Charlie Neal – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Charlie Neal put together a memorable eight-season Major League Baseball career before he finally hung up his cleats in 1963. Born in Longview, Texas, this talented infielder left his mark as a second baseman and shortstop, spending time with some of baseball’s most storied franchises during a period of big change.

Neal’s most defining moment has to be the 1959 World Series. He blasted two home runs in Game 2, powering the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Chicago White Sox and helping them claim the championship. That October, his heroics capped off his best season—a year that also brought him a Gold Glove Award and All-Star honors. The 1959 campaign was really the high point of a career that started with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 and wrapped up with short stints for the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.

From his early days in the Negro Leagues to his role in the Dodgers’ historic move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, Neal’s journey really reflects how much professional baseball changed in the 1950s and early 1960s.

His story covers the challenges faced by African American players, the thrill of World Series glory, and the gritty reality of life as a pro athlete during baseball’s golden age.

Key Facts About Charlie Neal’s Baseball Career

Charlie Neal played professional baseball for eight seasons from 1956 to 1963. He built a reputation as a versatile infielder, known for his speed and defensive skills.

He made his mark with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, then finished his career with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.

Major League Debut and Final Game

Charlie Neal stepped onto the MLB stage on April 17, 1956, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 25. He broke into the starting lineup of the defending World Series champs, and people quickly noticed him as a top Rookie of the Year candidate.

The young infielder from Longview, Texas, entered pro baseball during a time of big change. Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier inspired Neal when he was just 16.

His debut season hinted at his potential, even with limited playing time. Neal played in 62 games and posted a .287 batting average with a .353 on-base percentage.

Neal’s MLB career ended in 1963 after eight seasons. He split his final year between the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds, closing out a career that spanned the Dodgers’ move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

Positions Played in MLB

Neal showed off his versatility throughout his career by playing multiple infield spots. He mostly played second base and shortstop, but he also filled in at third base when the team needed him.

He shined the most at second base. Neal grabbed a Gold Glove award in 1959 and led National League second basemen in several defensive stats that year.

The speedy infielder became known for his lightning-quick double-play pivot at second base. In 1958, he helped the Dodgers set a National League record by turning 198 double plays.

Neal’s range and fielding skills made him valuable, even though he stood just 5’10” and weighed 165 pounds. His speed made up for his size and let him cover a ton of ground in the infield.

Statistical Career Highlights

Neal finished his career with a .259 batting average, 87 home runs, and 391 RBIs across 970 games. His best offensive year came in 1959, when he hit .287 with 19 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .259
• Home Runs: 87
• RBIs: 391
• Runs Scored: 461
• Hits: 858

That 1959 World Series performance really stands out. Neal batted .370 in the Series against the Chicago White Sox, going 10-for-27 with clutch hits that helped the Dodgers win their first championship in Los Angeles.

He tied for the National League lead with 11 triples in 1959. Neal also stole 17 bases that season and made the All-Star team as a reserve.

For a middle infielder of his era, Neal’s power numbers were pretty impressive. In 1958, he hit a career-high 22 home runs, tying for the team lead with Gil Hodges.

Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers Years

Neal’s time with the Dodgers lasted from 1956 to 1961. Those years saw both his major league debut and his biggest achievements.

He helped the franchise move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and hit his peak during the 1959 World Series championship season.

Joining the Dodgers and Early Roles

Neal made his big league debut on April 17, 1956, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 25. He joined the defending champs as a second baseman, which pushed veteran Jim Gilliam to left field.

Expectations ran high for the young infielder. Both The Sporting News and AP writer Joe Reichler picked him as the top Rookie of the Year candidate in the National League.

But Neal struggled early in his rookie season. After 15 games, he was batting .269 with only two extra-base hits.

Manager Walter Alston benched him due to the team’s scoring troubles. Neal finished his first year as a part-time player, hitting .287 with a .353 on-base percentage in 62 games.

