Frank Baumann – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank Baumann wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1965 after eleven seasons in Major League Baseball. The left-handed pitcher from St. Louis spent his last year with the Chicago Cubs, where he made just four appearances before the team sent him down to Triple-A during the May roster cutdown.

He took the mound for his final MLB game on May 8, 1965, closing out a career that mixed moments of promise with plenty of tough breaks.

Baumann’s career stretched from 1955 to 1965. He put together a 45-38 record with a 4.11 ERA, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs. After Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey handed him a hefty $90,000 signing bonus in 1952, Baumann looked like a future star. But arm injuries kept popping up, and he struggled to stay effective for much of his time in the majors.

His best year? That was 1960 with the White Sox, when he led the American League with a 2.67 ERA and notched a 13-6 record.

Baumann’s story really shows how unpredictable pro baseball can be. Early hype doesn’t always last. He served in the military during the Korean War, fought through injuries, and had his share of ups and downs. Baumann’s path—from prized prospect to the end of his career—offers a look at the highs and lows players faced in baseball’s so-called golden era.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Frank Matt Baumann was born on July 1, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri. He fell in love with baseball early, thanks to his dad’s encouragement.

His standout high school career led to one of the biggest amateur signings in baseball history at the time.

Family Background

Baumann grew up on the north side of St. Louis in a family that loved baseball. His dad, also named Frank, worked as a welder and eventually ran his own welding business.

The elder Baumann had some pitching chops too. He even got a pro contract offer when he was about to get married, but decided to stick with steady work.

Frank’s mom and his younger sister Rose Ann rounded out the family. They lived close enough to Sportsman’s Park to walk there—home to both the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns.

Early Baseball Training:

• Started playing catch with his dad at just 2 years old
• Practiced in the alley behind their house, which was on a slope
• His dad always focused on proper throwing technique, not just tossing the ball around
• Frank had to chase down wild throws as part of learning the game

Living so close to pro baseball and having a dad who knew the ropes made for the perfect environment for Frank to develop. His father’s strict approach to the basics ended up being a huge factor in Frank’s future success.

High School and Amateur Career

Baumann went to Central High School in St. Louis, and it didn’t take long for him to stand out as a pitcher. As a freshman, he was already 5-foot-11 and weighed 200 pounds. Scouts would look over and ask, “Who’s that man warming up over there?”

His high school career almost ended before it began. Coach Vernon Bradburn kicked him off the team his freshman year for playing in the St. Louis Khoury League while on varsity, which broke team rules.

High School Achievements:

• Led Central High to three straight Missouri state championships (1950-1952)
• Threw a no-hitter in his last high school game to clinch the 1952 title
• Hit .372 in his senior tournament
• Struck out 17 batters in a seven-inning Khoury League game

The Missouri state high school tournament started in 1950, and Baumann later said that throwing a no-hitter for the state title was “the biggest thrill I’ve ever had in baseball.”

Scouts from every MLB team reportedly showed up to watch him pitch the championship game. His dominance on the mound drew national attention and kicked off a wild recruiting battle.

Path to Professional Baseball

The bidding war for Baumann started right after he graduated high school on June 13, 1952. Teams threw out some big numbers, with offers from $50,000 up to $95,000.

Notable Team Offers:

• Boston Red Sox: Started in the $50,000 range, eventually offered $86,000
• Other teams: Went as high as $95,000
• St. Louis Cardinals: Considered a $70,000 offer
• St. Louis Browns: Bill Veeck even made personal visits to the Baumann home

The Yankees gave him a private workout on a rainy day. Bill Dickey worked with him in the bullpen and told Frank, “Kid, I would love to catch you in a ballgame.”

After nearly a week of back-and-forth, Baumann picked the Red Sox on June 19, 1952. The $86,000 signing bonus set a record for a free agent at the time.

They spread the deal over five years for tax reasons, with some money going to his dad in the first two years. Frank headed straight to the Louisville Colonels, Boston’s Triple-A team, just three days after signing.

Major League Career Overview

Frank Baumann played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1965. He finished with a 45-38 record and a 4.11 ERA over 244 games. His career really peaked in 1960 with the Chicago White Sox, when he led the American League with a 2.67 ERA.

MLB Debut

Baumann made his big league debut on July 31, 1955, with the Boston Red Sox at age 22. He faced the Detroit Tigers and pitched 5.2 innings, giving up four hits and striking out four.

He picked up his first career win in that game. Baumann didn’t allow any earned runs and walked just one batter, making a strong first impression.

