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

Don Wert, known to teammates as “Coyote,” played third base in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1971. He spent nearly his entire career with the Detroit Tigers before wrapping up with the Washington Senators. Born Donald Ralph Wert on July 29, 1938, in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, he built a reputation for steady defense and some clutch hitting during one of the Tigers’ most thrilling eras.

Wert hung up his cleats in 1971 after finishing his last season with the Senators. He left behind a nine-year MLB career, 1,110 games, a .242 batting average, and 77 home runs.

He hit his stride in the late 1960s as Detroit’s regular third baseman, playing a big part in the Tigers’ 1968 World Series championship.

From small-town Pennsylvania to his unforgettable pennant-clinching hit in ‘68, Wert’s journey through pro baseball shows just how much grit and commitment you need to make it at the top. He worked his way up through the minors, had breakthrough years in Detroit, and eventually finished things out in Washington before leaving the game that shaped his life.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Donald Ralph Wert came into the world on July 29, 1938, in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family with German roots. His athletic gifts popped up early—he was a standout in several sports during high school, which got him noticed by Detroit Tigers scouts in the late ‘50s.

Childhood and Hometown

Don Wert grew up in Strasburg, a small spot in Lancaster County, PA. His German-American family believed in hard work and sticking with things.

He went to Harmony Elementary School through eighth grade. That rural upbringing definitely gave him a solid foundation and a work ethic that would stick with him through his baseball career.

Strasburg was a close community where sports mattered. That environment shaped Wert’s character and gave him a competitive edge from the start.

Education and College Baseball

Wert attended Southern Lancaster County (Solanco) Joint High School, where he shined as a three-sport athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball, and managed to stand out in all three.

Football was where he really left his mark in high school. As a 145-pound junior quarterback, he led his team to a conference title and grabbed honors as all-league quarterback and player of the year.

After graduating in 1956, Wert landed an athletic scholarship to Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. The scholarship covered all three sports, and he planned to pursue teaching and coaching.

But money got tight, and he had to leave college after just one semester. Even with good grades, the costs were just too high for his family.

Looking back, Wert said he probably should’ve chosen Millersville State College instead. The teachers’ college would have cost less and fit his goals better.

Signing with the Detroit Tigers

After college, Wert took a job at the Farm Bureau in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, in February 1958. He spent his days loading and hauling 100-pound sacks of feed and grain, which kept him in shape.

Ralph DeFranco, a Detroit Tigers scout from Lancaster, had kept tabs on Wert since high school. DeFranco followed his progress through American Legion ball and local leagues.

In early 1958, DeFranco and chief Tigers scout Ed Katalinas signed Wert to his first professional contract. The Tigers gave him a $5,000 signing bonus to start his pro career.

That signing kicked off Wert’s road to the majors. He began with Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League, then headed to spring training in Lakeland, Florida.

MLB Debut and Rise with the Detroit Tigers

Don Wert joined the Detroit Tigers in 1963. He quickly showed he could handle third base. His reliable glove and steady bat helped him lock down the starting spot by ‘64, leading to his best seasons in the mid-60s.

Major League Debut in 1963

Wert made his MLB debut on May 11, 1963, at Tiger Stadium against the Cleveland Indians. He was 24 and came in as a pinch-runner in front of just over 5,500 fans.

His first big league at-bat came in the tenth inning—he ripped an RBI double off Jerry Walker. That hit brought the Tigers within one in a 6-5 loss.

The Tigers called Wert up from Syracuse in the International League after he didn’t beat out John “Bubba” Phillips for the starting job in spring training. Wert ended up playing 78 games as a rookie.

He finished 1963 with a .250 average, 65 hits in 251 at-bats, 7 home runs, and 25 RBIs. Wert played 47 games at third, 21 at second, and 8 at shortstop.

Becoming the Starting Third Baseman

Manager Charlie Dressen decided to give Wert the starting third base job during 1964 spring training. Dressen figured Wert would improve faster with regular playing time than by sitting behind Phillips.

That spring, Wert earned the nickname “Coyote.” Dressen wanted him to be more vocal at third, so Wert started making high-pitched chatter that sounded like a coyote.

Wert’s 1964 stats:

• Games: 148
• Batting average: .257
• Home runs: 9
• RBIs: 55
• Runs: 63

He finished third in the AL with seven sacrifice flies. The Tigers went 85-77 that year, good for fourth place.

Wert really picked up steam late in the season. In September, he hit a three-run homer off Whitey Ford and went 4-for-4 in a key win against Washington.

Key Seasons and Rankings

Wert broke out in 1965, playing all 162 games for Detroit. His durability and steady play made him one of the league’s most reliable third basemen.

1965 AL rankings:

• 1st in games played (162)
• 3rd in at-bats (609)
• 4th in times on base
• 6th in walks and singles
• 9th in runs and hits
• 10th in MVP voting

He set career highs with a .261 average, 159 hits, 81 runs, and 12 home runs. On defense, Wert had 163 putouts, 331 assists, and turned 33 double plays.