He made his World Series debut in Game Three but went 0-for-4 with an error, then sat out the rest of the series.

The Dodgers’ infield changed in 1957. Jackie Robinson retired, and Pee Wee Reese was getting up there at 39, so new opportunities opened up.

Neal started out at third base when Ransom Jackson hurt his knee in April. On June 12, Alston moved Neal to shortstop and shifted Reese to third.

That gave Neal his first full-time role, but he had some defensive issues with 24 errors in 100 games at shortstop.

Breakout 1959 Season and World Series Victory

The 1959 season was Neal’s peak and the Dodgers’ first championship in Los Angeles. He became one of just three everyday players as Alston juggled a changing roster.

Neal’s regular season numbers were strong across the board:

• .287 batting average with 19 home runs
• Career-best .802 OPS and 83 RBIs
• 17 stolen bases and 11 triples (tied for league lead)
• Led all second basemen in putouts, double plays, and fielding percentage

His defense earned him a Gold Glove Award and a spot on the All-Star team as a reserve. The Dodgers came from behind to tie Milwaukee for first on the final day of the season.

In that crucial game against the Cubs, Neal hit a two-run homer and tripled. Los Angeles won 7-1 to force a playoff with the Braves.

The 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox became Neal’s signature moment. Despite battling stomach pains he thought might be an ulcer, he stepped up as the series’ hitting star.

In Game Two, Neal’s fifth-inning home run erased a 2-0 deficit. He later crushed a drive to center that almost cleared the 415-foot sign.

The Dodgers won 4-2 to even the series. Game Three at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew a record crowd of 92,394 fans.

Neal’s line-drive single off the left-field screen sparked a seventh-inning rally that gave the Dodgers a 3-1 win.

He finished the World Series batting .370, going 10-for-27 with multiple RBIs. Larry Sherry won World Series MVP, but Neal was clearly the offensive spark for the championship run.

Teammates and Influential Figures

Veteran teammates shaped Neal’s development and served as mentors in his early years. Jim Gilliam became his roommate and main guide, helping him get used to major league life.

Jackie Robinson also mentored Neal before retiring after the 1956 season. Robinson’s influence went beyond baseball, since Neal became part of the Dodgers’ integrated core with Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe.

Pee Wee Reese played a big part in Neal’s career. Reese’s willingness to move to third base in 1957 let Neal get more playing time, though Neal eventually settled in at second base.

Manager Walter Alston believed in Neal’s abilities. Alston’s decision to move him back to second in 1958 really made a difference, as Neal found his defensive home there.

Relationships with teammates weren’t always smooth. Neal got involved in a brawl on July 11, 1957, when he floored Cincinnati’s Don Hoak with a punch while defending Jim Gilliam.

National League President Warren Giles fined Neal $100 for his part in the fight. Scout Al Campanis praised Neal’s overall ability, calling him “the best ball player in either league, pound for pound” during the 1958 season.

That recognition came as Neal adjusted to life in Los Angeles while keeping up his strong play.

Notable Achievements and Awards

Charlie Neal earned a spot among baseball’s top second basemen during his eight-year career. He grabbed a Gold Glove Award and made multiple All-Star teams.

His most memorable performance came in the 1959 World Series, where he hit clutch home runs that helped the Dodgers win the title.

All-Star Selections

Neal’s steady play at second base got him noticed among the National League’s best. He made multiple All-Star teams during his time with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The All-Star nods reflected his solid offense and reliable defense. Neal could hit for both average and power, making him a valuable part of the Dodgers’ lineup during their successful runs in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

His All-Star appearances put him among the top second basemen in the league. That’s pretty impressive, considering the competition at the position back then.

Gold Glove Award Recognition

Neal picked up the Gold Glove Award for second base in 1959. That recognized him as the National League’s best defensive player at his position.

The Gold Glove stands as the top defensive award in baseball. Neal’s quick reflexes and sure hands made him a steady defender who could turn double plays and handle tough grounders.

