Ed Charles – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ed Charles carved out a unique place in baseball history. He played third base with skill, but he also stood out as one of the sport’s more thoughtful voices. People called him “The Glider” because of his smooth fielding. Charles played eight seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1962 to 1969, splitting his time between the Kansas City Athletics and New York Mets.

Charles retired after the 1969 season as a World Series champion with the legendary “Miracle Mets.” That capped off a career where he overcame significant racial barriers and earned respect as both a player and a poet.

He was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1933. As a teenager, Charles watched Jackie Robinson make history during spring training. That experience shaped his own path to professional baseball.

His journey to the majors wasn’t easy. He played in the segregated minor leagues of the South and faced endless challenges before finally reaching the big leagues at age 29. That late arrival made his later success even more impressive.

Charles’s story goes way beyond his stats. He became a veteran leader on one of baseball’s most surprising championship teams and wrote poetry that he shared with fans and teammates. Even after retirement, he carried himself with the same dignity and wisdom that made him respected as a player.

Early Life and Influences

Ed Charles was born on April 29, 1933, in Daytona Beach, Florida. This was during the Great Depression and the Jim Crow era.

His childhood was rough. He grew up in poverty, with family instability and the harsh realities of segregation. But one moment—watching Jackie Robinson—changed everything for him.

Family Background in Daytona Beach

Charles grew up in a broken home with eight siblings in a rough part of Daytona Beach. His family barely scraped by during the Great Depression.

Food was often scarce. Opportunities were even rarer for African-American families in the segregated South.

Charles’s father abused his mother and often got into trouble with local police. Young Ed saw this cycle of violence up close.

His grandfather was strict too. He once beat Ed and his brothers for confronting white children who stole their toy.

The threat of lynching was real in Charles’s neighborhood. He remembered that Lee Snell was lynched in Daytona Beach when Ed was just five.

This created a constant atmosphere of fear and caution. It shaped his early years in ways that stuck with him.

School didn’t offer much meaning to him. Charles dropped out after eighth grade.

He bounced between relatives across Florida, living with his grandfather, then an older brother, and finally moving in with his older sister in St. Petersburg.

Segregation and Experiences with Racism

Charles later talked about the painful irony of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and reading the Constitution in school. He felt those words about freedom and equality “really didn’t apply to him” as a young Black boy in the South.

His family lived in a run-down, segregated part of town. Charles experienced daily humiliation under Jim Crow laws.

He got used to being called racial slurs in white environments. His grandfather’s harsh reaction to the toy incident came from a survival mindset.

Black families knew that even the smallest confrontation with white people—even kids—could turn deadly. Charles learned early about the dangerous realities of racial dynamics in 1930s Florida.

Inspiration from Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers

The most transformative moment in Charles’s life came in 1946, when he was 13. Jackie Robinson arrived in Daytona Beach for spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Charles was already a Dodgers fan. He listened to their games on the radio and liked their underdog reputation.

He couldn’t afford a ticket, so he sat on the left field fence to watch Robinson play. He later said,

“I was just a kid, and I was awed by it all, and I prayed for him. I would say, ‘Please, God, let him show the whites what we can do so that we can excel like they can.'”

The entire Black community came out to see Robinson. Charles described how “old people and small children, invalids and town drunks” all made their way to the ballpark.

Some came on crutches, others needed help walking, but everyone wanted to witness this.

When spring training ended, Charles and other kids followed Robinson and his teammates to the train station. They ran alongside the departing train as long as they could.

Even after the sound faded, they kept running and put their ears to the tracks to feel the vibrations, wanting to stay connected to Robinson.

Charles would later call Robinson his “redeemer” and “way-shower,” saying Robinson made success seem possible for Black Americans.

Gibbs High School and Athletic Beginnings

Romance actually brought Charles back to school in St. Petersburg. He had a crush on a girl in his neighborhood who wouldn’t date a dropout.

Charles re-enrolled and told the registrar at Gibbs High School that his old school records had burned in a fire. He claimed he was ready for 10th grade.

