Doug Corbett – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Doug Corbett’s baseball career shined brightly, even if it didn’t last long. He became one of the most memorable relief pitchers of the early 1980s.

Born on November 4, 1952, in Sarasota, Florida, Corbett threw right-handed and spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1987. He played for the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, and Baltimore Orioles.

Corbett’s best seasons came right at the start, especially during his 1980 rookie year with the Minnesota Twins. That year, he posted a stunning 1.98 ERA, racked up 23 saves, and finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. He jumped into pro baseball with amazing control and nerves of steel, showing he could close out games when it mattered. During his peak, he ranked among the top relief pitchers in the American League.

Corbett’s career tells a story of both the highs and the tough breaks of professional baseball in the 1980s. He started as an amateur, worked his way through the minors, broke out with Minnesota, and finally retired after a rough stint in Baltimore in 1987.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Doug Corbett grew up in Florida and learned baseball from his high school days through college. He kicked off his journey in Sarasota and then pitched for the University of Florida, where he became a standout pitcher.

Family Background and Birthplace

Douglas Mitchell Corbett was born on November 4, 1952, in Sarasota, Florida. Growing up in this coastal city, Corbett was surrounded by baseball from the very beginning.

Sarasota, known for its baseball culture, served as a winter training spot for several Major League teams. This gave young athletes like Corbett a front-row seat to high-level baseball.

The city’s strong baseball tradition offered plenty of chances for local kids to sharpen their game. Corbett definitely made the most of those opportunities as a teenager in the 1960s.

Early Baseball Experiences

Corbett attended Sarasota High School and played for the Sarasota Sailors. His high school years laid the groundwork for his pitching career.

While at Sarasota High, Corbett developed the skills that would catch the eyes of college recruiters. Scouts and coaches took notice of his performances on the mound.

Florida’s tough high school baseball scene prepared Corbett for the next step. He graduated with enough talent to land an athletic scholarship and keep playing.

Collegiate Baseball Development

Corbett accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville. He pitched for coach Dave Fuller’s Florida Gators from 1971 to 1974.

In 1972, Corbett spent the summer playing for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He made the league all-star team, which really put his name on the map among top college players.

His junior and senior years went especially well. In 1974, Corbett earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a pitcher.

He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science. That same year, the Kansas City Royals signed him as an amateur free agent.

In 1996, the University of Florida inducted Corbett into its Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great.” That’s a pretty big deal.

Minor League Journey Before MLB

Doug Corbett spent six years grinding through the minor leagues from 1974 to 1979. He played for a bunch of teams, but his time with the Indianapolis Indians in the late 1970s really stood out.

Initial Minor League Teams

Corbett launched his pro career in 1974 with the Gulf Coast League Royals at age 21. He finished with a 4-2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 11 games, already showing promise as a starter with two complete games.

In 1975, he moved up to the Tampa Tarpons in the Florida State League. That year turned out to be a turning point for him as a pitcher. Corbett dominated Single-A, posting a jaw-dropping 1.48 ERA in 27 games.

He kept up the momentum in 1976 with Tampa, going 10-5 with a 2.22 ERA in 45 games. Those numbers showed he was making a smooth switch from starter to reliever.

In 1977, Corbett advanced to the Trois-Rivieres Aigles in the Eastern League. This Double-A assignment tested him against tougher hitters. He finished with a 4-5 record and a 2.76 ERA in 39 games.

Key Minor League Achievements

Corbett put together his best minor league season in 1978 when he split time between two teams. He finished with a combined 2.13 ERA over 53 games, proving himself as a reliable reliever.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio jumped during this stretch. In 1978, he struck out 79 batters while walking only 24 in 93 innings—a 3.29 ratio that showed his command was coming together.

He started racking up more saves as he settled into the closer role. Corbett tallied 14 saves in 1978, the highest of his minor league career. His knack for finishing games became his trademark.

Throughout most of his minor league days, his WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) stayed under 1.30. That kind of efficiency set him up for MLB success.

Indianapolis Indians Tenure

Corbett played for the Indianapolis Indians in 1978 and 1979. The Indians were the Triple-A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds, and this was his last stop before reaching the majors.

In 1978 with Indianapolis, Corbett pitched in 38 games—all in relief. He put up a 1.99 ERA and earned 12 saves. Scouts took notice of how he handled pressure in those high-stakes moments.

