born in 1929 to a family that loved baseball. His dad’s semi-professional baseball background sparked Bob’s early interest in the sport.

He went to South Hills High School, where he laid the groundwork for his athletic career and eventually signed with his hometown Pirates.

Childhood in Pittsburgh

Robert Thomas Purkey was born on July 14, 1929, in Pittsburgh. His father, Edward Purkey, worked in insurance but had also played semi-pro baseball. That background gave Bob an early, inside look at the game.

His mom, Anna, was a homemaker. Bob had two brothers, Edward and Donald, and they all grew up together in Pittsburgh during the 1930s and 1940s.

Edward’s baseball experience gave Bob some unique insights. The family’s environment encouraged a love for sports and competition. Pittsburgh’s baseball culture in that era played a big part in Bob’s growing passion for the game.

Education and High School Baseball

Bob went to South Hills High School in Pittsburgh, where he did well both in school and on the field. He graduated from South Hills in 1947 at 18 years old.

During high school, Purkey stood out as a baseball player. His play caught the attention of professional scouts. That mix of pitching talent and academic work made him a strong prospect for colleges and pro teams.

While still in high school, Bob met Joan Latsko, who was his sandlot teammate’s sister. She turned him down at first, but they’d meet again later when Bob came home during the minor league offseason.

Initial Interest in Baseball

Bob’s love for baseball came naturally, thanks to his dad and the city’s baseball scene. Edward’s semi-pro experience exposed Bob early to the basics of the game.

He showed real promise as a young pitcher, building skills that would catch scouts’ eyes later. That natural ability, mixed with his family’s baseball roots, set him up for a pro career.

When Bob graduated from South Hills High School in 1947, the Pirates saw his potential and signed him right away. That marked the start of a 13-year major league career, beginning with his first minor league assignment.

Professional Debut and Pittsburgh Pirates

Bob Purkey started his pro baseball journey in 1948, signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent. He spent a few years developing in the minors and serving in the military. In 1954, at age 24, he finally made his major league debut with Pittsburgh.

Signing with the Pirates

Leo Mackey, a Pirates scout, signed Purkey as an amateur free agent in 1948. Mackey actually knew the Purkey family from semi-pro baseball, having played with Bob’s dad.

Bob immediately joined the Class-D Greenville Pirates in 1948. Under manager Walter Tauscher, he put up a 19-8 record and a 3.01 ERA. He even threw a no-hitter that first season.

He kept building his skills in the Pirates’ farm system through 1949 and 1950. With the Class-B Davenport Pirates in 1949, he went 17-6. That earned him a promotion to Double-A New Orleans Pelicans in 1950, where he posted a 12-12 record and a 4.78 ERA.

Major League Debut in 1954

Purkey debuted in the big leagues on April 14, 1954 with the Pirates at age 24. That first year was rough. He went 3-8 with a 5.07 ERA in 36 games.

He started 11 games as a rookie and pitched in relief too. In 1955, arm problems made things even tougher. He split time between the Pirates and the minors that season.

Those first years in the majors were no picnic. The Pirates finished at or near the bottom during his first four seasons. In 1956, he pitched just two games for Pittsburgh and spent most of the year with the Hollywood Stars.

Early Years and Military Service

The United States Army drafted Purkey in spring 1951, interrupting his baseball progress. He missed both the 1951 and 1952 seasons while serving.

Before his military service, Purkey had actually refused to sign a contract with the Pirates, thinking the offer was too low. The draft made that argument moot.

After his service, Purkey returned to baseball in 1953 with the New Orleans Pelicans. He posted an 11-13 record and a 3.41 ERA in 30 games. That earned him a call-up to the majors the next year.

Purkey struggled during his four years with the Pirates, compiling a 16-29 record from 1954-1957. The team wasn’t great, but in 1957 he did improve, going 11-14 with a 3.86 ERA while splitting time between starting and relieving.

Cincinnati Reds Era

Bob Purkey’s trade to Cincinnati in December 1957 kicked off the best stretch of his career. With the Reds, he became a steady starter, made multiple All-Star teams, and helped the team win the 1961 pennant.

Trade to Cincinnati

The Pirates traded Purkey to Cincinnati for lefty Don Gross in December 1957. Purkey hadn’t found much consistency with the Pirates, so the move made sense.

Purkey welcomed the trade. “As much as I like to play in my hometown, I also like to have some runs scored for me,” he said about leaving Pittsburgh.

