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

Ed Mickelson’s pro baseball career lasted just 18 major league games, but his story really captures the dreams and struggles of so many players chasing the big leagues in the 1940s and 1950s. Born in 1926, Mickelson put in 11 years in pro baseball, starting in small-town Illinois and eventually making it all the way to the bright lights of major league stadiums in St. Louis and Chicago.

Mickelson holds a quirky spot in baseball history as the guy who drove in the final run ever scored by the St. Louis Browns before the team packed up and moved to Baltimore in 1954. That’s a pretty cool piece of trivia, and it links him forever to a key moment in the sport’s history.

His journey from college athlete to pro ballplayer shows the kind of challenges players faced back then. Minor league salaries were tiny, and juggling school with sports ambitions was tough. From his military service to his retirement in 1957, Mickelson’s career offers a window into the golden age of minor league baseball and the personal sacrifices it took to chase a pro sports career.

Early Life and Education

Edward Allen Mickelson was born September 9, 1926, in Ottawa, Illinois. He grew up in a working-class family that moved around a bit during his childhood.

His athletic talent showed up early. He played high school sports in Missouri and later joined college basketball and baseball teams that set the stage for his pro life.

Family Background and Childhood in Ottawa, Illinois

Edward Allen Mickelson arrived at a hospital in Ottawa, Illinois, a city where the Illinois and Fox Rivers meet. His dad, also named Edward, worked as a freight car loader for the Rock Island Railroad. His mom, Mary Inez Cerutti, sold women’s clothing to help pay the bills.

The family didn’t stick around Ottawa for long after Ed was born. They moved to Marseilles, Illinois, where Ed spent his early years.

Those were the summers when Ed fell in love with baseball. He’d spend hours tossing a ball against the side of their house.

Ed and his neighborhood friends took their baseball passion seriously. They cleared a field themselves and kept it in shape for games. That kind of dedication showed Ed’s love for baseball from the start.

In 1935, when Ed was nine, his dad switched careers and started selling insurance. The family left small-town life behind and moved to Chicago.

That move from rural Illinois to the city brought new challenges and opportunities for young Ed.

High School Athletics and Achievements

The Mickelsons didn’t stay in Chicago long—just two years. In 1937, they moved again, this time to the St. Louis area, where Ed’s dad went back to the Rock Island Railroad as a salesman.

This move to Missouri ended up being a big deal for Ed’s sports life.

Ed went to University City High School. There was a catch, though: the school didn’t have a baseball team for his first three years, so he focused on other sports.

Basketball became his main thing, thanks to coach Howard Mundt.

Coach Mundt saw Ed’s potential and took him to college basketball games at St. Louis University and Washington University. Under Mundt’s mentorship, Ed became a skilled basketball player.

Finally, as a senior, Ed got his shot at high school baseball when the school added the sport. He also joined the football team, making him a three-sport athlete in his last year.

His football skills stood out. In one game, he caught several touchdown passes and got a lot of attention for it.

Ed’s short but impressive high school baseball stint caught the eye of Cardinals scout Jack Ryan. Still, just one season of high school ball wasn’t enough for a pro contract then.

Collegiate Career at Washington University in St. Louis

Ed first accepted a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee, but he changed his mind because he felt homesick. He transferred to the University of Missouri, where he started as a freshman on both the football and basketball varsity teams in 1944.

Ed did well at Missouri, earning honorable mention on the All Big Six team. He started as a freshman on two varsity teams, which says a lot about his athletic ability, though he liked to say it was partly because so many guys were away serving in the military.

His time at Missouri didn’t last long, though. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in fall 1944, left for basic training in February 1945, and spent 18 months in service.

While in the military, Ed kept playing sports. He joined the basketball and baseball teams at Scott Base in Illinois.

After finishing his service in 1946, Ed used his GI Bill benefits to attend Washington University in St. Louis. He studied Physical Education, which later helped him in his post-baseball life as a teacher and coach.