His athletic career started on the football field, but not without some embarrassment. As a sophomore, he completely missed his first punt attempt while being rushed.

His coach told him, “Don’t worry, you’ll get another chance to make good.”

Charles took advantage of that second chance. By his senior year, he captained the baseball team and played starting quarterback for the football team.

He led Gibbs to an undefeated season and a state Class A football championship.

His athletic success caught the attention of baseball scouts. This set him on the path toward professional baseball, though he still had to face more challenges in the segregated minor leagues before he reached the majors.

Path to the Major Leagues

Ed Charles spent a long time in the minors before finally making it to the majors in 1962. His journey included stints with the Boston Braves organization, military service, and time in integrated leagues like the Provincial League in Quebec.

Signing with the Boston Braves

Charles first tried out for the Boston Braves’ Class B team but didn’t make it. Still, he became the first Black player to even audition for the organization.

He briefly thought about joining the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro League, but a chance meeting changed everything.

Executive Vern Eckert arranged another tryout in 1952 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This time, Charles impressed the Braves’ Class C affiliate scouts and landed a contract.

The Braves signed him to play for the Quebec City Braves in the Provincial League.

That signing kicked off Charles’s professional baseball career. The Braves saw potential in the young infielder from Florida, despite his earlier setback.

Minor League Tenure and Military Service

Charles spent nearly a decade grinding through the minor leagues. He played for teams in Corpus Christi, Louisville, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale, among other southern cities.

These years tested his resolve. He faced segregation and plenty of racial hostility.

His 1953 season with the Fort Lauderdale affiliate stood out. As a local, Charles got support from newspapers and African-American fans.

Manager Pepper Martin, a former St. Louis Cardinal All-Star, judged players on performance, not skin color.

Military service from 1954-1955 interrupted Charles’s climb. When he returned in 1956, he competed for a big league job with Felix Mantilla and Danny O’Connell.

The Braves traded for Red Schoendienst instead, so Charles ended up assigned to the Wichita Braves.

Negro League and Provincial League Experience

The Provincial League in Quebec gave Charles his first professional experience in 1952. This league had a long history of welcoming Black athletes, going back to the 1800s.

Quebec offered a more tolerant environment than the South.

Charles batted .317 with 11 triples in his rookie season, leading the league in triples. The Quebec City Braves finished second, just 1.5 games out of first place.

His teammates included other future major leaguers like Humberto Robinson.

The league featured many Negro League veterans and young prospects. Notable names included Vic Power, Bob Trice, and Hall of Famer Ray Brown.

Manager George McQuinn, a former seven-time All-Star, led the team with experience.

Development as a Third Baseman

Charles started out as a shortstop in the Braves system but switched to second base, then finally third base as he moved up. That flexibility ended up being key for his big league career.

Learning third base meant picking up new defensive skills and positioning. He had to adapt, and he did.

His development at third base happened while the Milwaukee Braves were winning big in the late 1950s. The team won back-to-back pennants in 1957-58, including a World Series.

Charles kept working on his game in the minors as the big league club thrived.

By the early 1960s, Charles had really mastered the third base position. His veteran presence and steady defense would become valuable for both the Kansas City Athletics and the New York Mets.

Kansas City Athletics Career

Ed Charles finally got to Kansas City in 1962 after nearly a decade in the minors. He reached the majors at age 29.

He became one of the most accomplished players during the Athletics’ Kansas City years, playing six seasons under owner Charlie Finley.

Major League Debut and Rookie Season

Charles debuted with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962 at the age of 29. Racial barriers and quota systems delayed his progress through the minors.

He had a strong rookie year. Charles batted .288 with 17 home runs and put up a .356 on-base percentage. His 20 stolen bases ranked fourth in the American League that season.

He played in 149 games that year, quickly establishing himself as a reliable everyday player.

Even though he didn’t win any major rookie awards, his performance stood out. His maturity and experience from the minors helped him adjust fast to major league competition.

Role as Team Leader and Consistent Performer

Charles quickly became a cornerstone of the Athletics’ infield from 1962 to 1967. He played 726 games in a Kansas City uniform, more than anyone else during that stretch.

