Dick Donovan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

When Dick Donovan retired from Major League Baseball in 1965, he closed out a wild 15-year run that took him from a shaky rookie to one of the most dependable pitchers of his generation. He racked up an impressive 122-99 record with a 3.67 ERA, pitching for six different teams, but most fans remember his days with the Chicago White Sox and the Washington Senators. Born in Boston on December 7, 1927, Donovan’s path through pro baseball definitely wasn’t straightforward.

He started out with the Boston Braves and honestly struggled at first, but eventually became an All-Star who led the league in ERA with Washington. Donovan’s story is packed with dramatic trades, a shot at the World Series with the 1959 White Sox, and, later in his career, a nasty slider that kept hitters guessing. Growing up in Massachusetts, Donovan brought a unique pitching style and a competitive edge that made every team want him on their roster.

Let’s take a look at Donovan’s early struggles in the Braves system, his breakout with Chicago, and the standout years in Washington that earned him respect across the league. His time with the Cleveland Indians and the way his career wrapped up give you a sense of how things went for players back then, especially for someone who squeezed every bit out of his talent through grit and adaptability.

Early Life and Background

Richard Edward Donovan was born into a big Irish-American family in Boston on December 7, 1927. He sharpened his baseball skills in high school, then served in the Navy during World War II.

After the war, he started working his way through the minors, bouncing around until he finally got his first major league shot with the Boston Braves in 1950.

Birth and Family

Richard Edward Donovan arrived on December 7, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of five kids born to Jeremiah and Gertrude Donovan.

The family’s Irish roots ran deep, and they lived in Boston during Dick’s early years. His dad, Jeremiah, was known for his sharp sense of humor, which definitely rubbed off on Dick.

Growing up in a big family in Boston, Dick soaked up New England’s baseball culture. The city’s sports scene stoked his passion for the game from the start.

His family always backed his athletic dreams, but they kept their feet on the ground about his future in baseball. That realism would matter later when he hit rough patches in the minors.

Early Baseball Career

At North Quincy High School, Donovan started out as a shortstop, but switched to pitcher his senior year. Funny enough, Ken Coleman, who’d later work with him in broadcasting, was his teammate back then—Ken pitched while Dick played shortstop.

Scout Jeff Jones from the Boston Braves signed Donovan as an amateur free agent. Jones called him “the fire-ballingest pitcher” he’d seen in high school since Bob Feller.

Before he got serious about pro baseball, Donovan spent three years in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1947. The Navy interrupted his baseball growth, but he came out of it older and a lot more disciplined.

Donovan also played for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) during high school. There’s a story about him biking to an American Legion All-Star game, then leaving when he didn’t get the start he was promised.

Path to the Major Leagues

After leaving the Navy in 1947, Donovan kicked off his pro career in the Boston Braves’ minor league system. His first stop was Fort Lauderdale in the Florida International League.

He kept working up the ladder, playing for:

• Evansville (Three-I League) in 1948
• Hartford (Eastern League) in 1949
• A short stint in Milwaukee (American Association) in 1949

At Hartford, he put up a sharp 12-6 record with a 2.66 ERA. That got the Braves’ attention and earned him a shot at the majors.

The Braves brought Donovan to spring training in 1950. His strong minor league numbers, especially in Hartford, gave him a real chance to make the roster.

His journey from high school shortstop to big league pitcher took time. The Navy and the minors forced him to grow up, both on and off the field.

Major League Career Overview

Dick Donovan pitched in the majors for 15 seasons, from 1950 to 1965. He finished with a 122-99 record and a 3.67 ERA, playing for five different teams.

He had a rough start with the Boston Braves, but found his groove with the Chicago White Sox. He even led the majors in ERA and made the All-Star team a few times.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

Richard Edward Donovan debuted in the big leagues on April 24, 1950, facing the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22. The Boston Braves lost 6-4, and manager Billy Southworth pulled Donovan in the seventh.

Those first years weren’t easy. From 1950 to 1952, Donovan started just seven games for Boston and went 0-4. He mostly pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers, the Braves’ top minor league team.

The Detroit Tigers picked him up after the 1953 season, but he only pitched in one game for Detroit in 1954 before heading back to the minors. He just couldn’t find his rhythm in the majors yet.

While in Atlanta, pitching coach Whitlow Wyatt worked with him. Wyatt taught him the slider, which turned out to be a game-changer alongside his fastball and curve.

Key Career Milestones

The Chicago White Sox bought Donovan’s contract after 1954, and that’s when things really turned around. Manager Marty Marion put him in the rotation for 1955, and Donovan responded with a 15-9 record and a 3.32 ERA.

Some of his standout moments:

• 1955: First All-Star nod
• 1957: Best year, going 16-6 with a 2.77 ERA
• 1959: Played in the World Series with Chicago
• 1961: Led the majors with a 2.40 ERA for Washington

His best stretch came with the White Sox from 1955 to 1960, where he averaged 14 wins a year. In 1959, he helped the “Go-Go Sox” win the American League pennant and pitch in the World Series.

