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

Earl Francis pitched his way through a memorable six-season stint in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1965, spending most of that time with the Pittsburgh Pirates before wrapping up his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

He grew up in the small West Virginia town of Slab Fork and managed to rise from humble beginnings all the way to the majors. He worked as both a starter and a reliever during his career.

Francis put together a career record of 16 wins and 23 losses with a 3.77 ERA across 103 games, including 52 starts, before he retired from pro baseball in 1965. His best season came in 1962 when he went 9-8 with a 3.07 ERA for the Pirates, and he even tossed a complete-game shutout against the Cardinals that year.

Francis battled recurring arm troubles, but he still showed flashes of real talent. People around Pittsburgh saw him as one of the team’s most promising young arms.

He grew up in the coal mining region of West Virginia, and his journey to the majors is honestly a story of grit and raw skill. Francis had some big moments—he was on the Pirates’ 1960 World Series roster, and the team picked him as their Opening Day starter in 1963.

But those arm injuries just kept piling up and eventually forced him to retire at 30.

Early Life and Background

Earl Francis came into the world in rural West Virginia during the Great Depression. He grew up surrounded by Appalachian hills and coal mines, and he went to segregated schools where he started to show his athletic side.

Birth and Family

Earl Coleman Francis was born July 14, 1935, in Slab Fork, West Virginia. Slab Fork was just a small, unincorporated spot in Raleigh County, about 250 miles south of Pittsburgh.

His dad, Millard Francis, worked maintenance at a nearby coal mine. That was the main job in those hills. His mom, Cordie Francis, was from Virginia and took on piecemeal work to help the family get by.

Earl had two siblings—an older brother named Millard Jr. and a younger sister, Fredella. The family lived in a poor, segregated rural community through the 1930s and 1940s.

Even though money was tight, Millard and Cordie pushed education as a top priority. They’d missed out on those opportunities themselves as African Americans, so they wanted something better for their kids.

Growing Up in Slab Fork, West Virginia

Earl spent his early years surrounded by the coal mines of West Virginia. The mountains were beautiful, but outside of mining, not many jobs existed.

The Francis family lived in a segregated community where African American families faced a lot of obstacles. Society didn’t give them many chances to move up.

Despite all that, Earl’s parents modeled hard work and persistence. Both parents juggled multiple jobs to provide for their three children.

The local economy revolved around coal, but the Francis family hoped their kids would find another way. Earl’s childhood was shaped by the mountains and the tight-knit community. It wasn’t easy, but the support was there, and his parents’ focus on education made a difference.

High School Years

Earl went to Stratton High School in Beckley, West Virginia, about 12 miles from Slab Fork. Because of segregation, Stratton was an all-black school.

At Stratton, Earl became a football star. He played so well that West Virginia State College offered him a football scholarship. That school was a historically black college in Charleston.

But baseball was his true love. Earl decided to turn down the football scholarship and follow his passion for baseball.

His baseball skills showed up early in high school. He remembered tagging along with his older brother Millard Jr. to a tryout for an American Legion baseball team in Raleigh County. “I was only 13 and went along for the ride,” Earl said. “But I didn’t think much of the pitchers and asked the manager for a chance to pitch. I made the team before Millard did.”

Earl played four years for American Legion Post 70. Local bird-dog scout Jimmy Vennari noticed his talent and recommended him to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ chief scout, Rex Bowen.

Professional Baseball Career

Earl Francis pitched six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1965. He went 16-23 with a 3.77 ERA in 103 games, splitting time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

Francis made his MLB debut on June 30, 1960, for the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was 24. He got into seven games during that mid-season call-up with the eventual World Series champs.

He had signed with Pittsburgh back in 1954, but then he served four years in the United States Air Force before jumping back into baseball. He spent a few years working his way up through the Pirates’ minor league system, including three years at Triple-A.

He started the 1961 season in Triple-A, but Pittsburgh called him up in June. That promotion kicked off the most consistent stretch of his major league career, lasting about two and a half years.

Pittsburgh Pirates Years

Francis had his best season in 1962. He pitched in 36 games, won nine, and put up a 3.07 ERA with five complete games.

