Denny Lemaster – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Denver Clayton “Denny” Lemaster put together a solid 11-season run in Major League Baseball before he called it quits in 1972. The lefty from Corona, California, stuck to the National League his whole career, pitching for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, and Montreal Expos.

Lemaster wrapped up his MLB days with a 90-105 record and a 3.58 ERA in 357 games. He snagged National League All-Star honors in 1967, his final year with the Braves. His climb from a high school kid who tossed seven no-hitters at Oxnard High to a big league starter says a lot about the grit it took to make it in baseball back in the ’60s and early ’70s.

If you want to get into Lemaster’s career, you’ll see a path that moves from amateur ball through the minors, some memorable outings—including two one-hitters—and a few trades that sent him all over the league. He faced some tough personal losses early on and later found a second act in the homebuilding world. Lemaster’s story really captures both the grind and the reward of a life in pro baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Denver Clayton Lemaster was born on February 25, 1939, in Corona, California, to Cyrus and Mildred Lee Wininger Lemaster. The family struggled with money and moved around a lot, but eventually landed in Oxnard, where Denny started turning heads as one of California’s most promising young pitchers at Oxnard High.

Family Background and Personal Challenges

Denny was the oldest of two kids in a family that always seemed to be chasing financial stability. His dad, Cyrus, who grew up in Missouri, moved the family back there for a while to try running the family farm.

That farming idea didn’t pan out. When Denny was about 8, everyone moved back to California and settled in Oxnard, just northwest of LA.

As a kid in Oxnard, Denny built his pitching aim in a pretty unusual way. He’d spend hours throwing rocks at fence posts, which helped him develop the pinpoint control that would later become his trademark.

This hands-on practice really mattered. The accuracy he picked up from hitting those fence posts carried right over to the mound when he started pitching for real.

Oxnard High School Achievements

At Oxnard High, Lemaster quickly became one of California’s top prep pitchers. He racked up several no-hitters and put up strikeout numbers that made scouts take notice.

His dominance in high school didn’t go unnoticed. Major league teams from all over the country sent scouts to check him out. Oxnard High had a good reputation for baseball—guys like Ken McMullen and Paul McAnulty made it to the majors from there too.

Lemaster’s senior year ended with a bang. Right after graduation, he came home to find 15 major league scouts waiting at his house. Oddly, every team except the local Dodgers sent someone to try to sign him.

The Milwaukee Braves ended up winning the race. Scout Johnny Moore, who also signed Eddie Mathews, Del Crandall, and Lee Maye, got Lemaster to sign for a reported $70,000 bonus.

Camarillo Blue Sox and Summer Baseball Teams

There’s not much info out there about Lemaster playing for the Camarillo Blue Sox or other summer teams, but it seems like he jumped straight from high school to the pros.

The big bonus from the Braves shows his high school stats alone were enough to get him signed. That was pretty standard for top prospects back in the late ’50s.

He left Oxnard High and started his pro journey with the Eau Claire Braves in 1958. At 19, he traveled over 2,000 miles to Wisconsin for his first assignment in the Class C Northern League.

Minor League Career and Path to the Majors

Denny Lemaster signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1958, pocketing a $70,000 bonus after scouts from 14 of 15 major league teams came calling. Over five years in the minors, he bounced through four leagues and grew from a raw, wild thrower into a pitcher ready for the big leagues.

Signing with the Milwaukee Braves

In 1958, Lemaster was one of 17 California kids to sign with major league teams in just five weeks. He’d already built a name for himself with his no-hitters and strikeouts.

Johnny Moore, the Braves scout who signed some pretty big names, made sure Lemaster ended up in Milwaukee. The signing happened right after Lemaster’s high school graduation, with 15 scouts crowding his house.

That $70,000 bonus was a big deal back then. Lemaster always spoke highly of Moore, calling him “a true gentleman’s gentleman.” The Dodgers were the only team that didn’t show up at his place.

Northern League and Early Development

Lemaster started his pro career with the Eau Claire Braves in the Class C Northern League in 1958. He joined midway through the year but made an instant impact.

Eau Claire had a good offense but struggled on the mound, finishing with a 4.31 team ERA. Lemaster’s 2.82 ERA, even in limited innings, stood out.

