Bud Daley – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bud Daley’s name doesn’t echo through baseball history quite like some of his more famous teammates, but his ten-year career in Major League Baseball is a story of grit and quiet excellence. Born with a withered right arm that doctors said would never work properly, Daley beat the odds and became a reliable left-handed pitcher for three teams from 1955 to 1964.

Daley hung up his glove in 1964 after bone chips developed in his left elbow, ending a career that included a World Series championship with the New York Yankees in 1961. His journey from a disabled kid in California to the mound at Yankee Stadium stands out as one of baseball’s most inspiring underdog stories, even if he never really got much spotlight.

If you take a closer look at Daley’s life, you see how a physically challenged athlete became a key contributor to championship teams, set records that still stand, and quietly built a legacy that stretched beyond his playing days. From early struggles with a paralyzed arm to his last pitch in pinstripes, Daley’s story is about the kind of determination that really defined baseball’s golden era.

Early Life and Background

Bud Daley grew up in California facing challenges that would shape his character. He was born with a serious injury that could have ended any dreams of sports, but with family support and stubborn perseverance, he pushed through and found success in high school baseball.

Childhood in Orange, California

Leavitt Leo “Bud” Daley was born on October 7, 1932, in Orange, California. His birth was rough, and it set the stage for some tough early years.

During delivery, the doctor used forceps to help with the birth, but the instrument slipped and caught Daley’s shoulder, damaging the nerves in his right arm.

His arm stayed paralyzed for about six months. Doctors told his mother, Helen, that her son would never use his right arm properly.

Helen didn’t buy it. She told the doctors, “Oh yes he will,” and meant it.

Overcoming Arm Injury

Helen Daley took matters into her own hands. Every day for two years, she massaged Bud’s withered arm with oil until he could move it again.

The arm never really worked like it should. Daley learned to catch a ball backhanded and did almost everything with his left arm.

That injury became a defining part of his life. Thanks to his mother’s persistence, he regained some use of the arm, and that early adversity probably made him tougher later on.

He had to get creative and rely heavily on his left-handed skills because of his physical limitation.

Education at Woodrow Wilson High School

Daley went to Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, where his athletic ability first started to show. At 15, he decided to try out for the baseball team, even though he had zero sports experience.

Originally, he wanted to go for first base, but when he saw how many boys had the same idea, he switched to pitcher on a whim.

Turns out, he had a natural talent and made the team. He played both pitcher and outfielder during high school.

The school had some baseball history too—Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon went there, and Lemon became Daley’s idol.

In 1950, Daley got one of his biggest baseball thrills when he hit the game-winner in the California Interscholastic Federation championship. That moment stuck with him for life.

High school was also where he met Dorothy Olson, his future wife and high school sweetheart.

Major League Baseball Debut and Teams

Bud Daley pitched for three Major League Baseball teams from 1955 to 1964. He started with the Cleveland Indians, moved to the Kansas City Athletics, then finished with the New York Yankees.

Cleveland Indians Career

Daley kicked off his pro baseball journey with the Cleveland Indians. He signed as an amateur free agent in 1951 when he was just 18.

He worked his way up through the Indians’ farm system for four years, playing for teams like Bakersfield, Cedar Rapids, and Sacramento before finally getting his shot.

MLB Debut Details:

• Date: September 10, 1955
• Opponent: Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
• Performance: 1 scoreless inning in relief

Daley made his Major League debut at 22. His first start was on September 25, 1955, against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium, but he took the loss in a 6-2 game.

He bounced between the Indians and the minors in 1956 and 1957. In 1957, he got 10 starts for Cleveland, finishing with a 2-8 record and a 4.43 ERA.

Just before Opening Day in 1958, the Indians traded Daley and outfielders Dick Williams and Gene Woodling to the Baltimore Orioles for Larry Doby and pitcher Don Ferrarese.

Move to Kansas City Athletics

Daley’s stint with the Baltimore Orioles barely lasted two weeks. The Orioles traded him to the Kansas City Athletics for right-handed pitcher Arnie Portocarrero in April 1958.

Manager Paul Richards broke the news to Daley himself. “We got six left-handed pitchers and they all have more experience than you do. I just can’t keep you,” Richards said.

Daley pitched in 26 games his first season with Kansas City, mostly out of the bullpen. He also spent some time with Triple-A Buffalo in 1958.

