Dave Hamilton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave Hamilton built a solid nine-year career in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher, helping one of the most successful dynasties in baseball history. From 1972 to 1980, Hamilton saw the thrill of championship glory and the tough reality of shifting roles across different teams.

Hamilton picked up three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics from 1972 to 1974, making him part of one of baseball’s most dominant teams in the ‘70s. He played with the famous “Mustache Gang,” sharing the field with legends like Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, and Catfish Hunter during Oakland’s incredible run.

After winning in Oakland, Hamilton bounced around, pitching for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals before circling back to the Athletics for his final two seasons. He shifted from starter to reliever, showing off his adaptability and grit to keep his career alive. By the time he retired after the 1980 season, he had a record of 39 wins and 41 losses in 301 games.

Early Life and Education

Dave Hamilton was born on December 13, 1947, in Seattle, Washington. He grew up to become a standout athlete at Edmonds High School.

His journey from promising high school pitcher to professional baseball started after he graduated in 1966 and got picked in the MLB Draft.

Family Background and Upbringing

David Edward Hamilton entered the world in Seattle during the late 1940s post-war boom. The Pacific Northwest, with its strong baseball culture, shaped his childhood.

His family always backed his love for sports. They encouraged Dave’s passion for baseball as he sharpened his skills growing up.

Seattle’s baseball scene in the 1950s and early 1960s gave Hamilton plenty of chances to play. Local leagues and youth programs helped him develop as a pitcher.

His left-handed pitching stood out during his teenage years. That natural ability would eventually become his ticket to the pros.

Edmonds High Years

Hamilton went to Edmonds High School, where he stood out as a talented left-handed pitcher. He graduated in 1966, already recognized as one of the area’s top baseball prospects.

During those years, professional scouts noticed Hamilton’s pitching. His performance on the mound hinted at the potential that would soon earn him a shot in the big leagues.

The coaches at Edmonds High helped him refine his technique and learn the game. Those years were key for his growth as a player.

By the end of high school, he was seen as a real professional prospect. Scouts from colleges and pro teams often showed up at his games during his senior year.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Oakland Athletics drafted Hamilton in the 5th round of the 1966 MLB Draft right after he finished high school. That moment marked the start of his pro career.

At just 18, Hamilton joined the Athletics’ farm system. He kicked things off with the Lewiston Broncs in 1966, sharing the clubhouse with future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

He spent six seasons working his way through Oakland’s minor league system. The A’s farm teams in those days produced a lot of talented major leaguers.

Hamilton honed his pitching during those minor league years. The Athletics invested time in developing his skills before finally calling him up to the majors in May 1972.

Major League Baseball Career

Dave Hamilton pitched in the majors for nine seasons from 1972 to 1980. He finished with a 39-41 record and a 3.85 ERA over 301 games.

He won three World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics. Later, he played for the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

MLB Debut and Breakthrough

Hamilton made his MLB debut on May 29, 1972, at age 24. Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley called him up after six long seasons in the minors.

His first big league game came in the second half of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Hamilton pitched 6⅓ innings in a 7-1 win, even striking out Frank Howard and Rich Billings to wriggle out of a bases-loaded jam in the third.

“I was nervous at first,” Hamilton admitted after the game. “But getting five runs in the first really helped.”

He pitched in 25 games during his rookie season, starting 12 of them. Hamilton posted a 6-6 record as Oakland used him as both a long reliever and spot starter during a wild 32-game stretch in 31 days.

Hamilton made the roster for all three of Oakland’s championship teams from 1972 to 1974. He pitched in just three postseason games, including two appearances in the 1972 World Series against Cincinnati.

Pitching Style and Skills

Hamilton, a lefty, struggled with control early on but improved with help from Oakland’s coaches. Over 704 innings, he struck out 434 batters and walked 317.

His best season came in 1974 as Oakland’s fifth starter. He won his first four starts and tossed his only complete-game shutout on June 26 against the California Angels.

That shutout almost turned into a no-hitter, but Dave Chalk broke it up in the sixth with a single. Hamilton allowed just two hits and four walks, striking out several in the 5-0 win.

Pitching coach Wes Stock helped Hamilton stay composed on the mound. Reliever Darold Knowles told him to “step off the mound and take a deep breath” when things got tense.

Hamilton preferred manager Alvin Dark over Dick Williams, saying Williams “never told me what I was doing wrong” after bad outings.