Ed came up with a college schedule that fit his baseball ambitions. He’d take fall classes but skip spring semester since he had to leave for spring training before it ended.

His wife, Jo Ann, worked as a secretary to help make ends meet along with the GI Bill and his small baseball paychecks.

Experiences at Oklahoma State University

Before he settled at Washington University, Ed had a key experience at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University). After the military, he wanted to play basketball for the legendary coach Hank Iba.

Coach Iba didn’t have any basketball scholarships left but found a workaround. He gave Ed a baseball scholarship, letting him attend the school while chasing his basketball dream.

That kind of creative thinking showed how much Iba valued Ed as an athlete.

Ed’s basketball season started rough. He sat on the bench for the first 16 games and didn’t play.

But he stuck with it and eventually started getting more minutes.

Coach Iba was tough on freshmen. He told Ed to focus only on defense and rebounding—no shooting allowed. That discipline helped Ed build the fundamentals he’d use for the rest of his athletic career.

The team finished with a 24-8 record. Ed’s proudest moment came in the final game against the Oklahoma Sooners, who ended up national runners-up.

Ed played most of that game and guarded All-American Gerald Tucker, holding him to just one free throw. That defensive performance against a top player really proved he belonged on the team.

Military Service and Path to Professional Baseball

Ed Mickelson served in the U.S. Army Corps during World War II before starting his professional baseball career in 1947. He moved from military life to the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 1950.

Army Air Corps Service During World War II

Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps during World War II, joining thousands of young men who put their athletic dreams on hold to serve their country.

The war years delayed what could have been an earlier start in pro baseball. Many athletes faced the same kind of interruption.

Mickelson joined the small group of players who both served in World War II and later played Major League Baseball. That mix of military service and pro sports became a defining trait for his generation.

His service record shows the sacrifices athletes made when they chose duty over personal career advancement during wartime.

Transition from Military Life to Athletics

After his military service, Mickelson started his pro baseball career in 1947 in the minors. Adjusting from military life to professional sports wasn’t easy and took real determination.

Lots of veterans came back from the war eager to chase athletic dreams. Mickelson had to catch up and develop his baseball skills while competing with players who hadn’t missed years of play.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Ed looked the part of a first baseman. Scouts liked his size and reach.

The minor leagues became his training ground as he worked on his game as a right-handed hitting first baseman over the next several years.

Signing with St. Louis Cardinals Organization

Mickelson joined the St. Louis Cardinals and made his Major League debut on September 18, 1950, at age 24.

The Cardinals saw potential in him even though he’d started pro ball later than most.

His signing with St. Louis capped his transition from military life to pro sports. The team gave him a shot at the top level.

The Cardinals were a big deal in the National League, so Mickelson got access to good coaching and real competition.

That signing also tied him to St. Louis baseball history, where he’d later become known for his part in the last days of the St. Louis Browns.

MLB Career Overview

Edward Allen Mickelson played at the major league level for three teams between 1950 and 1957, appearing in 18 games over three seasons. His MLB career lasted just 93 days, and he finished with a .081 batting average—3 hits in 37 at-bats.

Debut Season with St. Louis Cardinals

Mickelson debuted on September 18, 1950, at the Polo Grounds in New York. He was a 6-foot-3, 205-pound first baseman who earned his call-up after a monster minor league season where he hit .413 with 24 homers.

His first at-bat came as a pinch-hitter against Giants pitcher Larry Jansen with the bases loaded. He struck out looking, not exactly the dream debut.

Three days later, Mickelson got his first start, filling in for Stan Musial. He picked up his first major league hit, a single off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn.

That moment capped off an incredible season that made Cardinals management take notice.

The Cardinals promoted Mickelson after his minor league performance in 1950. He crushed Class B pitching, hitting .393 in 16 games for Lynchburg before moving up to Montgomery, where he hit .417.

Playing for the St. Louis Browns

Mickelson wanted a trade from the Cardinals, and the St. Louis Browns picked him up off waivers in 1952. Manager Marty Marion, who’d known Mickelson from his Cardinals debut, pushed for the move.