Managers around the league noticed his glove. Minnesota’s Sam Mele once said, “I’d like to take him with us,” after watching Wert flash the leather.

Tigers manager Charlie Dressen compared Wert to the greats, saying, “There isn’t a better fielding third baseman in the American League. The little guy makes all the plays that Brooks Robinson and Clete Boyer make.”

Peak Years and Achievements

Don Wert hit his peak in the mid-to-late 1960s with the Tigers, earning All-Star honors and helping the team win the 1968 World Series. His rock-solid defense at third and steady offense made him a key part of Detroit’s best seasons.

All-Star Selection

Wert’s top individual season came in 1968 when he made the American League All-Star team. This was during Detroit’s championship year, and it showed just how important he was to the lineup.

His All-Star nod reflected his all-around game that season. Wert brought steady defense and chipped in offensively when it counted.

It was the only All-Star selection of his career, but it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Tigers were chasing a title.

Fielding Excellence and Recognition

Wert built a reputation as one of the AL’s best defensive third basemen in the ‘60s. Manager Charlie Dressen said there wasn’t “a better fielding third baseman in the American League.”

People compared his glove to Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. Opposing managers like Sam Mele even said they’d love to have Wert after seeing him make tough plays.

Detroit’s pitchers, especially lefties like Mickey Lolich and Hank Aguirre, loved having Wert at third. He handled the hot corner and made their jobs easier.

Wert’s defensive improvement was easy to see. In 1965, he made just 12 errors—way down from the 39 errors Tigers third basemen made in 1962.

Offensive Contributions

Wert’s best year at the plate was 1965. He played every game, racked up 609 at-bats, scored 81 runs, and collected 159 hits for a .261 average.

He also drew 73 walks, hit 12 homers, and drove in 54 runs. His patience and consistency made him a steady presence in the batting order.

He finished ‘65 ranked high in several AL categories—first in games played, third in at-bats, and sixth in walks and singles.

Wert’s clutch hitting showed up in Detroit’s late ‘64 push. Over a 19-game stretch, he hit .370, including a three-run homer off Whitey Ford and a game-winning day against Washington.

Awards and Honors

The Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America named Wert “Tiger of the Year” after his great 1965 season. That honor marked his rise as a key player for the Tigers.

Fans picked him as “King Tiger” that same year. Both awards showed how much he meant to the team and its supporters.

He finished tenth in AL MVP voting in 1965, his best showing. That came after his best season at the plate and in the field.

Back in Lancaster, Wert got recognized as the first position player from the area to reach the majors since the early 1900s. Local sportswriters and broadcasters celebrated his achievements at special events.

1968 World Series and Impact on the Detroit Tigers

Don Wert’s biggest impact came during the Tigers’ 1968 championship season. His clutch, pennant-clinching hit on September 17 sealed the American League title, and his steady third-base defense helped Detroit win the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Role in the Pennant Race

Wert played a huge part in the Tigers’ wild pennant chase in 1968. Even though he struggled at the plate, hitting just .198, he stayed sharp defensively all year.

The big moment came on September 17, 1968, at Tiger Stadium against the Yankees. With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, Wert singled to bring in Al Kaline for the win.

He hit a 2-2 slider from Lindy McDaniel, sending the ball between second baseman Horace Clarke and first baseman Mickey Mantle. Kaline dashed home for the deciding run in a 2-1 victory.

The funny thing? The Tigers had already clinched the pennant 15 minutes earlier when Baltimore lost to Boston, but management kept it quiet so fans wouldn’t storm the field.

World Series Highlights

The 1968 World Series put Wert’s defense on display as the Tigers faced the Cardinals. He held down third base for the entire series, giving Detroit a steady glove.

Wert started all seven games at third. His fielding backed up a pitching staff led by Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain.

Detroit came back from a 3-1 series hole to win the championship in seven games. Wert’s defense mattered even more as the games got tighter.

That World Series performance was the high point of his career. Winning it all cemented his place as a vital part of one of Detroit’s most memorable teams.

Legacy of the 1968 Championship

The 1968 World Series championship really cemented Wert as a fixture in Detroit Tigers folklore. Fans still talk about his pennant-clinching hit, even though, technically, the Tigers had already secured the pennant.

That championship team left a mark on Detroit sports culture that stuck around for decades. The Tigers’ victory rolled in just a year after the city’s devastating riots, and you could feel how it pulled the community together during a rough time.

Wert did more for the championship than just rack up stats. He anchored third base all season, giving the Tigers some much-needed defensive stability, which let the big hitters do their thing.

The 1968 season stayed the high point of Wert’s career, even years after he retired in 1971. Being part of that team basically guaranteed his spot in Tigers history, especially since Detroit didn’t win another World Series for a long time.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1971

Don Wert wrapped up his final season in Major League Baseball after making the jump from the Detroit Tigers to the Washington Senators. That 1971 campaign closed out a nine-year run that started back in 1963.

Joining the Washington Senators

Wert joined the Washington Senators on October 9, 1970, as part of a big eight-player trade. The Tigers sent Wert, Elliott Maddox, Norm McRae, and Denny McLain to Washington, getting Jim Hannan, Joe Coleman, Aurelio Rodriguez, and Ed Brinkman in return.