His defensive excellence matched his offensive output in 1959. That blend made Neal one of the most complete second basemen in the game.

World Series Performance

Neal’s most famous achievement came in the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox. He smashed two huge home runs in Game 2, helping the Dodgers tie the series at one game each.

Despite weighing just 156 pounds, Neal’s power caught people off guard. A Sports Illustrated writer even said Neal “doesn’t look like a man who would hit two home runs in a year, much less one game.”

The Dodgers won the 1959 World Series, and Neal’s performance played a major role in that championship. His clutch hitting showed he could deliver under pressure on baseball’s biggest stage.

He’d hit 41 home runs in the two years before the World Series, so maybe his power wasn’t such a shock to those who followed his career closely.

Transition to New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds

Charlie Neal’s career shifted when he joined the expansion New York Mets in 1962. He finished his Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963.

Time with New York Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Neal to the New York Mets on December 15, 1961, along with Willard Hunter for Lee Walls. This deal brought Neal to the brand-new expansion franchise managed by the legendary Casey Stengel.

Neal made history with the Mets in their first season. On April 11, 1962, he played in the team’s very first regular season game.

Two days later, on April 13, 1962, Neal started at second base for the Mets’ first home game ever. During his time with New York, Neal served as a veteran presence for the young team.

He played 136 games in 1962, batting .260 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs. Neal stayed with the Mets into the 1963 season, appearing in 72 games and hitting .225 with 3 home runs.

His time with the Mets ended on June 30, 1963, when he was traded to Cincinnati.

Final MLB Year with Cincinnati Reds

On July 1, 1963, the New York Mets traded Neal and catcher Sammy Taylor to the Cincinnati Reds for catcher Jesse Gonder. That deal kicked off Neal’s last chapter in the big leagues.

Neal struggled with Cincinnati. He played only 34 games for the Reds, hit just .156, and didn’t manage a single home run. He drove in only 3 runs.

The Reds let Neal go during spring training in 1964. That move ended his eight-year Major League Baseball career when he was 33.

His short time in Cincinnati really showed how much his offense had dropped off since his last Dodgers seasons. Neal played his final MLB game on September 29, 1963. He wrapped up his career with 970 games and a .259 batting average.

Early Life, Minor Leagues, and Negro League Experience

Charlie Neal’s journey to the majors started in East Texas. He grew up loving baseball, surrounded by a family that lived and breathed the game.

He played with the Atlanta Black Crackers before jumping into the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system. That was a whole new world.

Growing Up in Texas and Early Baseball Influences

Charles Lenard Neal was born January 30, 1931, in Longview, Texas. His family put baseball at the center of daily life.

His dad, Houston, worked as a carpenter but also ran a sandlot team. That team became Charlie’s first real baseball classroom.

The Neals made baseball a family thing. Houston played center field, Jim took right, and Charlie started off in left. When the shortstop spot opened up, Charlie moved to the infield.

Charlie didn’t have it easy at first. At 13, a hard ball hit him in the elbow during his first game, and he burst into tears. His dad and brother wouldn’t let him give up, though. They threw batting practice and even threw at him on purpose to toughen him up.

Key Early Influences:

• Father Houston ran the sandlot team
• Brother Jim shared the outfield with him
• Faced his fear of getting hit at age 13
• Attended Longview Colored High School

Longview Colored High School didn’t have a baseball team, but Charlie stood out as a running back in football and played basketball. Those sports helped him develop the speed and athleticism that later defined his baseball career.

Atlanta Black Crackers and Minor League Path

Charlie started playing for black semipro teams right after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. He was just 16 when Robinson joined the Dodgers, and suddenly, doors were opening for young black players.

He got his first semipro shot in Sweetwater, Texas, where he met Annie Lee Willis, who would become his wife. The Tigers in Shreveport, Louisiana, offered him a summer job before his senior year, but he hesitated to leave home.

“My mom took care of that,” Neal said later. “She really got on me and told me to get on down there to Shreveport and be a man.”