Mickelson played seven games for the Browns in 1953. He earned the call-up after hitting .296 for San Antonio in the Texas League, even though a stress fracture had sidelined him for six weeks.

His biggest moment came in the Browns’ last game ever. Mickelson drove in the team’s only run in a 2-1 loss, making him the answer to a unique trivia question about the Browns’ final RBI.

Three days later, the Browns were sold and moved to Baltimore. That odd bit of history gave Mickelson a permanent spot in baseball lore.

Final MLB Appearance with the Chicago Cubs

Mickelson’s last major league shot came with the Chicago Cubs in 1957. This was his third and final stint in the majors.

By then, Mickelson was 30 and had spent most of his pro career in the minors. His time with the Cubs marked the end of his 11-season professional baseball journey, which started in 1947.

His Cubs appearance was short, just like his earlier MLB stops. Mickelson retired after the 1957 season at age 31.

His final MLB stats: 3 hits in 37 at-bats, including one double, 3 RBIs, and 2 runs scored in 18 games. The major league numbers were modest, but his minor league stats were impressive—he hit .316 with 108 home runs and 839 RBIs in 1,189 games.

Key Moments and Historical Highlights

Ed Mickelson’s short major league career still included some memorable moments. The biggest? On September 27, 1953, he drove in the final run ever scored by the St. Louis Browns before they moved to Baltimore.

The Last RBI for the St. Louis Browns

Mickelson carved out a unique spot in baseball history when he drove in the last run ever scored by the St. Louis Browns. This happened during the final game of the 1953 season, and the opponent was the Chicago White Sox.

The Browns dropped the game 2-1, but Mickelson’s RBI really marked the end of an era. Just three days after that season wrapped up, the Browns’ ownership sold the team and moved them to Baltimore, where they became the Orioles.

Mickelson’s moment in that game turned him into the answer to a classic baseball trivia question. Honestly, not many players can say they were part of such a major franchise milestone.

The Browns struggled for years, both financially and on the field. Their exit from St. Louis closed the book on 52 years of baseball history in the city.

September 27, 1953: Game Against the Chicago White Sox

Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis hosted the Browns’ final game. The White Sox started veteran pitcher Billy Pierce, while the Browns ran out their usual lineup.

Mickelson stepped up for what would become his biggest moment in the majors. His RBI didn’t change the outcome, but it meant more than anyone realized that day.

A small crowd turned out, pretty typical for Browns games in those last tough seasons. Most fans probably didn’t realize they were watching the franchise’s St. Louis finale.

Johnny Groth played in that game too, showing the kind of veteran presence both teams had back then.

Notable Teammates and Opponents

During his short time in the majors, Mickelson played with and against some big names. In 1950, he filled in for Stan Musial with the Cardinals when Musial needed a rest.

Mickelson got his first big league hit off Warren Spahn, a Hall of Fame pitcher. That happened during his rookie year with St. Louis.

He played for the Browns under manager Marty Marion, who had actually recommended bringing him over. Marion had been with the Cardinals when Mickelson debuted in 1950.

The 1950s had plenty of talented players who’d become household names. Mickelson’s run-ins with those stars really show just how competitive baseball was during that era.

Minor League Success and Career Statistics

Ed Mickelson put together an impressive 11-season minor league career from 1947 to 1957. He hit .316 with 108 home runs in 1,189 games.

His minor league journey took him through several levels of pro baseball, where he became a consistent performer and a Pacific Coast League standout.

Minor-League Tenure and Teams

Mickelson started in 1947 with the Decatur Commodores in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. The St. Louis Cardinals organization gave him his first real shot.

His breakout year came in 1948 with the Pocatello Cardinals. He played 119 games, racked up a .372 average, 192 hits, and 143 RBIs. That season pretty much put him on the map as a legit prospect.

The Cardinals moved him around to Columbus, Montgomery, and Lynchburg in 1950. Later on, he spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and some independent teams.

