Clyde King – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Clyde King put together a respectable seven-year career in Major League Baseball before he called it quits in 1953. This North Carolina native pitched for two of baseball’s most storied franchises, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds, during a time when the game was shifting from wartime back to its peacetime roots.

King wrapped up his playing days with the Cincinnati Reds in 1953, capping off a nearly decade-long career with a 32-25 record and 150 strikeouts. He jumped right into the big leagues as a teenager from the University of North Carolina, skipping the minors when he signed with Brooklyn in 1944. His story—going from a small-town kid making baseballs out of rocks and twine to pitching alongside Jackie Robinson—is about as classic as baseball stories get.

King’s playing days ended in 1953, but honestly, that was just the start of his long journey in baseball. He moved from player to coach, manager, and executive, and spent six decades in professional baseball. He faced some early arm injuries but later found success in front offices, giving us a glimpse into both the golden era and the changing face of the sport.

Early Life and Education

Clyde Edward King was born May 23, 1924, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He grew up in a modest family during a tough era, shaped by the Great Depression, his father’s work ethic, and an early love of baseball that would steer his career for sixty years.

Family Background in Goldsboro

Clyde King grew up as one of seven kids in a blended family in Goldsboro. His father, Claude King, worked as a foreman at a local lumberyard, keeping the big household afloat. Three of the children came from his mother Maggie McMillan King’s previous marriage.

When King turned five, the Great Depression slammed into the country. Even though King later said his family was “modest rather than poor,” the tough times definitely left their mark. The King brothers had to get creative, making their own baseball gear from whatever they could find.

They made gloves out of an old, abandoned leather sofa, using both the leather and the stuffing. The boys chopped down trees with trunks just a little thicker than a bat, then whittled and sanded them into makeshift bats. Baseballs? They used rocks, twine, and heavy tape.

Education at Goldsboro High School

King went to Goldsboro High School, where he stood out as a pitcher on the baseball team. His first real coach, Pat Crawford, was a member of the 1934 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and had a big impact on King’s growth as both a player and a person.

Crawford drilled into him the motto: “perfect practice makes perfect.” He believed in practicing every day as if it was a real game, so you’d be ready when it counted. King took that lesson with him all the way through his pro career.

During high school, King also played for a semipro team called Borden Mills in 1939. At just fifteen, he went up against grown men, including ex-minor leaguers and former big leaguers. Despite his age, he held his own.

Collegiate Experience at University of North Carolina

After high school, King enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his first year, he played both baseball and basketball for the Tar Heels. He clearly had natural talent and a competitive streak.

His college career ended early when professional baseball came calling. In April 1944, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed the nineteen-year-old right-hander to a pro contract, handing him a $5,000 signing bonus—serious money for a kid from a modest background.

He stood six-foot-one and weighed 175 pounds, wearing glasses on the mound. Instead of sending him to the minors, the Dodgers put King straight onto the big league roster. That move showed just how much faith they had in his abilities.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Clyde Edward King pitched for nine seasons in the majors from 1944 to 1953, mostly with the Brooklyn Dodgers before finishing up with the Cincinnati Reds. He finished his career with 32 wins, 25 losses, a 4.14 ERA over 200 games, and earned a reputation as a reliable reliever in the years after World War II.

Brooklyn Dodgers Debut and Tenure

King signed with the Dodgers in April 1944 at just 19, picking up a $5,000 bonus. He jumped right onto the major league roster, skipping the minors because of the wartime player shortage.

He made his MLB debut on June 21, 1944, against the New York Giants at Ebbets Field. That first outing was rough—he gave up four runs in relief. But the experience proved valuable. Branch Rickey, the Dodgers’ GM, told him, “You’re in charge. You’re the pitcher. Nothing can happen until you throw the ball, so you throw the pitch you want to throw.”

King adjusted quickly. He wrapped up his rookie year with a 2-1 record and a 3.09 ERA over 14 games. He also had a short stint with the Richmond Pilots in 1944 and dealt with some military service considerations.

He spent most of his big league career with the Dodgers, playing for them from 1944 to 1948 and again in 1951 and 1952. King became a dependable reliever who handled pressure well.

MLB Teams and Seasons Played

King’s major league career spanned two teams over nine seasons:

Brooklyn Dodgers (1944-1948, 1951-1952)

• 1944: 2-1 record, 3.09 ERA in 14 games
• 1945: 5-5 record, 4.09 ERA in 42 games
• 1947: 6-5 record, 2.77 ERA in 29 games
• 1951: 14-7 record, career-high 121⅓ innings
• 1952: 2-0 record, 5.06 ERA in 23 games

Cincinnati Reds (1953)

• Final season: 3-6 record, 5.21 ERA in 35 games

He missed a chunk of time in 1948 because of finger infections and spent 1949-1950 rehabbing in the minors. During that time, he developed a slider, which ended up extending his career. After the 1952 season, the Dodgers traded him to Cincinnati for catcher Homer “Dixie” Howell and cash.