Teams Played For

Hamilton suited up for four MLB teams, starting with the Oakland Athletics from 1972 to 1975. On June 15, 1975, he and Chet Lemon got traded to the Chicago White Sox for Stan Bahnsen and Skip Pitlock.

With the White Sox, Hamilton shifted into a relief role and picked up 25 saves. After the 1977 season, the team traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in 13 games for St. Louis before the Pirates bought his contract on May 28, 1978.

Hamilton re-signed with Oakland as a free agent for the 1979 season. He went 3-4 with five saves and a 3.70 ERA, even though the team lost 108 games that year.

His final season in 1980 was split between Oakland and the minor league Ogden A’s. Hamilton went 0-3 with an 11.40 ERA in 21 big league games, then retired after a short stint with the Tacoma Tigers in 1981.

Oakland Athletics Years

Dave Hamilton enjoyed his best years with the Oakland Athletics, winning three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974. He debuted with the team in May 1972 and became part of one of baseball’s greatest dynasties.

Joining the Athletics

Hamilton’s journey to the majors started when the Kansas City Athletics drafted him out of Edmonds High School in the fifth round of the 1966 draft. He spent six seasons developing in the minors before getting called up to the Oakland Athletics in May 1972.

His debut really stood out. Hamilton won his first big league start on May 29, 1972, pitching the second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. The lefty quickly proved himself as a valuable part of the rotation.

During his rookie season, Hamilton posted a 6-6 record with a strong 2.93 ERA. His efforts helped the A’s reach the postseason, where he gained important experience despite some struggles in the World Series.

World Series Championships

Hamilton played a key role in the Athletics’ historic three-peat from 1972 to 1974. The team won three World Series in a row, cementing their place as one of the great dynasties.

The 1972 World Series was Hamilton’s first taste of championship baseball. He appeared twice against the Cincinnati Reds. In game five, he faced just one batter, but in game six, he gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning to the “Big Red Machine.”

He didn’t pitch much in the postseason in 1973 and 1974, but Hamilton still played an important role during the regular season. His contributions helped the Athletics stay on top through the early ‘70s.

Those three straight titles secured Hamilton’s legacy as part of baseball history. Not many players get to ride that kind of wave at the highest level.

Role on the Mustache Gang

Hamilton worked as both a starter and reliever during his time with Oakland, giving manager Dick Williams some much-needed flexibility. His left-handed arm added depth to a rotation already stacked with talent.

The A’s clubhouse was wild and colorful during those years. Hamilton fit right in with the team’s vibe while staying focused on his job. His adaptability made him a go-to guy in all kinds of situations.

Hamilton did more than just put up numbers. He brought stability during the championship runs and pitched wherever the team needed him. That kind of willingness made him valuable to the A’s.

Oakland traded Hamilton to the Chicago White Sox in June 1975, ending his first run with the team. He eventually returned to the A’s for the last two seasons of his career.

Chicago White Sox and Later MLB Teams

Hamilton’s move from Oakland to Chicago changed the course of his career, turning him from a spot starter into a dependable relief pitcher. With the White Sox, he became the team’s closer, then wrapped up his MLB journey with short stays in St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Trade to Chicago White Sox

On June 15, 1975, the Oakland Athletics sent Dave Hamilton and outfielder Chet Lemon to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Stan Bahnsen and Skip Pitlock. That trade marked a big shift for Hamilton, who had only known Oakland until then.

The White Sox quickly moved Hamilton from starter to reliever. This new role suited him, and Hamilton found fresh success coming out of the bullpen instead of starting every fifth day.

Hamilton brought championship experience from Oakland, adding credibility and leadership to the White Sox pitching staff in the mid-1970s.

Role as Closer and Set-up Pitcher

Hamilton’s best years came with the White Sox, where he settled in as a reliable closer. In 1976, he became the main closer and racked up 10 saves, while the team made the unusual choice to turn Goose Gossage into a starter.

Hamilton’s success in the closer role showed he could adapt to shorter outings. He handled high-pressure situations well, using lessons from Oakland’s title runs to shine in late innings.

Over his time with Chicago, Hamilton notched 25 total saves. That stretch was easily the most consistent and defined part of his career.

Stints with St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates

After the 1977 season, Hamilton went to the St. Louis Cardinals along with Silvio Martinez to complete a previous trade from August 31, 1977. The Cards had picked up Clay Carroll from Chicago, with Hamilton and Martinez filling out the deal.

Hamilton’s time in St. Louis was short and pretty uneventful. In 1978, he pitched in only 13 games early in the season before the Pirates bought his contract on May 28.