He impressed enough to get invited to Milwaukee’s 1959 spring training. The Braves needed new arms, with their rotation led by an aging Warren Spahn.

Louisville Colonels and Triple-A Success

After stints in Jacksonville and Austin, Lemaster made it to Triple-A with the Vancouver Mounties in the Pacific Coast League in 1961. Under manager Billy Hitchcock, he struggled at first—just a 2-6 record and 5.09 ERA.

The Braves then sent him to the Louisville Colonels in the American Association, and that’s where things really clicked. He won his last eight decisions there, with a 1.08 ERA.

A new delivery made the difference. “I opened up with my right leg,” he said. “That gave me more follow-through and now I don’t get tired as fast, either.”

He tied a league record by striking out seven batters in a row. His control improved too—just 41 walks in 124 innings, a big change from his earlier days.

Transition to Major League Baseball

The Milwaukee Braves called up Lemaster on July 12, 1962, after he dominated in Triple-A. He made his major league debut three days later against the Cincinnati Reds, on July 15, 1962.

He didn’t get the win, but his debut was impressive. Lemaster threw a complete game, allowing only six hits and two earned runs. Manager Birdie Tebbetts said, “If he keeps pitching like that, he’s going to win a lot of games for this club.”

People in Milwaukee started calling him Warren Spahn’s heir apparent. Lemaster finished his rookie year 3-4 over 17 games, 11 of them as a starter.

Major League Career Overview

Denny Lemaster put up a 90-105 record in 357 games over his 11 MLB seasons from 1962 to 1972. He made the National League All-Star team in 1967 and earned a reputation as a steady lefty starter for three different teams.

Milwaukee Braves and Atlanta Braves Era

Lemaster debuted on July 15, 1962, with the Milwaukee Braves at 23. He pitched a complete game against the Reds in his first start, giving up just six hits and two earned runs.

He quickly locked down a spot in the rotation. In 1963, he went 11-14 with a 3.04 ERA and set a team record with 190 strikeouts. That season, he was recognized as the Braves’ top young pitcher.

His best year was 1964, when he finished 17-11 with a bit more help from the offense. In 1965, shoulder tendinitis landed him on the disabled list, and he ended up 7-13 with a 4.43 ERA.

Lemaster bounced back in 1966 and 1967. One of his highlights came on August 9, 1966, when he took a no-hitter into the eighth against Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers before Atlanta won 2-1. He started strong in 1967, making the All-Star team, but a rib injury kept him from pitching in the game.

Tenure with Houston Astros

The Atlanta Braves traded Lemaster and Denis Menke to the Houston Astros for Chuck Harrison and Sonny Jackson on October 8, 1967. Moving to Houston brought new headaches, mostly because the Astros couldn’t hit.

During the 1968 “Year of the Pitcher,” Lemaster ran into brutal luck with run support. In 15 starts he lost, his ERA was a stellar 1.96. Even with that, he finished just 10-15, but with a career-best 2.81 ERA.

Houston’s lack of offense really defined his time there. Lemaster added a screwball to his mix and threw a three-hit shutout against the reigning World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Still, the Astros’ bats just didn’t back him up.

The Astros thought about trading him for a hitter, and rumors had him going to the new Montreal Expos. That didn’t happen right away, so Lemaster stayed in Houston through 1969.

Final Season with Montreal Expos and Retirement

Lemaster eventually landed with the Montreal Expos, a brand-new team, for his last big league season in 1972. He took on more of a mentor role with the young club.

His final MLB outing came on June 21, 1972, against the Reds when he was 33. He pitched 1.1 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run, and that was it for his pro career.

Joining Montreal felt a bit like coming full circle, since people had talked about him going there during his Houston stint. Lemaster’s experience helped the Expos as they tried to build a solid pitching staff.

After baseball, he spent 32 years working in homebuilding. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a possible successor to Warren Spahn and got respect from Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, and Joe Morgan.

Career Highlights and Notable Performances

Denny Lemaster’s 11 years in the majors had their fair share of memorable moments. His 1967 National League All-Star nod stands out, and he was a steady presence in the starting rotation through much of the ’60s.