Notable Performances and Milestones

King’s best season came in 1951. He posted career-highs with 14 wins, 48 appearances, and 31 games finished. That year, he also picked up six saves, establishing himself as one of Brooklyn’s top relievers.

He had his lowest ERA in 1947 at 2.77, helping the Dodgers win the National League pennant. He played on two pennant-winning teams (1947 and 1952), but never got to pitch in the World Series due to roster choices and injuries.

King got his first big league win on September 27, 1944, throwing a complete-game 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Strangely enough, his final MLB appearance came exactly nine years later, on September 27, 1953.

He racked up 150 career strikeouts and built a reputation for clutch relief work. In his autobiography, he wrote, “I loved coming into games that were on the line. I liked the pressure.”

Arm and shoulder issues finally ended his playing days at 31, after a few brief minor league stops.

1953 Season and Retirement

Clyde King’s last season in the majors was a tough one with the Cincinnati Reds, coming after a trade from Brooklyn. His numbers took a hit, as he posted a 5.21 ERA in 35 games before deciding it was time to hang it up.

Pitching Stats and Game Highlights

In 1953, King finished with a 3-6 record and a 5.21 ERA over 35 games for Cincinnati.

He threw 76 innings, gave up 78 hits, and allowed 44 earned runs. His strikeouts dropped to just 21 for the year, which was a noticeable dip.

King started four games that season, but mostly worked out of the bullpen. He finished 18 games in relief and picked up two saves.

His 1.447 WHIP showed he struggled with control. He gave up 15 home runs in limited innings, which really hurt his ERA.

Baseball Almanac shows King stayed active throughout the season, but his effectiveness was clearly fading compared to his Brooklyn days.

Final MLB Appearances

King played his last professional games in 1953 with the Reds. After years with Brooklyn, the trade sent him to Cincinnati.

His final games came mostly in relief. King had a hard time recapturing what made him successful earlier in his career.

Arm troubles started showing up in those last games. His velocity dropped and his control got shaky as the year went on.

King’s last game stats told the story. He knew the end was near as his performance declined.

Decision to Retire from Professional Baseball

King retired after the 1953 season because of persistent arm problems. The sore arm that had bothered him just made pitching at the top level too tough.

At 29, he made the call to walk away from playing. His final MLB numbers: 32 wins and 25 losses over seven seasons.

He had some great moments, especially that strong 1951 season with 14 wins. But physical issues forced him out.

Retirement turned out to be a good move. King shifted into coaching, managing, and eventually executive roles in baseball.

His playing career ended after seven solid seasons in the National League.

Playing Style and Pitching Technique

Clyde Edward King built his ten-year pro career on a sharp curveball and a smart approach to pitching. His frame and mental toughness made him an effective reliever who could handle pressure.

Pitch Repertoire and Approach

King’s signature pitch was always his curveball. He trusted it more than his fastball, even early on. When he debuted in 1944, catcher Mickey Owen told him to stick with fastballs, which didn’t work out too well that first time against the Giants.

After that rough start, Branch Rickey gave him some advice: “You’re in charge. You’re the pitcher. Nothing can happen until you throw the ball, so you throw the pitch you want to throw.”

King took it to heart. He leaned on his curveball and mixed in his fastball, but later added a slider during his time rehabbing in the minors. That new pitch helped him win 17 games in 1949 and 13 more in 1950 with Montreal.

He focused on changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance. King actually preferred coming out of the bullpen. He once wrote, “I loved coming into games that were on the line. I liked the pressure.”

Physical Attributes and Strengths

King stood six-foot-one and weighed 175 pounds. He wore glasses, which was unusual at the time, but it never seemed to slow him down.

His size helped him get a good downward angle on pitches, and his lean frame let him pitch for long stretches without wearing out.

King’s mental toughness stood out. He avoided alcohol and tobacco, believing it helped his performance. His Christian faith, which started when he was 12, gave him stability throughout his career.

Early on, he showed durability. In 1951, his best year, he made 48 appearances, finished 31 games, picked up 14 wins and six saves, and threw 121⅓ innings.

Evolution as a Pitcher

King’s career really did evolve, shifting from a raw rookie to a seasoned pro. In his 1944 debut, he tossed 43⅔ innings and ended up with a 3.09 ERA.

