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

Clyde Wright, who teammates called “Skeeter,” spent a decade pitching in Major League Baseball before he finally walked away from the game in 1975. Most folks remember him as a lefty who grew from a raw, struggling kid into one of the California Angels’ most dependable starters.

He hit his stride in 1970, tossing a no-hitter against Oakland. That season, he finished with a standout 22-12 record, which is wild considering he’d nearly been cut from the game the year before. Learning the screwball during winter ball totally changed his pitching arsenal, and he credits that pitch for keeping his career alive for several more seasons.

Wright debuted in 1966 and wrapped up with the Texas Rangers, collecting a 100-111 record over 360 games and three different teams. His path through the majors had plenty of bumps, but he kept grinding and pulled off some highlights that Angels fans still talk about.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Clyde Wright started out in a tiny farm town in Tennessee, deep in the foothills of the Smokies. His college pitching at Carson-Newman College was already something special—he broke records and helped win championships, which put him in the perfect spot for baseball’s very first amateur draft in 1965.

Family Background and Origins

Born February 20, 1941, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Wright grew up in a farming community nestled in the Smoky Mountains’ shadow. Life back then was about simple joys and plenty of hard work.

He came from a big family—his parents, five brothers, and a sister. The Wright family ran a working farm, and everyone pitched in.

The chores never really stopped. The boys milked cows, fed hogs, worked the fields, and lent a hand to neighbors when they needed it. But even with all that work, they always made time to play.

Baseball, football, and fishing were their go-to ways to unwind. When the farm chores were done, the brothers would sneak off to Cherokee and Douglas lakes to fish.

Wright’s world rarely stretched beyond Knoxville, about 30 miles down Route 11, or “the four lane,” as the locals called it. That small-town upbringing shaped his work ethic and his easygoing, fair-minded attitude—traits that stuck with him through his baseball days.

Education and College Baseball

Wright went to Carson-Newman College, right there in his hometown, and stood out as an athlete. He was a wiry 6-foot-1, 180-pound pitcher who dominated on the mound and even chipped in as a hitter.

He threw left-handed but batted righty, which is a little unusual. Still, he was one of the team’s best hitters, but his pitching was on another level.

Wright racked up a brilliant college record, winning 32 out of 37 games he pitched at Carson-Newman. That kind of consistency is rare.

June 1965, his senior year, was the high point. He led Carson-Newman to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship.

In the title game against Nebraska-Omaha, Wright turned in a performance for the ages. The game dragged on for 13 innings before Carson-Newman finally pulled off a 3-2 win.

He struck out 22 batters in that game, which shattered the Carson-Newman record and, as of 2017, nobody had topped it. That earned him the tournament MVP award.

Path to the MLB Draft

Wright’s college heroics lined up perfectly with a big change in baseball. In 1965, MLB held its first-ever free-agent draft.

The California Angels picked Wright in the sixth round that year, right after he’d won the NAIA championship. He joined the first wave of players in the modern draft era.

That summer, Wright headed to Iowa and pitched for the Quad City Angels in the Midwest League. It was his intro to pro ball.

Even though his team finished 17 games under .500, Wright thrived. He posted a 7-2 record with a 1.99 ERA that season.

His strong showing in the minors got him promoted to the El Paso Sun Kings in Double-A for 1966. He started that year by winning eight straight games, quickly earning the title of ace.

Wright’s quick rise through the minors proved his college talent translated just fine to pro baseball.

Major League Debut and Breakthrough Years

Wright’s jump from college to the majors was surprisingly quick—just a year from the NAIA title to suiting up for the Angels in 1966. His early seasons had some high points, but also got interrupted by his military service.

Joining the California Angels

The Angels grabbed Clyde Wright in the sixth round of the 1965 MLB draft, making him the 107th pick. That was the first year teams drafted players, so everything felt new.

He spent his first pro summer with the Quad City Angels in Iowa, putting up a 7-2 record and a 1.99 ERA, even though the team struggled.

The next year, Wright began with the El Paso Sun Kings in Double-A. He rattled off eight consecutive wins, and the Angels called him up to the big leagues on June 10, 1966.

