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

Ed FitzGerald built a solid 12-year career in Major League Baseball as a catcher, playing from 1948 to 1959 for three different teams. The California native appeared in 807 games, serving mostly as a backup catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians.

His journey from a promising prospect to a reliable veteran gives us a glimpse into the life of a journeyman player during baseball’s golden era.

FitzGerald hit his peak in 1954 when he finally landed the starting catcher job with the Washington Senators. He played in a career-high 115 games and batted .289 that season.

Even though he mostly worked as a backup, he made some key contributions to his teams. He had several memorable moments, like catching a no-hitter and breaking up a perfect game with a clutch ninth-inning hit.

The story of Ed FitzGerald goes beyond stats and game highlights. From his early days in Santa Ynez, California, through his military service in World War II, to his professional baseball career and life after, FitzGerald’s journey reflects what many players experienced in America’s pastime during the post-war years.

His career shows us the ups and downs of professional baseball in the 1940s and 1950s.

Early Life, Education, and Military Service

Edward Raymond Fitz Gerald grew up in a big Irish-American family in rural California. He attended Saint Mary’s College, but World War II interrupted his education.

His early years in Santa Ynez helped shape his athletic skills. College and Army service delayed his pro baseball path, but they also made him tougher and more determined.

Childhood in Santa Ynez

Edward Raymond Fitz Gerald was born on May 21, 1924, in Santa Ynez, California. The town sits about 30 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.

He was the seventh of eight sons born to Frank and Ida (Nevin) Fitz Gerald. Frank worked as a contract laborer on a farm and later became a custodian at the local high school.

Ida was a homemaker and a first-generation American; her parents came from Ireland. People often misspelled the family surname, but Ed always signed his name as “Fitz Gerald” with a space.

Growing up, family and friends called him “Eddy.” He attended Santa Ynez High School, where he stood out in both baseball and basketball.

His athletic talent really started to show during high school. That set the stage for his professional career.

Saint Mary’s College Background

After high school, Ed went north to join his older brother John at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California. John, a six-foot-four pitcher, had already enrolled there.

Both brothers played baseball under coach Earl Sheely, who used to play first base in the majors. The college gave Ed tougher competition and better coaching, which helped him grow as a catcher.

Ed’s college baseball career ended early when the U.S. Army drafted him in April 1943. Even though his time at Saint Mary’s was short, it was important.

Coach Sheely later helped launch Ed’s pro career.

World War II Army Service

The U.S. Army drafted Ed Fitz Gerald in April 1943, and he served during World War II. He first trained at Camp Roberts, California, then shipped out to both the Pacific and European theaters.

He started overseas in the Aleutian Islands with the 597th AAA Battalion of the Arkansas National Guard at Dutch Harbor. When the threat in the Aleutians faded, he moved to Europe.

During his European service, Ed captured two German soldiers by himself on the Rhine River. After the war ended, he worked as a guard on the Germany-Austria border before heading home.

His military service lasted from 1943 until after the war, which delayed his baseball career. Still, it gave him valuable life experience and maturity.

Minor League Beginnings

Ed Fitz Gerald kicked off his pro baseball career in 1946 with the Wenatchee Chiefs. Former Saint Mary’s coach Earl Sheely signed him to a contract.

His minor league journey took him through the Western International League and then to the Pacific Coast League with the Sacramento Solons. There, he grew into a top prospect.

Wenatchee Chiefs Debut

Fitz Gerald started out with the Wenatchee Chiefs of the Class-B Western International League in 1946. He was 22 and made an immediate impact under manager Buddy Ryan, a former Cleveland Indians outfielder.

He hit .338 with 13 home runs in 91 games as a rookie. His strong performance helped the Chiefs build a big lead in the standings by late August.

The team finished 89-54 and won the Western International League pennant by nine games. That was the only pennant-winning team Fitz Gerald ever played on in his pro career.

Wenatchee called him up late in the season to the Sacramento Solons. He played 11 games in the Pacific Coast League and hit .263.

Sacramento Solons and Pacific Coast League

Fitz Gerald broke out in 1947 with the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League. He got off to a hot start, hitting .360 in his first 22 games.

The Solons slapped a $100,000 price tag on the 22-year-old catcher because of his early numbers. He kept hitting all season, playing in 144 games.

Fitz Gerald finished second in the Pacific Coast League batting race with a .363 average. Only Hillis Layne (.367), a former Washington Senator, hit better that year.

He led the Solons with 26 stolen bases, ranking third in the entire Pacific Coast League. The team program called him “fast and hits the long ball” and praised his defense.

The Pittsburgh Pirates noticed his stellar 1947 season. They bought his contract for $65,000 and three players during their $235,000 spending spree on Pacific Coast League talent.

California League and Fresno Giants

There’s no solid evidence that Ed Fitz Gerald played for the Fresno Giants in the California League during his minor league days. His path went straight from the Wenatchee Chiefs to the Sacramento Solons, then to the Pirates organization.

