Bobby Del Greco – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bobby Del Greco built a solid nine-season career in Major League Baseball, bouncing around six teams from 1952 to 1965. The Pittsburgh native jumped into the majors at just 19, debuting with his hometown Pirates. Over the years, he also suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Kansas City Athletics during his professional career.

Robert George Del Greco wrapped up his Major League Baseball days in 1965 after his last appearance with the Philadelphia Phillies in May. As a right-handed outfielder, people mostly knew him for his defensive skills and speed. He often came in as a late-inning replacement for star players like Mickey Mantle when he played for the Yankees.

Del Greco never really reached superstar status, but his versatility and dependability made him a valuable player through the 1950s and early ’60s.

His journey through pro baseball gives you a peek into life as a journeyman player during baseball’s so-called golden era. He grew up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and spent his last seasons trying to get back to the majors. Del Greco’s story really shows the challenges and small victories of a dedicated athlete who played at the top level for over a decade.

Early Life and Background

Bobby Del Greco grew up in Pittsburgh, the youngest of ten kids in an Italian-American family. When his father died, Del Greco was just 14. He left high school to help support his mother, playing semipro baseball.

Family and Childhood in Pittsburgh

Robert George Del Greco was born on April 7, 1933, in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. He grew up as the youngest of ten siblings in a big Italian-American family.

His father, Nicola Del Greco, came to America from Italy and ran a window-washing business in the Hill District. His mother, Catherine Bracarelli, also had Italian roots.

People called Del Greco “The Greek” because of the Italian translation of his last name. He was a die-hard Pittsburgh Pirates fan growing up.

He went to Peabody High School and was in the same class as Frank Gorshin, who later became a comedian. Del Greco was known for being cheerful and easygoing as a kid.

Discovering Baseball Talent

Everything changed for Del Greco in 1947 when his father passed away. At 14, he made the tough call to quit high school and help his mom make ends meet.

He started playing semipro ball in Oakmont, just outside Pittsburgh. That way, he could earn some money while showing off his skills on the field.

People quickly noticed his defense in the outfield. Del Greco had a knack for reading the ball and played fearlessly, which really set him apart from other young players.

With his family’s financial needs and his natural ability, Del Greco had a real shot at turning pro. His mom always backed him during this uncertain time.

Path to Professional Baseball

Former Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pie Traynor spotted Del Greco while he played semipro ball in Oakmont. Traynor didn’t waste time and signed him.

In 1950, Traynor offered Del Greco his first pro contract with the Pirates for $500. Del Greco jumped at the chance to help his family.

“I just hope I can play a lot of baseball and make some money for my mother,” Del Greco said. “I’m going to build a new house for her. You can bet on that!”

The Pirates sent him to the Salisbury Pirates in the Class-D North Carolina State League right away. He hit .251 with three home runs in 64 games his first season.

Major League Debut and Early Career

Bobby Del Greco broke into Major League Baseball at 19 with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 16, 1952. He had quite a debut, grabbing three hits in four at-bats. Even though he impressed with his defensive prowess in center field, he struggled at the plate and bounced between the majors and minors early on.

MLB Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Del Greco played his first MLB game on April 16, 1952, against the St. Louis Cardinals. The young center fielder from the Hill District went 3-for-4 with a triple and two singles for his hometown team.

The Pirates had high hopes for him after an impressive spring training in San Bernardino, California. Branch Rickey Jr., vice president of minor league operations, called him “the best center field candidate in the Pittsburgh organization.”

General manager Branch Rickey praised Del Greco’s defensive instincts. He even compared him to Terry Moore and said he rarely saw such natural outfield talent in someone so young.

Del Greco’s draft status during the Korean War helped his chances. Since his brother George died at Iwo Jima in World War II, Bobby was the sole provider for his mom and was considered immune to the military draft.

Notable Rookie Highlights

Del Greco’s rookie season was all about fearless defense. He often crashed into outfield walls chasing fly balls, showing the kind of grit that defined his career.

On August 11, 1952, neighbors from the Hill District honored Del Greco and teammate Tony Bartirome before a game at Forbes Field. Each got $4,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds from the community.

Even though he struggled with the bat, Del Greco’s defense in center field got him praise from coaches and teammates all year.

He ended his first MLB season with a .219 batting average, one home run, and 20 RBIs in 341 at-bats.

Challenges and Minor League Stints

Del Greco’s rookie year hit a rough patch on July 2, 1952, when he crashed into the Wrigley Field wall and badly bruised his right shoulder. He was chasing a triple hit by pitcher Paul Minner.