After Chicago left him unprotected in the expansion draft, the Washington Senators picked him up for $75,000. Even though the team was terrible, Donovan put up his best season in 1961, leading the majors with a 2.40 ERA.

Final Season and Retirement

The Cleveland Indians traded for Donovan after his huge 1961 season. He came out hot, winning his first eight starts in 1962 and tossing back-to-back shutouts against Boston.

He kept pitching well for Cleveland from 1962 through 1965, showing the same consistency and reliability that defined his career.

Donovan’s last big league game came on June 12, 1965, against Kansas City. At 37, he pitched two innings, gave up five hits, and struck out two. That was it—he retired after the 1965 season, capping a 15-year run.

After baseball, Donovan didn’t sit still. He jumped into finance, working as a stockbroker with Eastman & Dillon in Boston, then moved up to executive vice president at Bache & Co.

Teams Played For

During his 15-year career, Dick Donovan pitched for five major league teams from 1950 to 1965. He really hit his stride with the Chicago White Sox, becoming an All-Star, and then notched 20 wins in 1962 with the Cleveland Indians.

Boston Braves Years

Donovan got his start in the majors with his hometown Boston Braves in 1950. Braves scout Jeff Jones signed him after he graduated from North Quincy High School.

Those first few years were rocky, with a lot of shuttling between the majors and minors. He debuted on April 24, 1950, against the Brooklyn Dodgers but had trouble with his control.

Key stats with Boston Braves (1950-1952):

• Record: 0-4
• ERA: 6.33
• Games: 18

Donovan spent most of 1950, 1951, and 1952 with the AAA Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves used him off and on, but his control was shaky—he walked 34 batters in just under 30 innings in his rookie year.

When the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953, Donovan didn’t make the team out of spring training. He actually asked for a trade, convinced he could make it in the majors if given the chance.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

The Detroit Tigers picked up Donovan’s contract after 1953. His time in Detroit was short and didn’t go well.

He made the Tigers’ roster out of spring training in 1954, but only pitched in two games before Detroit sent him back to the Braves on May 13.

Detroit Tigers stats (1954):

• Record: 0-0
• Games: 2
• Time with team: Less than two months

Getting sent back turned out to be a blessing. Donovan landed with the Atlanta Crackers, where manager Whitlow Wyatt taught him the slider—something that would really pay off later.

Chicago White Sox Highlights

The Chicago White Sox bought Donovan’s contract after he pitched well in Atlanta in 1954. That move kicked off the best years of his career.

Donovan started 1955 as a reliever but quickly moved into the starting rotation. He grabbed his first big league win on April 29 with a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox.

Major achievements with Chicago (1955-1960):

• All-Star: 1955
• Best year: 1957 (16-6, .727 winning percentage)
• World Series: 1959

In 1955, he established himself as a rock-solid starter. He finished 15-9 with a 3.32 ERA and five shutouts. By the All-Star break, he had a 10-2 record and earned his first All-Star pick.

His top year was 1957, going 16-6 and leading the American League in winning percentage. He threw a couple of one-hit shutouts too, including games against Cleveland and Boston.

The White Sox won the 1959 AL pennant, and Donovan played a big part. In the World Series against the Dodgers, he lost Game 3 but came back to earn a save in Game 5.

Washington Senators And Cleveland Indians Era

Donovan reached his peak years with the Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians. He posted his lowest ERA and managed his only 20-win season, showing just how good he could be.

Standout Performances With The Senators

The Washington Senators picked up Donovan in the 1960 expansion draft for $75,000. He wasted no time making an impact in 1961.

Even though the Senators finished dead last, Donovan shined. He put up a 10-10 record but led all of baseball with a 2.40 ERA.

He made both All-Star teams in 1961 and threw two shutout innings in the first game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Donovan allowed just 138 hits in 169 innings. That’s a tough ratio for hitters to beat.

Manager Mickey Vernon summed it up: “Donovan is a real professional. He knows how to pitch and gives you an all-out effort.”

The Senators finished 47½ games out of first place, so Donovan’s numbers look even more impressive considering how rough the team was.

Achievements With The Indians

Cleveland traded for Donovan after the 1961 season, sending Jimmy Piersall and others to Washington. Donovan hit the ground running in 1962.

He opened the season with a 4-0 shutout win over Boston, scattering five hits. Then, a week later, he blanked the Red Sox again, 5-0. That gave him 19 straight scoreless innings to start the year.

Donovan kept rolling, starting the season 8-0. The trade looked like a steal for Cleveland.

He finished 1962 with a 20-10 record over 34 games—the only 20-win season of his career.

Donovan stayed with the Indians through 1965, wrapping up his big league days. His last appearance came in June 1965, closing out a solid four-year run in Cleveland.