He missed the 1954 season while serving in the military before joining the Red Sox. When he finally debuted in the middle of the 1955 season, it kicked off his 11-year MLB run.

In his first season, Baumann pitched in seven games, starting five of them. He finished 1955 with a 2-1 record and a 5.82 ERA over 34 innings.

Teams Played For

Baumann spent his career with three MLB teams, mostly with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. He started out with Boston from 1955 to 1959, pitching in 54 games over five years.

After the 1959 season, the Red Sox traded him to the Chicago White Sox for Ron Jackson. That move turned out to be huge for Baumann—he had his best MLB season in 1960.

Team Breakdown:

• Boston Red Sox (1955-1959): 54 games, 13-8 record, 4.32 ERA
• Chicago White Sox (1960-1964): 186 games, 32-29 record, 4.01 ERA
• Chicago Cubs (1965): 4 games, 0-1 record, 7.36 ERA

Baumann’s last season was with the Chicago Cubs in 1965. He pitched in just four games before retiring.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Baumann pitched and batted left-handed. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 205 pounds. He relied more on control and pitch location than pure speed.

Early on, scouts compared him to Herb Score, calling him “a Herb Score with control.” That was pretty high praise—Score was known for strikeouts, but Baumann had better command.

His best season came in 1960, when he led the league with a 2.67 ERA. He went 13-6 that year for the White Sox, threw seven complete games, and had two shutouts.

Baumann’s career strikeout-to-walk ratio was 1.28, showing he focused on throwing strikes. He averaged 4.3 strikeouts per nine innings, which was solid for his era.

He showed versatility too, working as both a starter and a reliever. Across his career, he made 78 starts and 59 relief appearances, picking up 14 saves.

Years With the Boston Red Sox

Frank Baumann started his major league career with the Boston Red Sox in 1955 and played five seasons there before heading to the Chicago White Sox in 1959. His time in Boston was all about steady progress as a lefty pitcher, and his best numbers came in 1959—right before he was traded.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Baumann debuted on July 31, 1955, at age 22 with the Red Sox. His rookie year showed some promise, though he posted a 5.82 ERA in seven games.

He took a step forward in 1956, dropping his ERA to 3.28 in seven appearances and showing better control.

His breakout season was 1959—his last with Boston. Baumann pitched in 26 games, finished with a 4.05 ERA, and went 6-4. He also picked up his first MLB save and threw two complete games.

During his Boston run, Baumann went 13-8 with a 4.32 ERA in 54 games. He started 24 of those games and completed four, showing he could handle multiple roles.

Military service kept him out of the 1954 season, pushing his pro debut back by a year.

Notable Teammates and Managers

Baumann played with some well-known Red Sox names during the mid-1950s. The team had a mix of veteran stars and up-and-coming talent during his stretch there.

He learned a lot from seasoned teammates who knew what it was like to play in Boston’s high-pressure environment.

Red Sox coaches and managers worked with him to fine-tune his lefty delivery and game approach.

The team itself went through some rebuilding years while he was there. As Baumann gained experience, he moved from spot starter to a bigger role.

Other MLB Teams and Final Playing Years

After five seasons with the Red Sox, Frank Baumann went to the Chicago White Sox in 1960, where he enjoyed his best years. He finished up with a brief run for the Chicago Cubs in 1965.

Chicago White Sox Era

Baumann landed with the Chicago White Sox in 1960 and got a fresh start. The White Sox gave him more regular chances to pitch, and he stayed with them from 1960 to 1964—his longest stint with any team.

While with the White Sox, Baumann mostly worked out of the bullpen. He pitched in a bunch of games each year and became a dependable lefty for the team.

The White Sox years marked the high point of Baumann’s MLB career. He piled up most of his career stats during this stretch. He never reached star status, but he was a steady presence.

His role in Chicago let him contribute to the pitching staff on a regular basis. He worked with other pitchers to help the White Sox compete in the American League.

Chicago Cubs Stint

In 1965, Baumann switched to the Chicago Cubs. This was his last season in pro baseball. The Cubs brought him in for his experience and hoped he’d add some depth to the pitching staff.

His time with the Cubs was short but served as his MLB send-off. Baumann pitched in games for Chicago during the 1965 season, using his veteran know-how and lefty skills.

Staying in Chicago after his White Sox years made for an easy transition—he just changed leagues, moving from the American League to the National League. This move wrapped up his ten-year career.

Baumann brought leadership and experience to the Cubs’ roster in his final days as a player.

Retirement in 1965

Frank Baumann retired after the 1965 season. His MLB career spanned 11 years, from 1955 to 1965, and he finished with 45 wins and 38 losses.

