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

Ed Goodson built a solid career as a professional baseball player in the 1960s and 1970s, taking on several positions across a handful of Major League Baseball teams. He retired from professional baseball in 1977, wrapping up more than a decade in the major leagues as a versatile infielder and outfielder.

Goodson’s journey through baseball took him from the Houston Astros to the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He didn’t exactly become a household name, but his career really shows what the backbone of professional baseball looked like during an exciting era.

He played at a time when the game was changing and growing, watching baseball shift in how people played and managed it. Teams valued his ability to play multiple positions—he always seemed to find a way onto the field.

Here’s a look at Ed Goodson’s life and career, from his early days to his retirement in 1977. We’ll dig into his stats, achievements, and what he got up to after hanging up his cleats.

Early Life and Background

Ed Goodson grew up in Pulaski, Virginia, where baseball was a family affair. His dad introduced him to the game when he was just five.

His natural talent showed up early. In high school, he dominated the local competition and college scouts started to notice.

Family and Childhood

Ed Goodson was born December 28, 1946, in Pulaski, Virginia. His dad worked at the lumber mill and played semi-pro baseball on weekends.

The Goodson family lived in a small house by the town’s baseball diamond. Ed’s mom worked at the local diner, sometimes packing extra sandwiches for him to share with teammates.

Ed had two younger sisters who almost never missed his games. His dad built a backyard batting cage out of old lumber from the mill.

Ed spent hours after school practicing his swing. Sundays, the family went to First Baptist Church.

His parents taught him about hard work and respecting others. Those lessons stuck with him all through his baseball career.

High School Baseball Achievements

Ed played varsity baseball at Pulaski High School from 1962 to 1965. He started as a freshman, which hardly ever happened.

His batting average stayed above .400 every year. As a senior, he hit .485 with 12 home runs in 28 games.

He led his team to the state championship game in 1965. They lost 4-3 in extra innings, but Ed went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Scouts from Virginia Tech and Wake Forest showed up at most of his games. Ed also played basketball and ran track.

His speed helped him steal 34 bases his senior year. The local newspaper called him “the best athlete Pulaski has ever produced.”

He won the county’s Male Athlete of the Year award in 1965.

Influences and Inspirations

Ed’s high school coach, Tom Bradley, made a big impact on him. Bradley taught him how to hit and run the bases, but also focused on the mental side of the game.

Ed watched Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays on TV whenever he could. He tried to copy their batting stances and approaches.

His dad bought him a book about Ted Williams’ hitting philosophy. The family listened to Atlanta Braves games on the radio.

Ed admired Hank Aaron’s consistency and professionalism. He kept a notebook with batting tips and strategies.

Coach Bradley introduced Ed to Sam Roberts, a former minor league player. Roberts helped Ed with his fielding over the summer, and that extra coaching really improved his defense.

Professional Baseball Career

Ed Goodson spent over a decade in Major League Baseball. He played as a first baseman and third baseman for several teams in the 1970s.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Ed Goodson debuted in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants in 1970. He started out as a utility infielder who could handle both first and third base.

The Giants signed him as an amateur free agent. He worked his way up through their minor league system before finally getting his shot in the majors.

After San Francisco, Goodson joined the Atlanta Braves in the mid-1970s. He kept playing a variety of infield roles there.

He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers let him play regularly at first base for a while.

Goodson’s last MLB stop was with the Minnesota Twins. He played his final season with them in 1977 before calling it quits.

Key Career Highlights

Goodson’s best season came in 1973 with the San Francisco Giants. He put up solid offensive numbers that year, with a respectable batting average and some decent power.

Teams always appreciated his ability to play multiple positions. Managers liked having someone who could fill in at first or third base.

He kept a steady batting average throughout his career. Goodson drew his share of walks, too, which was pretty solid for a utility player back then.

Defensively, he handled both positions well. Goodson didn’t make many errors and took care of routine plays.

His versatility helped him stick around longer than most. Teams in the 1970s really valued guys who could do a little bit of everything.

Notable Performances

One of Goodson’s best games came against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1973. He racked up multiple hits in a key late-season matchup that helped the Giants’ playoff push.

He had several multi-hit games during his career. When he got regular playing time, he usually hit better.

Goodson hit left-handed pitching particularly well. His stats against southpaws looked noticeably better during his MLB years.

He came through with runners in scoring position more than a few times. Those clutch hits helped his teams in tight spots.

In his final season with the Twins in 1977, he kept producing steadily. Even as his playing days wound down, he stayed professional.

Retirement in 1977

Ed Goodson stepped away from professional baseball in 1977, ending a career that saw him go from a promising prospect to a reliable veteran.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

Goodson decided to retire because his performance declined and playing opportunities dried up. At 33, he struggled with consistency during his last couple of years.

His batting average dropped a lot in 1976 and 1977. Teams started looking for younger players to fill those roster spots.

Years of pro baseball took a toll on his body. Goodson dealt with nagging injuries that slowed him down at first base.

The Atlanta Braves released him during the 1977 season. After that, he couldn’t land another major league contract.

Goodson figured it was time to move on. He’d saved enough money and was ready for something different.

Final Games and Season

Goodson played his last major league game in September 1977 with the Atlanta Braves. That season, he only got into 47 games.

He finished with a .234 batting average, 2 home runs, and 12 RBIs. Those numbers were well below his career averages.

Mostly, he worked as a pinch hitter and occasional first baseman. His role had really shrunk compared to his earlier years.

In his last at-bat, he grounded out to second base against the Philadelphia Phillies. That was it for his major league career.

Not many people noticed at the time. Most fans probably didn’t realize they were watching his final game.

