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

Dick Selma’s journey through Major League Baseball is really the story of a gifted pitcher who experienced just about every high and low the game could throw at him. He was born in Santa Ana, California, but grew up in Fresno with his childhood friend Tom Seaver. Before long, both of them started sharpening their skills and chasing big league dreams. Selma signed with the New York Mets in 1963. Over ten seasons, he bounced around six different teams, showing flashes of brilliance and facing plenty of challenges along the way.

Selma hung up his cleats in 1974, having pitched for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and California Angels. He finished his career with 42 wins, 54 losses, and 307 appearances. His most unforgettable season came in 1969 with the Chicago Cubs. Not only did he pitch well, but he also fired up the Bleacher Bums from the bullpen, leading cheers and getting the crowd going. The Cubs didn’t win the pennant that year, but Selma’s energy left a mark on fans that’s still remembered.

Selma started off as a strikeout machine in the minors and wrapped up his career in 1974. His time in baseball was unpredictable—sometimes he’d shine, sometimes he’d get traded, and he always had to prove he belonged. He stuck around the majors for a decade, and his personality made him a favorite in the clubhouse and with fans.

Dick Selma’s Baseball Career Overview

Selma pitched in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, from 1965 to 1974, suiting up for six different teams. He made his debut with the New York Mets at 21, closing out his playing days with the Milwaukee Brewers. By the end, he’d racked up 42 wins, 54 losses, and a 3.62 ERA over 324 games.

Major League Debut and Key Milestones

Selma stepped onto a Major League mound for the first time on September 2, 1965, with the Mets. The very next day, he started against the St. Louis Cardinals and picked up a 6-3 win.

Just ten days later, on September 12, 1965, he threw a complete-game shutout against the Milwaukee Braves. He struck out 13 batters, setting a Mets team record at the time.

In 1970, Selma hit his stride with the Phillies, notching 22 saves. That year, he established himself as one of the National League’s top relief pitchers.

Selma played a big role during the Cubs’ wild 1969 season, both on the mound and in the bullpen, where he led crowd cheers. In one start, he helped the Cubs crush his old team, the Padres, 19-0.

Teams Played For and Transitions

Richard Jay Selma spent his career with six Major League teams. He started with the New York Mets (1965-1968), growing from a rookie into a steady arm.

The Mets left him unprotected for the 1968 expansion draft. The San Diego Padres picked him up, and Selma threw the first pitch in franchise history on April 8, 1969.

On April 25, 1969, San Diego traded Selma to the Chicago Cubs for Joe Niekro and Gary Ross. Cubs manager Leo Durocher saw Selma as a key piece for their pennant chase.

After the 1969 season, the Cubs traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in the deal that brought Johnny Callison to Chicago. The Phillies made him a full-time reliever, where he thrived.

Selma finished up with short stints for the California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers in 1974.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Selma played his last Major League game on August 9, 1974, pitching for the Brewers against the Royals. He was just 30 when he retired.

He wrapped up his career with 42 wins, 54 losses, and 681 strikeouts over 324 games. His 3.62 ERA was solid, especially for that pitcher-heavy era in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

After baseball, Selma kept a low profile. He lived in California, where he’d grown up with Tom Seaver in Fresno.

Dick Selma passed away on August 29, 2001, in Clovis, California, at 57. Fans still remember his lively personality and his part in the Cubs’ 1969 run.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Selma’s path to pro baseball started in California. He honed his skills alongside Tom Seaver, who’d go on to the Hall of Fame. Selma’s high school performances caught the eye of scouts from all over, and eventually, he signed with the Mets in 1963.

Childhood and Education

Richard Jay Selma was born November 4, 1943, in Santa Ana. His family later moved north to Fresno, where he really dug into baseball.

Growing up in Fresno, Selma and Tom Seaver became close friends and Little League rivals. Both dreamed of making it to the majors.

They looked up to recent Fresno High grads who’d already made the big leagues. Guys like Jim Maloney and Dick Ellsworth showed them what was possible.