The 1979 season was tougher for Corbett. He finished 3-6 with a 2.95 ERA over 69 games. Even with a higher ERA, he showed durability by logging 110 innings.

His time in Indianapolis taught him how to handle the heat of Triple-A baseball. The competition there readied him for Minnesota. The coaching staff also helped him sharpen his slider, which later became his go-to pitch in the majors.

Major League Debut and Breakout Seasons

Doug Corbett exploded onto the big league scene in 1980, putting together one of the best rookie seasons ever for a reliever. His first two years made him one of the American League’s top closers, and he even made the All-Star team.

Minnesota Twins Debut and 1980 Rookie Campaign

Corbett made his big league debut on April 10, 1980, at age 27 against the Oakland Athletics. The Minnesota Twins had grabbed him from the Cincinnati Reds in the December 1979 Rule 5 Draft.

His debut was a showstopper—he picked up the win in his first outing. Corbett came in during the eighth and tossed five shutout innings, giving up just one hit and striking out six with no walks.

The pitcher kept rolling all season. He made 73 appearances out of the bullpen, notched 23 saves, and posted an incredible 1.98 ERA. His 1.056 WHIP showed just how sharp his control was.

Corbett’s performance earned him third place in the AL Rookie of the Year race. He led all major leaguers in win probability added that season with 7.8, and his 5.7 WAR placed fourth among AL pitchers.

All-Star Recognition and 1981 Highlights

Corbett’s amazing rookie year landed him a spot on the 1981 All-Star team. Even during the strike-shortened season, he kept up his dominant relief pitching.

He led the American League with 54 appearances and topped all major league pitchers with 45 games finished. The shortened schedule didn’t slow him down—he stayed one of the league’s most reliable closers.

But the Twins struggled that year, which limited his save chances. Corbett still managed 17 saves on a team that finished 41-68. His own performance was stellar, even if the team couldn’t keep up.

He carried the Twins’ bullpen during these two seasons. That heavy workload would come back to haunt him later.

Early MLB Milestones

Corbett’s first two years were the high point of his eight-year MLB run. He never matched his rookie ERA of 1.98, but he stayed effective for several more seasons.

Debuting at 27 and becoming an elite closer right away isn’t something you see every day. Most players who break in that late are just filling out rosters, but Corbett quickly became a top closer.

His early success made him a valuable piece for trades. The Twins eventually sent him to the California Angels in May 1982, along with Rob Wilfong, for Tom Brunansky, Mike Walters, and $400,000.

Those breakout years put Corbett among the best relief pitchers of the early ’80s. His save totals and ERA from that period were right up there with the league’s elite.

Career With Multiple MLB Teams

Doug Corbett pitched for three teams during his eight-year MLB career from 1980 to 1987. The biggest move came when the Twins traded him to California in 1982, where he spent most of his big-league days before wrapping up with Baltimore.

Trades and Team Transitions

Corbett started out with the Minnesota Twins in 1980 and made a splash as a rookie, saving 23 games and finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Things changed in May 1982. The Twins traded Corbett and Rob Wilfong to the California Angels for Tom Brunansky, Mike Walters, and $400,000.

That trade sent Corbett to the West Coast, and he spent four seasons with the Angels—his longest stretch with any team.

He finished out his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1987. His last game came on July 30, 1987, facing the Cleveland Indians.

Performance With California Angels

Corbett spent four seasons with the California Angels from 1982 to 1986. That was the most time he spent with any team in the majors.

He kept working out of the bullpen for the Angels. Corbett held down a key relief role and proved to be a steady reliever during his time in California.

His stats with the Angels helped build his career totals—24 wins and 30 losses overall.

The Angels gave Corbett some stability after his early years bouncing around. That stretch let him continue developing as a relief specialist.

Notable Games and Contributions

Corbett’s rookie season with Minnesota had some real highlights. His MLB debut on April 10, 1980, against Oakland was a statement—5 innings, just one hit allowed, six strikeouts.

He made the All-Star team in 1981 with the Twins. That recognition reflected how effective he was early in his career.

Across his career, Corbett racked up 66 saves and 343 strikeouts. His 3.32 ERA showed he could get the job done with every team he played for.

Managers valued his ability to throw multiple innings out of the bullpen. Corbett’s reliability helped bolster every bullpen he joined during his eight seasons in the majors.

