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

When Curt Simmons walked off the mound for the last time on October 1, 1967, with the California Angels, he closed out a wild 20-year run in Major League Baseball. Simmons stood as one of just two players from the 1940s still in the league by 1967, making him a living bridge between baseball’s golden age and the modern era.

This left-handed pitcher saw and shaped some of baseball’s most iconic moments, from the Philadelphia Phillies’ “Whiz Kids” run in 1950 to the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series win in 1964.

Curtis Thomas Simmons was born on May 19, 1929, in Egypt, Pennsylvania. He grew up to face some of the toughest hitters the game ever saw.

Hank Aaron and Stan Musial, both Hall of Famers, actually called Simmons the toughest pitcher they ever faced. That’s no small compliment. He bounced through four organizations, showing off his durability and adaptability every step of the way.

Simmons’ career really tells a story of perseverance and excellence. From his days as a teenage phenom with the Phillies to that championship season with the Cardinals, his journey reveals the grit and challenges of a generation that helped shape today’s game.

Curt Simmons’ Retirement in 1967

Curt Simmons wrapped up his two-decade MLB career in 1967 with the California Angels at age 38. That last season put a bow on a pitching career that spanned four teams and two distinct baseball eras.

Final Season with the California Angels

Simmons joined the Angels in 1967, knowing it might be his last year in the big leagues. He’d just spent some time with the Chicago Cubs in 1966 before heading west.

He made his final MLB appearance on October 1, 1967, against the Detroit Tigers. In that outing, Simmons pitched just a third of an inning and didn’t give up a hit or a run.

That 1967 season really felt like the end of something bigger. Baseball Almanac notes that Simmons was among the American League players who retired that year, closing the book on a group whose careers started in a different era.

By 38, Simmons had racked up some impressive stats. He finished with 193 wins and 183 losses and a 3.54 ERA.

Retirement Announcement and Legacy

Simmons retired after the 1967 season and joined a pretty exclusive club. Alongside Smoky Burgess, he became the last player to officially retire who had played in the big leagues during the 1940s.

That’s a unique spot in baseball history. Simmons’ career bridged generations, from his 1947 debut at 18 to his final game two decades later.

Fans and historians took note of the timing. When Simmons left, it really marked the end of an era—players who’d shared the field with Joe DiMaggio and other 1940s legends were finally gone.

Both Hank Aaron and Stan Musial called Simmons the toughest pitcher they ever faced. That kind of praise from two of the game’s best hitters just cements his legacy.

Significance of His Departure from Major League Baseball

Simmons’ retirement in 1967 meant a lot to the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans. He’d played a huge part on the 1950 “Whiz Kids” team that captured the National League pennant.

When he left, he took with him the last living link to that celebrated Phillies team. Decades later, when Simmons died in 2022, people remembered him as the final member of the 1950 NL champs.

Simmons had one of baseball’s most resilient careers. He overcame a stint in the military during the Korean War, missing the entire 1951 season while stationed overseas.

He finished with 1,697 strikeouts, 163 complete games, and 36 shutouts over 569 games. Those numbers really show just how tough and effective pitchers of his era had to be.

When Simmons hung up his cleats in 1967, Major League Baseball lost a living connection to its past. That closed a chapter that started all the way back in the late 1940s.

Career Overview and Milestones

Curt Simmons made his mark as a reliable lefty over 20 seasons, earning three All-Star nods and ending with a 193-183 record. He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and California Angels before calling it quits after 1967.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Simmons debuted in the majors on September 28, 1947, at just 18 years old with the Phillies. He tossed a complete game his first time out, allowing only five hits and striking out nine with a 1.00 ERA.

Military service interrupted his early run in 1951. He missed that season but came back strong in 1952, going 14-8 with a 2.82 ERA and six shutouts.

The 1950 season was his first big breakout. Simmons posted a 17-8 record and a 3.40 ERA in 27 starts, quickly becoming a mainstay in the Phillies’ rotation.

All-Star Selections and Awards

Simmons grabbed three All-Star selections—1952, 1953, and 1957. His 1952 season with the Phillies was probably his best, statistically speaking.

That year, he led the league with six shutouts and finished with a career-best 2.82 ERA. He struck out 141, putting him among the league’s top arms.

In 1953, he threw 238 innings and struck out 138. He also completed 19 games, which was just expected from starting pitchers back then.

He even got some MVP love in 1950, finishing 16th in the voting during his 17-win season.