He missed games until July 15, but his hitting didn’t improve. After batting just .208 through early August, the Pirates sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Triple-A International League on August 12, just a day after his community celebration.

In Toronto, Del Greco hit .311 in 61 at-bats over 27 games. He seemed to handle Triple-A pitching better than big league arms.

The Pirates brought him back five weeks later to finish the 1952 season. Years later, Del Greco admitted he probably wasn’t ready for the majors at 19, even if his defense was up to par.

Team Transitions and Highlights

Del Greco’s career included a lot of moving around, playing for six different teams between 1952 and 1965. His defense kept him in demand, even when his batting lagged, and he landed on some contending teams like the Yankees.

Trade to St. Louis Cardinals

The Pirates traded Del Greco and pitcher Dick Littlefield to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 17, 1956, for outfielder Bill Virdon, the 1955 NL Rookie of the Year. At the time, Del Greco was hitting just .200.

Cardinals general manager Frank Lane later called it the worst deal he ever made. Del Greco started out as a late-inning defensive sub for St. Louis and batted .219 through June 16.

After Whitey Lockman moved from first base to the outfield, Del Greco took over as the Cardinals’ starting center fielder. Manager Fred Hutchinson liked what he saw, saying, “There’s no doubt we’re a sounder, better balanced club when the kid is in there.”

Del Greco’s defense played a big role in the 1956 NL pennant chase. In the second-to-last game against Milwaukee, he made two wild catches in the ninth to keep things tied. The Cardinals beat the Braves 2-1 in 12 innings, knocking Milwaukee out of the race.

Season with Chicago Cubs

Before the 1957 season, the Cardinals traded Del Greco and pitcher Ed Mayer to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Jim King on April 20. Del Greco had a rough spring, hitting only .101 in exhibition games.

He didn’t do much better in Chicago, batting just .200 after about a month. The Cubs sent him to the Montreal Royals of the Triple-A International League to make space for prospect Frank Ernaga.

In Montreal, Del Greco found his swing again. He hit .386 in his first 20 games and kept a team-best .316 average through July 24. He also got recognized as the International League’s top defensive outfielder with the strongest arm.

Time with New York Yankees

The New York Yankees bought Del Greco from the Cubs on September 10, 1957, when injuries took out Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Bauer. He played eight games for the AL champs, going 3-for-7 and scoring three runs.

Del Greco admired the Yankees’ winning ways. “You just seem to do things differently and better with the Yankees,” he said. “They call it the Yankee way. You’re never out of a ballgame.”

He wasn’t eligible for the World Series, but the Yankees still gave him a quarter share worth $1,400. After he was sent to Richmond on May 14, 1958, the Yankees awarded him another quarter World Series share of $2,189.77.

Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Athletics Years

In April 1959, the Yankees sold Del Greco to the Philadelphia Phillies‘ Buffalo affiliate for $20,000. He did well there, hitting .333 through June and making another International League All-Star team.

The Phillies called him up in 1960, where he became a regular. Del Greco hit .238 in 99 games that year, his busiest season since 1956.

Philadelphia traded him to the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. Del Greco played as Kansas City’s regular center fielder from July 1961 through 1963, batting .233 in 327 games.

After a stint in the minors in 1964, Del Greco returned to the Phillies for his last MLB season in 1965. He played his final major league game in May 1965 and retired after the 1966 season.

Defensive Skills and Playing Style

Bobby Del Greco’s defense made him one of the most respected outfielders of his time. Hall of Fame executives and managers often called him one of the National League’s best center fielders, even though his bat never really caught up.

Center Field Excellence

Del Greco had a rare mix of instinct, speed, and fearlessness that you want in great center fielders. Branch Rickey, the legendary GM, once said Del Greco was “one of the finest instinctive outfielders I’ve seen since Terry Moore.”

He showed off his defensive chops as a teenager. At 19, Del Greco could read fly balls and get to the right spot in center field almost automatically. He stood 5-foot-9 and weighed 185 pounds, which seemed like the ideal build for covering ground in the outfield.

Del Greco also played fearlessly at the plate. He often crashed into outfield walls while making tough catches. In July 1952, he bruised his shoulder badly when he collided with Wrigley Field’s wall chasing a triple.

