Earl Averill – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Earl Averill wrapped up his baseball career in 1963 after seven seasons in the majors. That journey started with a lot of promise but always seemed to carry the weight of his Hall of Fame dad’s legacy.

Averill, the son, put together a .242 batting average and hit 44 home runs during his MLB run. He played for five teams: the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies. Born Earl Douglas Averill on September 9, 1931, he faced the tough task of following in the footsteps of Earl Averill Sr., who would get into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.

He went from college All-American to journeyman, and that path tells a story of grit, family pressure, and the harsh realities of pro baseball. Averill’s career had its memorable moments but also some major setbacks, like a controversial minor league incident that led to a lawsuit and financial trouble for his young family.

He played both catcher and outfielder, which kept his career alive across several organizations at a time when roster spots were hard to come by.

Let’s look at Averill’s baseball life, from the sandlots of Snohomish, Washington, through college ball at the University of Oregon, and into the demanding world of professional baseball. His story gives a window into what it’s like to have a famous parent’s shadow hanging over you while you try to make your own name in America’s pastime.

Early Life and Background

Earl Douglas Averill was born September 9, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, into a family where baseball ran deep. He was the third of four sons born to Hall of Fame center fielder Howard Earl Averill and Loette Hyatt Averill.

The family split their lives between Cleveland summers and the baseball-rich community of Snohomish, Washington.

Family Origins and Childhood

Averill’s baseball bloodlines were pretty remarkable. His dad, Howard Earl Averill, starred for the Cleveland Indians from 1929 to 1939 and made it to the Hall of Fame in 1975.

The Averills came from Snohomish, Washington, a logging town north of Seattle. Earl’s parents married young—Loette was just sixteen, and Howard was nineteen.

He had three brothers: Howard, Bernie, and Lester. The family kept an unusual routine, spending baseball seasons in Cleveland and returning to Snohomish for the offseason, where the boys went to school.

For his first ten years, Earl bounced between two very different worlds. Sometimes, his brothers Howard and Bernie worked as bat boys for visiting teams, giving the family a chance to meet legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Baseball Beginnings in Snohomish

Earl really started growing as an athlete in Snohomish’s sandlot games. Unlike his quieter dad, Earl liked telling stories and pulling pranks with friends and teammates.

At Snohomish High School, he played football, basketball, tennis, and baseball. A broken nose in his first year ended his football dreams, so he focused more on baseball.

He had some natural tools. Earl’s hands were so big, he could hold seven baseballs in one hand—a trick that Johnny Bench would later make famous in the majors.

By 1949, Earl was a true utility player: pitcher, catcher, and outfielder. He even threw a two-hitter to win the Snohomish County championship that year, making a name for himself locally.

Personal Life and Influences

Baseball was everywhere for Earl, thanks to his family. Bob Feller, the Indians’ star pitcher, used to bounce young Earl on his knee in the clubhouse. He’d later become a teammate.

The Averill brothers were close, especially Earl and Lester, who spent a lot of time together when Lester was stuck in bed with rheumatic fever in 1940. They built model airplanes to pass the time.

Bernie, another brother, served seven years in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Earl and Lester always thought Bernie could have made it to the majors if not for his military service.

After high school, Earl went to Everett Junior College. He led the team to a second-place finish. In 1950, he played for the Snohomish Pilchucks while his dad managed, and he started showing off his power at the plate.

Minor League Development

Averill spent years in the minors before he finally stuck in the majors. His journey took him through several organizations and leagues, including a stint with the Pacific Coast League’s San Diego Padres.

San Francisco Seals and the Pacific Coast League

After Cleveland sent him down in 1957, Averill landed with the San Diego Padres in the Pacific Coast League. That was a big chance to improve his skills in one of the toughest minor league circuits around.

The PCL was loaded with talent in the 1950s. A lot of future big leaguers sharpened their game there.

In San Diego, Averill really found his swing. He hit .273 with 104 hits in 119 games during the 1957 season. That year felt like a turning point.

Earl Sr. finally got to watch his son play organized ball for the first time in May 1957. He told Earl to “swing as if he has two strikes on him.” He also warned against the “take to 1” approach, asking, “Why are you giving them the first strike?”

Path to Major League Baseball

Averill’s minor league career started in 1953, after he signed with Cleveland for $4,000. The Indians sent him to the Reading Indians of the Class A Eastern League in both 1953 and 1954.

He made an impact right away. Averill hit .302 with 16 home runs in 563 at-bats over two seasons with Reading. The team made the league finals both years.

He played alongside future big leaguers like Rocky Colavito and Herb Score in 1953, and Billy Moran and Hank Aguirre in 1954. He also spent time in the 1954-55 Colombian Winter League to keep developing.

Spring Training in 1955 showed promise, but Cleveland thought he needed more experience. Instead of Triple-A Indianapolis, they sent him to the Nashville Volunteers in Double-A. There, he showed plenty of power, but his catching still needed work.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Earl Averill’s big league career ran from 1929 to 1941, and he became one of the most consistent hitters in the American League. He racked up 2,019 hits, 238 home runs, and kept a .318 batting average, mostly as a center fielder for three teams.