He couldn’t keep things steady in the years that followed. By 1948, finger problems forced King down to the minors for two seasons while he worked to get his arm back in shape.

During that time, he picked up a slider. That pitch ended up rounding out his arsenal and gave him a real edge.

His best big league season? That was 1951, no doubt. King notched 14 wins and posted career highs across the board, securing a key bullpen role for the Dodgers as they chased the pennant.

But late in 1951, arm and shoulder injuries started to creep in. Those issues dragged down his stats in 1952 and 1953, his last years pitching for Cincinnati.

His ERA ballooned to 5.06 in 1952 and then 5.21 in 1953. At just 31, he decided to call it a career.

King wrapped things up with 200 appearances, a 32-25 record, and a 4.14 ERA over nine seasons.

Legacy Beyond Retirement

Clyde King’s impact on baseball went way past his playing days. He spent six decades in pro baseball, building a reputation as a coach, manager, and executive—one of those people everyone in the sport seemed to respect.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

After retiring in 1953, King jumped straight into leadership. He managed the Atlanta Crackers in 1955 and led them to a Southern Association pennant and a playoff win the next year.

When he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as pitching coach from 1965 to 1967, his coaching chops really showed. He worked with pitchers like Vern Law, Roy Face, and Steve Blass, helping to shape their games.

The San Francisco Giants brought King in as manager in 1969. He steered a stacked roster—Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Bobby Bonds—to a second-place finish in the NL West, just three games back from Atlanta.

King ended up managing the Atlanta Braves twice, first as interim manager in 1974 and again in 1975. He really had a knack for working with stars, managing both Willie Mays and Hank Aaron during his career. Not everyone can say that.

Influence on MLB Organizations

The New York Yankees became King’s main gig after 1976. George Steinbrenner hired him as a scout at first, but King’s responsibilities just kept growing.

He worked as Yankees pitching coach in 1978, 1981, and 1982. King had a real eye for spotting mechanical issues and helping pitchers fix them, earning the “troubleshooter” nickname.

King also weighed in on front office decisions. He gave advice on free agents, evaluated young players, and even offered thoughts on managerial hires.

During his time with the Yankees, the team won five division titles, three AL pennants, and World Series championships in 1977 and 1978. King’s behind-the-scenes work played a big role in those wins.

Recognition in Baseball History

King’s sixty-year run in baseball didn’t go unnoticed. The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 1983, recognizing everything he did as a player, manager, and executive.

He built relationships with some true legends. King played with Jackie Robinson on the Dodgers and later became one of Robinson’s close friends.

He started the Baseball Chapel fellowship for Christian players, which says a lot about his faith. That group still supports players across MLB.

King found himself at the crossroads of baseball history, working with or against nearly every major figure of his era. He saw the game change, and in his own way, he helped shape it.

Personal Life and Lasting Impact

Clyde King always stayed connected to his North Carolina roots, even while he traveled the country for his baseball career. Every offseason, he came home to his family and the Goldsboro community.

His loyalty to his hometown and family left a mark that went way beyond the ballpark.

Life in North Carolina After Baseball

King never really left Goldsboro, North Carolina. Even after decades on the road, he called it home.

“I was born here and raised here. I know the people here and I love the pace of life,” King once said. “Each year when the baseball season ended, I couldn’t wait to get back here.”

He made it a ritual to return to Goldsboro every offseason, no matter what role he held in baseball. That never changed, even as he moved from player to coach to manager and executive.

King’s ties to North Carolina stayed strong right up to the end. He passed away peacefully at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro on November 2, 2010, surrounded by family. He was 86.

Contributions to the Community

King made a real impact on his community by staying present and approachable. Unlike a lot of pros who move away after retiring, he stuck around and stayed involved.

Growing up during the Great Depression shaped King’s approach to life and giving back. His family used old furniture and tree branches to make baseball equipment, and those humble beginnings kept him grounded.

King lived by his Christian faith, which he embraced at twelve. He avoided smoking and drinking, and he set a moral example that folks in Goldsboro respected.

Family and Legacy

King married his college sweetheart, Norma Surles, on November 29, 1946. They spent over 50 years together, and that relationship brought a sense of steadiness to his long baseball career.

They raised three daughters: Normie, Princie, and Janet. Even though baseball kept King busy, he made sure to come back home to North Carolina between seasons.

When King passed away, his family included:

• Wife: Norma
• Three daughters: Norma King Blackman, Princie King Evans, and Janet King Peacock
• Three sons-in-law
• Eight grandchildren

His daughters stayed in North Carolina, keeping the family’s roots strong. The King family kept close ties to Goldsboro, with the daughters living in nearby places like Fremont, Wilson, and Goldsboro itself.