The trade worked out well for both Purkey and the Reds. Cincinnati needed pitching help after posting the league’s worst ERA in 1957. Pittsburgh’s GM Joe L. Brown later called it “the worst trade I ever made.”

Don Gross only won six games for Pittsburgh. Purkey, meanwhile, became a key part of Cincinnati’s rotation for seven seasons.

Breakout Seasons and All-Star Selections

Purkey became Cincinnati’s staff ace in 1958, going 17-11 with a 3.60 ERA. At 28, he finally found his place in the majors.

That strong season got him his first All-Star nod in 1958. National League manager Fred Haney picked him, though Purkey didn’t pitch in the game.

He kept pitching well over the next few years, posting records of 13-18 in 1959 and 17-11 in 1960. He established himself as a dependable starter.

He peaked in 1962, winning his first seven decisions. He was named National League Player of the Month in May and stood 14-2 at the season’s midpoint.

Notable Achievements and 1962 MVP/Nominations

1962 was Purkey’s best. He went 23-5 with a 2.81 ERA. That .821 winning percentage was among baseball’s best that year.

He had the National League’s third-best ERA and leaned on his knuckleball more than ever. Those 23 wins made him one of the league’s top pitchers.

Even with that performance, Purkey only got one Cy Young vote. Don Drysdale of the Dodgers won with 25 wins and 232 strikeouts.

Thanks to his big 1962 season, Purkey got a raise to about $40,000. That was reportedly the highest salary ever paid to a Cincinnati Reds pitcher at the time.

Contribution to Team Success

Purkey played a huge part in Cincinnati’s 1961 pennant run. He finished 16-12 with a 3.73 ERA as the Reds won 93 games and took the National League title.

In Game Three of the 1961 World Series, Purkey started at home in Crosley Field. He held the Yankees hitless for four innings and scoreless through six.

The game stayed tied 2-2 until the ninth. Roger Maris homered off Purkey’s slider to give New York a 3-2 win. That was the turning point in the Series.

Purkey won 86 games and made three All-Star teams during his five best years with the Reds. In 1974, the team inducted him into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame for his impact on the franchise.

Later Career with St. Louis Cardinals and Return to Pittsburgh

Bob Purkey’s last years in the majors were tough. Arm problems and declining performance followed him from Cincinnati to St. Louis in 1965, then back to Pittsburgh to finish his career.

Trade to the Cardinals

In December 1964, the Reds traded Bob Purkey to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran pitcher Roger Craig and outfielder Charlie James. Purkey had struggled with consistency in 1964, finishing 11-9 while dealing with a sore arm.

His time with the Cardinals wasn’t easy. The sore arm that had bothered him since 1963 kept him from finding his old form. In 1965, he posted a career-worst 5.79 ERA.

Despite that high ERA, Purkey managed a 10-9 record with St. Louis. That was mostly thanks to the Cardinals’ strong offense, not his pitching. The lineup picked him up with runs, even when he didn’t have his best stuff.

Purkey struggled to command his knuckleball the way he had in Cincinnati. His fastball lost its movement, and his control—once his best weapon—turned inconsistent.

Final Season Back with Pirates

Before the 1966 season, the Cardinals sold Purkey back to the Pittsburgh Pirates. That move brought the veteran pitcher full circle, back to where his major league career had started in 1954.

The Pirates figured the familiar surroundings might help revive his struggling career. Maybe it could’ve worked, but things just didn’t go that way.

Purkey’s return to Pittsburgh didn’t deliver what the team or he wanted. His arm problems stuck around, and he couldn’t find the effectiveness that once made him such a reliable starter.

The Pirates barely used Purkey during the 1966 season. He pitched in limited action as both a starter and reliever, but his performance just didn’t measure up to major league standards.

He pitched his last game on July 26, 1966. That marked the end of a 13-year career.

Retirement in 1966

In August 1966, the Pittsburgh Pirates released Bob Purkey, which ended his major league career. At 37, the veteran pitcher took the news with dignity, looking back on his time in baseball with a positive outlook.

“I have no regrets and I leave with good feelings all around,” Purkey said after his release. “I’ve taken a great deal out of baseball and I only hope I have given something in return.”

His final career stats: 129 wins, 115 losses, and 387 games pitched. He started out with some tough years in Pittsburgh but grew into a key part of Cincinnati’s 1961 National League pennant-winning team.

He specialized in the knuckleball, and even though his career ended far from its peak, his 23-5 season in 1962 really cemented his place in baseball history.