He wrapped up with a 4.11 ERA and 384 strikeouts in 246 games. Baumann pitched for three different teams during his time in the majors.

At 32, Baumann decided to hang up his glove. His retirement ended a journey that started with him as one of baseball’s most sought-after prospects in the 1950s. He dealt with arm problems and other setbacks along the way.

Baumann’s retirement in 1965 marked the end of his professional baseball story. He played in St. Louis, Boston, Chicago, and then back to Chicago—this time, in a different uniform.

Career Statistics and Honors

Frank Baumann put together a solid 45-38 record and a 4.11 ERA over 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. He really hit his stride in 1960, leading the American League in ERA and helping the Chicago White Sox stay competitive at the top.

Pitching Records

Baumann’s career numbers show consistent performance across 244 games pitched. He struck out 384 batters and walked 300 over 797⅓ innings.

He won 45 games and lost 38, giving him a winning percentage above .500 for his MLB career. The lefty made 78 starts throughout his time in the majors.

Baumann completed 19 games as a starter. He threw four shutouts and picked up 14 saves in relief.

He gave up 856 hits during his career. With a 4.11 ERA, he fit right in among the reliable arms of his era.

Major Awards and Milestones

Baumann’s top achievement came in 1960 when he led the American League in ERA with a 2.67. That performance kept the defending AL champion White Sox in the hunt.

He went 13-6 in 47 games that season. Out of those, he started 20 and finished seven complete games, including two shutouts.

He also grabbed four saves that year, showing he could handle both starting and relief roles. The 1960 season really marked the high point of his career.

Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey gave Baumann a $90,000 signing bonus in 1952. That kind of money showed just how high the expectations were for the young pitcher out of St. Louis.

Notable Games and Performances

Baumann made his MLB debut on July 31, 1955, against the Detroit Tigers. He picked up the win with 5⅔ innings of scoreless relief as Boston won 3-2.

He threw his last pitch on May 8, 1965, for the Chicago Cubs. By then, he had played for three different teams in both leagues.

In 1961, Baumann struggled, finishing with a 10-13 record. He led the AL in earned runs allowed, and his ERA jumped to 5.61.

He bounced back in 1962, but his effectiveness faded again in his final seasons. The Cubs sent him to Triple-A during the May 1965 roster cuts.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

Frank Baumann retired from professional baseball in 1965, closing the book on a career filled with both highs and lows. He left his mark through mentoring younger players and staying active in baseball circles long after he hung up his cleats.

Contributions to Baseball

Baumann’s main legacy in baseball comes from his role as a mentor, both during his playing days and afterward. As one of the big “bonus babies” of the 1950s, he offered insights for future generations of highly recruited players.

His best year, 1960 with the White Sox, saw him go 13-6 with a 2.67 ERA that led the American League. That season set a standard for left-handed pitchers at the time.

After retiring, Baumann stayed involved with the game by coaching in amateur leagues. He worked with young pitchers in St. Louis, passing on what he knew about mechanics and the mental side of pitching.

He dealt with arm injuries throughout his career, and that experience helped others understand pitcher health. The cortisone treatment that kept him going in 1957 became part of the conversation around modern sports medicine.

Influence on Teammates and Future Players

Baumann made the biggest impact on his teammates while with the Chicago White Sox from 1960 to 1964. His fight through multiple arm injuries inspired younger players who faced tough breaks themselves.

He often shared a story about advice Ted Williams gave him during a crucial at-bat in 1959. That story highlighted how much veteran guidance can mean in pro sports.

Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey nicknamed him “The Beau,” a sign of the respect he earned from management and teammates. Even when injuries slowed him down, his work ethic and grit stood out.

Former teammates liked to point out Baumann’s positive attitude during tough times. His resilience became a model for handling adversity in professional sports.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

After retiring, Baumann moved back to his hometown of St. Louis. He kept close ties with the community and didn’t forget his roots.

He bought his parents a new home using the money he earned from baseball. That was something he’d promised them, and he made good on it.

Baumann jumped into industrial construction and built large boilers. He’d actually worked those jobs during the off-seasons, so the transition felt pretty natural.

That blue-collar mindset stuck with him long after his baseball days ended.

He kept himself involved in the St. Louis baseball scene, popping up at local events now and then. He also supported youth baseball programs, which honestly says a lot about his character.

Baumann never lost touch with the Khoury League, the place where he got his first taste of organized baseball. He kept volunteering there, giving back in his own way.

On December 13, 2020, Baumann died at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. They laid him to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, a nod to his military service during the Korean War era.