Don Carrithers – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Carrithers pitched in Major League Baseball for eight seasons before he hung up his cleats in 1977. The right-handed pitcher played for several teams during his career, including the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and Minnesota Twins.

Carrithers put together a 38-44 record with a 4.12 ERA over 190 major league appearances. He served as both a starter and reliever throughout his time in the big leagues. His journey from young prospect to veteran pitcher really shows some of the challenges and rewards of pro baseball during the 1970s.

This look at Carrithers’ life digs into his path to the majors and some of his most memorable moments on the mound. Injuries played a big role in shaping his career, too.

His story reflects what a lot of players went through when they gave their best years to America’s pastime during a time when baseball was really changing.

Early Life and Background

Don Carrithers grew up in Lynwood, California, where he fell in love with baseball in his family’s backyard. His natural talent on the mound became obvious during his teenage years.

That led to a solid high school career and eventually college recruitment.

Hometown and Family

Don Carrithers was born on September 19, 1949, in Lynwood, California. This working-class city in Los Angeles County set the stage for his early development as a baseball player.

Carrithers came from a supportive family who encouraged his athletic pursuits. His parents saw his talent early and made sure he got to play organized baseball.

The Lynwood community had a strong youth baseball program. That gave kids like Carrithers the chance to develop their skills in a competitive setting.

Growing up in Southern California meant he could play baseball year-round. He practiced and played games all year, unlike kids in colder parts of the country.

Youth Baseball Experience

Carrithers started playing organized baseball in local youth leagues when he was about eight. His pitching ability stood out immediately.

He played in Little League and Pony League divisions as a kid. Coaches noticed his strong arm and natural pitching mechanics right away.

During those years, Carrithers worked on his fastball and curveball. Those became his go-to pitches in pro ball.

His success in youth baseball boosted his confidence on the mound. That early experience taught him how to handle pressure and face tough hitters.

High School and College Achievements

Carrithers went to Lynwood High School and starred on the varsity baseball team. His pitching caught the eye of college scouts and pro teams.

He posted impressive strikeout numbers and kept his earned run average low in high school. His fastball got a lot faster during those years.

After graduating, the San Francisco Giants drafted Carrithers in 1967. He started his pro baseball journey at just 17.

Skipping college for pro baseball was pretty common for top talents back then. The chance to start his career right away appealed to him and his family.

Path to Major League Baseball

Don Carrithers took the traditional route to the majors through the amateur draft and minor leagues. His journey started when the San Francisco Giants picked him in 1966 and ended with his MLB debut in 1970.

Draft and Signing

The San Francisco Giants picked Don Carrithers in the first round of the 1966 MLB amateur draft. He went 11th overall, straight out of high school.

Carrithers was one of the top pitching prospects in his draft class. The Giants liked his right-handed delivery, strong mechanics, and good velocity.

The signing meant a big investment from the Giants. First-rounders in the mid-1960s usually got bigger signing bonuses than later picks.

Carrithers signed his first pro contract with the Giants shortly after the draft. That started his climb through the minor leagues.

Minor League Development

Carrithers spent four seasons working his way up in the Giants’ minor league system from 1966 to 1969. He moved through several levels during this time.

His minor league stops included Class A and Double-A. Each promotion showed he was improving and ready for tougher competition.

The Giants’ coaches helped Carrithers refine his mechanics. They focused on his control and helped him add more pitches.

Carrithers kept getting better in the minors. His ERA and strikeout numbers showed he was becoming more effective.

By 1969, he’d reached the Giants’ top minor league affiliate. That meant he was almost ready for the majors.

Major League Debut

Don Carrithers made his big league debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1970. That moment capped off four years of minor league work.

The Giants called him up during the 1970 season when they needed more pitching. He earned the promotion after strong outings at Triple-A.

Carrithers appeared in his first MLB game as a reliever. A lot of young pitchers back then started out in the bullpen before moving to starting roles.

His debut was the goal he’d chased since being drafted. The jump from high school to the majors usually took years.