Cleveland Indians Era

Averill broke into the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1929 at age 27. He didn’t waste any time and quickly became the team’s starting center fielder.

From 1929 to 1939, he was one of Cleveland’s most productive players. He delivered strong offensive numbers and played a big role in the team’s offense.

Key Cleveland Statistics:

• Batting Average: .318 career average
• Home Runs: 238 total career home runs
• Base Hits: 2,019 career hits
• Runs Batted In: 1,164 career RBIs

He made the first six American League All-Star teams from 1933 to 1938. Averill’s steady production made him a key part of the Indians’ lineup in the 1930s.

He played in the 1937 All-Star Game and hit a line drive that broke Dizzy Dean‘s toe. That injury pretty much ended Dean’s career, though Averill obviously didn’t mean it.

Transfers and Trades

The Indians traded Averill to the Detroit Tigers on June 14, 1939. That move ended his decade-long run with Cleveland, where he’d built his reputation.

Joining Detroit meant a big change. Averill went from regular starter to more of a supporting role as he entered his late 30s.

The Tigers brought him in while chasing an American League pennant. His experience and bat were valuable to a team hoping to go all the way.

Detroit Tigers and Boston Braves

With Detroit in 1939 and 1940, Averill settled into a bench role. Even with less playing time, he still chipped in during their run.

In 1940, he helped the Tigers win the American League pennant. His veteran presence and knack for clutch hits came in handy during that push.

The Tigers used Averill’s experience in key spots, especially when they needed a good at-bat. He knew pitchers and game situations, making him useful off the bench.

Final Seasons and Retirement

Averill played part of the 1941 season with the Boston Braves, which turned out to be his last year in the majors. That short stint wrapped up his 13-year career.

His numbers were impressive across the board. Averill scored 1,224 runs and kept up a .318 average for his career.

He produced at a high level for more than a decade, earning a spot among the best players of his era. Averill could hit for both power and average, making him a real offensive threat.

After he retired, people eventually recognized Averill’s contributions to the game. He made it into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Earl Averill Jr. put together a solid seven-year MLB career from 1956 to 1963. He became known as a reliable catcher and part-time player for five different teams.

His best year came in 1961 with the Los Angeles Angels, when he hit career highs in several categories and posted his top batting average of .266.

All-Star Selections and MVP Voting

Earl Averill Jr. never made an All-Star team during his career. He mostly served as a backup catcher and part-timer, so the big awards didn’t really come his way.

He didn’t get much MVP attention either. With a batting average of .242 and a role that shifted between teams, he stayed out of the award conversations.

Still, his 1961 season with the Angels was his peak. That year, he played in 115 games and posted a .384 on-base percentage, which was pretty good for a catcher.

Major Offensive Milestones

Averill’s most productive year at the plate came in 1961 with the Angels. He set career highs with 21 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 56 runs scored, while hitting .266.

He also put up 158 total bases that season, which was almost 40% of his career total of 422 total bases—all in one year.

For his career, he finished with 44 home runs and 249 hits in 1,031 at-bats. He never hit a triple in the majors, but he did notch nine doubles in his best season.

The Angels gave him his longest look, letting him play 207 games over two years. He hit .249 there with 25 home runs.

Historic Games and Notable Moments

Averill made his MLB debut on April 19, 1956, at age 24 for the Cleveland Indians. That was a big moment, stepping onto a major league field just like his Hall of Fame father.

He played his final game on September 26, 1963, with the Philadelphia Phillies, closing out a career that lasted parts of seven seasons.

Averill played for five teams and showed he could adapt and stick around. His time with the Angels in 1961-1962 was his most stable stretch, and he put up his best numbers then.

That 1961 season in Los Angeles was his signature year. He started 115 games and posted an OPS of .873, well above his career average of .755.

Hall of Fame Induction

Earl Averill Jr. didn’t make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His career stats and his seven-year run just didn’t stack up to the usual Hall of Fame standards.

But his father, Earl Averill Sr., got inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 1975. The elder Averill played center field for the Cleveland Indians from 1929 to 1941 and racked up a .318 career batting average with 238 home runs.

The Averill family stands out as one of those memorable father-son duos in baseball history. Both made it to the majors, even if their careers turned out pretty different.

Earl Jr.’s career wasn’t flashy, but it showed that baseball talent definitely ran in the family. His 3.6 career WAR and .242 batting average mark him as a solid backup catcher, not really a Hall of Fame contender, and that’s what separates his path from his father’s.

Playing Style and Field Positions

Earl Averill Jr. turned into a pretty versatile defensive player over his seven seasons. He mainly caught, showing off a strong arm and solid game-calling, but his outfield experience gave teams some extra options.

Outfielder and Center Fielder Skills

Averill Jr. brought reliable defense to the outfield, filling in wherever teams needed him. His Hall of Fame dad was a star in center, but the younger Averill bounced around a bit more.

