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

Bob Saverine’s name might not ring out in baseball history the way some of his peers’ do, but his six-year major league run tells a pretty interesting story about persistence and adaptability. Born in Connecticut, he wrapped up his MLB career on October 1, 1967, capping off a journey that started at just 18 years old with the Baltimore Orioles in 1959.

Saverine’s path from a $70,000 bonus baby to a steady utility man really shows how unpredictable baseball careers could get in the 1960s. At just 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, he managed to overcome his size and became one of the most adaptable guys out there, covering five different spots across the infield and outfield.

Looking at Saverine’s career, you start to see how a talented athlete found his way through the ups and downs of pro baseball. He went from early promise in the Orioles system to his last seasons with the Washington Senators.

His story gives a glimpse into what it took for young players to develop, why adaptability mattered so much in baseball, and what life was like for journeyman players during the sport’s expansion years.

Bob Saverine’s Early Life and Background

Robert Paul Saverine was born June 2, 1941, in Norwalk, Connecticut, and grew up surrounded by athletic ambition. At Darien High School, he stood out as both a student and an athlete, grabbing the attention of scouts from several sports.

Family and Upbringing

Bob grew up in a family where sports and achievement really mattered. His dad, Joseph Saverine, left a mark at Georgetown University by captaining both the baseball and football teams in the same year.

That kind of family legacy shaped Bob from a young age. His parents pushed for both strong academics and sports.

In Norwalk, Bob got to see competitive sports up close. His father’s accomplishments at Georgetown inspired him to chase his own athletic goals.

Darien High School Athletic Achievements

At Darien High, Saverine made a name for himself as a standout student-athlete. He finished first in his class academically and excelled in several sports.

Scouts noticed his skills and started recruiting him for both baseball and basketball. Being a dual-sport talent made him a hot commodity.

His speed and versatility on the diamond really turned heads among Major League Baseball scouts. Switch-hitting and solid defense made him even more valuable.

Basketball scouts also chased after him. His athleticism carried over to the court, and it wasn’t easy to pick which sport to focus on.

Choosing a Baseball Career Over College

Even with his academic achievements and scholarship offers, Saverine went straight to pro baseball. The Baltimore Orioles signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1959 season.

He was only 18 when he made that call. Instead of the usual college route, he jumped right into his dream of playing in the majors.

The Orioles’ offer was too good to pass up. Pro baseball gave him immediate access to the sport he loved, skipping the wait that comes with college.

His choice paid off when he debuted for Baltimore on September 12, 1959, at just 18. He ended up being the youngest player to take the field in an American League game that year.

MLB Debut and Baltimore Orioles Tenure

Bob Saverine joined the Orioles in 1959 as an 18-year-old free agent and made his major league debut that September. Early on, he bounced between the majors and minors, finding success with the Bluefield Orioles during his first season.

Signing with the Orioles in 1959

Baltimore brought Saverine on board before the 1959 season. At 18, he was already on the radar for both baseball and basketball.

He’d just finished as valedictorian at Darien High in Connecticut. The Orioles liked his switch-hitting and his ability to play both infield and outfield.

The signing worked out well for both sides. Saverine reached the majors just months after starting his pro career.

Scouts loved his ability to bat from both sides. The Orioles’ gamble on him paid off quickly.

Major League Debut and Early Performance

Saverine made his big league debut on September 12, 1959, against the Chicago White Sox. At 18, he was the youngest player in the American League that season.

He came in as a pinch-runner and scored a run in that first game, which ended up being his only major league appearance that year.

He spent 1960 and 1961 in the minors, then came back to Baltimore for eight games in 1962. In 1963 and 1964, he saw more regular playing time with the Orioles.

His busiest year with Baltimore was 1963, when he played in 117 games. During his Baltimore tenure, he carved out a reputation as a steady utility guy.

Bluefield Orioles and Minor League Highlights

While making his MLB debut in 1959, Saverine also logged 70 games with the Bluefield Orioles that year. He put up some big numbers in the minors.

He hit .353 with 11 homers for Bluefield in 1959. That kind of performance made him stand out as a prospect.

His minor league stats showed he could hit for both average and some power. The mix of a major league debut and strong minor league play made 1959 a real breakout.

Bluefield gave him a chance to develop. He got to sharpen his game while still being ready to help the big club when needed.

Washington Senators Career and Peak Years

Bob Saverine joined the Washington Senators in 1966 after they picked him up in the Rule 5 draft. He played all over the field for them, mostly at second base but also at shortstop and third.

His two seasons with the Senators marked the final chapter of his MLB career. He became a go-to utility guy, filling in wherever the team needed him.

Joining the Washington Senators

The Senators got Saverine on November 29, 1965, paying $25,000 to snag him from the Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft. This came after he’d spent 1965 with the Rochester Red Wings, following a stint with the Orioles.

Saverine admitted he felt disappointed by the trade. He’d hoped to play for Lum Harris, who’d just become Houston’s manager and had helped him develop back in Baltimore.

“It was a letdown. I was eager to play for Lum Harris. And, the Senators had Don Lock in center field, so I knew I wouldn’t be playing much there,” Saverine said.

Manager Gil Hodges wanted to try Saverine at shortstop since Ed Brinkman had batted just .185 the year before. But Brinkman turned things around in spring training and early in the season, so Saverine didn’t get many chances at that spot.

1966 and 1967 Seasons Overview

In 1966, Saverine played wherever the Senators needed him. He logged 70 games at second base, 26 at third, and only 11 at shortstop, even though that was supposed to be his main shot.

He only played nine games in the outfield. The Senators kept looking for a full-time second baseman, and a June report mentioned the team “want[ed] a regular” at that spot.