All-Star Recognition:

• Made the American League All-Star Team in 1959 and 1960
• Pitched in both All-Star Games during his Kansas City years

Daley really broke through as a starter in 1959. He started 29 games, went 16-13 with a 3.16 ERA, and threw 12 complete games.

In 1960, he had his last full season with the Athletics, making 35 starts and going 16-16 for a team that finished 58-96.

Trade to the New York Yankees

On June 14, 1961, the Kansas City Athletics traded Daley to the New York Yankees. The Yankees sent pitcher Art Ditmar and first baseman Deron Johnson to Kansas City.

That trade was the 17th between the Yankees and Athletics since 1955. New general manager Frank Lane, who was known for making a lot of trades, made it happen.

Daley joined the Yankees in Cleveland during a heated pennant race. He made his Yankees debut on June 17, 1961, against the Detroit Tigers and took the loss in a wild 12-10 game.

World Series Success:

• Pitched in the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds
• Closed out Game 5 to clinch the championship for New York

Daley was happy about the move. “Everybody on the team wanted to be traded to the Yankees, and I was no different,” he said.

He stayed with the Yankees through 1964, mostly working as a reliever in his later years. His final Major League appearance was on July 26, 1964, against the Detroit Tigers.

Pitching Style and Signature Pitches

Bud Daley didn’t rely on overpowering speed. Instead, he built his career around crafty pitching, using a knuckleball and a roundhouse curveball that kept hitters guessing for a decade.

Knuckleball and Curveball Mastery

Daley found success by mastering two pitches that most guys struggle to control. His knuckleball was his main weapon, darting unpredictably toward the plate and making life tough for batters.

The roundhouse curveball paired perfectly with the knuckleball. It had a big, looping arc and dropped sharply near the plate. That combo made for a nasty one-two punch.

Baseball folks called Daley a “junk ball pitcher” since he relied on finesse over speed. That style worked well against hitters looking for fastballs. It took a lot of control and timing to pull off.

Catchers had their hands full with his knuckleball, too. When Daley and Pete Daley worked together in Kansas City, people started calling them the “Daley Double.”

Left-Handed Throwing Attributes

Daley’s left-handed delivery made things even trickier for batters. Lefties naturally give right-handed hitters a tough time, and most lineups are full of righties.

His style was even more remarkable considering his physical challenges. That birth injury from the forceps left his right arm withered and partly paralyzed for the first six months of his life. “That’s because I was an instrument baby,” Daley explained. “When the doctor took me out of my mother’s womb, the instrument slipped and pinched a nerve in my right shoulder.”

He had to develop his left arm completely. His unique delivery, shaped by his limitations, gave him an unusual arm angle that kept hitters off-balance.

At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Daley had enough size to get some leverage on his breaking balls. He focused on deception, not power, and made his modest velocity work better than some guys with bigger fastballs.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Bud Daley hit some impressive milestones in his 10-year MLB career. He made two All-Star teams with the Kansas City Athletics and played a big role in the New York Yankees’ World Series wins in 1961 and 1962.

All-Star Game Appearances

Daley earned American League All-Star nods in both 1959 and 1960 while pitching for the Kansas City Athletics. His first selection came after a strong season—16-13 record, 3.16 ERA, and 12 complete games as a starter.

In the 1959 All-Star Game, Daley pitched the eighth inning and struck out Ernie Banks with three straight knuckleballs. He then got Orlando Cepeda to foul out, wrapping up a memorable outing.

For his second All-Star selection in 1960, manager Al Lopez let Daley pick between pitching the last inning of the first game in Kansas City or starting the second game at Yankee Stadium. Daley chose to pitch at home, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked in from the bullpen.

American League Recognition

Daley’s best years came with the Kansas City Athletics. In 1959, he became a reliable starter with 29 starts and showed great control and durability.

His 1960 season was even more impressive. Despite the Athletics’ struggles, Daley made 35 starts and finished 16-16. That earned him another All-Star spot.

His knuckleball really became his calling card during these years. Being able to command such a tricky pitch made him valuable in the tough American League of the late ’50s and early ’60s.

World Series Championships

Daley’s biggest achievements came after he joined the Yankees in June 1961. He played a key role in the Yankees’ 1961 World Series win over the Cincinnati Reds, getting the win in Game Five.

In that clinching game at Crosley Field, Daley came in to relieve Ralph Terry with the Yankees up 6-3. He admitted to being nervous at first, but he shut down the Reds’ hopes. He allowed only two more runs while the Yankees’ bats added plenty, sealing a 13-5 victory.