He wrapped up his career with the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League for three seasons. The PCL was the top level of minor league baseball at the time. His years in Portland were his best, playing just a step below the majors.

Statistical Overview: Batting Average and Achievements

Mickelson’s stats show how steady he was at every level of the minors. His .316 career average put him among the better hitters of his era.

Key Career Numbers:

• Games: 1,189
• Batting Average: .316
• Home Runs: 108
• RBIs: 839
• Hits: 1,374

His best season came in 1950, splitting time between Montgomery and Lynchburg. He hit .413 overall, with 24 homers and 111 RBIs. In Montgomery alone, he hit .417 in 82 games.

During his time in the Pacific Coast League, he kept his average at .308 over three years in Portland. In 1956, he hit 21 homers, drove in 101 runs, and batted .309.

Life as a Minor League All-Star

Mickelson earned a spot among the top first basemen in the minors during his PCL run. He posted the second-best batting average in the league and led first basemen in fielding percentage during his prime.

His defensive skills added a lot to his game. At 6’3″ and 205 pounds, he was a solid target at first base. That size and athleticism made him valuable for more than just his bat.

The PCL was packed with players who’d been in the majors or were about to get there. Mickelson’s success at that level showed he really belonged among the pros.

Even with his strong minor league stats, he didn’t get many chances in the majors. He played just 18 big league games for three teams between 1950 and 1957.

Legacy, Life After Baseball, and Personal Reflections

Ed Mickelson retired in 1957, ending an 11-year run in pro baseball that spanned the majors and minors. After baseball, he focused on coaching young players and sharing baseball history through his memoir and community work.

Retirement in 1957 and Career Retrospective

Mickelson played his last major league game on May 12, 1957, with the Chicago Cubs. He went hitless in 12 at-bats during six games with Chicago, quietly finishing up his MLB career back in Illinois.

His numbers tell a story of persistence more than stardom. Over seven years from 1950 to 1957, he played just 18 games in the majors. He suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago Cubs.

He spent most of his career in the minors. With the Portland Beavers, he hit .300 for three straight seasons in the Pacific Coast League. That performance earned him a final shot with the Cubs in 1957.

Playing the same position as Stan Musial with the Cardinals didn’t help his chances. Competing with a Hall of Famer for playing time? That’s a tough break for anyone.

Impact on Baseball History

Mickelson stands out in baseball history as the guy who drove in the Browns’ last run. On September 27, 1953, he hit an RBI single that brought Johnny Groth home in the team’s final game before the move to Baltimore.

That moment ties Mickelson to one of the sport’s biggest franchise moves. The Browns leaving St. Louis ended the city’s two-team era and left the Cardinals as the only MLB club in town.

At his death in 2025, Mickelson was one of just three surviving MLB players who served in World War II. He spent 18 months in the Army Air Corps in 1944, part of a generation whose baseball careers got interrupted by military service.

He lived long enough to become one of the oldest surviving former big leaguers. That longevity helped keep the stories of 1950s baseball and the journeys of players who bounced between teams alive.

Memoir and Post-Retirement Life

Mickelson put out his memoir, “A Memoir of a Minor League Baseball All-Star,” in 2007. In the book, he shared his journey through war, injuries, and all the tough parts of minor league baseball.

Fans actually called it one of the best baseball books ever written. It’s not your usual story about fame or big paychecks.

Mickelson focused on perseverance, writing honestly about what professional baseball is like for guys who never quite made it to the top. He didn’t sugarcoat the reality for players who spent their lives in the minors.

After he retired, he stayed involved in baseball by coaching. He worked with kids of all ages at the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis.

He also brought his baseball wisdom to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club and the local SABR chapter. Mickelson really seemed to love sharing what he’d learned.

His wife Mary, children Eric and Julie, eight grandkids, and twelve great-grandchildren survived him. His family’s legacy stretched far past his playing days, and honestly, you can tell he cared as much about community as he did about baseball.