Career Statistics and Achievements

By the time he retired, Simmons had a 193-183 record and a 3.54 ERA over 569 games. He struck out 1,697 batters in 3,348 innings across 20 years.

With the Phillies (1947-1960), Simmons went 115-110. He then moved to the St. Louis Cardinals from 1960-1966, followed by short stints with the Chicago Cubs and California Angels.

He won one World Series ring. Simmons completed 163 games and tossed 36 shutouts, showing he could finish what he started.

His best years came in the 1950s when he routinely pitched over 200 innings. That kind of consistency made him a steady presence for several teams during baseball’s golden era.

Key Teams and Notable Performances

Simmons played for four teams over his career, but he really shined with the Phillies and Cardinals. He helped the Phillies win the 1950 pennant as part of the “Whiz Kids” and later found new life with the Cardinals.

Era with the Philadelphia Phillies

Simmons kicked off his big league career with the Phillies in 1947 at just 18. He signed as a “bonus baby” for $65,000 after a standout high school career.

His big breakthrough was 1950, when he went 17-8 with a 3.40 ERA. Simmons teamed up with Robin Roberts in the rotation, and by late August, both had 17 wins.

The Phillies’ “Whiz Kids” took the National League pennant that year. Unfortunately, Simmons missed the World Series after his National Guard unit got called up for the Korean War.

He came back in 1952 and went 14-8 with a 2.82 ERA, leading the league with six shutouts. Simmons started the All-Star Game that year and gave up just one hit in three innings.

His best statistical season came in 1954, with a career-low 2.81 ERA, ranking third in the league. Despite that, his record was 14-15—bad luck with team support, maybe?

Simmons stuck with the Phillies through 1960, usually winning 12 to 16 games a year during the mid-1950s. Arm issues and a dip in performance led the team to release him in May 1960.

St. Louis Cardinals Rotation

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Simmons in June 1960 after the Phillies let him go. Manager Solly Hemus, who’d played with Simmons, convinced GM Bing Devine to take the risk on the 31-year-old.

Simmons found new life with the Cardinals. He went 7-4 with a 2.66 ERA in 1960 and was named Comeback Player of the Year by local writers.

He really hit his stride in 1964, posting an 18-9 record—his best since 1950—and helped the Cardinals win the pennant.

The rotation featured Simmons, Bob Gibson, and Ray Sadecki. At 35, Simmons finally pitched in the World Series, throwing eight solid innings in Game 3 against the Yankees.

He beat the Dodgers twice in the last ten days of the 1962 season, forcing a playoff between LA and the Giants. One of those wins came in an emergency start against Sandy Koufax after Gibson broke his ankle.

Simmons stayed effective through 1963, going 15-9 with three shutouts during a late-season surge. His arm started giving him trouble again by 1965, though.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

The Chicago Cubs got Simmons from the Cardinals on June 22, 1966, reuniting him with Robin Roberts. By then, Simmons was 37 and winding down his career.

He struggled with the Cubs, finishing with a 7-14 record in Chicago. His performance just wasn’t what it had been with the Cardinals—age and arm issues caught up to him.

The Cubs mostly used him as a starter in 1966 and 1967. Simmons brought veteran presence, but the results just weren’t there.

Chicago sold him to the California Angels on August 7, 1967, wrapping up his short Cubs stint. He made his final big league appearance on October 1, 1967, against Detroit, pitching just a third of an inning.

That time with the Cubs really marked the end of the road for Simmons. He just wasn’t the same pitcher who’d starred in Philly and St. Louis.

Pitching Profile and Style

Curt Simmons made his name as a crafty lefty, relying more on finesse and control than sheer power. With a career ERA of 3.54 and 1,697 strikeouts, he showed how effective precision and changing speeds can be in getting hitters out.

Left-Handed Pitching Mechanics

Simmons threw left-handed with a smooth, controlled delivery. He always focused on accuracy over velocity.

Throughout his career, Simmons showed remarkable control. In 1957, he walked just 2.1 batters per nine innings, which really became his calling card.

He mixed up his pitches and locations to keep hitters guessing. His strikeout-to-walk ratio improved a lot in his later years, reaching 2.31 in 1962.

His mechanics stayed pretty much the same throughout his 20 years on the mound. That consistency helped him remain effective even into his thirties.

Signature Games and Career Highs

Simmons’ best season came in 1952, when he posted a 2.82 ERA and led the league with six shutouts. That year really showed him at his peak.