Daley also contributed to the Yankees’ 1962 World Series title against the San Francisco Giants. He pitched just one scoreless inning in Game Two, but he was still an important part of the Yankees’ championship bullpen.

Retirement in 1964 and Later Life

Bud Daley’s last season with the Yankees in 1964 didn’t see much action, and arm problems kept piling up. After retiring from baseball, he moved to Wyoming and started a new life far from the big leagues.

Final Years with the Yankees

Daley’s role with the Yankees shrank a lot in his final seasons. In 1964, he barely pitched outside of May, when he got a little more time on the mound.

The team sent him to Triple-A Richmond for a stretch. That move showed just how much his spot on the roster had slipped.

His last major league appearance came on July 26, 1964, against the Detroit Tigers. Daley threw six innings, gave up five hits and three earned runs, walked eight, but still got the win.

That outing was pretty typical of his struggles late in his career. His control wasn’t what it used to be, and the arm injury that had knocked him out after Game Five of the 1961 World Series never really went away.

Injury and Decision to Retire

Daley’s arm started giving him trouble right after the 1961 World Series, and that injury basically ended his career. He spent the rest of the 1961 season on the sidelines, right after that championship-clinching performance.

The arm problems just wouldn’t go away during his last years with the Yankees. He tried to get back to his old form, but his pitching never quite bounced back.

At 31, Daley decided to retire from professional baseball. His withered right arm from birth had never stopped him, but this new injury was just too much.

He finished his career with 60 wins and 64 losses in 248 games across three teams. Daley pushed through some tough physical challenges to make it all the way to the big leagues.

Life After Baseball

After retiring, Daley moved out to Wyoming and ended up staying in Fremont County for 49 years. He really put down roots there.

He kept a low profile after baseball. Daley focused on his family and stayed away from the spotlight that used to follow him around.

He settled in Riverton, Wyoming, and lived there up until his death on October 15, 2024, at 92. That move from the majors to small-town Wyoming says a lot about how he adapted after baseball.

People in the community remembered him as more than just a Yankees World Series champ. To them, he was a neighbor who never let physical challenges define him.

Legacy, Personal Life, and Commemoration

Bud Daley’s influence reached far beyond his Yankees days. He became a fan favorite in Kansas City during his time with the Athletics, and later, he spent almost fifty years as a respected member of his Wyoming community.

Impact on Kansas City Baseball

Daley pitched for the Kansas City Athletics from 1958 to 1961, which were some of their most competitive seasons. He picked up All-Star selections in both 1959 and 1960, standing out on those struggling A’s teams.

His 1959 season stands out. Daley went 16-13 with a 3.16 ERA in 29 starts. He managed to finish 12 games that year, showing the kind of durability Kansas City really needed.

During the 1960 All-Star Game at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium, Daley chose to pitch in front of the home crowd instead of starting the second game in New York. “That was one of the biggest thrills I ever had,” he said, remembering the standing ovation as he walked from the bullpen to the mound.

Kansas City fans noticed his steady performance, even when the team struggled. Daley’s presence gave the Athletics some credibility in their last years before moving to Oakland.

Family and Personal Milestones

Born Leavitt Leo Daley in Orange, California, he eventually changed his name legally to Buddy. He was born with a withered right arm, but that never stopped him from chasing baseball.

Daley got through his physical challenges with a lot of determination and some creative adaptation. “It never had bothered me other than a few awkward positions that I can’t get in,” he once said. He fielded almost everything backhand since he couldn’t fully rotate his palm.

After leaving baseball in 1964, Daley moved to Wyoming. He spent 49 years living in Fremont County, getting deeply involved with his community.

He lived a quiet life, far from baseball’s bright lights. Still, he kept in touch with the game through memories and the occasional interview about those Yankees championship years.

Burial and Memorial

Bud Daley died on October 15, 2024, at 92. For anyone who remembers those dominant Yankees teams from the early ’60s, his passing feels like the end of something special.

Nobody has really shared much about where he’s buried, or any specific memorial services. Honestly, that lines up with how Daley liked to keep things private after baseball, especially out in Wyoming.

Fans in Kansas City and New York still talk about Daley as a talented pitcher who pushed through tough times. His story just sticks with you, especially if you followed his journey from the Athletics all the way to that World Series win.

RIP Baseball called him “an All-Star pitcher and a two-time world champion with the Yankees.” That 1961 World Series team he helped carry, especially with his clutch Game Five, really keeps his legacy alive.