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

Dave Rader spent a solid decade as a Major League Baseball catcher, playing from 1971 to 1980 for five different teams. Born in Claremore, Oklahoma, on December 26, 1948, Rader made his mark as a skilled defensive player and famously caught Ed Halicki’s no-hitter in 1975.

Rader’s career really took off early when he won The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award in the National League in 1972, after stepping in for Dick Dietz as the San Francisco Giants’ starting catcher. The left-handed batter showed a lot of promise at the plate during his first few years, twice hitting over .290. But after leaving San Francisco, his offensive numbers just weren’t the same. He bounced around the majors, going from the Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and finally the Boston Red Sox.

Here, we’ll look at how Rader’s career unfolded, starting from his amateur days through his Giants years, his time with different teams, and his last season in 1980. We’ll check out his stats, his impact on the game, and how his defense and early offensive success shaped his time in the majors.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Dave Rader’s road to professional baseball started in small-town Oklahoma. Later, his family moved to California, where he became a standout two-sport athlete.

He switched from football to baseball, and eventually focused on catching, which set him up for his MLB career.

High School Athletics and Achievements

David Martin Rader was born on December 26, 1948, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Porter “Martin” Rader and Delvia Rader. He grew up with two older half-siblings and three full siblings.

In 1964, Rader’s father, a plumber, moved the family to Bakersfield, California, hoping for better job prospects. Bakersfield had a big community of Oklahomans back then.

Rader attended South High School in Bakersfield. He was a star in both football and baseball.

He earned all-city quarterback in 1966 and got All-Star honors in baseball that same year.

His senior year was just as impressive. In 1967, he won the Sam Lynn Trophy as the top senior athlete and took home the Harry Coffee Award in both 1966 and 1967 for football.

Despite his football success, Rader felt surprised when a baseball team drafted him instead.

Transition to Catcher Position

Rader’s move to catcher happened thanks to family. His older half-brother, Benny Griffith, had caught in the Cardinals’ organization and convinced him to try the “tools of ignorance” to get ahead in baseball.

Besides high school baseball, Rader got more experience playing for the Bakersfield Post No. 26 American Legion team. That team mostly had Bakersfield Junior College players and a few high schoolers.

Playing American Legion ball gave Rader tougher competition and let him face college-aged players. It really helped him sharpen his catching skills and get ready for pro baseball.

Scout Dick Wilson remembered watching Rader at South Bakersfield High School. “I knew right away he was a winner. He had that look; he feared nothing,” Wilson said.

MLB Draft and Signing

On June 6, 1967, the San Francisco Giants picked Rader in the first round of the MLB amateur draft. He went 18th overall, which made him a top prospect.

The Giants picked him after Johnny Jones (Senators) and Mike Nunn (Angels), who never made it to the majors. He was also selected after Ted Simmons (Cardinals), who ended up in the Hall of Fame.

Rader signed with the Giants on June 14, 1967, for a $40,000 bonus. He called it “a lot of money for an Okie,” showing his Oklahoma roots.

That signing bonus was a huge deal for Rader and marked the start of his pro baseball journey. It eventually led to his ten-year major league career.

San Francisco Giants Years

Dave Rader spent his first six major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants from 1971 to 1976. He became their main catcher after the Giants drafted him in the first round.

He earned National League Rookie of the Year honors from The Sporting News in 1972. He also made some memorable defensive plays, including catching Ed Halicki’s no-hitter in 1975.

Replacing Dick Dietz

The Giants took Rader with the 18th overall pick in 1967 and signed him for $40,000. After four years in the minors, he debuted in the majors on September 5, 1971, pinch-hitting against the Houston Astros.

Manager Charlie Fox named Rader the starting catcher for 1972. The young catcher from Oklahoma took over a position that had seen a lot of turnover since Dick Dietz left.

Rader stood at 5-foot-11 and weighed 165 pounds, which was pretty light for a catcher. Still, Fox called him a “bulwark of strength behind the plate” and liked how he handled low pitches.

Rookie of the Year Recognition

In 1972, Rader played 133 games and hit .259 with six home runs. His first big league homer came off Tom Seaver, which is no small feat.

The Sporting News picked Rader as their National League Rookie Player of the Year. In the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, he finished second, getting four votes to Jon Matlack’s 19.

That recognition showed the Giants made a good call with their first-round pick. Rader’s steady defense and solid offense made him a key part of the team’s future.

Defensive and Offensive Highlights

Rader’s 1973 season was his best defensively with the Giants. He played 148 games as the main catcher. On April 18, he pulled off a rare unassisted double play against Atlanta by catching a popup and tagging second.

One of his oddest offensive moments happened on May 27, 1973. He hit an inside-the-park home run at Candlestick Park, which was wild for a catcher who stole just eight bases in his whole career.

His batting average dropped to .229 that year, but he somehow owned Bob Gibson, hitting .484 in 31 at-bats against the Hall of Famer.