His steady defense at third base made him invaluable. Charles delivered consistent offensive production every season.

He also mentored younger teammates. His experience and professional approach helped shape the clubhouse culture during some tough years for the Athletics.

Charles averaged around 15 home runs per season and typically hit between .250 and .280 with the team.

Key Teammates and Relationships

During his Kansas City years, Charles played with several future stars. Sal Bando was one of the young players who would later follow the team to Oakland.

Charles formed strong relationships with both established players and prospects. His leadership made him respected in the clubhouse.

He played under various managers during his Kansas City years. The frequent changes reflected the Athletics’ instability at the time.

Teammates called him “The Poet” for good reason. Players respected his intelligence and his thoughtful approach to the game.

Impact of Charlie Finley’s Management

Charlie Finley bought the Athletics in 1960, two years before Charles arrived. Finley’s unconventional ownership style shaped the team’s culture and operations.

Finley brought in promotional gimmicks and rule changes that affected players’ daily lives. His hands-on management created an unpredictable atmosphere for players like Charles.

The owner’s cost-cutting and frequent personnel changes made things unstable. Charles managed to stay professional and kept performing on the field.

Finley’s decision to move the team to Oakland after 1967 ended Charles’s time with the Athletics. The team traded Charles to the New York Mets before the move.

The Miracle Mets and Final Playing Years

Charles joined the New York Mets in 1967. He became a crucial veteran presence during their amazing 1969 World Series championship run.

At 36, Charles provided steady leadership and mentored younger players. He contributed both on the field and in the clubhouse.

Trade to New York Mets

The Kansas City Athletics traded Ed Charles to the New York Mets in 1967. That move brought an experienced third baseman to a young team still searching for its identity in the National League.

Charles showed up in New York with five years of major league experience under his belt. He had played his entire career with Kansas City before the trade.

The Mets wanted a veteran to help guide their developing roster. Charles fit that need.

Moving to New York kicked off a whole new chapter in Charles’s career. He spent his last three seasons with the Mets from 1967 to 1969.

During those years, fans started to know him as much for his poetry as his baseball.

Contributions to the 1969 Mets Championship

Charles played a key role in the Mets’ wild 1969 World Series win over the Baltimore Orioles. The team that everyone had laughed at for years suddenly became champions.

He played throughout the 1969 season with guys like Jerry Koosman and Jerry Grote. Charles brought steady defense and came up with clutch hits when the Mets needed them.

After the Mets beat Baltimore 5-3 in the final game at Shea Stadium, Charles celebrated with his teammates. That win gave the Mets their first World Series title.

The championship marked the high point of Charles’s 18-year professional career.

Veteran Leadership and Mentor Role

At 36 during the 1969 season, Charles became a veteran presence in the clubhouse. He helped guide younger players like Wayne Garrett and others on the team.

People called him “The Glider” for his smooth style and calm attitude. Charles wrote poetry, too, and folks started calling him the “Poet Laureate of Baseball.”

He began writing poems back in his minor league days. That creative streak made him stand out in the clubhouse.

Manager Gil Hodges really valued Charles’s leadership. The veteran knew how to stay cool under pressure.

His experience made a difference during the team’s championship run.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

Charles retired from professional baseball after the 1969 season. His last year lined up perfectly with the Mets’ World Series win—a storybook ending for his career.

He spent eight years in the majors, playing for Kansas City (1962-67) and the New York Mets (1967-69). Charles finished with a .263 batting average, 86 home runs, and 421 RBIs over 917 hits.

That 1969 championship ring was the capstone of his 18-year professional journey. Charles worked his way up through the minors before making his mark in the majors.

His retirement closed the book on an era for the veteran third baseman.

Legacy and Life After Retirement

Ed Charles built a legacy that stretched far past his playing days. He became a beloved figure in baseball and in his adopted home of Queens.

People still called him “The Glider” after he retired. His love of poetry and community work really defined his life after baseball.