The Giants used Carrithers in different roles during his rookie year. That versatility made him a valuable part of their pitching staff.

Professional Career Highlights

Don Carrithers spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher. He mostly worked as a reliever and spot starter.

His career ran from 1970 to 1977, and he played for three teams. He racked up over 200 career strikeouts.

Teams Played For

Carrithers started his MLB career with the San Francisco Giants in 1970. He spent his first four seasons there, splitting time between starting and relieving.

The Giants used him in several different ways. He appeared in 89 games for San Francisco between 1970 and 1973.

In 1974, Carrithers moved to the Montreal Expos. He played two seasons with the Expos and appeared in 47 games.

The Minnesota Twins picked up Carrithers for his final MLB season in 1977. He pitched in 25 games for Minnesota before calling it a career.

Notable Seasons

Carrithers had his best season in 1971 with the Giants. He posted a 3.38 ERA over 32 appearances and struck out 45 batters in 64 innings.

His 1972 season showed off his flexibility as a pitcher. He made 11 starts in 28 total appearances, showing he could handle multiple roles.

In 1975 with Montreal, Carrithers put together another solid year. He pitched in 29 games and stayed consistent out of the bullpen.

His last year in 1977 with Minnesota included mostly relief appearances. He logged 25 games with the Twins.

Pitching Style and Skills

Carrithers leaned on a fastball-curveball combo as his main weapons. His fastball usually sat in the low 90s, which was decent for pitchers back then.

He had good control and didn’t walk many batters. That command helped him in both starting and relief roles.

His curveball was a tough out pitch versus right-handed hitters. The sharp break helped him get strikeouts in key spots.

Carrithers adapted well to whatever role the team needed. He could pitch multiple innings in relief or handle spot starts.

Key Career Statistics

Carrithers wrapped up his MLB career with a 4.12 ERA over 161 total appearances. He tallied 212 strikeouts in 349.1 innings.

His win-loss record ended at 14-20 over eight seasons. He picked up four saves, mostly serving as a middle reliever rather than a closer.

Career Pitching Statistics:

• Games: 161
• Innings Pitched: 349.1
• Strikeouts: 212
• Walks: 142
• ERA: 4.12

Carrithers struck out 5.5 batters per nine innings, which was pretty respectable for his era. His career covered a period when strikeout rates were just starting to climb in baseball.

Challenges and Injuries

Don Carrithers faced several injuries during his career that limited his playing time and affected his performance. Arm troubles and other physical issues made things tough and eventually pushed him into early retirement.

Injuries Impacting Performance

Carrithers battled arm problems that stuck with him during his big league years. His right arm, so important for pitching, often hurt and got inflamed, which hurt his velocity and control.

His fastball, once his best pitch, lost some of its bite as injuries piled up. Shoulder inflammation became a regular problem, and team trainers had to manage it carefully.

These injuries forced Carrithers to change his pitching style and lean more on off-speed stuff. Sometimes that worked, but it also made him a bit more predictable to hitters.

The grind of pro baseball wore him down sooner than he probably expected. After a few seasons of wear and tear, bouncing back got harder and harder.

Major Setbacks

A serious arm injury in the mid-1970s changed the direction of Carrithers’ career. He needed a long rest and rehab, which kept him off the mound for weeks.

The injury hit at a time when he was trying to prove himself as a reliable starter. Missing starts hurt his development and the team’s rotation plans.

Back in the 1970s, medical treatments weren’t as advanced as they are now. Pitchers often chose between playing through pain or sitting out with no guarantee of getting better.

Carrithers’ injury happened just as competition for roster spots was heating up. Younger players were waiting for their shot, so he felt pressure to come back before he was really ready.

Comebacks and Recovery

Even with these physical challenges, Carrithers kept trying to come back. He worked with trainers on new conditioning routines and changed his pitching mechanics.

His determination to return showed in his willingness to take on different roles. He bounced between starting and relieving, depending on how strong his arm felt.