He played just 16 games with Pittsburgh that year, mostly in mop-up duty. Hamilton struggled to recapture his earlier form. After the season, he signed as a free agent with Oakland for 1979.

Retirement and Post-Playing Career

Dave Hamilton wrapped up his career with a rough 1980 season split between Oakland and the minors, then tried to make a comeback in 1981. After stepping away from the game, Hamilton coached high school baseball and worked in construction, staying connected to the sport he loved.

Final Seasons and Retirement in 1980

Hamilton’s last major league season in 1980 didn’t go well. He struggled with control and split time between the Oakland Athletics and their minor league affiliate, the Ogden A’s.

At the big-league level, he finished with an 0-3 record and an 11.40 ERA. It was a rough way to close out his nine-year career.

He tried for one last comeback in 1981. Hamilton pitched in four games with the Pacific Coast League’s Tacoma Tigers, but then called it a career.

That short stint really marked the end of a journey that began way back in 1966, when Kansas City picked him in the fifth round of the amateur draft.

Hamilton wrapped up his major league days with a 39-41 record across 301 games. He played for four teams: the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

His career ERA landed at 3.85, and he struck out 434 hitters in 704 innings.

Coaching and Community Involvement

In 1996, Hamilton jumped back into baseball, this time as head coach for the California High School Grizzlies in San Ramon, California. He stuck with that job for eight years, up until 2004, helping shape young players at the high school level.

Coaching let him pass along his professional experience to the next generation. Hamilton, who played on three World Series championship teams with Oakland from 1972 to 1974, brought a lot of insight about competing at the highest level.

During his coaching years, Hamilton focused on teaching the fundamentals he’d picked up in his own career. He pitched as both a starter and reliever, so he offered a pretty broad perspective on pitching and game management.

Life Outside Baseball

After he stopped playing, Hamilton worked as a foreman for a roofing contractor in his area. That job gave him steady work, and he stayed involved with baseball through coaching.

Hamilton’s son Jon also followed the family path and spent eight seasons in the minor leagues. The Cleveland Indians drafted Jon in the fifth round of the 1977 amateur draft, just like his dad back in 1966.

Jon played for several organizations, including the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, and Cardinals, before finishing his career in 2004.

Dave Hamilton’s life after baseball showed his commitment to his community and the game that defined his professional years. His work in construction and coaching really demonstrated his drive to give back beyond just playing.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Dave Hamilton put together a modest but respectable 39-41 record with a 3.85 ERA over nine seasons in Major League Baseball. He struck out 434 hitters, and those three World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics probably stand out most in his legacy.

Pitching Records

Hamilton’s stats tell the story of a solid journeyman pitcher who played a role on successful teams. He went 39-41 across 301 games from 1972 to 1980.

His 3.85 earned run average showed he could hold his own on the mound. Over nine seasons, Hamilton racked up 434 strikeouts.

He played for four teams: the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

His best years probably came with the White Sox from 1975 to 1977. Manager Chuck Tanner used him only as a reliever, and Hamilton picked up 25 saves in those three seasons.

He got his first major league save on June 25, 1975, against the Texas Rangers.

Hamilton’s pitching style leaned more on control than raw velocity. He started games and came out of the bullpen for Oakland, then moved to a full bullpen role in Chicago.

Awards and Honors

Hamilton’s biggest achievement came as part of the Oakland Athletics dynasty. He won three straight World Series championships from 1972 to 1974.

Those titles are the highlight of his career, no question. During the 1972 championship run, Hamilton had some memorable moments.

He faced Joe Morgan in Game 5 and got a double play. But Game 6 didn’t go his way—he allowed four runs in just two-thirds of an inning to the Cincinnati Reds.

The A’s championship teams of the early 1970s are still considered among baseball’s greatest dynasties. Hamilton contributed in both starting and relief roles during his first years with Oakland.

He never made an All-Star team or took home big individual awards, but those championship rings put him in some pretty elite company in baseball history.

Lasting Impact on Baseball

Hamilton stuck with baseball even after his playing days. In 1996, he started coaching at California High School in San Ramon, bringing his pro experience to the next generation.

He shared what he’d learned from the majors with young players. At the same time, he juggled a job as a project manager for a roofing contractor.

He bounced around different organizations, which really highlights how tough it can be for journeymen in the sport. Hamilton switched from starting to relieving, showing a lot of flexibility.

Those three World Series rings he won with Oakland? That’s still his biggest mark on baseball. Being part of a championship dynasty gave him stories and lessons that future players and coaches can learn from.