That trade ended Wert’s eight-season stretch with Detroit. He’d held down third base for the Tigers from 1963 to 1970. After Detroit’s rough 1970 season, the team made changes—including letting manager Mayo Smith go.

The Senators wanted Wert for his defensive skills at third. During his years in Detroit, he’d built a reputation as one of the American League’s steadiest defenders at the position.

Performance and Statistics

Wert’s 1971 season with Washington turned out to be his last. He struggled at the plate and his batting average dropped well below his career .242 mark.

His offense just wasn’t what it used to be. Home runs and RBIs fell off compared to his better years in Detroit. Over his career, he’d hit 77 home runs and collected 366 RBIs.

Even so, Wert kept playing his main position at third base for the Senators. His glove stayed reliable, even if his bat fell silent. People always knew him more for his defense than his bat anyway.

In his ninth and final big league season, Wert played fewer games as his role shrank.

Decision to Retire

Wert decided to call it a career after the 1971 season. He was 33 when he hung up his spikes, finishing out with Washington that year.

He probably retired because of less playing time and declining numbers. Age and the physical grind of third base likely played a part, too. He’d been a starter for most of his career, but that changed in his last season.

His career lasted nine seasons, from 1963 to 1971. He only played for two teams—mostly Detroit, then wrapping up in Washington.

After baseball, Wert planned to head back to his Pennsylvania roots. He’d already spent off-seasons working at a local Sears-Roebuck store, getting ready for life after baseball.

Playing Style, Legacy, and Later Life

Don Wert built his reputation as one of the most reliable defensive third basemen in the American League during the 1960s. Some even compared him to Brooks Robinson, which is saying something. His steady glove and no-nonsense approach at the plate helped anchor the Tigers’ championship run, but after baseball, he kept things low-key back in Pennsylvania.

Defensive Reputation at Third Base

Wert made a name for himself as a rock-solid third baseman through his steady play at the hot corner. Manager Charlie Dressen once said, “There isn’t a better fielding third baseman in the American League. The little guy makes all the plays that Brooks Robinson and Clete Boyer make.”

His defensive skills really showed in the stats. In 1965, he made just 12 errors at third, a huge improvement from the 39 errors Tigers third basemen made in 1962. That year, he racked up 331 assists and turned 33 double plays.

At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Wert especially shined when left-handed pitchers were on the mound. His quick reflexes and smart positioning made him a favorite among Tigers pitchers like Mickey Lolich and Hank Aguirre, who counted on his glove.

Even opposing managers noticed. Minnesota Twins manager Sam Mele watched Wert make some great plays and said, “I’d like to take him with us.”

Batting Style and Approach

Wert’s hitting changed for the better thanks to Wayne Blackburn, who managed him in the minors and later coached for the Tigers. Blackburn taught Wert to keep his weight on his right foot, instead of lunging forward too soon.

Wert’s career batting average was .242, which isn’t flashy, but he never tried to be a slugger. His best offensive year came in 1965, when he hit .261, collected 159 hits, knocked 12 home runs, and scored 81 runs in all 162 games.

He came through in the clutch, too. Wert’s most unforgettable moment? In 1968, he drove in the pennant-clinching run with a single to right, sending Al Kaline home and 46,000 Tiger Stadium fans into a frenzy.

In 1964, the right-handed hitter finished third in the American League with seven sacrifice flies, showing he could deliver in big spots.

Post-Baseball Life and Passing

After retiring in 1971, Wert went back to his Pennsylvania roots. During off-seasons, he worked in the sports department at a local Sears-Roebuck store, building connections for life after baseball.

He lived quietly in Strasburg, Pennsylvania—the same place he was born. Wert stayed close to his community and didn’t chase the spotlight that follows a lot of former major leaguers.

Personal Life:

• Married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Fay Rineer, in 1959
• Had three children: Scott, Barbara Ann, and Kimberly
• Stayed in Pennsylvania after baseball

Don Wert passed away on August 25, 2024, at his home in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, surrounded by family. He was 86, and by all accounts, he lived a full life well beyond the ballpark.

Evaluating Don Wert’s Legacy

Don Wert really made his mark as a steady, reliable third baseman during the Tigers’ strong run in the 1960s. He anchored the defense and played a big part in Detroit’s 1968 World Series win.

People called him “Coyote” because of his high-pitched chatter at third base, something manager Charlie Dressen actually encouraged. That vocal energy, along with his glove, helped make him a real team guy.

Career Recognition:

• 1965 American League All-Star
• 1965 Tiger of the Year award
• 1968 World Series champion
• Finished 10th in 1965 AL MVP voting

Wert’s stats might not scream Hall of Fame, but his value went way beyond the numbers. He just played the kind of smart, fundamental baseball that every championship team needs, and folks on both sides respected him for it.

He hit .242 over nine seasons with Detroit and Washington. That average shows he focused on defense first but still chipped in when the team needed a bat.