1987 Season and Retirement

Doug Corbett’s final MLB season brought his eight-year career to a close. The reliever only appeared in 11 games during the 1987 regular season before calling it quits.

Final Season Overview

Corbett’s 1987 season was a far cry from his earlier years. He pitched in just 11 games during what became his last campaign.

That was a big drop from his more active seasons. By then, his role had shrunk quite a bit.

He finished his career with 24 wins and 30 losses over 313 games. Corbett had already pitched for the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, and Baltimore Orioles.

The 1987 season closed the book on his pro baseball days. At 34, he reached the usual retirement age for relievers in that era.

Retirement Decision and Reflections

After the 1987 season, Corbett decided to retire from Major League Baseball. He wrapped up eight seasons as a relief pitcher in the American League.

A lot of players from his era also retired in 1987. Guys who joined the majors in the early 1980s often hit the end of their careers around this time.

Corbett’s retirement closed out a career that lasted almost a decade at the top level of pro baseball. He built his reputation as a reliable relief pitcher with several teams during his best years.

He made his final appearance during the 1987 campaign. That brought closure to a journey that started with so much promise back in 1980.

Corbett, a Nebraska native, managed to live out his dream of playing Major League Baseball over multiple seasons and teams.

Pitching Style, Career Stats, and Legacy

Doug Corbett made his mark as a dominant relief pitcher, mostly thanks to his sharp command and wicked slider. He finished his career with a 3.32 ERA over eight seasons, which says a lot about his knack for shutting down hitters, especially when it counted.

Pitching Attributes and Approach

Corbett leaned hard on his slider as his main weapon. He paired it with a solid fastball and a changeup that kept hitters guessing.

He focused more on location and mixing pitches than on pure velocity. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Corbett could keep his mechanics steady from outing to outing.

His control really showed up in the numbers. Over 553 innings, he posted a 1.72 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Corbett threw strikes when it mattered most, making him tough to beat in save situations.

His durability was impressive, especially during his peak. In 1980, he pitched in 73 games for the Minnesota Twins. That heavy load made him a go-to guy out of the bullpen.

Career Saves and ERA Analysis

Corbett racked up 66 saves across his eight-year career. His standout season came in 1980, when he notched 23 saves and an eye-popping 1.98 ERA.

His best stretch happened with Minnesota from 1980 to 1982. Over those three years, he put up a 2.49 ERA and 43 saves in 137 games.

When he moved to California in 1982, things started to slide. His ERA climbed to 3.68 over five seasons with the Angels. Age and all those innings probably played a part.

Impact on Team Bullpens

Corbett’s arrival in 1980 really changed the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen. His rookie year earned him third place in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

The Twins leaned on him to close out games, and his presence gave the starters some peace of mind.

Corbett’s style even influenced how teams used their closers. He often pitched more than an inning to get the save, which became a model for relief aces. During his prime, he’d go 1.5 to 2 innings pretty regularly.

His All-Star selection in 1981 showed just how much he stood out. Not many relievers got that kind of recognition back then, so it really speaks to how good he was.

Life After Baseball and Net Worth

Doug Corbett walked away from pro baseball in 1987 after eight seasons in the bullpen. His estimated net worth is $5 million, which reflects his successful MLB career and some smart financial management after retirement.

Post-Retirement Activities

Not much public info is out there about what Doug Corbett did after leaving Major League Baseball. Unlike some former players who jump into coaching, TV, or front office gigs, Corbett has kept a pretty low profile.

His ties to the University of Florida still matter to him. Corbett got inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” in 1996. That honor recognized what he did for the Gators from 1971 to 1974.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in 1974. That background probably opened up a few doors for him after baseball.

A lot of ex-MLB players use their experience to coach kids or give private lessons. But when it comes to Corbett, the details about his life after baseball aren’t really out there.

Estimated Net Worth

Doug Corbett’s net worth sits at $5 million as of December 2023.

He earned most of it from his eight-season run as a professional baseball player in the 1980s.

Corbett signed several MLB contracts over the years. He played for the Minnesota Twins (1980-1982), California Angels (1982-1986), and Baltimore Orioles (1987).

Corbett probably made the most money while pitching for the California Angels. Those four seasons happened when baseball salaries started to rise.

Baseball pensions and benefits help retired players stay financially secure. With eight years in the league, Corbett qualifies for full pension benefits.

He owns his home these days, which adds to his financial stability. That kind of real estate ownership is pretty common among former pro athletes who’ve done well.