His most unforgettable defensive moment came in the 1956 NL pennant race. Del Greco made two circus catches in the ninth inning against Milwaukee, stopping the Braves from breaking a 1-1 tie. He held onto Eddie Mathews’ long drive after hitting the center field wall, then ran down Jack Dittmer’s shot with a one-handed grab.

Reputation Among Peers and Managers

Baseball executives and managers really respected Del Greco as one of the game’s top defensive outfielders.

Back in 1956, Pittsburgh manager Bobby Bragan put him right behind only Willie Mays and Duke Snider among National League center fielders.

Gene Mauch, who managed the Phillies, echoed what most people thought: “All Bobby Del Greco has to do is hit a little better, and he’ll be one of the greatest. There isn’t a better fielder anywhere.”

International League managers recognized Del Greco twice in the Toronto Star’s annual scouting poll. In 1957, they voted him the league’s best defensive outfielder with the strongest throwing arm.

The next year, managers called him the league’s best hustler and smartest player.

He earned a lot of praise for his arm, too. The Sporting News said Del Greco had the St. Louis Cardinals’ best outfield arm before the 1957 season.

His range, hands, and arm strength made him valuable to every team that put him in the lineup.

Career Statistics and Performance

Bobby Del Greco finished his nine-season career with a .229 batting average, 42 home runs, and 169 RBIs in 731 games from 1952 to 1965.

His offensive stats show the challenges of being a utility player who bounced between teams and never really settled into a regular role.

Batting and Offensive Metrics

Del Greco’s career batting average of .229 fell below the league average for his time. Over nine seasons, he picked up 454 hits in 1,982 at-bats.

His best year at the plate came in 1960 with Philadelphia. That season, he hit .237 with 71 hits in 300 at-bats and posted his highest RBI total with 26.

He never quite found consistency with the bat. His batting average never reached .260 in any full season.

Still, he showed decent plate discipline, finishing with 271 career strikeouts and 271 walks.

Career Batting Highlights:

• Best Season: 1960 (.237 BA, 71 hits, 26 RBIs)
• Total Hits: 454 in 731 games
• Plate Appearances: 2,323 career PA

Home Runs and Stolen Bases

Del Greco hit 42 home runs in his major league career. His best power years were 1960 and 1962.

He launched 10 home runs in 1960 with Philadelphia, his highest single-season total.

In 1962 with Kansas City, he hit 9 home runs in 132 games, showing his most consistent power across a full season.

He didn’t steal many bases. Del Greco swiped just 16 bags and got caught 15 times.

His stolen base success rate of 51.6% was pretty low for that era.

Power and Speed Numbers:

• Career Home Runs: 42 (high of 10 in 1960)
• Stolen Bases: 16 career steals
• Caught Stealing: 15 times

OPS and Advanced Stats

Del Greco finished with a career OPS of .682, which was about 85% of the league average based on his OPS+.

His on-base percentage was .330, which is respectable and shows he had some patience at the plate.

He slugged .352, so his power was limited. In 1960, though, he put up his best OPS at .772 with Philadelphia.

Over his career, Del Greco totaled 3.7 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). His top season was 1962 with Kansas City, when he posted 2.5 WAR in 132 games.

Advanced Metrics:

• Career OPS: .682 (85 OPS+)
• On-Base Percentage: .330
• Career WAR: 3.7 (best: 2.5 in 1962)

Notable Moments and Legacy

Del Greco’s career had some pretty memorable moments that showed off his defensive skills and tied him to baseball history.

He played a big role in the 1956 National League pennant race, and his short stint with the Yankees connected him to one of baseball’s most storied franchises.

Memorable Games and Highlights

His biggest moment probably came during the 1956 National League pennant race. In the next-to-last game of the season, Del Greco made two incredible catches in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Braves.

With the Cardinals and Braves tied 1-1, he crashed into the center field wall to hang onto Eddie Mathews’ deep drive. Then, just moments later, he made a running one-handed catch of Jack Dittmer’s shot.

Those catches kept the Braves from taking the lead. The Cardinals ended up winning 2-1 in the 12th inning, which knocked Milwaukee out of first place.

The Braves had come into the game tied with Brooklyn for the lead, but Del Greco’s defense helped the Dodgers clinch the pennant and left Milwaukee in second.

Throughout his career, managers and players kept praising his defense. Gene Mauch, in particular, called him one of the greatest fielders and just wished he could hit a little better.

1957 World Series Connection

Del Greco joined the New York Yankees in September 1957 after they picked him up from the Cubs. The Yankees needed help in the outfield, as Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Bauer were all banged up.

