Carl Willey – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Carlton Francis Willey wrapped up his baseball career in 1965 after eight seasons in Major League Baseball. This right-handed pitcher from Maine spent his last years with the New York Mets, closing out a journey that started with real promise in Milwaukee.

Carl Willey retired from professional baseball after the 1965 season, ending an eight-year MLB career pitching for both the Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets. His story, from a small town in Maine to the majors, feels like one of those classic baseball tales from the late ’50s and early ’60s.

Let’s follow Willey’s path from his early days to his pro debut, his role on a pennant-winning Braves team, and then his move to the expansion-era Mets. We’ll look at his pitching style, some key moments on the field, and what he did after he hung up his cleats in 1965.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Carlton Francis Willey’s journey began in Cherryfield, Maine, where he fell in love with baseball during daily summer games. The Boston Braves spotted his talent at a 1950 tryout camp, kicking off a professional career that got interrupted by military service but eventually led him to the big leagues.

Background and Upbringing

Carl Willey was born on June 6, 1931, in Cherryfield, Maine, a small Down East community where he spent most of his life. He grew up in a close family, and baseball quickly became the center of his childhood.

“We played baseball every chance we could get, every day in the summertime, when we could get enough to play,” Willey remembered later on. The fields around Cherryfield were pretty rough—rocks for bases and all—but that never really killed Carl’s love for the game.

At Cherryfield Academy, a public school, Willey played both outfield and pitcher. His graduating class had just 13 students—seven girls and six boys—so he probably played wherever they needed him.

When Willey graduated, his father gave him some practical advice. “You know, Carlton, you can’t play baseball for a living,” his father said. Decades later, Willey would still laugh about that, having proved his dad wrong.

Signing with the Boston Braves

The Boston Braves gave Willey his shot to prove you actually could play baseball for a living. In spring 1950, he went to a Braves tryout camp in Brewer, Maine, where scouts checked out his potential.

The Braves set up four teams in Maine, all filled with prospects who played against each other all summer. This setup let the organization keep an eye on talent close to home.

At the end of the season, the Braves picked their top three prospects and brought them to Boston for a tryout at Braves Field. Willey made the cut, and his performance left a real impression.

He threw a fastball that would later be clocked at 93 mph. That, paired with his competitive streak, convinced Braves management to offer him a contract. Willey stood exactly 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds—a tall, lean right-hander.

Minor League Career and Military Service

Willey started his pro career in 1951 with the Quebec Braves in the Provincial League. He wasted no time, putting up a 15-5 record and leading the league in ERA (1.96) and winning percentage (.750).

He kept it going in 1952, moving up to Atlanta in the Southern Association and posting a 10-6 record. Things were looking good.

Then the United States Army called Willey into service in 1953, pausing his baseball career for two years. He spent time in Germany during the Korean War era, which was pretty common for young guys back then.

Military service set him back. “After I got out, it took me two years to get back in the groove,” Willey explained. “I’d pitched while in the military but I didn’t stay in shape. I didn’t run like I should have.”

When he returned to organized baseball, Willey weighed 198 pounds—the heaviest he’d ever been. He lost his control and struggled to find the strike zone during those first seasons back.

MLB Debut and Career with the Milwaukee Braves

Carl Willey made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Braves on April 30, 1958, at age 26. He quickly proved himself as a valuable pitcher, earning rookie honors and playing a part in the Braves’ World Series run that year.

Major League Debut in 1958

Willey stepped onto the mound for his first MLB game on April 30, 1958, facing the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander from Cherryfield threw a solid inning—no hits, two strikeouts, and one walk.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 175 pounds, Willey brought a solid presence to the Braves’ pitching staff. His debut came after working his way up through the minors.

The timing couldn’t have been better. The Milwaukee Braves were turning into a championship team in 1958.

Notable Performances and 1958 World Series

Willey’s rookie year with the Braves was a standout. He posted a 9-7 record and earned The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors in the National League.

His strong season helped the Braves clinch the 1958 National League pennant. The team advanced to the World Series, and Willey got to pitch in one game.

That World Series appearance against the New York Yankees was the high point of his time with the Braves.

Getting recognized as rookie pitcher of the year showed just how quickly he made a difference.

Role in the Pitching Rotation

Willey filled both starter and reliever roles during his five seasons with the Milwaukee Braves from 1958 to 1962. He adapted as the team’s needs shifted from year to year.