Pitching Style and Legacy

Bob Purkey developed a pitching style that mixed precision, variety, and smart use of the knuckleball. His 129-115 career record and top-notch control earned him respect across baseball during his 13 years from 1954 to 1966.

Knuckleball Mastery

Purkey picked up the knuckleball from Branch Rickey when he got sent down to the minors in 1955. That pitch ended up changing his career and became his go-to for strikeouts.

Still, Purkey didn’t want to be known only for his knuckleball. He threw a full mix—slider, changeup, slow curve, sinker, and a moving fastball. That fastball had a six-inch tail toward right-handed batters, which made it surprisingly tough even though it wasn’t blazing fast.

“I don’t depend mainly on any one pitch,” Purkey said. “My knuckler isn’t as good as Hoyt Wilhelm’s, my fastball not so overpowering as Ryne Duren’s, my curve not so sharp as Vernon Law’s. But put them all together and they give me a pretty fair repertoire.”

Hitters never seemed to know what was coming next. Dodgers player Ron Fairly once joked, “He used to throw everything but the kitchen sink. Now he throws the sink, too.”

Purkey’s control stood out the most. He walked only 2.2 batters per nine innings, so he made strikes his main weapon.

Career Statistics and Milestones

Purkey’s best season came in 1962 with the Cincinnati Reds. He went 23-5 with a 2.81 ERA, leading the National League in winning percentage at .821.

Some of his career highlights:

• 129 wins, 115 losses over 387 games
• 3.79 career ERA
• Three All-Star selections (1958, 1960, 1962)
• 1961 World Series appearance with Cincinnati

He finished third in the National League Cy Young voting in 1962. Even though he got only one vote, that year really marked the high point of his career.

Between 1958 and 1964, he won 86 games for Cincinnati, making himself a mainstay in the rotation. His consistency and durability made him valuable wherever he pitched.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Induction

The Cincinnati Reds honored Purkey by inducting him into their Hall of Fame. His six seasons with Cincinnati were easily his best as a pro.

He helped lead the 1961 Reds to the National League pennant. In the World Series against the Yankees, he pitched a gem in Game 3, holding New York hitless for four innings before losing 3-2 on Roger Maris’s ninth-inning home run.

During his Cincinnati years, he racked up 86 wins and three All-Star nods. The Reds valued his leadership and steady play.

Impact on Baseball

Purkey showed that you could succeed with precision, not just power. His approach inspired younger pitchers who didn’t have overpowering fastballs but could control the strike zone.

Reds pitching coach Tom Ferrick once said, “You watch Purkey warm up, and you wouldn’t give a nickel for his chances of beating anyone. He’s not the overpowering type of pitcher who catches your eye. Instead he’s a cutey.”

He passed on his knuckleball know-how to other pitchers, helping keep the pitch alive in the big leagues.

Steve Blass, who roomed with Purkey in 1966, called him “a hell of a pitcher.” That kind of respect from teammates and opponents says a lot about his impact on the game.

Personal Life and Post-Baseball Years

After leaving baseball in 1966, Bob Purkey built a successful business career. He also stayed close to his family and got involved in his community.

He passed away in 2008 at age 78, leaving behind a legacy both on and off the field.

Family and Personal Interests

Bob Purkey married Joan Latsko, and they raised two kids together. Their son was Bobby Jr., and their daughter, Candy, later married Bob Holland.

The family went through heartbreak when Bobby Jr. died in 1973. He’d just been drafted into pro baseball that year but lost his life in an accident during a college underwater breath-holding contest.

After baseball, Purkey worked briefly as a sportscaster for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. He then opened the Bob Purkey Agency, an insurance business in Bethel Park, and ran it for over 30 years until he retired.

Purkey stayed active in his community through the Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce. He also put a lot of time into charity work, especially with the Pittsburgh Pirates Alumni Association, helping raise money for good causes.

The family lived in Bethel Park, and Purkey kept his Pittsburgh roots strong throughout his post-baseball life.

Passing and Memorials

Joan Purkey passed away in January 2008. She was 75 and had been living at Sunrise Assisted Living.

Bob Purkey died on March 16, 2008, at the same facility. He was 78 and had struggled with Alzheimer’s disease in his last years.

He only made it two months after Joan died. At the time, his daughter Candy Holland and grandsons Ross and Brian Holland survived him.

They buried Purkey at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in McMurray, Pennsylvania. St. Valentine Church in Bethel Park hosted his funeral services.

The family asked for memorial contributions to Pirate Alumni Charities, which really fit his lifelong love for baseball and giving back.