His top performance came on August 25, 1962, when he tossed a three-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals. That was his only MLB shutout.

The Pirates gave Francis the Opening Day start in 1963 at Cincinnati on April 8. He lost 5-2, but that start showed how much confidence the team had in him.

He struggled through 1963, finishing with a 4.53 ERA and a 2-6 record as a starter. The Pirates sent him back to Triple-A for most of 1964 and then traded him to St. Louis after the season.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

The Cardinals picked up Francis before the 1965 season, but he spent almost the whole year in the minors. He only got two relief appearances for the big league club late in the season.

He spent most of 1965 at Triple-A, a big shift from his days as a starter in Pittsburgh. The Cardinals barely used him during their pennant run.

Those two games in relief for St. Louis ended his major league career. He pitched just twice for the Cardinals, both in September.

Retirement in 1965

Francis played his last MLB game on September 27, 1965, for the Cardinals. He hung around for one more season at Triple-A in 1966 before stepping away from pro baseball.

In his six years, Francis won 16 out of 39 decisions for a .410 winning percentage. He threw 405⅔ innings, gave up 398 hits and 181 walks, and struck out 263 batters.

After baseball, Francis moved back to Pittsburgh and worked as a meatcutter in local grocery stores. He eventually retired from Giant Eagle in Fox Chapel in 1999, closing out a long run in the food industry.

Career Statistics and Performance

Earl Francis put together a solid six-year Major League Baseball career from 1960 to 1965. He finished with 16 wins and 23 losses in 104 games, making 52 starts for the Pirates and Cardinals.

Pitching Records

Francis finished his career with a 16-23 record over 104 MLB appearances. He started 52 games, showing he could work as both a starter and reliever. The right-hander struck out 263 batters in his career.

His best season came in 1963, with his strongest numbers. He held steady in his role with the Pirates, spending five of his six big league seasons in Pittsburgh.

Francis pitched his final MLB game on September 27, 1965, against the San Francisco Giants for St. Louis. In that outing, he threw 2 innings, allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run, and struck out 1.

Notable Games and Highlights

Francis broke into the majors on June 30, 1960, with the Pirates at age 24. His rookie year was short, with only 7 games and not much time on the mound.

He peaked in 1963, putting up his best numbers and helping the Pirates as a key part of their pitching staff.

His career lined up with the tough National League of the early 1960s. Francis spent almost all his big league time in Pittsburgh, earning a reputation as a dependable teammate.

He wrapped up his career with two games for the Cardinals in 1965, then left professional baseball.

Season-by-Season Overview

Francis started out in 1960 with 7 games for Pittsburgh. In 1961, he saw more action and played in 23 games, carving out a spot on the roster.

1962 was his busiest season, pitching in 36 games and showing he could handle a heavy workload.

The 1963 season saw him appear in 34 games, and that’s when he put up his best stats. He made real strides that year.

In 1964, he only got into 2 games, possibly because of injuries or a smaller role. In 1965, Francis moved to St. Louis and pitched in just 2 games before his major league career ended.

Legacy and Impact

Earl Francis made his mark on baseball with his achievements and the doors he helped open for others. His reputation with teammates and his role in breaking barriers for African American players left a real impact.

Reputation Among Peers

Francis earned respect from teammates and opponents during his six years in the majors. The Pirates showed their trust in him by making him their Opening Day starter in 1963.

He finished with a 16-23 record and a 3.77 ERA across 103 games, striking out 263 batters. That’s not too shabby for a guy who started in the coal fields.

Francis didn’t just work hard on the field. He worked part-time at Kaufmann’s downtown sports department during the off-season, keeping himself connected to the Pittsburgh community.

Players around him noticed his professionalism and drive. His ability to play both baseball and football at Stratton High in Beckley, West Virginia, showed off his natural athleticism.

Influence on African American Athletes

Francis became an important figure for African American baseball players in the early 1960s. He found success with the Pirates during a key period for baseball’s integration.

Coming from Slab Fork, West Virginia, Francis put his community on the national stage. His story helped open doors for other Black athletes from similar backgrounds.

