Curt Blefary – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Curt Blefary left a real impression on Major League Baseball during his eight-year run from 1965 to 1972, suiting up for five different American League teams. Born Curtis Leroy Blefary in Brooklyn, New York, he got noticed fast, snagging the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1965 as part of the Baltimore Orioles.

His nickname, “Clank,” came from teammate Frank Robinson and stuck almost as much as his left-handed power at the plate.

Blefary hit his stride during four seasons with the Orioles, helping them grab the 1966 World Series championship. Even though he had some rough moments defensively—which, honestly, explains the nickname—his bat and ability to move around the field made him a real asset. He played catcher, first base, and all three outfield spots, showing off the kind of versatility that kept him in the lineup.

Curt Blefary’s story gives you a glimpse into what it was like for a talented player navigating pro baseball in the ’60s and early ’70s. He worked his way up from the minors and retired after the 1972 season. Blefary’s journey isn’t just about stats, but about the grit it takes to make it at the top level.

Curt Blefary: Early Life and Amateur Career

Curtis LeRoy Blefary started his baseball journey in Brooklyn, New York. He was born on July 5, 1943.

He shined during his high school years in New Jersey and kept his athletic career going at Wagner College.

Birthplace and Family Background

Curt Blefary came into the world in Brooklyn on July 5, 1943. His dad worked for AT&T and played a big role in Curt’s love of baseball.

His father named him after Curt Davis, a pitcher with 158 major league wins. Davis pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers when Blefary was born, so the name carried a special meaning for the family.

They eventually moved to Mahwah, New Jersey, where Curt grew up. His father’s advice stuck with him, and Blefary later said, “I got the attitude from my father. He said, ‘Do not even try to make it, son, unless you really believe you are the best. Otherwise you are going to be heartbroken.'”

Mahwah High School Achievements

At Mahwah High School, Blefary stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He played baseball, basketball, and football, and that versatility really showed up later in his pro days.

He mostly played third base in high school until his senior year. Then, coaches moved him to catcher—a switch that kept popping up throughout his career.

He earned All-state honors in 1960 for baseball. The Bergen Record later put him on their “Best of the Century” team, which says a lot about his high school legacy.

Blefary also made a name for himself in football, earning all-state honors as a halfback. That power and athleticism helped him out on the baseball field too.

College Years at Wagner College

After high school, Blefary kept playing football at Wagner College in 1961. He played for the Wagner College Seahawks and kept up his streak as a multi-sport athlete.

His time at Wagner was short but important. The New York Yankees spotted his baseball talent and signed him professionally in 1962, before the free-agent draft even existed.

As part of the deal, the Yankees agreed to pay for Blefary’s tuition and expenses at Wagner College during the offseasons. That way, he could keep studying while chasing his baseball dreams.

The bonus from the Yankees ranged from $18,000 to $40,000, depending on who you ask. His high school friend Richard E. Robbins said Blefary bought a car with some of it and his dad invested the rest in AT&T stock.

Major League Baseball Debut and Rookie Season

Curt Blefary broke into the majors with the Baltimore Orioles on April 14, 1965, after the team picked him up from the Yankees. He made a splash right away, winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award with his strong offense.

Path to the Major Leagues

The Yankees signed Blefary as an amateur free agent in 1962. They sent him to their Class-B team in Greensboro for the 1962 and 1963 seasons.

In April 1963, the Yankees put Blefary on waivers. The Orioles grabbed him and sent him to their minor league system.

He spent 1963 with the Elmira Pioneers, managed by Earl Weaver, who would later manage the Orioles.

In 1964, Blefary played for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He racked up a .287 average and 31 home runs, along with 80 RBIs, 87 runs, and 102 walks.

Those numbers got him noticed, and the Orioles brought him up to the big leagues for 1965.

Baltimore Orioles Debut in 1965

Blefary debuted on April 14, 1965, facing the Chicago White Sox. He got a hit in two at-bats and drove in a run in his first game.

He quickly became a regular in the Orioles lineup, playing mostly left field that year. He also filled in at first base for 20 games.

1965 Season Stats:

• Batting Average: .260
• Home Runs: 22
• RBIs: 70
• Games Played: 144

Fans and teammates took notice of his power. Those 22 homers were among the top for American League rookies that season.

American League Rookie of the Year Award

Blefary’s big year in 1965 earned him both the American League Rookie of the Year Award and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year honor.

His .260 average, 22 homers, and 70 RBIs made him a clear pick. Not bad for a rookie facing major league pitching for the first time.

The awards put Blefary on the map as one of the promising young players in baseball. Expectations for his future with the Orioles went up after that.

He quickly became an integral part of the Orioles’ core. His rookie year helped set the stage for the team’s 1966 championship.

Career Highlights with the Baltimore Orioles

Curtis Leroy “Clank” Blefary made his mark as a key player for the Orioles from 1965 to 1968. Winning Rookie of the Year and playing a role in the 1966 World Series were the high points of his career.