Selma’s athleticism took off in his teens. He hit a big growth spurt before turning 16, which turned him into a stronger, more capable player.

Fresno High School and College Achievements

That growth spurt got him onto the Fresno High varsity team as a sophomore. Coach Fred Bartels, a former Warriors athlete and minor leaguer, helped Selma’s game bloom.

Selma’s high school stats grabbed attention. Scouts from at least 15 major league teams checked him out during his prep years.

Still, his growth eventually leveled off at 5-foot-11, which made some scouts wonder if he had the stamina for the majors.

When no big offers came after high school, Selma enrolled at Fresno City College. That way, he kept developing and stayed on scouts’ radar.

Signing with the New York Mets

The New York Mets saw his potential and signed him on May 28, 1963. He got a $20,000 signing bonus, which was a pretty big deal back then.

“At the time I signed with the Mets, the other scouts didn’t think I was strong enough to last,” Selma later admitted. People doubted his build, but he wanted to prove them wrong.

He started his pro career with the Salinas Mets in the California League. That Class A team didn’t win much—just 49 games out of 140.

Even on a struggling team, Selma dominated. He led the league in ERA, strikeouts, and complete games. He even picked up Rookie of the Year honors.

One night, on August 31, he struck out 18 batters against the Fresno Giants in a 10-1 win. He missed the league record by just four strikeouts.

Notable Achievements and Career Highlights

Selma’s baseball career had some real highlights. He threw the first pitch in San Diego Padres history, racked up impressive strikeout performances, and shined as a relief pitcher with the Phillies.

San Diego Padres’ First Win and Impact

On April 8, 1969, Selma made history by throwing the first pitch for the Padres’ inaugural game. He mowed down 12 Astros, gave up just three hits, and pitched a complete-game victory.

That 2-1 win gave the Padres their first-ever Major League victory. Selma struggled in the first inning, giving up a run and two hits, but after that, he locked in and took control.

He actually had a rough spring training with a 7.36 ERA, but when it counted, he came through. His performance helped kick off the Padres’ franchise on a high note.

Strikeout Records and Noteworthy Performances

Selma’s fastball made people take notice. Some even compared a young Nolan Ryan’s velocity to Selma’s.

His best strikeout game with the Mets came on September 12, 1965. He fanned 13 Milwaukee Braves in a ten-inning shutout, which set a team record.

In the minors, he once struck out 18 in a single game for the Salinas Mets. That was just four shy of the league record.

Role as Relief Pitcher and Saves Leader

Selma found his groove as a reliever with the Phillies in 1970, recording 22 saves. That season, he became one of the NL’s top closers.

Relief work fit Selma’s style. Manager Frank Lucchesi joked he’d take “24 other flakes just like him” if they pitched as well.

Eddie Stanky once predicted Selma could be “the best relief pitcher in baseball.” In 1970, Selma came close to proving him right, showing he could handle high-pressure moments.

Statistical Performance and Legacy

Over ten years in the majors, Selma put up a 42-54 record and a 3.62 ERA across 324 games. He struck out 681 batters and posted 9.8 Wins Above Replacement, making him a solid middle-tier pitcher during a transitional time in baseball.

Career Statistics Breakdown

Selma’s numbers look like those of a reliable major league pitcher. He finished with 42 wins, 54 losses, and a .438 winning percentage. His 3.62 ERA came over 840 innings.

He struck out 681 batters, which averages out to about 7.3 per nine innings—pretty solid for his era.

Selma appeared in 324 games for six teams. He started games and came out of the bullpen, showing real versatility.

His last season came in 1974 with the Brewers and Angels. His final appearance was August 9, 1974, against Kansas City.

Pitching Style and Effectiveness

Selma threw right-handed and stood 5-foot-11, weighing around 160 pounds. He didn’t have a huge frame, but that was pretty normal back then. He relied more on control and movement than pure speed.

His 3.62 ERA put him right in the middle of the pack for his time. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, that meant he was dependable.

