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

Dick Drott kicked off his baseball career with a ton of promise, but he ended up retiring from pro baseball in 1963 when he was just 27. The right-handed pitcher, known as “Hummer,” made a splash with the Chicago Cubs in 1957, racking up 15 wins as a rookie and landing third in Rookie of the Year voting.

People expected big things for him in Major League Baseball.

Persistent arm injuries eventually derailed Drott’s career after that great rookie year. He retired after a rough 2-12 season with the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. What looked like one of the brightest pitching debuts of the late ’50s quickly turned into a cautionary tale about the fragility of athletic careers.

Even though he led the National League in walks as a rookie, Drott still flashed the talent that made him such a hot prospect.

Let’s dig into Drott’s quick rise through pro baseball, his notable performances, and the personal challenges that shaped his later years. His story really shines a light on both the golden age of baseball in the late 1950s and early ’60s, and the human cost of chasing greatness in pro sports.

Dick Drott’s Baseball Career Overview

Richard Fred Drott played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1957 to 1963. He finished with 27 wins, 46 losses, and 460 strikeouts.

He started out in Cincinnati’s amateur leagues and then worked his way up through the minors. That journey led to a standout rookie season with the Chicago Cubs.

Early Years and Minor League Development

Dick Drott launched his professional baseball career in 1954 when he signed with the Cubs at just 17. Growing up in Cincinnati, he already showed serious talent at Western Hills High School.

He once threw a no-hitter there, striking out 17 of 21 batters during his senior year.

He started in the minors with the Cedar Rapids Indians in the Class B Triple-I League. Even though he went 5-7 his first season, locals saw him as a future big leaguer.

He moved through the Cubs system, stopping with the Des Moines Bruins and Burlington Bees in 1955, where he went 10-8. His best minor league showing came in 1956 with the Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League.

That year, Drott posted a 13-10 record and led the PCL with 184 strikeouts. He even struck out 15 in a single game against the Sacramento Solons.

That dominant season pushed him up to the majors for 1957.

Major League Debut and Rookie Season

Drott made his MLB debut on April 16, 1957, with the Cubs at just 20 years old. His rookie season turned out to be the high point of his career.

He finished with a 15-11 record and a 3.58 ERA over 229 innings.

On May 26, 1957, Drott set a Cubs record by striking out 15 Milwaukee Braves. That included fanning Hank Aaron, the home run champ, three times looking.

That record stood until Kerry Wood broke it with 20 strikeouts in 1998.

The Sporting News called Drott the Cubs’ “Kid With Greatest Potential” after that season. Cubs owner Phil Wrigley gave him a raise from $6,000 to $15,000.

Still, Drott struggled with control and led the majors with 129 walks. Despite that, his speed and three-quarters delivery impressed legends like Rogers Hornsby, who called him one of the best pitching prospects in years.

Retirement in 1963 and Career Conclusion

After that rookie year, things went downhill for Drott. In 1958, he posted a 7-11 record, and by 1959, an inflamed tendon limited him to just eight games.

The Houston Colt .45s picked him up for their first season in 1962, paying $75,000. But his time in Houston was short—he appeared in only six games with a 1-0 record in 1962.

In 1963, Drott struggled to a 2-12 record. He happened to be pitching when Juan Marichal threw his no-hitter against the Colt .45s that year.

He officially ended his pro career after the 1963 season, still only 27. He tried a comeback with the Chicago White Sox in 1965, but elbow surgery and back pain kept him from making it back. Drott wrapped up his career with 27 wins, 46 losses, and 460 strikeouts in 176 games.

Notable Performances and Milestones

Dick Drott’s career had its share of standout moments, especially when it came to strikeouts. His rookie year in 1957 was by far his best, but he still had some memorable games later on.

Record-Setting Strikeout Games

Drott’s most legendary outing came on May 26, 1957, when he struck out 15 Braves. His fastball that day really lived up to the “Hummer” nickname.

That performance was just part of a stellar rookie season. Drott finished 1957 tied for second in the NL with 170 strikeouts.

That put him among the league’s top pitchers in his first year.

He kept racking up strikeouts over his career, finishing with 460 in seven seasons. Most of those came during his time with the Cubs from 1957 to 1960.

Highlight Victories and Wins

Drott’s best year was 1957, when he won 15 games. That effort helped him finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

It was the only time he reached double digits in wins.

He also pitched over 200 innings that year, showing he could handle a starter’s workload.

After that, arm injuries slowed him down. In 1958, he went 7-11 with a 5.43 ERA.

By the end of his career, he had 27 wins and 46 losses with a 4.78 ERA in 176 games.

Key Home Runs Allowed

There isn’t much info on specific home runs Drott gave up. His 4.78 career ERA shows he sometimes struggled to keep runs off the board.

After his great 1957 season, hitters started to figure him out. The arm injuries that started in 1958 probably hurt his velocity and made his fastball less effective.

His stint with the Houston Colt .45s in 1962 and 1963 marked the end. The team didn’t give him much run support, so wins were tough to come by.

Statistics and Historical Rankings

Over his seven years in the majors, Dick Drott went 27-46 with a 4.78 ERA and 460 strikeouts in 176 games. His rookie year in 1957 was his statistical peak, and things declined pretty fast after that.

Major League Statistical Highlights

Drott’s best season came in 1957: 15-11, 3.58 ERA, and 170 strikeouts. That strikeout total was one of the best for Cubs pitchers at the time.