His versatility made him a key part of the Braves’ staff. Whether starting or coming out of the bullpen, Willey gave the team steady innings.

The Braves used his right-handed delivery to their advantage against tough lineups. His ability to handle different roles made him valuable to the organization.

During his time in Milwaukee, Willey proved he could handle whatever the team threw at him. That flexibility helped him stick around in the majors.

Transition to the New York Mets

After a few years of limited chances with the Milwaukee Braves, Carlton Willey asked for a trade after the 1962 season. On March 23, 1963, the Braves sold him to the New York Mets, where he finally got the regular playing time he’d been chasing.

Joining the Mets in 1963

Willey’s move to New York marked a big change in his career. The Mets, still brand-new in their second year, really needed experienced pitching.

He got his wish when the Mets picked him up from Milwaukee. Casey Stengel’s crew offered him what the Braves never did—consistent starts.

On April 11, 1963, Willey became the first Mets player to wear jersey number 11 in a regular season game. His debut came against his old team, the Milwaukee Braves, at County Stadium.

Willey’s first Mets start was something special. He threw a 2-0 three-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field that April.

That made him the first right-handed pitcher in Mets history to toss a shutout. He followed that up with two more complete games at the start of May.

Key Seasons and Performance

The 1963 season turned out to be Willey’s best in the majors. He started 28 games and led the Mets pitching staff with a 3.10 ERA.

He struck out 101 batters and picked up nine wins on a team that only managed 51 victories all year. Those strikeout numbers stood out, especially given the Mets’ defensive issues.

Willey even helped at the plate, hitting a grand slam home run on July 15, 1963, against the Houston Colt 45s. He only hit two home runs in his career, so that was a big deal.

The 1964 season started off well, but then disaster struck. During a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers on April 3, Gates Brown hit a line drive that broke Willey’s jaw.

That injury derailed his season. He only pitched 30 innings that year, dealing with the jaw and then arm troubles.

Impact on the Team

Willey brought some much-needed veteran leadership to the young Mets. His experience helped steady a pitching staff that struggled with poor defense.

“The fans know baseball,” Willey said about his New York days. “We were all a good family. We’d just go up to the ballpark and see how we were going to lose.”

Even with the team’s struggles, he stuck with his role. His knack for striking out hitters was especially valuable for a team with defensive holes.

The jaw injury in 1964 kept Willey from becoming the stopper the Mets hoped for. Many thought he’d turn into their ace that year.

He came back in 1965 but mostly pitched out of the bullpen. After going 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA in limited action, he decided to retire on September 25, 1965.

Pitching Style and On-Field Contributions

Carl Willey brought a right-handed delivery to the mound from 1958 to 1965, working mainly as a relief pitcher but also filling starting roles. His ability to move between the bullpen and rotation made him a real asset for both the Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets during his eight years in the majors.

Pitching Strengths and Repertoire

Willey’s main strength was his ability to throw strikes. At 6 feet and 175 pounds, he had a compact build that gave him good control and command.

His most memorable outing probably came in the 1958 World Series. Willey entered Game 5 in the eighth inning as a rookie reliever. He admitted his “legs were so weak” from nerves but managed to pull himself together on the mound.

Throughout his career, Willey showed he could switch between starting and relieving. In 1965, his last season, he started three games and pitched in 10 relief appearances for the Mets.

He didn’t rely on overpowering velocity. Instead, he focused on location, changing speeds, and hitting his spots to get hitters out. That approach kept him in the big leagues for nearly a decade.

Statistical Highlights

Willey finished with a career record of 38 wins and 58 losses in 199 games. His 1965 stats give a good snapshot of how he was used late in his career.

1965 Season Statistics:

• Games: 13 appearances
• Record: 1-2 with 0 saves
• ERA: 4.18
• Innings Pitched: 28.0
• Strikeouts: 13
• Walks: 15

His home and road numbers in 1965 were pretty similar. At home, he posted a 3.86 ERA over 7 innings in 5 games. On the road, he had a 4.29 ERA in 21 innings across 8 games.

Willey’s last major league appearance came on September 25, 1965, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He started the game and pitched a full 9 innings, giving up 7 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 7.

Challenges and Injuries

There aren’t a lot of details about major injuries in Willey’s career, but his path suggests he faced the usual challenges of a fringe MLB player fighting for a spot.