Personal Life and Nicknames

Charles picked up the nickname “The Glider” during his time with the Mets. He moved so gracefully on the basepaths and at third base.

Pitcher Jerry Koosman supposedly gave him that name after watching Charles make a diving catch, saying, “You sort of glide to the ball.”

After retiring in 1969, Charles decided to stay in the New York area. He settled in East Elmhurst, Queens, and lived within walking distance of Shea Stadium—and later Citi Field—for almost fifty years.

People also called Charles “The Poet.” That nickname fit his love for writing poetry about his experiences with racism in the segregated South and his baseball journey.

Poetry and Community Involvement

Charles wrote a lot about his experiences as a Black player in pro baseball during the 1950s and 1960s. His poetry captured both the struggles of playing in the segregated South and the joy he found in the game.

In the clubhouse, Charles often shared his poems with teammates. His words gave a unique look at the social challenges Black athletes faced during the civil rights era.

After retiring, Charles worked in promotions for Buddha Records, the company that distributed the 1969 Amazing Mets album. The job let him stay close to his championship team while exploring new opportunities.

In 1972, Charles met his childhood hero Jackie Robinson in Manhattan while developing a line of baseball novelties. That moment brought his journey full circle—from a young fan chasing Robinson’s train in Florida to a professional player himself.

Representation in Media and Popular Culture

Charles stayed a beloved figure in Mets history and baseball culture long after he stopped playing. His role as a veteran leader on the 1969 “Miracle Mets” team secured his spot in baseball lore.

The 1969 Amazing Mets album, which Buddha Records put out while Charles worked there, helped keep the memory of that championship season alive. Charles’s work promoting it kept him connected to one of baseball’s best underdog stories.

His poetry and personal story of overcoming racial barriers made him a compelling figure for baseball historians and writers. Charles stood for a generation of players who helped break down segregation in pro sports.

Charles died on March 15, 2018, at age 84 in his East Elmhurst home after a long illness. His daughter-in-law, Tomika Charles, shared the news, and Mets fans felt the loss deeply.

Awards, Honors, and Net Worth

Ed Charles secured his place in baseball history as a core member of the 1969 World Series champion New York Mets. He got his most meaningful recognition through community honors and the impact he left on the game, not just stats.

Major Career Honors and Achievements

Charles’s biggest achievement was helping the New York Mets win the 1969 World Series championship. That victory made him part of the legendary “Miracle Mets” team that shocked baseball.

He received the Gil Hodges Unforgettable Fire Award at the 2015 Queens Baseball Convention. The honor recognized his contributions under manager Gil Hodges during the championship run.

During his career, Charles picked up three notable nicknames: “The Glider,” “Ez,” and “The Poet.” “The Glider” stuck the most, thanks to his smooth fielding at third base.

Charles’s leadership went beyond stats. He helped ease tensions between vets and younger players on the Mets, like Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda.

Statistical Highlights and Records

Charles played eight seasons in MLB from 1962 to 1969. He spent six years with the Kansas City Athletics (1962-1967) and his last two with the New York Mets (1967-1969).

He appeared in over 900 games during his major league career. Charles wore number 5 for the Mets and made his team debut on May 12, 1967, in St. Louis.

He picked up his first hit as a Met with an RBI sacrifice fly off former teammate Al Jackson. Charles batted right-handed his whole career and mainly played third base.

His most important games came during the 1969 postseason. His steady defense and veteran presence helped anchor the Mets’ championship team.

Estimated Net Worth and Lasting Impact

Charles’s exact net worth? No one really knows. Players from his era usually kept those details private. Baseball salaries in the 1960s just didn’t compare to what you see today.

His real value showed up in the way he influenced the 1969 Mets championship team. Charles brought leadership, and honestly, his poetry writing made him stand out in baseball history.

After he retired in 1969, Charles stayed close to the Mets organization. He showed up at team reunions and fan events, even as he got older.

Charles died on March 15, 2018, at age 84 in New York. The Mets paid tribute to him and other former players during pregame ceremonies, which really helped cement his legacy with the franchise.