On his last night in the minors, he beat the Arkansas Travelers 2-1 for his ninth win. By the next morning, he was on a flight to Chicago to join the Angels.

First Seasons and Milestones

Wright made his major league debut on June 15, 1966, against the Minnesota Twins, at age 25. He faced off with Jim Kaat, who’d go on to win 25 games that year. The Twins lineup was stacked with hitters like Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva.

Wright’s debut was a showstopper. He held the Twins to four hits and won easily, 8-1. He breezed through the first ten batters and only had a rough patch in the fifth.

Afterward, manager Bill Rigney called it “the best start in the majors I’ve ever seen.” Catcher Bob Rodgers said Wright made it look effortless.

Key 1966 Stats:

• Record: 4-7
• ERA: 3.74
• Notable: First MLB shutout against Washington

Wright’s rookie season was solid, though National Guard service in August cut it short.

Early Career Challenges

National Guard duty really threw off Wright’s early career. In October 1966, he started five months of active service, which meant he got to spring training late in 1967.

The Angels sent him to minor-league camp a couple of weeks before the season. He spent the first two months of 1967 with Triple-A Seattle, going 8-4 before getting called up.

Playing time was all over the place that year. Manager Bill Rigney ran a four-man rotation, so Wright mostly pitched as a spot starter. He ended up 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA.

1968-1969 Struggles:

• Mostly pitched in relief, even though starting was his thing
• Only picked up one win in 1969 with a 4.10 ERA
• The Angels tried to trade him, but nobody bit

His lowest moment came in August 1969 against the Yankees. He came in to get the last out with a 2-0 lead, but gave up a three-run homer instead.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Wright’s best years came with the California Angels, especially that no-hitter in 1970 and his All-Star appearance. He pitched ten seasons in the majors, earning a reputation for his skill and work ethic.

No-Hitter with the California Angels

Wright’s top moment arrived on July 3, 1970, when he tossed a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics at Anaheim Stadium. It was just the second no-hitter in Angels history, and the first ever at their home park.

Earlier that day, he’d been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He told pitching coach Norm Sherry, “If I can hold ‘em to two runs tonight, we can win.” Sherry replied with some advice about treating every game like a possible no-hitter.

Wright needed just 98 pitches to shut down one of the league’s best power lineups. He faced 29 batters in that complete game.

That no-hitter was the highlight of his breakout 1970 season. By July, he’d already racked up a 12-6 record and had become a key part of the Angels’ rotation.

All-Star Appearance and Accolades

Wright earned his only All-Star nod in 1970, thanks to his stellar first half. He pitched in the 11th inning of the All-Star Game and took the loss in the 12th.

That appearance came only eleven days after his no-hitter. By then, he was 12-6 and among the American League’s best pitchers.

His 1970 season was a complete turnaround from the year before. He’d spent the winter pitching in Puerto Rico, where he learned the screwball and got his confidence back, thanks in part to manager Jim Fregosi.

In 2013, the California Angels named Wright the 55th greatest player in franchise history. That’s a pretty solid nod to his eight seasons with the team from 1966-1973.

Notable Pitching Performances

Wright had more than one big game. His MLB debut against the Twins in 1966 was a standout—he held the defending champs to four hits in an 8-1 win.

Manager Bill Rigney called it “the best start in the majors I’ve ever seen.” Catcher Bob Rodgers said, “He did it so easy, it was effortless. He was Mr. Cool.”

Wright finished his MLB run with a 100-111 record and a 3.50 ERA in 360 games. He struck out 667 batters while pitching for the Angels, Brewers, and Rangers.

He didn’t blow batters away with speed. Instead, he relied on pinpoint control and a mix of fastball, curveball, and screwball to keep hitters guessing. He liked getting outs with as few pitches as possible.

Impact on Teammates and Fans

Wright’s smarts on the mound earned him respect from teammates and opponents. Reggie Jackson once said, “Clyde Wright is one of the best in baseball today. He knows how to pitch.”

His teammates valued his steady presence. Some compared his style to Hall of Famers like Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn, saying he could outthink hitters.

Wright stayed close to the Angels after retiring, calling them “my second family.” He kept in touch with former teammates long after his playing days ended.