His last season with the Mets showed some ups and downs. He had a rough outing on September 8, 1965, lasting just 0.2 innings and allowing 4 earned runs—a 53.97 ERA for that game.

Willey’s career ended after 1965 at age 34. After playing, he worked as a scout before retiring back to Maine. He passed away on July 21, 2009, in his hometown of Cherryfield, Maine, after battling lung cancer.

The gap between his April and September appearances in 1965 suggests he may have spent time in the minors or dealt with other roster moves that year.

Final MLB Years and Retirement in 1965

Carl Willey’s baseball career wrapped up in 1965 after injuries and declining performance with the New York Mets. The right-hander chose to retire after an eight-year MLB run that spanned from 1958 to 1965.

Last Season with the Mets

Willey’s final season in 1965 really didn’t go as planned. He spent most of the year at AAA Buffalo and struggled to a 2-9 record.

The New York Mets only used Willey in 13 games that year. He went 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA, mainly coming out of the bullpen instead of starting.

That 1965 season felt like a distant memory from his much better 1963 run with the Mets. His role shrank after he suffered a brutal jaw injury in spring training 1964, when Gates Brown of the Detroit Tigers smashed a line drive into Willey’s face.

Even with all the setbacks, Willey managed to cap off his career with a bit of a bright spot. He picked up his last career win in his final game of 1965, tossing a complete game 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Decision to Retire

By age 34, Willey decided to hang up his glove after the 1965 season. The jaw injury and some nagging arm problems just made pitching at a high level too tough.

That fractured jaw in spring training 1964 really changed everything for him. He missed months and never quite got back to his old self.

The arm issues only made things worse. After going 1-2 in limited work with the Mets, Willey figured it was better to step away than keep struggling.

Career Retrospective

Willey wrapped up his MLB career with 38 wins and 58 losses over 199 games. He racked up 493 strikeouts, handed out 326 walks, and threw 11 shutouts in 875 innings.

His rookie year in 1958 with the Milwaukee Braves definitely stood out. He led the National League with four shutouts and posted a 2.70 ERA, and The Sporting News named him top rookie pitcher.

Career Statistics:

• ERA: 3.76
• Complete Games: 28
• Strikeouts: 493
• Shutouts: 11

From 1963 to 1965 with the Mets, Willey went 10-18 with a 3.76 ERA. One of his best moments? Smacking a grand slam off Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt 45s at the Polo Grounds in July 1963.

After leaving the game, Willey worked as a scout for a bit. He eventually settled back in Maine, where he lived until he passed away on July 21, 2009.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

Once Willey retired from Major League Baseball in 1965, he shifted into scouting while keeping close to his Maine roots. He spent his later years swapping baseball stories with friends and became a well-liked figure in Cherryfield, Maine.

Scouting and Baseball Involvement

Willey joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization as a scout after his playing days. That let him stay in the baseball world, looking for new talent.

He drew on eight seasons in the big leagues with the Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets. Willey definitely knew what it took to make it.

To help pay the bills, he also ran a house painting business. That practical side really came through in his post-baseball life.

Willey never lost his passion for the game. He’d often gather with friends in Maine, sharing stories from his days on the mound.

Those laid-back get-togethers became a highlight of his routine. He kept sharing his baseball tales for as long as he could.

Personal Life and Passing

Carl Willey chose to stay in Maine for his retirement, sticking close to his roots. He lived quietly in his hometown of Cherryfield.

He kept up strong friendships with local folks who loved hearing about his Major League adventures. Those bonds gave him a real sense of purpose in his later years.

Willey passed away on July 21, 2009 in Cherryfield. He was 78.

His hometown honored him by declaring Saturday, July 25, 2009 as official Carl Willey Day in Maine. That day, people celebrated what he meant to baseball and his community.

Impact on Baseball History

Willey’s most unforgettable moment happened while he played for the New York Mets in 1963. He blasted a grand slam home run off Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt 45’s at the Polo Grounds.

His dad actually showed up for that game, which made everything feel even more meaningful. A young fan grabbed the ball and tracked down Willey’s father just to hand him the baseball.

Willey cherished that baseball for the rest of his life, holding onto it as a symbol of his greatest moment at the plate. That homer was one of only six hits he managed to get that season.

He also became the first Mets right-handed pitcher to throw a shutout in franchise history. He pulled this off in a 2-0 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field back in 1963.

His 1958 rookie season still stands out. He led the National League with four shutouts and put up a 2.70 ERA for the pennant-winning Braves.