Pitching Accomplishments and Style

Dick Donovan built his career on a devastating slider that worked beautifully with his fastball and curveball. He became one of the most consistent pitchers of his era.

His durability and command brought him plenty of complete games and shutouts. In 1961, he led Major League Baseball with a 2.40 ERA.

Signature Pitching Techniques

Donovan went from a struggling pitcher to a major league success after he mastered the slider. Pitching coach Whitlow Wyatt in Atlanta taught him this crucial pitch when Donovan played for the Atlanta Crackers in 1953 and 1954.

“That was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Donovan said about working with Wyatt. “It brought me under the wing of Wyatt. If I make the grade this time, I’ll owe it all to Wyatt.”

The slider became Donovan’s signature pitch and paired perfectly with his tremendous curveball and fastball. This three-pitch mix made him effective against both lefties and righties.

Donovan stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 190 pounds. He threw right-handed but batted left-handed.

His pitching style focused on control and movement, not just raw speed.

Complete Games and Shutouts

Donovan showed remarkable durability throughout his career. He often ranked among league leaders in complete games.

In 1957, he tied for the American League lead with 16 complete games, sharing the honor with teammate Billy Pierce.

During his best years with the Chicago White Sox from 1956 to 1958, Donovan averaged 15 complete games per season. Back then, teams expected starting pitchers to finish what they started.

He came up big in important games. Donovan threw a shutout against the Cleveland Indians in August 1959, beating Jim Perry 2-0 in a series that helped the White Sox win their first pennant since 1919.

In 1962 with Cleveland, Donovan opened the season with two straight shutouts against the Boston Red Sox. He racked up 19 scoreless innings to start the year.

Pitching Statistics and ERA

Donovan’s career stats show steady excellence over 15 seasons. He won 122 games, lost 99, and struck out 880 batters in 2,017 innings with a 3.67 ERA.

His best season came in 1961 with Washington, when he led all of Major League Baseball with a 2.40 ERA. The Senators finished last that year, a whopping 47½ games out of first, which makes that ERA even more impressive.

In 1957, Donovan went 16-6 with a 2.77 ERA for Chicago. His control improved a lot as his career went on, and his strikeout-to-walk ratios really showed it.

Between 1956 and 1958, Donovan averaged 234 innings pitched. He struck out 112 batters per year and walked just 52, keeping a solid 2-to-1 ratio.

Awards and Honors

Donovan earned All-Star recognition twice, first in 1955 with the Chicago White Sox and again in 1961 with the Washington Senators.

He didn’t pitch in the 1955 All-Star Game. In 1961, though, he threw two shutout innings at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.

His 1961 All-Star nod meant a lot since he was the only Senators player picked that year. He got the honor during his ERA-leading season, finishing 10-10 for a last-place club.

Donovan pitched in the 1959 World Series when the White Sox faced the Los Angeles Dodgers. He lost Game Three to Don Drysdale, 3-1, giving up two earned runs in 6⅔ innings with five strikeouts.

His biggest postseason moment came in Game Five. He came out of the bullpen to earn the save, retiring Carl Furillo on a pop fly with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. That was classic Donovan under pressure.

Legacy and Life After Retirement

Dick Donovan left his mark on baseball through his mentorship and coaching. He later moved into business, staying close to his family in Massachusetts until his passing in 1997.

Influence on Baseball

Donovan’s biggest contribution to baseball came after he retired. He spent a lot of time coaching and mentoring young players.

He knew firsthand what it felt like to struggle early in a career. That made him especially good at helping young players develop.

He taught the slider technique he learned from pitching coach Whitlow Wyatt to up-and-coming pitchers who came to him for advice.

Donovan’s 15-year career with several teams gave him plenty of stories and lessons to share. Players learned a lot from his understanding of different coaching philosophies and team cultures.

Post-Baseball Activities

After he retired from professional baseball in 1965, Richard Edward Donovan moved into business. He decided to try something outside the usual baseball world.

Unlike a lot of former players who stuck around as coaches or broadcasters, Donovan made a clean break. He threw himself into building a new career in business.

His business ventures brought financial stability for his family. That transition showed his adaptability beyond just baseball.

Donovan stayed in New England, close to where he grew up. He kept his roots in Massachusetts.

Personal Life and Passing

Dick Donovan married Patricia Casey on February 7, 1959, while he played for the Chicago White Sox. Patricia worked as a stewardess for United Airlines when they first met.

They stuck together for nearly 38 years, their marriage ending only when Donovan passed away. Throughout his baseball days and into retirement, they kept a strong bond.

Donovan died on January 6, 1997, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, at age 69. He had moved back to his home state and spent his last years there.

His family buried him at Woodside Cemetery in Cohasset, Massachusetts. With his passing, baseball lost someone who’d lived through its golden era and a whole lot more.