Role as Outfielder and First Baseman

Blefary started out in left field for his first three seasons in Baltimore. When the team needed it, he switched between outfield and infield spots.

He eventually moved to first base as a left-handed hitter in his later Orioles years. That “Clank” nickname fit his gritty style.

He hit well early in his career, keeping up solid numbers at Memorial Stadium.

His ability to play different positions gave manager Hank Bauer options. That flexibility made Blefary a real asset for the Orioles.

1966 World Series Champion

The 1966 World Series was the highlight of Blefary’s time in Baltimore. He played a big role in the team’s championship run.

The Orioles swept the Dodgers in four games to win their first World Series title. Blefary contributed both at the plate and in the field during that run.

His play anchored a Baltimore lineup that handled National League pitching. That World Series win really put the Orioles on the map.

Blefary played alongside some future Hall of Famers. His contributions mattered a lot during that amazing season.

Notable Performances at Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium was the scene of many of Blefary’s best Orioles moments. His home runs and clutch hits fired up Baltimore fans.

He put up strong RBI numbers during his peak years. His batting average showed he could produce consistently at home.

The stadium’s setup fit his lefty swing nicely. He got a reputation for coming through in big moments.

His ability to drive in runs made a difference for the team. Fans in Baltimore really appreciated his knack for clutch hitting.

Teammates and Influential Figures

Blefary shared the field with Frank Robinson, who joined the Orioles in 1966. Robinson’s leadership and bat lifted the whole team.

Boog Powell and Blefary made a tough offensive pair in the lineup. They played off each other’s strengths.

Veteran teammates helped Blefary grow as a player. Those relationships mattered a lot, especially during his rookie year.

His teammates respected his work ethic and drive to improve. The team’s chemistry helped power Baltimore to a championship.

Trades and Tenure with Other MLB Teams

After leaving Baltimore in 1968, Blefary bounced around with four other MLB teams over the next four seasons. Some big trades—like the ones for Mike Cuellar and Joe Pepitone—shaped his later career, but his numbers fell off with each new stop.

Houston Astros Years

The Orioles traded Blefary and minor leaguer John Mason to the Astros on December 4, 1968. In return, Baltimore got pitcher Mike Cuellar, prospect Enzo Hernandez, and minor leaguer Elijah Johnson.

That trade worked out great for Baltimore. Cuellar won the Cy Young Award in 1969 and averaged 21 wins a year from 1969 to 1974.

Blefary became Houston’s first baseman in 1969. Manager Harry Walker gave him plenty of playing time, even though he struggled against lefties.

His stats in Houston showed some improvement:

• Batting average: .253
• Home runs: 12
• RBIs: 67
• Walks: 77 (10th in NL)
• On-base percentage: .347

He set career highs with 26 doubles, 7 triples, and 8 stolen bases. He didn’t hit a home run until the team’s 44th game, but he still beat league averages in batting, slugging, and on-base percentage.

New York Yankees and Key Trades

The Yankees picked up Blefary from Houston on December 4, 1969, exactly a year after the Astros traded for him. The deal sent first baseman Joe Pepitone to Houston.

Both teams wanted to move on from players who weren’t fitting in. The Yankees felt Pepitone was more interested in off-field fun than baseball, and Houston was ready to let Blefary go after just one season.

Blefary spent two seasons with the Yankees from 1970 to 1971. He couldn’t quite find his old form from Baltimore and his numbers kept slipping.

The Yankees eventually dealt him to Oakland, ending his second go-round with the team that first signed him back in 1962.

Stints with Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres

Oakland got Blefary from the Yankees, then sent him to San Diego in a multi-player trade. The A’s traded Blefary, Mike Kilkenny, and a player to be named later to the San Diego Padres for Ollie Brown.

On September 11, 1972, Oakland completed the trade by sending Greg Schubert from the minors to San Diego. That move closed out Blefary’s major league career.

His time with Oakland and San Diego was short and, honestly, not very memorable. By the end, his career batting average was down to .237, with 112 home runs and 382 RBIs in 974 games.

Blefary wrapped up his MLB career in 1972 with the Padres. He was just 29 when he retired, having played for five teams since his Rookie of the Year season in 1965.

Curt Blefary’s Playing Style and Versatility

Curt Blefary spent eight years in the majors, showing off a mix of offensive power and defensive flexibility. Teams valued him for his bat and his willingness to move around the field, even though he had his flaws.

He swung left-handed and packed a real punch at the plate. Managers plugged him in at different positions, hoping to squeeze every bit of value out of his game.

Offensive Skills and Statistics

At the plate, Blefary focused on power and patience. His rookie year in 1965 set the tone for what he’d bring to the table.

That season, he led the Orioles with 22 home runs and 88 walks, earning Rookie of the Year honors. Drawing walks became a steady part of his game—he finished with 77 walks for Houston in 1969, ranking 10th in the National League.

Career Offensive Numbers:

• Batting average: .237
• Home runs: 112
• RBI: 382
• Games played: 974

He really seemed to have the Yankees’ number. In 1965, he hit .367 with six homers against New York, then added five more the next year. He once told Sports Illustrated those right field seats at Yankee Stadium “were made for me,” and honestly, who could argue?