He completed seven games and threw three shutouts as a rookie. Those 229 innings in 1957 made up nearly a third of his career total.

His strikeout rate of 6.0 per nine innings was solid for that era. But his control issues showed up in 405 career walks and a 1.499 WHIP.

In the field, he made 24 putouts and 96 assists, but committed six errors for a .952 fielding percentage, which was a bit below average for pitchers back then.

Comparative League Rankings

In his 1957 breakout, Drott finished third for NL Rookie of the Year and even got some MVP votes, placing 21st.

His 170 strikeouts ranked him in the top 10 in the league. That season set him up as one of the most promising young pitchers.

Drott’s ERA+ of 109 in 1957 meant he pitched 9% better than league average. That was the only year he finished above average by that stat.

His career WAR ended up at -0.6, which means he performed below replacement level overall. That negative number really shows how much he struggled after his rookie year.

Season-by-Season Performance

After 1957, Drott’s numbers took a nosedive. In 1958, he went 7-11 with a 5.43 ERA.

The 1959 season was rough—he managed only a 1-2 record in eight games, with a 5.93 ERA and just 15 strikeouts in 27.1 innings.

By 1960, he lost all six decisions and posted a 7.16 ERA, his worst single-season mark.

His final years with Houston brought a little improvement in 1961, but he ended with a 2-12 record in 1963. He gave up 84 home runs in his career, up from 22 in his rookie year, which didn’t help his numbers.

Personal Life and Legacy

Dick Drott’s life went far beyond baseball. He had Russian roots and spent decades serving the Chicago community. After his playing days, he worked with youth baseball programs, leaving a legacy that arguably outshined his on-field career.

Background and Family Origins

Richard Fred Drott’s immigrant background shaped who he was. His grandfather originally went by Drottski before the family changed it to Drott, and they traced their roots back to Russia.

Born July 1, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chris Drott and Dorothy Wambsgans, Dick showed early promise on the diamond. His mother, Dorothy, passed away before him, but his father, Chris, outlived him.

Drott married twice. His first marriage to Darlene Nelson brought three daughters. After that ended, he married JoAnne, who was with him when he died in 1985.

When it came time to sign, Drott picked the Cubs over the hometown Reds. He figured Chicago gave him a quicker shot at the majors, even though he’d dreamed of playing for Cincinnati.

Community Involvement and Post-Retirement

After leaving pro baseball, Drott found his real calling in community work. For the last 20 years of his life, he worked for the Chicago Park District as a baseball director.

He organized baseball clinics for kids all over the city. These clinics taught the fundamentals and encouraged young players to chase their dreams.

Drott even used his connections to bring in famous players like Hank Aaron to meet the kids.

He stayed close to the Cubs after his playing days. During their 100th anniversary in 1976, he joined other former players at Wrigley Field to sign autographs for fans.

Drott’s dedication to Chicago’s baseball community matched the effort he gave as a player. A lot of folks believe his work with youth baseball left an even bigger mark than his time on the mound.

Influence on Teammates and Baseball Culture

Drott influenced people in ways that went way beyond stats and records. When he had that breakout rookie season in 1957, Cubs management actually doubled his salary and roommate Moe Drabowsky‘s too, bumping both from $6,000 to $15,000.

That kind of move really showed how one player’s success could ripple out and help others.

While serving as a Private First Class in the Army Reserve, Drott still played baseball. He won five straight games for his Fort Bragg team, beating other military squads during his six months of active duty.

His attitude toward the game definitely shifted as his career went on. That growth rubbed off on younger players around him.

On his 21st birthday in 1957, after shutting out Cincinnati, he talked about his new mindset: “Now I just try to get the ball over and make them hit it.” Simple, but it worked for him.

Drott died of stomach cancer on August 16, 1985, at just 49, in Glendale Heights, Illinois. His family buried him at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

He left behind a real legacy—not just in baseball, but in community service and youth sports.

Final Years, Memorial, and Burial

After he retired from professional baseball in 1963, Dick Drott faced some tough personal challenges. Stomach cancer took his life at 49.

His final resting place is Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, where people still remember his baseball legacy.

Life After Baseball

Dick Drott’s life after baseball wasn’t easy. He struggled with health problems and other challenges.

By 1965, he was completely done with professional baseball. He finished his career with a 27-46 record and a lifetime 4.78 ERA across 176 games.

Leaving pro sports proved tough for Drott. Like a lot of players from his era, he had to figure out what to do next after leaving the game he’d given so much to.

His life after baseball stayed pretty private. There’s not much information out there about his jobs or activities during those two decades after he left the sport.

Passing and Memorial Tributes

Dick Drott died on August 16, 1985, at 49, in Glendale Heights, Illinois. Stomach cancer ended his life just 22 years after his last professional game.

His death meant losing a player who had once shown so much promise, especially during that rookie season with the Chicago Cubs.

Even though his career was short, fans never forgot his standout 1957 debut.

People in the baseball community still recognize what Drott brought to the game. His memorial keeps his rookie year achievements alive—those 15 wins and his third-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting still mean something.

Cemetery Details and Gravesite

Dick Drott rests at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Family and fans stop by to pay their respects.

His memorial highlights his baseball achievements. The grave marker proudly notes that he pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Houston Colt .45s.

The Find a Grave memorial page gives visitors a glimpse into his career. It even brings up his impressive rookie season and the nickname “Hummer.”

Cemetery Information:

• Location: Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois
• Memorial Type: Traditional grave marker
• Accessibility: Open to public visits