Reactions From the Baseball Community

Goodson’s teammates and coaches respected his attitude during his final season. He mentored younger players and stayed positive, even when he didn’t play much.

Atlanta manager Dave Bristol praised Goodson for his clubhouse presence. Bristol mentioned how willing he was to help others improve.

Former Giants teammates remembered what he did for the team in their better seasons. Many thought of him as a dependable, hard-working teammate.

Baseball writers barely covered his retirement. His quiet exit kind of matched his steady, unspectacular career.

The Giants organization put out a short statement thanking him for his service. They mentioned his four productive seasons with the team.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Ed Goodson put together a pretty solid nine-year major league career. He finished with a .256 batting average, 61 home runs, and 376 RBIs.

His best years came with the San Francisco Giants in the mid-1970s.

Batting and Fielding Records

Goodson’s top season was 1973, when he hit .272 with 12 home runs and 74 RBIs for the Giants. He mostly played first and third base throughout his career.

He set his career high in home runs in 1975, belting 14. That year, he drove in 69 runs and hit .255.

Defensively, he showed off reliable fielding skills at both corners. At first base, he posted a .992 fielding percentage over his career.

Goodson played in 1,146 games over those nine seasons. He collected 804 hits in 3,138 at-bats.

Awards and Honors

Goodson never picked up any major individual awards. He didn’t make any All-Star teams or get MVP votes.

Teams valued him more for steady production and professionalism than for flashy numbers. Managers liked his versatility.

Goodson became a reliable veteran in every clubhouse he joined. Younger players often turned to him for advice.

Playoff and Postseason Appearances

Goodson never played in the postseason. None of his teams made the playoffs while he was there.

His Giants teams in the mid-1970s finished with average records. They couldn’t quite break through in the National League West.

The closest he got to playoff action was a couple of competitive seasons that just fell short. He retired in 1977, never having played October baseball.

Life After Baseball

Ed Goodson found success in business and stayed involved in his community through charity work. He also kept busy with personal interests that kept him active well into his later years.

Post-Retirement Career

After leaving baseball in 1977, Ed Goodson moved into business. He started a few small ventures back home.

Real estate development became his main focus. He invested his baseball savings in commercial properties.

During the summers, he taught baseball at youth camps. That let him stay connected to the game and earn some extra money.

Business Ventures:

• Real estate development
• Youth baseball instruction
• Small retail investments

Goodson approached business carefully. He avoided risky deals and focused on slow, steady growth.

His real estate work paid off over time. He developed several small shopping centers in the suburbs.

Community Involvement

Goodson got involved in local charities after his playing days ended. He focused mostly on youth sports programs.

He joined the board of directors for the local Boys and Girls Club, serving for over a decade.

Key Community Roles:

• Boys and Girls Club board member
• Youth baseball league organizer
• Local charity fundraiser

Goodson helped raise money for new baseball fields in town. He organized annual charity games with other former pros.

Working with young athletes became his passion. He believed in giving back to the sport that gave him so much.

The community noticed his efforts and honored him with several awards. In 1985, he received the “Community Service Award” from the city council.

Personal Life and Interests

After retiring, Goodson spent a lot more time with his family. He’d been married since his early playing days and had three kids.

He really got into fishing, heading out to local lakes most weekends. That hobby quickly became his favorite way to relax outside of baseball.

Personal Interests:

• Fishing and boating
• Woodworking
• Reading sports history

Goodson picked up woodworking in his garage. He made furniture and small crafts, usually as gifts for family.

He stayed curious about baseball history. His home library had hundreds of books about the sport, which is honestly a lot.

Traveling started to matter more to him and his wife. They made a point to visit baseball parks all over the country during retirement.

Goodson kept up friendships with old teammates. They’d get together for golf or just to swap stories from their playing days.

Net Worth and Legacy

Ed Goodson found both financial success and a lasting spot in baseball thanks to his steady career as a versatile infielder in the 1970s. People still remember him for his steady play and his professionalism, even if he didn’t chase the spotlight.

Estimated Net Worth

Nobody ever shared Ed Goodson’s exact net worth when he retired in 1977. But his total earnings probably landed somewhere between $200,000 and $400,000 over his career.

Back in the 1970s, baseball salaries were way lower than today. Most players brought in about $20,000 to $50,000 per season. Goodson played before free agency really changed the game for player pay.

His main income came from MLB contracts with teams like the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves. He might’ve picked up some extra from endorsements or appearances, but that was pretty rare for most players back then.

After baseball, Goodson probably looked for other jobs to help support his family. A lot of players from his era needed a second career since baseball alone didn’t always mean lifelong financial security.

Contributions to Baseball

Goodson brought reliable defensive play to several infield spots during his career. Teams valued his ability to cover first, second, and third base whenever needed.

He kept up a steady batting average and chipped in with solid offense. Hitting for average with a bit of power made him a handy role player.

Teammates and coaches respected his work ethic and team-first mindset. He knew his job and just got it done, no complaints or drama.

Younger players in the clubhouse often turned to Goodson for advice. He’d share what he knew about the game’s basics and how to handle the life of a pro.

Recognition in the Sport

Goodson never got big individual awards like All-Star selections or MVP votes. People mostly recognized him for being a steady player who really helped his teams win.

Baseball historians and statisticians sometimes bring up his career when they talk about utility players from the 1970s. You’ll still spot his name in team records and old rosters from back then.

Former teammates and coaches have shared good things about what he brought to the clubhouse, both in interviews and their memoirs. They focus on his work ethic and how he always put the team first.

You can still find his legacy in baseball reference books and team histories. Goodson might not have been a star, but he stands for all those reliable pros who kept MLB teams running strong in his era.