No-Hitters and Near-Perfect Games

Lemaster never threw a no-hitter in the majors, but that wasn’t so unusual in his era. He shared the rotation with Hall of Famers Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette in Milwaukee early on.

He faced some legendary hitters, including showdowns with Sandy Koufax and other National League stars. While he didn’t get a perfect game or a no-hitter, Lemaster did toss plenty of complete games.

His best stretches came in the mid-1960s, when he often pitched deep into games. Lemaster chalked up multiple shutouts and could really dominate when he was on.

All-Star Selection and Accolades

Lemaster earned his only National League All-Star selection in 1967 as a member of the Atlanta Braves. That season was one of his best as a starting pitcher.

Key Career Achievements:

• 1967 NL All-Star selection
• 90 career wins and 105 losses
• Five seasons with 200+ innings pitched (1963, 1964, 1967-1969)
• 15-win season in 1964

His All-Star year in 1967 marked the high point of his career. Lemaster stayed a fixture in Atlanta’s rotation during those years.

Famous Games and Historic Matchups

Lemaster went head-to-head with some of baseball’s biggest stars, like Eddie Mathews and Vada Pinson. Playing for Milwaukee and Atlanta, he found himself in plenty of tense National League matchups.

He pitched for manager Billy Hitchcock during his Atlanta years. Lemaster made his last MLB appearance on June 21, 1972, while pitching for the Montreal Expos.

Fans remember his best performances against tough National League opponents. Lemaster kept his spot in the starting rotation and became a valuable piece for his teams throughout the 1960s.

He experienced the Braves’ move from Milwaukee to Atlanta, giving him a front-row seat to some big franchise changes.

Trades, Transactions, and Team Contributions

Denny Lemaster bounced between several teams, and those moves shaped his path in the majors. He built important relationships with teammates—catcher Joe Torre, especially, played a key role in his growth as a pitcher.

Notable Trades and Player Exchanges

The biggest move of Lemaster’s career happened when he left the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves for the Houston Astros. He spent most of his years with the Braves franchise during their city switch.

He finished his career with the Montreal Expos, and that trade ended his days on the mound in 1972.

The Braves signed him with a $90,000 bonus paid over five years, showing just how much they believed in the lefty from California.

While with these teams, Lemaster saw plenty of typical roster shuffling. Teams kept searching for the right mix of talent and chemistry.

Key Teammates and Influences

Joe Torre caught Lemaster for both the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves. Torre often praised Lemaster’s “great fastball of about 93-miles per hour” and “super curveball.”

Torre said Lemaster “wasn’t afraid to pitch inside.” That meant a lot, coming from someone who caught him so often and really knew his style.

He also commented on Lemaster’s talent, saying, “He had better ability than that,” when people brought up Lemaster’s 90-105 career record.

Lemaster worked with other notable players too, like Denis Menke, Sonny Jackson, Chuck Harrison, and Ken McMullen. These teammates influenced his understanding of the game and helped him grow as a pro pitcher.

Career Statistics and Pitching Style

Denny Lemaster finished his career with 90 wins and 105 losses, posting a 3.58 ERA over 11 major league seasons. He struck out 1,305 batters in 1,787.2 innings, showing he could handle a heavy workload as a left-handed starter in the National League.

Win–Loss Record and ERA

Lemaster wrapped up with a 90-105 record—a .462 winning percentage in 357 games. His career ERA sat at 3.58, just under league average, and his ERA+ landed at 96.

His best year came in 1964 when he went 17-11 for the Milwaukee Braves. That season was the only time he won more than 13 games. He also notched 11 wins in both 1963 and 1966.

In 1968 with Houston, Lemaster posted his lowest ERA at 2.81. That was the famous “Year of the Pitcher,” when offense dipped across the league.

Lemaster struggled to stay consistent. He had losing records in seven of his 11 seasons. His roughest year was 1972 with Montreal, where he went 2-0 but posted a 7.78 ERA in just a few innings.

Strikeouts, Walks, and Advanced Metrics

Lemaster struck out 1,305 hitters and walked 600 during his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.18 showed decent control for his era.

His top strikeout season came in 1963, fanning 190 batters over 237 innings. On average, he struck out 6.6 per nine innings.