He pitched both as a starter and a reliever, which helped him stick around. Teams liked his flexibility. Teammates even called him “Moon Man” after he pitched on the day of the 1969 moon landing.

League Rankings and WAR

Selma’s 9.8 Wins Above Replacement broke down as 9.6 for pitching and 0.3 for hitting. That shows he brought value above a typical fill-in player.

His 1.3 Wins Above Average means he was a bit better than the average big league pitcher. Most of that came from his pitching.

These advanced stats peg Selma as a solid contributor, not a superstar. He was dependable across several teams, and the numbers back that up.

Memorable Trades and Teammates

Key trades shaped Selma’s career, sending him to teams like the Chicago Cubs in 1969 and later to the Philadelphia Phillies. He played alongside Oscar Gamble in a notable deal.

Trade to the Chicago Cubs and Role

The Cubs picked up Dick Selma in 1969 as they chased a shot at the National League title. Selma landed on a Cubs team that was actually making a real push for the playoffs that year.

His teammates started calling him “Moon Man” because he pitched on the day in 1969 when man first landed on the moon. That little detail says a lot about Selma’s timing and the way he stood out in the clubhouse.

Ron Santo, the Cubs’ Hall of Fame third baseman, remembered Selma with a lot of respect. Santo once said, “He was a fiery guy and a great teammate.”

Selma didn’t spend long with the Cubs, but he definitely left an impression. The team stayed competitive while he was there, and he added some spark to their pitching staff during that wild season.

Philadelphia Phillies Years and Influential Deals

Selma’s biggest trade came when he went to the Philadelphia Phillies with Oscar Gamble. The Cubs traded both of them for Johnny Callison, a seasoned outfielder.

That deal ended up working out for Selma. In 1970, his first year with the Phillies, he racked up 22 saves as a reliever.

Selma and Gamble joined the Phillies together, and both made an impact on the roster. Gamble was still a young outfielder with plenty of promise at the time.

Selma spent four seasons in Philadelphia, from 1970 to 1973. Those years gave him the most consistency he’d ever had in the majors.

Key Teammates and Player Connections

Selma played with a bunch of notable players over his career, and some of those guys became close friends. He and Oscar Gamble started their connection when they both landed in Philadelphia.

Ron Santo’s words about Selma show the kind of respect he earned from top teammates. Calling Selma “fiery” really paints a picture of the energy he brought into the clubhouse.

The “Moon Man” nickname followed Selma wherever he went. Honestly, that kind of personality just sticks with people.

He built strong connections with teammates, which probably helped him as he bounced around the league. Selma played for six different teams, but he always seemed to keep good relationships with players and coaches.

Life After Baseball and Personal Legacy

Dick Selma moved back to California after he left professional baseball. He dedicated himself to coaching and spent a lot of his time mentoring young players in the Fresno area.

He fought liver cancer in his last years, passing away in 2001 at just 57.

Coaching and Mentorship Roles

After retiring, Selma returned to Fresno and took a job with Fleming Foods. He worked the night shift so he could coach baseball during the day.

He coached at several different levels. Selma became an assistant coach at Fresno City College, the same place where he’d once played as a young guy.

He also worked as the pitching coach at Clovis High School as recently as the 2000 season. In that role, he shared his major league experience with high school players.

Selma didn’t stop at official coaching jobs. He stayed active in local baseball, coaching summer and fall teams all over Fresno. His work with youth baseball really became a huge part of his life after playing.

Battling Liver Cancer and Passing

Doctors diagnosed Selma with liver cancer in his later years. He died on August 29, 2001, at a hospital in Clovis, California.

Family gathered around him during his final days, offering love and support. His son Bart called him “my hero” and said he “had a heart bigger than anyone I’d ever met.”

Even as cancer worsened, Selma stayed alert and understood his family. He couldn’t speak anymore, but he still found ways to connect with his loved ones right up to the end.

His wife Kathy, his children Bart, Brett, and Beth, and four grandchildren survive him. On September 9, people gathered at Fresno’s John Eulefs Ballpark to celebrate his life—he’d pitched there back in college.