Dennis Higgins – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dennis Higgins wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1972 after seven seasons as a reliable relief pitcher.

This right-handed pitcher from Jefferson City, Missouri, spent his final campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals. That marked the end of a journey that took him through four different organizations.

Higgins put together a 22-23 record with a 3.42 ERA and 46 saves across 241 appearances during his professional career from 1966 to 1972.

He really found his groove with the Washington Senators in 1968 and 1969, leading the team in saves and working under manager Ted Williams. Higgins also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, and Cardinals during his time in the majors.

Let’s take a look at Higgins’ career, from his long minor league climb to his breakthrough rookie season, his peak years in Washington, and what led him to retire at 33. His story feels like it reflects the lives of many relief pitchers during baseball’s changes in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Early Life and Background

Dennis Dean Higgins was born on August 4, 1939, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He spent his early years there before chasing a professional baseball dream.

He graduated from high school in Jefferson City. Soon after, he signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1958.

Birth and Hometown

Dennis Higgins arrived on a Friday in Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri. Born in 1939, he grew up during the Great Depression and World War II era.

Jefferson City shaped Higgins’ childhood and teenage years. The city’s small-town feel left a mark on his character.

He finished high school locally. Those years in Jefferson City gave him the foundation he’d need for baseball.

After graduation, Higgins stayed connected to his hometown. Later, when he passed away on November 3, 2023, at age 84, Jefferson City became his final resting place.

Amateur Baseball Experience

Honestly, there’s not much out there about Higgins’ amateur baseball days before he turned pro. What’s clear is that Major League scouts noticed his talent early.

In 1958, at just 19, Higgins signed his first pro contract with the Chicago White Sox. That move kicked off his journey through the minor leagues.

The White Sox really invested in him. Higgins spent eight full seasons working his way up in their farm system before making the majors in 1966.

He must’ve impressed them enough as an amateur to earn that long-term commitment. The White Sox saw something in his right arm, and eventually, it paid off at the big-league level.

Professional Career Overview

Dennis Higgins pitched in Major League Baseball for seven seasons from 1966 to 1972, mainly as a relief pitcher for four different teams.

He finished his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972, having put together a 22-23 record, 46 saves, and a 3.42 ERA in 241 games.

MLB Debut and First Seasons

Higgins made his MLB debut on April 12, 1966, for the Chicago White Sox at age 26. He’d spent eight full years grinding in the White Sox farm system after signing in 1958.

His rookie year looked promising. He appeared in 42 games and posted a sharp 2.52 ERA, picking up one win and five saves, mostly in relief.

On August 31, 1966, Higgins made his first career start against the Detroit Tigers at Comiskey Park. He held Detroit scoreless for four innings, but then gave up three solo homers in the fifth.

The next season didn’t go as well. In 1967, Higgins pitched in only nine games during April and May, posted a rough 5.84 ERA, and got sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The White Sox traded him to the Washington Senators in February 1968 as part of a six-player deal. That trade kicked off his most successful years in the majors.

Retirement in 1972

Higgins found his best seasons with Washington from 1968-1969 under Ted Williams. In 1968, he pitched in a career-high 59 games and 99⅔ innings, notching 4 wins and 13 saves with a 3.25 ERA.

His 1969 season was even better. Higgins set personal highs with 10 wins and 16 saves over 55 games, leading the Senators in saves both years.

After a December 1969 trade sent him to Cleveland, Higgins led the Indians in games pitched (58) and saves (11) in 1970. But his ERA climbed to 3.99, showing some decline.

In 1971, Higgins didn’t make Cleveland’s roster. He spent time in Triple-A, bounced briefly to the Oakland Athletics’ system, and then landed with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A team in Tulsa.

The Cardinals brought him up for three games in September 1971. He returned for 15 appearances in 1972, with his final MLB game coming on August 26, 1972, against the San Diego Padres.

Teams Played For

Dennis Higgins pitched for four major league teams during his seven-year career from 1966 to 1972.

He started with the Chicago White Sox, found his best form with the Washington Senators, and wrapped up his career with Cleveland and St. Louis.

Chicago White Sox

Higgins kicked off his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox in 1966 after eight years in their minor league system. He signed with them in 1958 and worked his way up.

In his rookie season, Higgins pitched in 42 games as a reliever. He recorded a solid 2.52 ERA and five saves. The right-hander also made one of his only two career starts on August 31, 1966, against Detroit.

During that start, he kept Detroit off the board for four innings but then gave up three solo homers in the fifth. The White Sox ended up winning the game 7-6 in extras.

His second season in 1967 was rough. Higgins appeared in just nine games in April and May, posting a 5.84 ERA. The White Sox sent him down to Triple-A Indianapolis, and after only six games there, they traded him.

Washington Senators

Higgins joined the Washington Senators in February 1968 through a six-player trade. His time in Washington, from 1968 to 1969, marked the peak of his MLB career.

The 1968 season was his statistical high point. Higgins pitched in a career-high 59 games, threw 99⅔ innings, won four games, saved 13, and posted a 3.25 ERA, leading the Senators in saves.

In 1969, under rookie manager Ted Williams, he appeared in 55 games and set personal bests with ten wins and 16 saves. Higgins became a key part of the Senators’ bullpen.

His strong run with Washington made him a reliable relief pitcher. Still, the Senators traded him to Cleveland on December 5, 1969, closing out his most productive stretch.

Cleveland Indians

Higgins spent 1970 with the Cleveland Indians after another multi-player trade. He led the team in games pitched (58) and saves (11) that season.