Blefary’s best years came early. In 1965, he finished third in the American League in on-base percentage (.381) and ninth in slugging percentage (.470). He stayed productive in 1966, but after that, his numbers started to slip.

Defensive Roles: Outfielder to Catcher

Teams leaned on Blefary’s defensive versatility to keep his bat in the lineup. He bounced around the diamond, filling holes wherever managers needed him.

He started out as a left fielder in Baltimore, sharing time with Boog Powell. The Orioles also tried him in right field, where he split duties with Sam Bowens. His defense in the outfield was, well, just okay.

In 1968, manager Hank Bauer made Blefary a catcher, hoping to get more offense from that spot. Blefary caught 40 games that year, including Tom Phoebus’s no-hitter against Boston on April 27.

The move to catcher seemed to work at first. Since he’d caught in high school and a bit in the minors, the transition wasn’t as rough as it could’ve been. Still, Blefary felt that playing so many positions messed with his hitting.

When Houston traded for him in 1969, they made him their regular first baseman. That gave him some stability, and he hit .253 with 12 home runs and 67 RBI.

Nickname “Clank” and Personality

Frank Robinson started calling him “Clank” because balls seemed to bounce off Blefary’s glove in the outfield. The nickname stuck, and it kind of summed up his defensive struggles.

Robinson didn’t stop there. If the team bus passed scrap metal, he’d joke, “go get yourself another glove.” Sure, the stories got exaggerated, but Blefary’s range was definitely limited, even though he ran okay.

Blefary’s personality matched his all-out playing style. When things didn’t go his way, he’d toss bats and helmets, and teammates at Elmira started calling him “Cadillac Curt” for his flashy home run trots.

Scout Dee Phillips once told him to rein in his temper if he wanted to reach the majors. His dad pushed him to play aggressively, saying, “Do not even try to make it, son, unless you really believe you are the best.”

He didn’t slow down off the field, either. Blefary liked the nightlife and enjoyed the attention, sometimes staying out late and eating odd breakfasts like clam chowder and hamburgers. Even his cocker spaniel, Long Ball, got special meals—scrambled eggs and Coke.

Retirement from Baseball and Legacy

Curt Blefary wrapped up his big league career in 1972, splitting his last season between the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres. He’d once won American League Rookie of the Year, and when he died in 2001 at 57, he left behind a World Series ring and some memorable career stats from baseball’s pitcher-heavy era.

Final Season and Exit from MLB in 1972

His last year in the majors didn’t go smoothly. He started 1972 with the Oakland A’s, then got traded to the Padres.

San Diego became his fifth—and last—MLB stop. After they let him go, Blefary tried to keep his career alive when Atlanta signed him in 1973.

The Braves sent him to their triple-A team instead of the big leagues. After that, Blefary decided he’d had enough of pro ball and retired.

He left the game at 29 with 112 career home runs and a .342 on-base percentage. Blefary’s .237 average and 382 RBIs across 974 games all came during an era when pitchers dominated, so those numbers meant more than they might now.

Post-Baseball Life and Passing

After he retired, Blefary stayed close to baseball by volunteering as a coach at Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He shared his big league experience with young players, and that seemed to matter to him.

He also worked in the circulation department at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. During the 1980s and 1990s, he showed up at memorabilia and autograph shows, meeting fans who still remembered his playing days.

Personal Life:

• Survived by wife Lana, two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren
• Lived in Pompano Beach, Florida in his later years
• Stayed involved in baseball through volunteer coaching

Blefary died at home on January 28, 2001, from chronic pancreatitis and related health issues. He was 57. His ashes ended up scattered over the site of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium demolition, tying him forever to the ballpark where he’d enjoyed his brightest moments as a World Series champ.

Honors and Lasting Impact on the Game

Blefary really made his mark with that wild 1965 rookie season and by helping the Orioles win the 1966 World Series. He snagged the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1965 after hitting .260, cranking 22 home runs, and driving in 70 runs.

The 1966 Orioles leaned on Blefary as they charged through the playoffs, and he didn’t disappoint. On April 27, 1968, he caught Tom Phoebus’ no-hitter, which added another highlight to his baseball resume.

Career Highlights:

• 1965 American League Rookie of the Year
• 1966 World Series Champion with Baltimore Orioles
• Caught Tom Phoebus’ no-hitter in 1968
• Nicknamed “Clank” for his fielding struggles

People called him “Clank” because he struggled defensively, but honestly, his bat made up for it. In the late 1960s, pitchers dominated the game, yet Blefary’s offense still stood out.

He posted a .342 on-base percentage, which was over 100 points higher than his batting average. That shows he really knew how to work the count and get on base, not just swing for the fences.

Blefary played for five different teams, bouncing from Baltimore to Houston, New York, Oakland, and then San Diego. That kind of journey, moving from city to city, was pretty common for big leaguers back then.