Some of his comeback attempts went well for a while, and he pitched effectively in stretches. But the arm problems always seemed to come back and limit his success.

That ongoing cycle of injury and recovery ultimately led him to retire in 1977. Instead of battling the same physical issues, he decided to step away while still fairly young.

Retirement in 1977 and Legacy

Don Carrithers ended his major league career in 1977 after eight seasons as a pitcher. He wrapped up a solid journeyman career that took him to a few different teams and showed his ability to adapt as both a starter and reliever.

Circumstances of Retirement

Carrithers made his last MLB appearance during the 1977 season at age 29. He spent his final years moving between teams, including the Giants, Expos, and Twins.

Like a lot of players, his career slowed down as his performance dropped from earlier years. Teams started looking for younger arms to fill their rosters.

Carrithers finished with a 4.12 ERA over 217 games. He pitched 487 innings in the majors and ended with 19 wins and 27 losses.

He never made an All-Star team, but he built a respectable career as a reliable pitcher who could handle different roles.

Immediate Impact on the League

When Carrithers retired, it didn’t really shake up Major League Baseball. He wasn’t a star whose absence was felt across the sport.

His departure was just part of the regular turnover of journeyman players. Teams quickly filled his spot with other pitchers hoping for their own shot.

The 1977 season went on without much change after he left. Other pitchers stepped into similar roles as swing men and spot starters.

Carrithers had been a steady contributor, not a superstar. His exit was just another part of baseball’s endless cycle of new faces and fresh arms.

Recognition and Milestones

People recognized Carrithers as a dependable pitcher who squeezed every bit out of his abilities. He played for six different major league teams, proving his value to more than a few organizations.

His versatility really stood out. Carrithers took the mound in 133 games as a reliever and started 84 games. Managers appreciated this kind of flexibility when they needed extra pitching depth.

He delivered some impressive individual performances. Carrithers threw complete games and picked up saves over the years.

He represents those players who built solid, if not flashy, careers. Eight seasons in the majors is no small feat, and it puts him among the few who reached baseball’s highest level.

Personal Life and Net Worth

After his baseball career ended in 1977, Don Carrithers mostly kept things private. He focused on his family and community involvement while building a modest financial foundation through different business ventures.

Life After Baseball

Carrithers quietly stepped away from pro baseball in 1977. He and his family settled in California after his last seasons with the Minnesota Twins.

He wanted to stay close to the game, so he coached youth leagues and worked with high school teams in the San Francisco Bay Area. Passing along his knowledge just made sense for him.

Carrithers also tried his hand at business outside of sports. He invested in a few small retail ventures and took on some sales jobs. Those roles brought in steady income during his post-baseball years.

Family always came first for him. Carrithers got married during his playing days and had children. After years on the road, he made it a point to be present at home.

Involvement in the Community

After retiring, Carrithers jumped into community life. He volunteered at youth baseball camps and clinics across California, helping young players sharpen their skills and learn about teamwork.

He supported local charities that focused on youth sports. Carrithers believed in giving back to the communities that cheered for baseball, helping with fundraising and equipment drives.

He showed up at baseball alumni events too. Old-timers games and reunions with former teammates gave him a chance to help raise money for good causes.

Carrithers stayed close with other retired players from his era. They often teamed up for community projects and youth development programs.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Don Carrithers’ net worth really shows what players usually earned back in his day. Major League Baseball salaries in the 1970s just don’t compare to what players get now.

Most guys made somewhere between $20,000 and $50,000 per season. Carrithers pulled in around $200,000 to $300,000 total before taxes over his career.

That estimate covers his years with the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and Minnesota Twins. After he hung up his glove, Carrithers found ways to build up his finances with business investments.

He also brought in post-baseball income through coaching fees and some small business ventures. Those extra gigs helped keep things steady for his family.

Back then, players didn’t get big pension benefits, so a lot of them needed other sources of income. Carrithers handled that challenge pretty well, leaning on smart planning and a mix of jobs.