After 1975, Wright ran a pitching school in Anaheim, sharing his knowledge and experience with young players.

Team Transitions and Final Years

After eight seasons with the Angels, Wright spent his final two years with different teams. He ran into some rough patches with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers before stepping away from MLB in 1975.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

The Milwaukee Brewers picked up Wright for the 1974 season, his first time pitching outside California. He’d built a reputation as a reliable starter with the Angels, but things didn’t go smoothly in Milwaukee.

That year, he went 9-20 with a 4.42 ERA in 38 games, 32 of them starts. It was a rough stretch—he completed 15 games but didn’t notch a single shutout.

Even with the tough record, Wright still logged 232 innings for the Brewers. His strikeouts dipped to 64 for the season, way below his usual numbers. The Brewers struggled, and Wright’s tough year didn’t help.

The 1974 season was a far cry from his earlier success. His control stayed decent, with just 54 walks, but hitters seemed to have his number that year.

Playing for the Texas Rangers

Wright joined the Texas Rangers for his last MLB season in 1975. The Rangers offered the veteran pitcher a chance to finish his career closer to what he once was, though they kept his role pretty limited.

With Texas, Wright pitched in 25 games and started 14 of them. He ended up with a 4-6 record and a 4.44 ERA, which pretty much matched the struggles he’d had the year before.

He logged just 93.1 innings, a big drop from his workload during his prime. The Rangers used him as both a starter and a reliever, and at 34, his role shrank quite a bit.

Wright completed only one game and didn’t record any shutouts during his time with Texas. His strikeout numbers fell to just 32, and he walked 47 batters, showing that his command wasn’t what it used to be.

He allowed 105 hits and gave up 56 runs in his final season. Those numbers really show the tough road for an aging pitcher trying to hang on in the majors.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

Wright wrapped up his career after the 1975 season with the Texas Rangers, closing out a 10-year MLB run. He finished with a career record of 100 wins and 111 losses, and he posted a 3.50 ERA over 329 games.

He ended up pitching 1,728.2 innings and struck out 667 batters. Over his decade in the majors, he threw 67 complete games and notched 9 shutouts.

His best years definitely happened with the California Angels from 1966 to 1973. Wright retired at 34, having played for three teams.

His no-hitter for the Angels on July 3, 1970, against the Oakland Athletics stayed his proudest moment.

After retiring, Wright stuck with baseball by running a pitching school in Anaheim. He chose to keep living in the area where he’d had his greatest success.

Statistical Overview and Pitching Style

Clyde Wright put together a career record of 100 wins and 111 losses with a 3.50 ERA across 360 games between 1966 and 1975. His left-handed pitching and stats fit right in with the standards for MLB starters from that era.

Career Statistics and ERA Analysis

Wright’s 3.50 career ERA made him a reliable starter during his decade on the mound. He racked up 667 strikeouts and managed to stay pretty consistent across three clubs.

His last season in 1975 with the Rangers brought mixed results. He pitched in 25 games and had some pretty different stats at home compared to the road.

Home Performance (1975):

• 10 games pitched
• 3.07 ERA
• 41 innings
• 41 hits allowed

Road Performance (1975):

• 15 games pitched
• 5.53 ERA
• 52.1 innings
• 64 hits allowed

That big gap between his home and road ERAs in 1975 really underlined the struggles he faced at the end. His road outings especially pushed him toward retirement.

Pitching Techniques and Strengths

Wright’s left-handed delivery gave him some natural advantages against lefty batters. He focused more on control and location than pure speed.

In 1975, he showed solid command when pitching at home. He walked just 15 batters in 41 home innings, but that number jumped to 32 walks in 52.1 innings on the road.

He managed to avoid wild pitches and rarely hit batters, which showed his mechanics stayed pretty steady. Wright didn’t throw a single wild pitch that year and only hit one batter.

He stayed durable enough to pitch in different roles. Sometimes he started, sometimes he came out of the bullpen.

Comparisons to League Averages

Wright’s 3.50 career ERA matched up with MLB norms for the late 1960s and early ‘70s, an era with less offense than today.