He appeared in eight games for the team that would soon win the American League. During that short run, Del Greco went three-for-seven and scored three runs.

The Yankees mostly used him as a late-inning replacement for Mickey Mantle. He couldn’t play in the 1957 World Series because he joined the team after September 1.

Even though he missed the World Series, the Yankees gave him a quarter share worth $1,400. Del Greco appreciated the organization’s generosity and professionalism.

He admired the “Yankee way” of always playing hard and doing things at a high level. The Milwaukee Braves ended up winning the 1957 World Series in seven games.

Encounters with Legendary Players

Del Greco’s career put him on the field with some of baseball’s biggest names. His time with the Yankees linked him to the team’s late-1950s dynasty.

He often came in as a defensive replacement for Mickey Mantle, which says a lot about how much teams trusted his glove.

Branch Rickey, the legendary general manager, loved Del Greco’s instincts. Rickey compared him to Terry Moore, saying he hadn’t seen a young player with better defensive skills.

Del Greco also played winter ball in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Those experiences broadened his ties to the international baseball scene.

International League managers recognized his defensive abilities, voting him the league’s best outfielder with the strongest arm in 1957.

Retirement and Later Life

Bobby Del Greco wrapped up his professional baseball career in May 1965 with the Philadelphia Phillies after nine seasons in the majors.

After he retired from baseball, Del Greco mostly stayed out of the public eye.

Final MLB Games and Retirement in 1965

Del Greco played his last MLB game for the Phillies in May 1965. He had returned to the Phillies after a run with the Kansas City Athletics from 1961-1963, where he served as their regular center fielder.

His final season was short and marked the end of a nine-year career in the majors. Del Greco had battled inconsistent hitting all along, finishing with a .229 lifetime average but standing out for his defense in center field.

After his final game in May 1965, Del Greco retired from professional baseball following the 1966 campaign.

He played for six different teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Kansas City Athletics.

Robert George Del Greco appeared in 731 major league games, collecting 454 hits, 42 home runs, and 169 RBIs.

Contributions After Baseball

Not much is known about what Del Greco did after he retired from baseball. He lived until 2019 and passed away on October 13 at the age of 86.

Del Greco was born in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1933, the youngest of 10 children. He stayed connected to his hometown, and Hill District neighbors honored him and teammate Tony Bartirome during his playing days.

Family remained important to him. In 1962, a photograph showed Del Greco with his four sons—Robert Jr., John, Jim, and George—all wearing replica Kansas City Athletics uniforms.

People still remember him for his exceptional defensive abilities in center field, even though his hitting struggles limited his time on the field.

Net Worth and Personal Life

Bobby Del Greco’s finances reflected the modest paychecks of his baseball era. His personal life centered around his big Pittsburgh family and a post-baseball job in the newspaper business.

Net Worth Overview

Del Greco’s net worth stayed pretty modest throughout his career. When he signed in 1951, his bonus was just $600, which he later called “paltry.”

Baseball salaries in the 1950s and 1960s were much lower than what players get now. Guys like Del Greco earned basic wages, not the huge contracts you see today.

After he retired in 1966, Del Greco worked as a delivery truck driver for a newspaper in Pittsburgh. The job paid the bills, but it wasn’t exactly glamorous.

He also picked up extra money throwing batting practice for the Pittsburgh Pirates at home games. That side gig kept him close to his baseball roots and helped with the family budget.

Del Greco focused his financial goals on his family. After making his major league debut, he told the Associated Press, “I’m going to build a new house for her, you can bet on that!”—meaning his mother.

Personal Life and Legacy

Del Greco was born on April 7, 1933, in Pittsburgh. He grew up as the youngest of ten kids, which must’ve made for a lively household.

His big family really influenced how he saw the world and what drove him later on. He married and had five children—Robert Jr., John, Jim, and George among them.

During his time with the Yankees in 1958, his family packed up and moved with him. They rented a house in New York for that stretch.

Robert, one of his sons, went on to become a well-known attorney in Pittsburgh. That kind of success says a lot about how far the family came from their working-class beginnings.

In his later years, Del Greco struggled with severe dementia. He died at 86 on October 13, 2019, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Growing up in the Hill District, he joined the Washington Social Club. Boxer Charley Affif started the group to help neighborhood kids get ahead in sports.

Del Greco left high school after his sophomore year so he could earn money for his family. That decision really showed how far he’d go to support his loved ones when things got tough.