He made a splash in his debut on September 28, 1947, throwing a complete game win against the New York Giants. Simmons allowed just five hits, struck out nine, and walked six.

The lefty earned All-Star selections in 1952, 1953, and 1957. His 1950 campaign saw him win 17 games and get some MVP votes.

Simmons’ final game came on October 1, 1967, against Detroit. He retired after 19 seasons, finishing with 193 career wins and a reputation for steady effectiveness all the way to the end.

Personal Life and Influences

Curt Simmons’ Pennsylvania roots and military service really shaped his life and career. Growing up in Whitehall Township gave him a strong foundation, and the Korean War threw an unexpected wrench into his baseball journey.

Early Life in Whitehall Township

Curtis Thomas Simmons was born on May 19, 1929, in Egypt, Pennsylvania. He spent his childhood in Whitehall Township.

This small Pennsylvania town set the stage for his early baseball days. During his teenage years, Simmons made a name for himself as a standout pitcher.

Scouts couldn’t ignore his talent, and he ended up getting the largest bonus ever offered to a high school player at that time. That huge signing bonus really showed how much faith people had in him as a lefty from Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Simmons straight out of high school. He made it to the majors at just 18, becoming the youngest player in Major League Baseball in 1947.

Impact of the Korean War on His Career

The Korean War threw a major curveball at Simmons’ career just as things were heating up. He served in the National Guard during the conflict, which meant he had to step away from baseball for a while.

Simmons missed part of the 1950 season because of his military duties. The timing couldn’t have been worse, since the Phillies were having their best season in ages as the “Whiz Kids.”

He missed the 1950 World Series entirely due to his National Guard commitment. That was tough for both Simmons and the team, especially since he and Robin Roberts had anchored the starting rotation.

Military service kept him off the field from 1951 through part of 1952. That break came just as he was finding his stride as a major league pitcher.

Curt Simmons’ Legacy in Baseball History

Curt Simmons really left his mark on baseball, especially with his championship teams and the recognition he earned along the way. His role in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1964 World Series win and the honors he picked up later on still keep his name alive in baseball circles.

Recognition and Hall of Fame Consideration

Curt Simmons picked up plenty of recognition during his career, even though he didn’t quite make it to the Hall of Fame. His 193 wins and 1,697 strikeouts look solid for a pitcher from his era.

The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inducted Simmons in 1968, just a year after he retired. That honor reflected his impact on baseball both in his home state and across the country.

In 1993, the Philadelphia Phillies put Simmons on their Wall of Fame. You can still find his plaque at Citizens Bank Park, a reminder of his place as one of the original Whiz Kids.

Baseball Almanac includes Simmons among the notable players born in the 1920s. His 20-season career earned him a lot of respect from baseball historians and fans.

The Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame honored Simmons in 1997 as an “outstanding opponent.” That’s not something you see every day, but it says a lot about how tough he was against one of baseball’s best teams.

Role in the 1964 World Series Champion Team

Simmons played a key part in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1964 World Series win. He posted an 18-9 record that season, helping the Cardinals snag their first title since 1946.

He beat his old team, the Philadelphia Phillies, in his final regular season game. That win pushed the Cardinals into first place during the pennant race.

In the World Series against the New York Yankees, Simmons finally got his shot at pitching in the Fall Classic. At 35, he had missed the 1950 Series because of his military service.

His Game 3 outing became the stuff of legend among Cardinals fans. Simmons tossed eight strong innings, giving up just four hits in a 1-1 tie before manager Johnny Keane decided to pinch-hit for him.

The Cardinals ended up winning the series in seven games. Simmons’ performance that season and in the World Series capped off a long and memorable career.

Memorials and Honors After Retirement

After Simmons passed away in December 2022 at 93, baseball communities came together to honor his memory and contributions. The Philadelphia Phillies organization put out statements, highlighting his place in the franchise’s history.

His memorial services brought out former teammates and baseball officials. People remembered him as a skilled pitcher who pushed through early struggles to find real, lasting success.

Local Pennsylvania baseball organizations still keep his legacy alive. Youth leagues in the Lehigh Valley, where he grew up, look to his achievements for inspiration—especially for young players trying to find their way.

The St. Louis Cardinals organization keeps detailed records of what he did for their 1964 championship team. Team historians often point to his comeback story as a classic example of perseverance in professional sports.

You’ll find his stats in Baseball Almanac and other historical records. Those numbers really show how he squeezed the most out of his talent over two decades in the majors.