Despite the heavy workload, Higgins struggled a bit. His ERA rose to 3.99, a sign he wasn’t quite the same as in Washington. The higher ERA made the Indians’ management question his future.

In 1971, Higgins didn’t make Cleveland’s big-league roster. They sent him to Triple-A Wichita instead. This move pretty much signaled a turning point in his career.

In a whirlwind five-day stretch in July 1971, Higgins moved from Cleveland’s system to the Oakland Athletics, and then to the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A team in Tulsa.

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals offered Higgins his last shot in the majors in 1971 and 1972. He joined their Triple-A Tulsa team in July 1971 after coming over from Oakland’s system.

At the end of the 1971 American Association season, the Cardinals called him up for three September games. That short stint showed they wanted to see what he had left.

The Cardinals brought Higgins back for 15 appearances in 1972. His final MLB game came on August 26, 1972, against the San Diego Padres. He pitched one inning, allowed one hit, and picked up a save.

The 1972 season closed the book on Higgins’ organized baseball career. He finished with the Cardinals, ending a seven-year run in the majors.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Dennis Higgins put together a solid seven-year career as a reliever, with a 3.42 ERA and 46 saves. His best individual season was probably 1966 with the White Sox, where he posted a 2.52 ERA in 42 games.

Pitching Performance

Higgins appeared in 241 MLB games between 1966 and 1972. He ended up with a 22-23 record and held a respectable 3.42 ERA across four teams.

His most productive season was 1966 with Chicago. That year, he put up a 2.52 ERA in 42 games and saved 5. He threw 93 innings, allowed just 66 hits, and struck out 86 batters.

1969 stood out for saves with Washington. Higgins racked up 16 saves, helping anchor the Senators’ bullpen, and won 10 games—the most he’d ever win in a season.

He allowed 33 home runs over his entire career. His home run rate came in at 0.7 per nine innings, which helped him stay effective as a relief guy for several years.

Strikeouts and Records

Higgins finished with 339 strikeouts in his seven-year career. That averages to 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings, which was solid for a reliever in that era.

His best strikeout season came in 1966, when he punched out 86 batters in 93 innings. That’s 8.3 K/9, his career high. He also struck out 82 batters in 1970 with Cleveland.

The right-hander’s 46 career saves put him among the reliable closers of his time. He notched 29 saves with Washington over two seasons from 1968-1969. Those numbers helped cement his reputation as a dependable late-inning arm for several teams.

1972 Season Analysis

Dennis Higgins wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1972 with the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching in 15 games as a relief pitcher.

His final season saw him post a 4.02 ERA over 22.2 innings, bringing an end to his seven-year run in the big leagues.

Final Year Performance

Higgins finished the year with a 4.02 ERA for the Cardinals. He pitched 22.2 innings in 15 games, gave up 19 hits, and allowed 10 earned runs.

The right-handed reliever struck out 11 batters but walked 22, showing less control than in his earlier seasons. His numbers split pretty noticeably between home and away games in 1972.

At home, Higgins pitched in 4 games with a 3.86 ERA over 7 innings. He allowed 6 hits, 3 earned runs, and walked 9 batters in those games.

On the road, he appeared in 11 games, posting a 4.14 ERA across 15.2 innings. He gave up 13 hits, 7 earned runs, and issued 13 walks away from home.

Game Appearances and Role

Higgins took the mound as a relief pitcher in all 15 of his appearances in 1972. He never started a game that season, sticking to his usual role as a bullpen contributor.

His longest stint came on August 22, 1972, when he pitched 2.2 innings against California. He managed 5 strikeouts and 3 walks that day, and didn’t give up an earned run.

The Cardinals kept sending Higgins out regularly from May through August. He made his last MLB appearance on August 26, 1972, against San Diego, pitching 1 inning and picking up a save.

In that final game, he allowed 1 hit and 1 earned run, struck out 1, and walked 2. That save would be his last recorded stat in Major League Baseball.

Off-Field Life and Legacy

After he wrapped up his baseball career in 1972, Dennis Higgins headed back to his hometown of Jefferson City, Missouri. There, he built up a business career and stayed involved with the community.

His years after baseball included some entrepreneurial ventures, and people in town still remember what he did on the field.

Post-Retirement Activities

Dennis Higgins moved from professional baseball into running his own business in Jefferson City. He got into the sporting goods industry after he declined a trade to the San Diego Padres in 1972.

The retirement decision happened when Cardinals general manager Bing Devine called him about the trade. “I was home on an off day when Devine called to tell me I had been traded to San Diego,” Higgins said. “I wasn’t going, and that was the end of my career.”

Running the sporting goods shop kept him close to sports and let him serve his local community. He never left Jefferson City, the Missouri state capital where he’d grown up.

Higgins married Ruth Ann Schnieders on April 13, 1966, just a day after his big league debut. Their wedding was in Jefferson City, so Higgins had to fly straight from Chicago right after his first game with the White Sox.

Recognition and Impact

Dennis Higgins spent seven seasons carving out a reputation as a reliable relief pitcher. He took the mound in 241 games, finishing with a 22-23 record, 46 saves, and a 3.42 ERA.

His time with the Washington Senators under manager Ted Williams probably marked the high point of his career. Williams once said, “I wish we had more like him” after watching Higgins deliver a strong outing in Boston.

Higgins led the Senators in saves in both 1968 and 1969, then did the same for the Cleveland Indians in 1970. He really showed his value as a closer, always stepping up when his teams needed him.

Growing up in Jefferson City, Higgins dreamed of the big leagues. He used to go to games with his dad, Omar Higgins, who worked as a police captain, and cheered for the Cardinals.