His 100-111 win-loss record looked pretty typical for a middle-rotation starter back then. Lots of pitchers from his era had similar numbers, partly because teams used them differently.

The 1.289 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) showed he could limit baserunners fairly well. That stat points to his knack for keeping scoring chances in check.

Wright’s strikeout numbers lined up with his pitching style. He leaned more toward getting outs by contact rather than trying to overpower hitters.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

When Wright called it quits in 1975 after his last season with the Rangers, he jumped right into teaching the game he loved. He started a pitching school in 1980 and kept a strong connection with the Angels through community work.

Involvement in Baseball After Retirement

Wright launched the Clyde Wright Pitching School in 1980 at Anaheim’s Home Run Park. The school quickly became a big part of his post-baseball life, letting him pass along his experience to young pitchers.

Two of his most notable students made it to the majors. His son, Jaret Wright, had a solid MLB career after the Cleveland Indians picked him tenth overall in 1994. Wright also worked with Kyle Hendricks, who became a standout big-league pitcher.

He kept his ties to the Angels through their community relations department. That role let him stay close to the team where he’d thrown his 1970 no-hitter and had his best season.

Even after heart bypass surgery in 2013, Wright got back to coaching and mentoring. He bounced back, which honestly fits with the way he pitched.

Recognition and Influence

Wright’s impact on baseball went way beyond his stats. His 1970 no-hitter against Oakland still stands out in Angels history.

That same season, he earned American League Comeback Player of the Year and made the All-Star team. In 1970, he also entered the NAIA Hall of Fame, honoring his college career at Carson-Newman College. Getting inducted on the same night as his no-hitter made it a night to remember.

He co-wrote “Baseball the Wright Way” with his son Jaret. The book shares stories from both of their careers and gives fans a glimpse into their baseball journey.

Wright’s teaching style and pitching knowledge helped shape a new wave of players. The success of his students, especially those who reached the majors, really speaks to his approach.

Family and Lasting Impact

Wright’s legacy runs through his family, especially his son Jaret’s MLB career. Jaret pitched for several teams and helped the Indians reach the World Series.

After retiring, Wright settled in Anaheim and bought a home soon after joining the Angels. He spent his later years tending his garden and hanging out with his grandkids.

The Wright name became a symbol of pitching talent for two generations. Their joint book project showed their close bond and shared baseball wisdom.

Wright’s pitching school in Southern California left a real mark on youth baseball. His lessons on fundamentals and the mental game stuck with his students.

Net Worth and Financial Summary

Clyde Wright’s finances reflect the modest paychecks of 1960s and 1970s ballplayers, with most of his wealth coming from his post-playing business. His estimated net worth sits around $5 million, mostly from his pitching school and years of baseball instruction, not his playing days.

Earnings During MLB Career

Wright played in the majors from 1966 to 1975, back when salaries were a fraction of what players make now. Most guys in his era earned between $10,000 and $50,000 a year, unless they were big stars.

His best years came with the California Angels from 1970 to 1972. During that stretch, Wright probably signed his best contracts, especially after his no-hitter and 22-win season in 1970.

With a career record of 100-111 over 10 seasons, he was a reliable middle-rotation guy. That meant steady, if not spectacular, pay compared to the aces.

Business Ventures and Investments

Wright’s main business move after baseball was starting the Clyde Wright Pitching School in Anaheim in 1980. That school became his main source of income and is still running today.

He’s trained players at every level, from kids to pros. Notable graduates include his son Jaret and major leaguer Kyle Hendricks.

Buying a home in Anaheim right after joining the Angels turned out to be a smart investment. California real estate soared in value since the 1960s, which definitely helped his net worth.

Estimated Net Worth Today

Several sources put Wright’s net worth at around $5 million in 2023. That number really comes from years of business savvy, not just what he made on the baseball field.

He still counts his pitching school as his main source of income. The school’s been running for over four decades and, honestly, it’s got a pretty solid reputation in Southern California’s baseball scene.

Wright’s financial situation let him stay comfortable in Anaheim. These days, he spends time golfing, gardening, and just enjoying life.

His net worth puts him in that group of ex-players who found real financial success through business, not just from their old contracts.