Notable Games and Records

The real highlight of Rader’s Giants career came on August 24, 1975, when he caught Ed Halicki’s no-hitter against the New York Mets. The Giants won 6-0 in the second game of a doubleheader.

During the no-hitter, Halicki felt some shoulder stiffness and told Rader to call the changeup whenever he wanted. Halicki later credited Rader’s game calling for the performance.

Rader chipped in two runs on one hit and a walk in that game. The Mets only got three baserunners—one on an error and two on walks. It was the first no-hitter Rader ever caught.

The Giants traded Rader to the St. Louis Cardinals on October 20, 1976, along with Mike Caldwell and John D’Acquisto.

Later MLB Career and Teams

After making his name with the Giants, Dave Rader spent his last four seasons moving between four teams. He went through the National League with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies, then finished up in the American League with the Boston Red Sox in 1980.

St. Louis Cardinals Period

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Dave Rader for the 1977 season when he was 28. That was a big change for him after six years with the Giants.

Rader played 66 games and had 129 plate appearances in 1977. He hit .263, picking up 30 hits in 114 at-bats.

The Cardinals mostly used him as a backup catcher. He chipped in 16 RBIs and scored 15 runs, still showing solid defense.

After just one season, the Cardinals let him go, and he had to look for a new team.

Chicago Cubs Contributions

Dave Rader landed with the Chicago Cubs for the 1978 season at age 29. It was another new start for him.

The Cubs gave Rader his most playing time since his Giants days. He appeared in 116 games and came to the plate 348 times.

But 1978 was rough at the plate. He hit just .203, his lowest ever in the majors. Even so, he managed 62 hits and drove in 36 runs.

His defense still mattered to the Cubs. Rader did a steady job catching and worked with the pitching staff all year.

After just one year, he moved on again, this time to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Rader for the 1979 season. Now 30, he found himself in a smaller role.

Rader played just 31 games and had 62 plate appearances, his lightest load since his rookie year.

He hit .204, with 11 hits in 54 at-bats. He added 5 RBIs and scored 3 runs.

The Phillies used him as a backup catcher. His experience gave the team some depth that season.

After the year ended, Philadelphia traded Rader to the Boston Red Sox in March 1980 for cash and a player to be named later.

Boston Red Sox and Final MLB Season

The Boston Red Sox brought in Dave Rader in March 1980. This was his first time in the American League and his final big league season. At 31, he backed up All-Star catcher Carlton Fisk.

Rader had his best season in years with Boston. He batted .328 and posted a .388 on-base percentage in 50 games and 152 plate appearances. He notched 45 hits, including 11 doubles and 3 home runs.

The Red Sox got a lot out of him in a supporting role. He drove in 17 runs and scored 14 times, all while providing veteran leadership.

That strong finish showed he still had plenty to offer, even late in his career. His .863 OPS was his best since his early years with the Giants.

Boston let Rader go in November 1980. He signed with the California Angels in February 1981, but they released him in April, which pretty much ended his pro career.

1980 Season in Focus

Dave Rader’s last season with the Boston Red Sox really stands out. Even as a backup catcher, he put up surprisingly good numbers and gave the team important depth.

1980 Batting and Fielding Performance

Rader’s batting stats in his final season were impressive. He hit .311 in 137 at-bats, one of his best years at the plate.

He picked up 45 hits that year. His power numbers included 11 doubles and 3 home runs.

Home vs. Road Performance:

• Home games: .310 average, 23 hits in 28 games
• Road games: .349 average, 22 hits in 22 games

He drove in 17 runs and scored 14 times. Rader also showed good plate discipline, walking 14 times and striking out only 12.

His major league stats for 1980 proved he still had skills, even at age 31. Those numbers were career highs in a few categories.

Key Games and Milestones

Rader started for Boston on Opening Day, a big moment for him as Carlton Fisk faced elbow injury concerns.

The Red Sox picked up Dave Rader from Philadelphia right before the season started. Boston needed more catching depth while Fisk recovered.

Rader chipped in with several multi-hit games. His steady play helped stabilize the Red Sox catching group at a pretty critical time.

That season turned out to be Rader’s last in pro baseball. He wrapped up a ten-year career that took him to five teams across both major leagues.

Role as Backup and Starter

Rader split his time between starting and backing up in 1980. He played in 50 games, starting 28 at home and 22 on the road.

He mainly filled in for the injured Fisk. Rader’s experience with different teams gave Boston’s pitching staff some much-needed veteran leadership.

He worked well with both starters and relievers. Pitchers trusted his game-calling and steady glove behind the plate.

Sometimes, Boston used Rader as a pinch-hitter. That flexibility made him even more valuable in his final season.

Statistical Analysis and Advanced Metrics

Dave Rader’s stats show a catcher who brought real defensive skill, though his offense went up and down over his career. If you look at advanced metrics, you see defensive contributions that box scores just don’t capture.

