Eddie Bressoud – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Eddie Bressoud wrapped up his 12-year Major League Baseball career in 1967, closing out a journey that took him from the bright lights of New York to the foggy fields of San Francisco and, finally, to the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Edward Francis Bressoud retired from professional baseball after playing his final game on September 26, 1967, at age 35.

He spent over a decade in the majors, mostly as a shortstop, appearing in more than 1,000 games. Bressoud earned his place as one of the reliable defensive players of his era.

Born in Los Angeles in 1932, Bressoud’s story mirrors the shifting landscape of baseball in the ‘50s and ‘60s. His career covered the Giants’ big move from New York to San Francisco, the league’s expansion, and the American League’s growing competitiveness.

From his debut in 1956 through his last season, Bressoud managed a .252 batting average and built a reputation as a dependable defender who could handle multiple infield spots.

The 1967 season marked his last as a player and brought him his greatest team achievement. He contributed to the Cardinals’ World Series win before shifting into coaching and education.

His story goes beyond stats and trophies. It includes personal loss, a strong focus on education, and a real effort to prepare for life after baseball—something that shaped his later years.

Early Life and Education

Edward Francis Bressoud was born on May 2, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, into a family with French-Peruvian roots.

He stood out from many players of his era by valuing education, earning degrees from UCLA and San Jose State, even while chasing his baseball dreams.

Family Background

Eddie Bressoud grew up in a diverse immigrant family in Los Angeles. His father, Charles Bressoud, was born in Lima, Peru, to French parents and made his way to the U.S. in 1917 through Colon, Panama.

Charles started as a clerk in a lumber company’s sales department and eventually worked his way up to purchasing agent. He married Josephine Felice Mibielle, a New Jersey native, and together they raised seven children.

Edward was the fourth child in the family. Their multicultural background and Charles’s steady job in the lumber business gave the household a sense of stability.

This foundation later influenced how Eddie planned for his future after baseball.

High School Achievements

Bressoud started at Mount Carmel High School but transferred to George Washington High School in Los Angeles. He graduated in 1950, leaving behind a trail of athletic achievements.

He earned All-City honors for baseball his senior year, standing out among Los Angeles’s top high school players.

Besides high school ball, Bressoud played American Legion and some semipro baseball. These extra games helped him develop and eventually caught the eye of professional scouts.

College Studies at UCLA and San Jose State

Even after signing with the New York Giants right out of high school, Bressoud made education a priority. He earned a bachelor of science in physical education from UCLA while juggling his pro baseball career.

During the off-seasons, he attended San Jose State University for graduate studies and completed a master’s in education.

Bressoud’s educational philosophy was pretty straightforward and practical. In 1962, he said, “I’ll play baseball as long as it’s profitable, and when it isn’t, I’ll switch to teaching and coaching.” He noticed, “I’ve seen too many players wind up their careers unprepared for the future.”

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Eddie Bressoud carved out a solid 12-year major league career from 1956 to 1967, mainly as a shortstop with four teams. He got his start in the minors with the New York Giants’ organization, sharpening his defense before getting a big-league shot in 1956 after a trade sent Alvin Dark to St. Louis.

Minor League Beginnings

Bressoud kicked off his pro career in 1950 with the Springfield Giants in the Class-D Ohio-Indiana League. He batted .240 in 70 games that first year.

He picked up steam with the Sioux City Soos in the Western League. In 1951, he hit .230 with 53 RBIs over 149 games and led league shortstops with a .949 fielding percentage.

The next year, he played 155 games, raised his average to .255, and drove in 68 runs. He led the league in putouts (302), assists (487), and double plays (105).

The Marines called him away from January 1953 to January 1955. He served during the Korean War and spent 11 months near Mount Fujiyama in Japan.

When he got back in 1955, Bressoud joined the Minneapolis Millers in Triple-A. He hit .251 with 19 home runs and 74 RBIs. The Millers took both the American Association pennant and the Little World Series title.

New York and San Francisco Giants Tenure

Bressoud debuted in the majors on June 14, 1956, the same day the Giants traded Alvin Dark for Red Schoendienst. He started at shortstop against Milwaukee and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his first game.

He got hits in his first six games but then struggled. After batting .227 in 49 games, the Giants sent him back to Minneapolis in August.

Things improved in 1957. Bressoud hit .268 in 49 games with five home runs, all within about three weeks in July.

The franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958, but tragedy struck. His wife Eleanor died from a brain tumor on April 29, leaving him with two young children. Despite the heartbreak, he played 66 games that season.

1959 was a breakthrough. The Giants stayed in first place from July 4 to September 19. Bressoud took over as regular shortstop on July 3 and hit .406 in his first 19 starts.

In 1961, manager Alvin Dark cut his playing time. Bressoud played only 59 games, batted .211, and struggled with a nagging leg injury.

Boston Red Sox Years

The expansion draft in 1961 changed Bressoud’s direction. Houston picked him first overall on October 10, then immediately traded him to the Boston Red Sox for Don Buddin.

Red Sox GM Mike Higgins wanted a steadier glove at shortstop. Buddin wasn’t exactly a fan favorite due to his fielding issues.

Bressoud adjusted nicely to Fenway Park. In 1962, he hit .277 with 14 home runs and a career-best 68 RBIs. The short left field wall worked to his advantage as a right-handed pull hitter.

He had his best numbers in 1963, blasting 20 home runs—his personal high—while keeping up his defensive play. In 1964, he hit a career-best .293.

The 1964 All-Star nod was the high point of his career. Bressoud kept up a .965 fielding percentage in Boston, giving the Red Sox the defensive anchor they’d been looking for.

From 1962 to 1965, he averaged .264 and anchored the infield. His steady play made him a dependable everyday guy with the Red Sox during his peak.

1967 Season and Retirement

Eddie Bressoud spent his last major league season with the St. Louis Cardinals, backing up Dal Maxvill at shortstop. Even with limited playing time, Bressoud picked up a World Series ring as the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers in seven games.

Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals traded for Bressoud before the 1967 season, looking for veteran depth at shortstop. The move put him back on a contender after a tough year with the New York Mets in 1966.

Bressoud’s role was clear. He’d back up Dal Maxvill, who had nailed down the starting shortstop job. The Cardinals valued Bressoud’s glove and experience.

In 1967, Bressoud appeared in 52 games for St. Louis, making 18 starts at short. Offensively, he struggled, batting just .134 with 9 hits in 67 at-bats.

Even though the bat wasn’t there, his steady defense made him valuable. The Cardinals were chasing the pennant, and having an experienced backup was important for their title hopes.

Role in the 1967 World Series

The Cardinals clinched the National League pennant and faced the Detroit Tigers in the 1967 World Series. Bressoud made two brief appearances as a late-inning defensive sub.

His World Series time was short but mattered. The Cardinals used him for his glove in key spots, showing their trust in his defense.

The Cardinals won the Series in seven games. Bressoud finally got his first and only World Series ring at age 35, reaching the top after 12 seasons in the majors.

That championship felt like the perfect capstone. Bressoud had been an All-Star with Boston in 1964, but the World Series win stood out as his biggest team moment.

Final MLB Appearances

Bressoud played his final major league game on September 26, 1967, against the Chicago Cubs. He didn’t get an at-bat that day, coming in as a defensive replacement—fitting for a guy known for his glove.

That season closed out his 12-year big-league run. He had played for the New York/San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals.

He wrapped up his career with a .252 average, 94 home runs, and 365 RBIs over 1,186 games. His best year with the bat came in 1962 with Boston, hitting .277 with 14 homers.

At 35, Bressoud decided to retire after the World Series win. He’d reached his goal of a championship and was ready to move on to a new chapter in education.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Eddie Bressoud finished with a .252 batting average, 94 home runs, and 365 RBIs in 1,186 major league games over 12 seasons. His best offensive year came in 1964, when he hit .293 and made his only All-Star appearance.

Batting and Fielding Records

Bressoud racked up 925 hits and scored 443 runs from 1956 to 1967. He made 4,108 plate appearances in his career.

His top offensive season was 1964 with the Red Sox, where he hit .293 at shortstop. In 1963, he adjusted his swing to Fenway’s Green Monster and hit 20 home runs, showing off his power.

His defensive skills really stood out. Bressoud played over 1,000 games at shortstop and saw action at all four infield spots.

Career Totals:

• Batting Average: .252
• Home Runs: 94
• RBIs: 365
• Hits: 925
• Games Played: 1,186

All-Star Selection

Bressoud made his lone All-Star team in 1964 during his standout season with the Red Sox. That honor came in his best year, when he hit .293.