On June 8, 1966, Saverine had a rough day. He set an American League record by going hitless in 12 plate appearances in a doubleheader against his old team, the Orioles.

His 1967 season was his last in the majors. He played his final game on October 1, 1967, at age 26.

Batting and Fielding Contributions

Batting Statistics:

• Career batting average: .239
• Home runs: 6 in his MLB career
• RBI: 47 career runs batted in
• Games played: 379 total games

Saverine’s offense during his time with the Senators was pretty modest. His ability to switch-hit gave the team some options, but he had trouble putting up steady numbers at the plate.

Defensively, his flexibility was a real asset. Manager Gil Hodges could plug him in all over the infield, depending on who was hurt or what the matchup called for.

Saverine still had some speed—people called him “Rabbit” back when he was a prospect—but he didn’t steal many bases with the Senators.

He was most reliable at second base, especially during the 1966 season.

Versatility as a Utility Player and Fielding Positions

Bob Saverine became known as a true utility player, showing off his ability to handle several defensive spots during his six years in the majors. He covered three infield positions and two outfield spots, which made him a handy guy to have, especially with the Senators.

Shortstop and Infield Contributions

Saverine started out as a shortstop in high school at Darien. That was his main spot in the minors before he switched things up.

The Orioles moved him to second base in 1961 after two years at short. With the Senators, he played 70 games at second in 1966.

He also covered third base. When Ken McMullen struggled at third for the Senators, manager Gil Hodges gave Saverine a shot there, and he played 26 games at the hot corner in 1966.

Saverine did return to shortstop here and there. In 1963 with Baltimore, he played 19 games at second and 13 at short.

Center and Left Field Appearances

Learning the outfield was a big step in Saverine’s career. Orioles coach Lum Harris taught him how to play center field during spring training in 1963.

Saverine picked it up fast, playing 58 games in center that year, backing up Jackie Brandt and Russ Snyder. His speed and instincts helped him adjust to the outfield.

“I learned early on to look at the catcher’s glove position. I had the perfect view from center field. I’d be moving even before the batter swung,” Saverine said. That trick helped him get to balls he might’ve missed otherwise.

He played solid defense in center, making just two errors in 192 chances in 1963. He also played left field now and then, but not as much as center.

Role as a Utility Player

People saw Saverine as “the quintessential utilityman” who could cover a lot of ground on the roster. His speed earned him the nickname “Rabbit,” which helped both as a pinch-runner and on defense.

Team president Lee MacPhail pointed out Saverine’s value in 1963, saying, “He can help himself as well as the club, if he can play in the outfield and infield, too. You know, a guy who can play a lot of places.”

His switch-hitting was another plus. His dad taught him to bat both ways back in grade school, just so he’d be better against righties.

Saverine’s utility role really stood out with Washington. He filled in all over the infield and outfield, which kept him in the majors even though he hit just .239 for his career.

Statistical Overview and Playing Style

Bob Saverine’s nine-year pro career brought modest offensive numbers, which fit his role as a utility guy. He batted .239 and didn’t hit for much power, but his baserunning and flexibility in the field made up for it.

Career Batting Average and Home Runs

Saverine wrapped up his Major League run with a .239 batting average over 379 games. He managed 206 hits in 861 at-bats while playing for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators.

He really found his groove offensively in 1966 with Washington. That season, he hit .251 in 120 games and took on the main second baseman role.

Home run production was never his thing. Saverine hit just 6 home runs in six seasons, and 5 of those came during his two years in Washington.

In 1966, he hit a career-high 5 home runs. Honestly, middle infielders back then rarely showed much power anyway. Most of his extra-base hits were doubles, and he ended up with 27 two-baggers in his career.

Stolen Bases and Baserunning Impact

Saverine showed off some real baserunning instincts, even if his bat didn’t always light up the box score. He stole 23 bases and got caught just 9 times in his career.

He had his best year on the bases in 1963 with Baltimore. That year, he swiped 8 bags in 115 games and hit .234 from the leadoff spot.

For a utility guy, his stolen base numbers looked pretty solid. With a success rate around 72%, he seemed to rely more on timing and smarts than pure speed.

Saverine kept making things happen on the bases in Washington. Over 1966 and 1967, he stole 12 bases in 209 games, showing he could always be a threat.

Post-MLB Career and Legacy

Bob Saverine didn’t just stop with the majors in 1967. He played one more season in the minors before moving on from pro baseball, and you’ll still find his name in baseball databases and old records.

Final Minor League Season with Buffalo Bisons

After his last big league season with the Washington Senators in 1967, Saverine went back to the minors for a final go. He played with the Buffalo Bisons and wrapped up his pro career in 1968.

That Buffalo stint felt like a fitting way to close out a decade in pro baseball. Saverine started out as an 18-year-old kid with a $70,000 signing bonus and grew into a versatile utility player who could handle just about any position.

His time with the Bisons brought his journey through both the majors and minors to a close. After the 1968 season, Saverine called it a career and retired from professional baseball at 27.

Recognition in Baseball Databases and Historical Records

Modern baseball databases keep Saverine’s stats alive for future generations. His numbers show a .239 batting average, 6 home runs, and 47 RBIs over 379 major league games.

Retrosheet tracks detailed records of Saverine’s major league appearances. If you check out retrosheet.org, you’ll find play-by-play data from many of his games with both the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators.

Baseball reference sites still highlight his versatility. Saverine played second base, shortstop, third base, and center field, making him a genuinely valuable utility player during his six seasons in the majors.

Researchers and fans can still access Saverine’s story, even decades after he retired.