His career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) reached 19.0. Lemaster’s best years by WAR came in 1968 and 1969 with Houston, at 4.5 and 4.9.

He carried a career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.288. Lemaster allowed 8.6 hits per nine innings, which points to pretty solid contact management.

Innings Pitched, Complete Games, and Shutouts

Over 11 seasons, Lemaster pitched 1,787.2 innings. He started 249 games out of 357 appearances, completed 66 games, and threw 14 shutouts.

In 1969, he logged his heaviest workload—244.2 innings for Houston. That year, he started 37 games and finished 11.

He managed to throw at least 200 innings in four different years. His 11 complete games in 1969 matched his 1963 total with Milwaukee.

Lemaster pitched multiple shutouts in three seasons. He had three shutouts in both 1964 and 1966, proving he could dominate when he was on.

Performance in the National League

Lemaster spent his entire career in the National League, suiting up for Milwaukee/Atlanta, Houston, and Montreal. He made his only All-Star team in 1967 with the Braves.

He found his best stretch with Milwaukee/Atlanta, going 58-59 over six seasons. Lemaster struck out 842 batters in 1,077.1 innings for the franchise.

With Houston, he went 30-46 and posted his best team ERA at 3.40. Those four years with the Astros gave him an 11.1 WAR, his highest with any club.

Later in his career, Lemaster picked up eight saves, mostly when teams used him out of the bullpen. His last season with Montreal lasted just 19.2 innings before he hung up his cleats.

Legacy, Post-Baseball Life, and Personal Reflections

After retiring from baseball, Denver Clayton Lemaster started a construction business in Georgia and spent more than three decades building homes around Atlanta. People remember him as a skilled pitcher who battled through plenty of challenges, not just for his stats.

Life After MLB and Interests

When Montreal released him in July 1972, Lemaster decided to settle in Atlanta, the city where he played during the Braves’ move. He jumped into the construction industry and carved out a solid career as a homebuilder.

For 32 years, Lemaster worked in residential construction across the Atlanta area. That second career gave him stability and a new sense of purpose after leaving baseball at 33.

Switching from baseball to construction really showed his work ethic and ability to adapt. Lemaster tackled his new job with the same focus he brought to the mound.

In a 2011 interview, he talked about his early baseball days at Oxnard High School in California. He credited his pitching accuracy to a quirky training method from childhood.

“I got so good at throwing rocks, I could knock a bird out of a tree whenever I wanted to,” Lemaster told Life in the Dew. That skill translated directly to his knack for locating pitches as a pro.

Impact on Teammates and Baseball

Lemaster earned respect from some of the game’s legends during his 11-year career. Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, and Willie McCovey all predicted early on that he’d become a perennial 20-game winner.

Reporters called him “the next Warren Spahn” and later “the heir apparent to Sandy Koufax.” Those comparisons show just how high people set the bar for him.

In 1963, he set a Braves record with 190 strikeouts and only 85 walks. That year really highlighted his control and ability to miss bats.

His pitching duel with Sandy Koufax on June 26, 1966, stands out as a career highlight. Lemaster matched the Hall of Famer for over eight innings before leaving the game.

Even though his career record was 90-105, Lemaster’s 3.58 ERA and 19.0 rWAR show he delivered quality pitching, even if his teams didn’t always back him up with runs.

Honors and Remembrances

Lemaster made his only All-Star team in 1967, which ended up being his last season with the Atlanta Braves. That year, he threw 215 innings with a 3.34 ERA, and people really noticed how steady he was on the mound.

In 1968, the Houston Astros gave him their Pitcher of the Year award. He logged 224 innings for a struggling team, putting up a 2.81 ERA and a 2.74 FIP.

He also holds a unique place in team history. Lemaster became the first Brave to win a game in Atlanta during an exhibition series before the team officially moved there in 1966.

After he passed away on July 24, 2024, at 85 in Monroe, Georgia, baseball writers and fans took time to remember what he brought to the game. Many obituaries focused on his grit, especially how he battled through injuries and still managed to pitch well even when his team didn’t give him much run support.

The 1958 signing class—which included Lemaster, Phil Niekro, Tony Cloninger, and Tommie Aaron—went down as one of the Braves’ most successful draft groups. They really set the foundation for the franchise during those years of change.