After a rough start in 1950 with Pittsburgh, Fitz Gerald headed to the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association. He played 103 games there and hit .313 with 42 RBIs.

That Indianapolis stint helped him develop under manager Al Lopez, a former National League All-Star catcher. The experience helped him earn his way back to the Pirates as a backup catcher in 1951.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Ed Fitz Gerald played 12 seasons in the big leagues from 1948 to 1959. He appeared in 807 games as a catcher and hit .260 with 19 home runs and 217 RBIs.

His career spanned three teams, starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then the Washington Senators, and finally the Cleveland Indians.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Fitz Gerald made his MLB debut on April 19, 1948, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. He came in during the seventh inning as a pinch-hitter for pitcher Hal Gregg against the Reds.

He got his first major league hit five days later at the same ballpark. He singled off righty Tommy Hughes to score Ed Stevens in a 7-1 Pirates win.

On July 20, 1948, Fitz Gerald hit his first major league home run off Philadelphia’s Al Lakeman at Forbes Field. The three-run shot landed in Greenberg Gardens and helped cap an 11-2 Pirates win.

His rookie season showed both promise and some rough edges. Fitz Gerald led all major league catchers with 15 passed balls, especially struggling with veteran knuckleballer Kirby Higbe.

Pittsburgh Pirates Tenure

Fitz Gerald played five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1948 to 1953, mostly as a backup catcher. The Pirates got him from the Sacramento Solons for $65,000 and three players after he hit .363 in the Pacific Coast League.

His biggest moment came on May 6, 1951, when he caught Cliff Chambers’ no-hitter against the Boston Braves. He wasn’t supposed to catch that nightcap, but Clyde McCullough got sick, so Fitz Gerald stepped in.

He made a wild catch in the eighth inning, diving into the stands to snag a foul ball off Bob Elliott’s bat. That play helped keep the Pirates’ first no-hitter since 1907 alive.

He didn’t get a ton of playing time in Pittsburgh. In 1949, he played 75 games, and in 1951, just 55, hitting .227 with 13 RBIs.

Washington Senators Era

The Washington Senators picked up Fitz Gerald in 1953 for “quite a bit above the waiver price.” This move finally gave him the regular playing time he’d wanted.

“I know I’ll be getting a lot of work in Washington,” Fitz Gerald said when he joined the Senators. “They have a good pitching staff and a chance to finish in the first division, too.”

1954 was his best year. He played a career-high 115 games, set personal bests with 401 plate appearances, 360 at-bats, 104 hits, and four home runs, and batted .289.

His top offensive game came on May 1, 1955, against the Kansas City Athletics. He went into the game hitting .152, then launched two home runs and drove in four runs in a 16-10 loss. Both homers came off rookie Art Ditmar.

Later on, Fitz Gerald split catching duties with Bruce Edwards and Clint Courtney.

Cleveland Indians and 1959 Retirement

Fitz Gerald wrapped up his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1959. He played his last game on September 15, 1959, ending a 12-year run in the majors.

He finished with a .260 batting average in 807 games. On defense, he posted a .975 fielding percentage, though passed balls were always a bit of a challenge for him.

The California native retired at 35. His career really shows what it meant to be a reliable backup catcher in the 1950s.

After retiring, Fitz Gerald stayed out of the spotlight. He passed away on June 14, 2020, in Folsom, California, at age 96.

Notable Career Highlights

Ed FitzGerald’s 12-year MLB career included some pretty memorable moments. He caught Cliff Chambers’ no-hitter in 1951 and broke up Billy Pierce’s perfect game attempt with a clutch pinch-hit double.

Cliff Chambers’ No-Hitter

On May 6, 1951, FitzGerald played a huge role in Pittsburgh Pirates history. He caught Cliff Chambers’ no-hitter against the Boston Braves at Braves Field.

The team had planned for FitzGerald to catch just the first game of the doubleheader. But when regular catcher Clyde McCullough came down with the flu, FitzGerald had to step in for the nightcap.

Chambers walked eight batters that game, which made things tough for FitzGerald behind the plate. The most unforgettable part? In the eighth inning, Bob Elliott fouled off a pitch near the stands.

FitzGerald made a spectacular diving catch into the stands to keep the no-hitter alive.

After the 3-0 win, Chambers praised FitzGerald. “He handled my pitches perfectly,” the pitcher said.

FitzGerald gave Chambers credit too, telling reporters that Chambers “had a really good fast ball out there today.”

The Pirates hadn’t seen a no-hitter since Nick Maddox threw one back in 1907.

Breaking Up Billy Pierce’s Perfect Game

FitzGerald had one of his most dramatic moments as a pinch-hitter. He broke up a perfect game attempt with two outs in the ninth inning.

He smacked a clutch double that ended what could’ve been a historic night.

This moment just added to FitzGerald’s reputation as a reliable bench player. He really had a knack for coming through when the pressure was highest.