The selection recognized his steady play as Boston’s shortstop. His reliable glove and improved bat made him a key contributor.

His All-Star nod showed how well he adapted after moving from the National League to the American League. After joining Boston in 1962, he became a steady fixture in their infield.

Notable Moments and Honors

Bressoud won a World Series championship during his career. He reached this milestone while playing for one of his four major league teams.

In 1952, he made the All-Star second team while playing in the minor leagues for Sioux City. That year, he led the Western League in putouts (302), assists (487), and double plays (105).

He made his major league debut on June 14, 1956, with the New York Giants. In that same game, he drove in his first RBI, even though he reached base on an error.

Early in his career, Bressoud picked up hits in each of his first six major league games. His steady play really helped establish him as a reliable shortstop over his 12-year career.

Post-Playing Career and Coaching

After his championship season with the Cardinals, Eddie Bressoud moved straight into a long career in education and baseball coaching. For more than twenty years, he developed young talent at De Anza College and also made his mark in professional baseball through minor league management and scouting.

De Anza College Coaching Tenure

Bressoud started his coaching career right after he retired from professional baseball. On the very day he left the Cardinals in 1967, De Anza College in Cupertino, California named him head baseball coach.

The junior college gave Bressoud a place to share his major league experience with developing players. As a former All-Star shortstop, he had instant credibility with young athletes hoping to move up.

He built his coaching philosophy around fundamentals and mental preparation, skills that carried him through his own big league career. Bressoud always emphasized the basics and the mental side of the game.

Under his leadership, the program focused on getting players ready for four-year colleges and maybe even professional opportunities. His major league connections offered valuable networking for talented players.

Managing in the Minor Leagues

While coaching at De Anza College, Bressoud also worked in the minor leagues. He managed several teams, including the San Jose Bees in the California League.

Managing in the California League gave Bressoud a chance to work directly with professional prospects. His time with the San Jose Bees let him evaluate and develop talent for the California Angels organization.

He also managed the Idaho Falls Angels in the Pioneer League. This rookie-level team allowed him to work with young players just starting their pro careers.

Balancing his college coaching job and minor league managing was pretty common back then. His experience in both amateur and professional settings really helped him develop players at all levels.

Educational Leadership and Retirement

Bressoud’s career at De Anza College grew beyond just baseball coaching. He earned a master’s degree in education from San Jose State University, which opened doors to bigger responsibilities.

His education from UCLA and San Jose State helped him move up in the college system. Eventually, Bressoud became Dean of Athletics at De Anza, where he oversaw several sports programs.

He handled budgets, hired coaches, and built athletic programs across different sports. That transition from baseball coach to athletic administrator really showed his leadership skills.

Bressoud retired from De Anza College after 24 years. His career there included both coaching and his time as Dean of Athletics, from 1967 until 1991.

Personal Life and Legacy

Edward Francis Bressoud’s life stretched far beyond baseball, marked by personal tragedy, resilience, and a lasting commitment to education and community service. Through his coaching and mentoring, he kept making a difference in baseball long after his playing days ended.

Family and Personal Interests

Bressoud went through significant personal challenges during his playing career. In April 1958, his wife Eleanor died from a brain tumor at just 26. The demands of pro baseball only gave him five days to grieve before he had to get back to his team.

He later married Carol, and they stayed together for 65 years. The couple had a blind daughter, which led them to support Guide Dogs for the Blind. After Bressoud’s death in 2023, the family asked for memorial contributions to this organization.

Born in Los Angeles on May 2, 1932, Bressoud always valued education. Even though he signed with the Giants at 18, he graduated from UCLA and later earned a master’s degree from San Jose State. He also served in the Marines before his major league career got started.

Lasting Impact on Baseball

Bressoud left a mark on baseball that goes way beyond just his stats. When he retired from the Cardinals in 1967, he took on the role of head baseball coach at De Anza Junior College in Cupertino, California.

He taught there for 24 years. Eventually, he stepped up as Dean of Athletics.

During those years, he shaped young players and gave a boost to the next wave of baseball talent. It’s hard to overstate how many lives he touched along the way.

Bressoud also scouted and managed in the minor leagues. Because he played and taught, he brought a rare mix of experience to mentoring future ballplayers.

Only two players ever suited up for both the New York Giants and the New York Mets. Bressoud shares that odd little bit of trivia with Willie Mays.