He played from 1960 to 1965, a time when Black players still faced real limits. Francis showed that talent and determination could break down some of those barriers.

His steady play and professional attitude helped shift perceptions about African American athletes in baseball. He played during a time of big change for the sport.

Role in 1960 World Series Team

Francis joined the Pirates’ 1960 World Series championship team as a rookie pitcher. That series is still one of the most famous in baseball.

The Pirates upset the heavily favored Yankees in seven games, and Francis contributed as part of the pitching staff.

Being part of that championship team raised his profile with the organization. It also led to bigger opportunities, like his Opening Day start in 1963.

That 1960 World Series win stands as a huge moment in Pirates history. Francis’s role as a young African American player made the victory even more meaningful for the team and its fans.

Personal Life After Baseball

Earl Francis came back to Pittsburgh after his playing days ended. He started over as a working man and a devoted family member.

He spent more than thirty years in the grocery business. Folks in his hometown of Beckley, West Virginia, started thinking of him as a bit of a local celebrity.

Post-Baseball Career

Francis took a job as a meatcutter at a Hill District grocery store after he retired from baseball. That jump from pro athlete to blue-collar worker really showed how practical he was about life after sports.

When the store burned down in the 1960s, Francis didn’t waste time and found another job at a different supermarket. He eventually worked his way up at Giant Eagle in Fox Chapel, sticking around until he retired in 1999.

He spent over 30 years in the grocery business. Francis always showed up, did the work, and handled the shift from baseball to regular life pretty well.

Community and Family Life

Francis married Marie Stotts in 1961. They met through a teammate who went to her church.

Marie would say her husband was shy and gentle, even though his size made people think otherwise. “He was very, very shy, and that’s something that most people didn’t understand because he was such a big man,” Marie said. “But he was very shy and very gentle, very loving.”

They raised five kids together: Lydia Marie Francis, Earl Francis Jr., Michael Francis, Shawn Francis, and Shannon Francis.

People in Beckley, West Virginia, started to see Francis as a local celebrity. The American Legion Post there even named a road rest stop along Old Route 40 for him.

Later Years and Passing

In his later years, Francis dealt with health problems that made it tough for him to get around. He had knee replacement surgery about 20 years before he passed, and that really limited his mobility.

Still, when he felt up to it, Francis made time for his favorite thing—fishing. His wife said, “When he was not in pain, he’d go every chance he’d get.”

Earl Francis passed away on July 3, 2002, at UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland. He was 66 and had fought a long illness.

He was buried in Homewood Cemetery after a funeral service at St. Benedict the Moor Roman Catholic Church. Francis left behind his wife, five children, seven grandchildren, his mother, a brother, and a sister.

Memorial and Burial Information

Earl Francis died on July 3, 2002, at age 66 after a long fight with diabetes at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was laid to rest at Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, and the funeral took place at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Homewood Cemetery Details

Earl Francis rests at Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The cemetery became his final resting place after his death on July 3, 2002.

His funeral mass happened on Monday, July 8, 2002, at 11 AM at St. Benedict The Moor R.C. Church, 91 Crawford Street in Pittsburgh. After the service, they held the interment at Homewood Cemetery.

Francis had spent his last days in the intensive care unit at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, battling diabetes. He died just 11 days before his 67th birthday.

Family and Survivors

Earl Francis left behind quite a large family when he passed away in 2002. His wife, Marie Stotts-Francis, lived in Shaler Township, which is just outside Pittsburgh.

He had two daughters: Lydia Francis of Pittsburgh and Shawn Ellen Francis of Bellevue, Pennsylvania. Earl also had three sons—Earl C. Francis Jr. of Dallas, Michael D. Francis of Dale City, Virginia, and Shannon R. Francis of Pittsburgh.

His mother, Cordie B. Francis, still lived in Beckley, West Virginia at the time of his death. Earl always kept strong connections to both Pennsylvania and his West Virginia roots.

The former Pirates pitcher lived in Shaler Township after his baseball career. He worked for the Giant Eagle grocery store chain, which might surprise some people who remember him from the mound.