His ability to deliver in big spots made him valuable throughout his career.

Catching Reputation and Memorable Moments

Early in his career, FitzGerald struggled defensively, especially with knuckleball pitchers. He led all major league catchers with 15 passed balls in his rookie year, mostly from trying to handle Kirby Higbe’s knuckleball.

He got better with time, though. “I had no trouble once I learned how to hang on to Kirby Higbe’s knuckler,” FitzGerald told the Sacramento Bee.

His career fielding percentage of .975 really showed that improvement.

On offense, FitzGerald had some highlights too. He hit two home runs in a single game on May 1, 1955, against the Kansas City Athletics.

Both shots came off rookie pitcher Art Ditmar during a wild 16-10 game.

FitzGerald had some speed, but teams didn’t use it much. He stole just nine bases in his MLB career, even though people described him as having “above average speed.”

Career Statistics and Achievements

Ed FitzGerald finished with a .260 batting average over 12 MLB seasons. He collected 542 hits, 19 home runs, and 217 RBIs in 807 games.

He played from 1948 to 1959 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians. He established himself as a steady backup catcher.

Batting Average and Power Numbers

FitzGerald kept a .260 batting average for his whole MLB career. His best offensive year came in 1954 with the Washington Senators, when he hit .289 in 115 games.

He didn’t have a lot of power, but he made his hits count. He hit 19 home runs in 12 years, with four coming in his best season—1954.

His most memorable game at the plate happened on May 1, 1955. He hit two home runs and drove in four runs against the Kansas City Athletics.

Both homers came off rookie pitcher Art Ditmar and helped spark a five-run first inning.

Career Offensive Highlights:

• Batting Average: .260
• Home Runs: 19
• RBIs: 217
• Hits: 542
• Games Played: 807

Career Longevity and Milestones

FitzGerald played 12 seasons in the majors from 1948 to 1959. He made his MLB debut on April 19, 1948, at age 23 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He hit his stride with the Washington Senators from 1953 to 1955. The 1954 season saw him play a career-high 115 games, catching in 107 of them.

On May 6, 1951, he achieved one of baseball’s rarest honors. He caught Cliff Chambers’ no-hitter against the Boston Braves, making that unforgettable diving catch in the eighth inning.

FitzGerald played for just two teams with winning records during his 12-year run. He didn’t get many postseason chances, but his commitment to the game never wavered.

Defensive Contributions

FitzGerald mostly worked as a backup catcher in the big leagues. He caught in over 600 games, giving his pitchers solid defense.

Manager Al Lopez helped FitzGerald improve his defensive skills during a minor league stint. Pirates manager Billy Meyer said in 1951, “Ed FitzGerald looks greatly improved as a catcher. He doesn’t drop as many balls as he did.”

He had his share of struggles early, leading all MLB catchers with 15 passed balls in 1948. Knuckleballer Kirby Higbe gave him a tough time, but FitzGerald eventually figured out how to handle the pitch.

His .975 career fielding percentage shows he became a reliable defender. FitzGerald finished in the top three in passed balls four times, but he got much better at blocking pitches as his career went on.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

FitzGerald made a smooth switch from player to coach. He spent four years coaching in the American League, then tried his hand at minor league management for a bit.

He contributed a lot to player development and the baseball community, way beyond just his stats.

Coaching in the American League

FitzGerald started his coaching career right after retiring, joining the Cleveland Indians in 1960. His experience as a veteran catcher made him a great resource for pitchers and young catchers.

He moved to the Kansas City Athletics in 1961, working as a coach under Joe Gordon. The A’s were rebuilding, so FitzGerald’s focus on fundamentals helped guide the younger players.

His biggest coaching gig came with the Minnesota Twins from 1962 to 1964. During those three seasons, FitzGerald worked closely with the pitching staff and catchers as the Twins settled into Minnesota after moving from Washington.

The Twins finished above .500 in two of his three years there. FitzGerald emphasized game management and defense, drawing on his dozen years in the majors.

Brief Stint with Minor League Management

After his time coaching in the American League, FitzGerald managed in the minors for a short while. He took charge of the Fresno Giants in the California League during the mid-1960s.

The job let him help develop younger players and stay involved in the game. The California League gave FitzGerald a chance to put his baseball smarts to use at the Class A level.

His time managing in the minors was short but meaningful. FitzGerald helped prepare several players to move up in professional baseball.

Impact on Baseball Community

FitzGerald spent his career right in the middle of baseball’s shift from its golden age to the modern era. Over 21 years, he played and coached, making a real mark on the people around him.

He built a reputation as a catcher because of his strong arm—he threw out nearly 40 percent of base stealers. Teammates and young players respected how he called pitches and managed games.

FitzGerald kept in touch with baseball all his life. He stayed close with old teammates and the players he once coached.

He passed away in 2020 at age 96, closing the chapter on a life truly devoted to America’s pastime.