Wins Above Replacement (WAR)

WAR compares a player’s total value to a replacement-level guy. For catchers like Rader, WAR covers both offense and defense.

Rader’s WAR jumped around over the years. His best stretch came with San Francisco in the mid-1970s, where his defense behind the plate made up for lighter hitting.

Researchers like Sean Smith and Sports Reference developed and refined WAR, showing that Rader’s biggest strength was handling pitchers and shutting down the running game. His caught stealing numbers and pitch framing really boosted his WAR.

In 1980 with Boston, he posted one of his highest single-season WAR totals. That .328 average and a better on-base percentage gave his offense a late lift.

Total Zone Rating and Defensive Value

Total Zone Rating looks at how many runs a player saves or gives up compared to an average at his spot. Pete Palmer and later Sports Info Solutions developed this system, which is especially useful for catchers.

Rader usually put up positive defensive ratings. He threw out runners and blocked pitches in the dirt, which pitchers definitely appreciated.

Research by Gary Gillette and Hidden Game Sports shows catchers bring more defensive value than most stats reveal. Rader’s knack for managing pitchers and calling games mattered a lot, even if you can’t always see it in the numbers.

Even when his bat cooled off in the late 1970s, his defense stayed steady. That consistency kept him on rosters across multiple teams.

Win Expectancy and Leverage Index

Win Expectancy tracks how much a player’s actions change his team’s odds of winning. Tom Tango and InsideTheBook.com came up with these ideas to get a better handle on clutch moments.

Leverage Index tells you how important a game situation is. The higher the leverage, the more a single play can swing the outcome.

Rader’s clutch stats in high-leverage spots changed from year to year. In 1980, he came through with key hits in close games, which boosted Boston’s win expectancy.

Run expectancy charts from Retrosheet and Sports Reference LLC show how Rader’s situational hitting stacked up to the league. He moved runners along and usually avoided double plays when it counted.

Career Batting and Fielding Totals

Over ten seasons, Rader hit .257 with 30 homers and 235 RBI in 846 games. His OPS of .675 suggests he was solid, if not a standout, at the plate.

His top offensive year came in 1980 with Boston, when he hit .328 and posted an .862 OPS. Not bad for a guy wrapping up his career.

Fielding stats show he was steady behind the plate. His caught stealing rates and passed ball numbers held up well compared to other catchers of his era.

If you check out BaseballProjection.com and similar sites, you see Rader’s real value went beyond raw stats. His defense and game management skills gave his teams plenty of hidden value over the years.

Legacy, Recognition, and Post-Retirement

Dave Rader got noticed as a strong defensive catcher, even winning The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award in 1972. Collectors still go after his memorabilia, and old photos show his journey across five major league teams.

Reputation Among Catchers

Rader earned a reputation as a defensively skilled catcher during his decade in the big leagues. In 1973, he ranked third among National League catchers in fielding percentage, just behind Johnny Bench and Randy Hundley.

People especially respected his game-calling. Rader caught Ed Halicki’s no-hitter against the Mets on August 24, 1975, and Halicki credited Rader for his gutsy pitch selection.

Other players and scouts noticed his mental approach, too. Scout Dick Wilson once said Rader had “that look” and wasn’t afraid of anything, even in high school.

His bat never made him a star, but his .257 career average fit his journeyman role. He made his mark mostly by working hard behind the plate.

Collecting Dave Rader Memorabilia

Dave Rader memorabilia mostly draws in collectors of 1970s cards and Giants fans. His 1972 Topps rookie cards and others from that era are still pretty affordable.

Game-used bats and catching gear pop up at auctions now and then. Items from his Giants days usually fetch more than stuff from his later teams.

You can find autographed balls and photos fairly easily. Rader’s made himself available at card shows and signings over the years.

His Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award from 1972 stands out as his top collectible achievement. Anything tied to that honor, or his role in Halicki’s no-hitter, tends to be worth a bit more.

Team-issued photos and programs from his playing days offer budget-friendly ways to remember his career.

Historical Images and Media Profiles

Most historical photos show Rader in his Giants uniform. He spent six out of his ten major league seasons with the team.

You’ll usually spot him crouched in his catching stance or firing a throw down to second base. The action shots really capture the intensity he brought to the field.

Team yearbooks and media guides include player head shots that track his career over time. You can see him change from a fresh-faced rookie in 1971 to a seasoned veteran by the late ’70s.

Back in the 1970s, media profiles often praised his defensive skills and strong work ethic. Local San Francisco newspapers followed his journey as he stepped into the role of the Giants’ main catcher in the mid-1970s.

After he picked up his rookie award, The Sporting News put him in the national spotlight. They ran stories about his potential and what he meant to the Giants.

Television clips from games—especially the Halicki no-hitter—still show off his playing style. The Giants keep these videos in their historical archives, and you might catch them in documentaries about the team’s past.