He threw right-handed and had enough arm strength for outfield work. Teams liked that he could cover ground in the gaps.

At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Averill moved well in the outfield. He tracked down fly balls and made the routine plays.

The outfielder spot fit his athletic style, and he learned the different angles and positions out there. His experience in the outfield helped him read the game from different perspectives.

Managers liked his flexibility as both an outfielder and catcher. That made him a go-to guy when they needed to mix up the lineup.

Field Strategy and Contributions

Averill spent most of his time as a catcher, working with pitching staffs for five different teams. He managed games behind the plate and threw decently to second base.

As a catcher, he called the shots and worked with all kinds of pitchers. That experience helped him pick up on hitters’ habits.

Teams leaned on his catching know-how to help bring along younger pitchers. He even played some third base, showing he’d do what the team asked.

That kind of defensive versatility became his signature. Managers moved him around depending on what the team needed.

His career .242 batting average showed he was more about defense than offense. Teams picked him for his glove, not his bat.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Earl Averill Jr. retired from pro baseball in 1963 and headed back to Washington state. He lived a quiet life, far from the spotlight.

He left his own mark on baseball history as the son of a Hall of Famer who still managed a seven-year big league career.

Life after Baseball

After hanging up his cleats, Averill Jr. settled down in Washington. He stepped away from the baseball scene that had shaped his youth.

Unlike some former players who stay in the game as coaches or broadcasters, Averill took a different route. He already had a Bachelor of Arts and a teaching certificate from the University of Oregon before he ever went pro.

The financial headaches from the 1957 Luttrell lawsuit stuck with him during his playing career. That legal mess cost him $5,000, which was more than a season’s minor league pay back then.

His wife Pat grew frustrated with organized baseball during those tough times. She felt like the sport let her husband down when he needed help the most.

Impact on Baseball History

Averill’s career added another chapter to baseball’s family dynasties. He joined the small group of sons who followed Hall of Fame dads into the majors.

His father, Earl Averill Sr., played alongside Bob Feller with the Cleveland Indians. Earl Jr. remembered Feller bouncing him on his knee in the clubhouse as a kid.

Averill put up a .242 batting average with 44 home runs over seven seasons from 1956 to 1963. He played for five teams, mostly as a journeyman catcher and outfielder.

His biggest stat came in 1955, playing minor league ball in Nashville. He set a Southern Association record with 16 total bases in a single game on July 7.

Influence on Future Generations

Earl Averill Jr.’s story turned into a lesson about the pressure of living up to a famous parent’s legacy. In 2003, he looked back and said, “I tried to follow in the footsteps of my dad. That was a mistake because there was no following him.”

His experience showed just how tough it is for second-generation pros to deal with expectations and comparisons. That’s a challenge not everyone sees coming.

The Averill family’s baseball legacy stretched across two generations in the majors. His dad’s Hall of Fame career from 1929 to 1941 always seemed to overshadow what Earl Jr. did.

He spent his retirement in Washington, keeping a low profile. Not every former player wants to chase more fame—some just walk away from the game for good.

Earl Averill Jr.: Continuing the Baseball Tradition

Earl Douglas Averill followed his Hall of Fame father into the big leagues, putting together his own seven-season major league career from 1956 to 1963. He hit .242 with 44 home runs, playing for five teams as both a catcher and outfielder.

MLB Career as Catcher and Outfielder

Earl Douglas Averill started his pro baseball journey in December 1952 by signing with the Cleveland Indians. Born September 9, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, he made his MLB debut on April 19, 1956, against the Chicago White Sox.

Standing 5-foot-10, Averill mostly caught but played outfield when teams needed him. That versatility made him a handy addition to any roster.

Even with the pressure of his dad’s legendary career, Averill found his own way in the game. His powerful swing stood out during spring training.

Earl Sr. used to tell his son to “swing as if he has two strikes on him,” advice that stuck with him at the plate. The younger Averill had hands so big he could hold seven baseballs in one hand.

His career lasted seven seasons, though he missed 1957 while playing in the minors. He worked mostly as a part-timer, but he came through with walk-off home runs and clutch RBIs when called on.

Teams and Key Performances

Averill played for five different franchises during his major league career. He started out with the Cleveland Indians in 1956, then made his way back to Cleveland in 1958.

After that, he joined the Chicago Cubs and later the Chicago White Sox. He also suited up for the Los Angeles Angels and wrapped up his career with the Philadelphia Phillies by 1963.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .242
• Home Runs: 44
• Seasons: 7 (1956, 1958-1963)
• Teams: 5

He often saved his best performances for clutch situations. Averill hit several walk-off home runs and knocked in timely RBIs throughout his career.

He showed off some real power during spring training, which honestly helped him grab roster spots when things looked uncertain. Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox counted on his catching ability.

Later, he finished his major league run with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. Averill played his final game on September 26, 1963, at age 32.

He never quite reached star status, but he put together a solid career and kept his family’s baseball legacy alive.