Negro League Experience:

• Team: Atlanta Black Crackers
• League: Negro Southern League
• Role: Brief stint on the roster

Neal joined the Atlanta Black Crackers of the Negro Southern League for a short time. Playing there gave him a taste of tougher competition and helped him get ready for organized pro ball.

After high school, Charlie married Annie on September 12, 1949. He spent winters driving a truck for a meat-packing company while waiting for his shot at professional baseball.

Signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers

The Brooklyn Dodgers noticed Neal’s talent and signed him after he finished high school. The signing bonus wasn’t much, but it meant a lot—opportunities for young black players were still rare back then.

Neal’s bonus was basically just a train ticket to spring training in Vero Beach, Florida. That humble start was typical for the Dodgers, who liked to build up young talent in their deep farm system.

Dodgers Farm System Journey:

• 1950: Started in Class D
• 1951: Class-B Lancaster, Pennsylvania (.323 average)
• 1953: Newport News, Virginia (integrated team)
• 1954: Triple-A St. Paul

Neal started out in Class D in 1950, playing both shortstop and second base. The Dodgers had a ton of shortstop prospects—Don Zimmer, Bob Lillis, Chico Fernandez—so moving up took real work.

His breakout season came in 1951 at Class-B Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Neal hit .323 with a .955 OPS, racked up 24 triples, 12 home runs, and 22 stolen bases. He led the Interstate League in runs, total bases, triples, and steals.

In 1953, Neal and center fielder John Glenn broke the color barrier at Newport News, Virginia, in the Class-B Piedmont League. Neal and Bob Lillis turned 199 double plays that year, setting a league record.

Retirement, Legacy, and Memorials

Charlie Neal played his last major league game in 1963, ending a journey that started in segregated Texas and took him to the World Series spotlight. His Gold Glove defense and clutch World Series moments made him a Dodgers legend.

Life After Baseball

Neal stepped away from the game after the 1963 season, retiring at age 32. That final year, he split his time between the Mets and the Reds.

After baseball, Neal headed back to Texas and kept a lower profile. He settled in the Dallas area, far from the stadium lights where he’d once shined.

During his playing days, Neal made a quick foray into entertainment. He appeared as a baseball player in the 1958 Jerry Lewis film “The Geisha Boy.” Maybe he was just curious, or maybe he was looking for something beyond baseball.

Neal lived more than thirty years after his playing days ended. He died of heart failure on November 18, 1996, in Dallas. He was 65.

Legacy in Professional Baseball

Neal’s biggest moment came in the 1959 World Series. He hit two home runs in Game 2 against the White Sox, giving the Dodgers a huge boost on their way to a championship.

He earned a Gold Glove Award in 1959 and made the All-Star team in both 1959 and 1960. His defense got plenty of respect.

Neal’s versatility set him apart. He played second base, shortstop, and third base, adapting to whatever his teams needed.

Career Statistics:

• Batting average: .259
• Home runs: 87
• RBIs: 391
• Games played: 970

That 1959 World Series still stands out. Neal batted .370 and drove in six runs. Not a bad way to be remembered, right?

Memorials and Honors

Neal rests at Grace Hill Cemetery in his hometown, Longview, Texas. His burial in Longview really shows how much his East Texas roots meant to him, especially since that’s where his baseball career kicked off.

The 1959 World Series game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum pulled in 92,706 fans. That number set a record, and honestly, it’s wild that it still stands today.

Neal made his mark in that historic Series, and his performance still pops up in baseball conversations.

His story fits into the bigger picture of baseball’s integration. After Jackie Robinson, Neal stepped up as one of the African American players who helped bring change to Major League Baseball in the 1950s.

Nobody’s built a major memorial or statue for Neal, which feels like a bit of an oversight. Still, Dodgers historians and fans remember his contributions, especially when they talk about the 1959 championship team.

You’ll find his name in the record books and baseball reference sites as a Gold Glove winner and a World Series hero.