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

Frank Bertaina wrapped up his seven-year Major League Baseball career quietly in 1970. Still, his journey from a standout at a San Francisco high school to the big leagues tells a story full of talent, perseverance, and the tough side of pro baseball.

The lefty pitcher bounced around three teams during his career. He got to experience the thrill of a World Series championship and also the uncertainty of being traded again and again, always looking for the right spot.

Bertaina retired from professional baseball after the 1970 season. His career spanned seven years in the majors, pitching for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, and St. Louis Cardinals. That last season with the Cardinals closed a chapter that started with a ton of promise at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School, where he racked up a wild 10-0 record and a 0.27 ERA as a senior.

Sure, Bertaina’s 19-29 career record might not jump off the page, but his path through the minors and majors gives a real glimpse into how pitchers developed in the 1960s. He saw firsthand the organizational strategies that shaped so many careers back then.

From learning under future Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver to pitching in one of baseball’s rarest feats—a double one-hitter—Bertaina’s story shows just how complicated pro baseball was in one of its most competitive eras.

Early Life and Background

Frank Louis Bertaina was born on April 14, 1944, in San Francisco, California. He found his love for baseball early, playing in local youth leagues and competing for his high school.

His athletic ability showed up fast at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School. Those early years set the foundation for everything that came after.

Birth and Family Origins

Frank Louis Bertaina arrived on April 14, 1944, in San Francisco. He grew up in a family that cared about both sports and education.

Bertaina spent his childhood during World War II in a city that was crazy about baseball. San Francisco really gave him the perfect place to grow up if you wanted to play ball.

The city’s baseball culture ran deep, and the mild weather meant you could play almost all year. Frank jumped into the sport early, joining youth leagues and playing pickup games in the neighborhood.

His family always backed his dreams. The Bertaina household encouraged Frank’s passion for baseball but never let him forget about school. That balance stuck with him throughout his life.

High School Baseball Achievements

At Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Bertaina quickly became the star athlete. He dominated on the mound as a left-handed pitcher, and his performances started catching the eyes of pro scouts around the Bay Area.

The school’s athletic program was strong and helped Bertaina sharpen his skills. Coaches saw his natural talent and worked to fine-tune his pitching. By the time he finished high school, he was one of the most promising young players in Northern California.

Key High School Accomplishments:

• Standout pitcher for Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
• Drew attention from Major League Baseball scouts
• Built a reputation as a top prospect in the San Francisco area

San Francisco Roots and Local Influence

Growing up in San Francisco during the ’50s and early ’60s shaped Bertaina as a player. The city’s passionate fans and tough youth leagues gave him the perfect environment to develop.

Baseball was a huge part of the community. Local parks and rec centers gave young players like Bertaina plenty of chances to practice and compete.

He could watch pro games up close, too. Seeing those players in action helped him figure out what it took to succeed at the top.

Baltimore Orioles scouts noticed his potential and signed him as an amateur free agent in 1961, just three years after he finished high school.

Minor League Career Development

Frank Bertaina’s minor league career ran from 1962 to 1971. He kept getting better and put up some impressive numbers in different leagues.

He won percentage titles in both the Eastern League and International League and even grabbed a strikeout championship, showing just how much he was growing as a pitcher.

International League Success

Bertaina really shined in the International League. In 1965, he led the league with 188 strikeouts, proving he could dominate hitters.

That performance pushed him closer to becoming a reliable major league starter. His 1970 season with the Rochester Red Wings was probably his best in the minors.

He posted a fantastic .800 winning percentage that year, taking home the league’s winning percentage title. Even after years in the majors, he was still effective in his last minor league season.

The International League was where he did most of his development. Over 153 games in the minors, including time with the Aberdeen Pheasants, Elmira Pioneers, Rochester Red Wings, and Tulsa Oilers, he put up 72 wins and 47 losses with a 3.45 ERA.

Eastern League Accomplishments

Bertaina’s 1964 season in the Eastern League really showed his promise. He led the league with a .733 winning percentage, displaying the control and effectiveness he’d later bring to the majors.

That year turned out to be huge for him. His strong numbers led to his first major league call-up with the Baltimore Orioles on August 1, 1964.

The Eastern League gave him a taste of tougher competition. His winning percentage proved he could handle the pressure and adjust to better hitters.

Rochester Red Wings Highlights

Bertaina’s time with the Rochester Red Wings included one of the minor leagues’ most memorable near-perfect games. On June 6, 1970, he retired the first 20 batters before giving up a triple to Chuck Goggin in the seventh.

He still finished with a one-hit shutout, striking out the last batter to lock down a 4-0 win over Columbus.

That game showed off everything he could do. Not only did he dominate on the mound, but he also hit a two-run home run in the seventh—his first homer in three years. Talk about doing it all.

“It was a little better than I would have liked,” Bertaina joked to the Democrat and Chronicle about the triple that ruined his perfect game. He came just one pitch away from making International League history.

During that 1970 season with Rochester, Bertaina racked up 12 wins and 11 complete games. He was easily one of the league’s best pitchers that year.

Major League Journey

Frank Bertaina’s big league career lasted seven years, taking him to three different teams. He started out with the Baltimore Orioles in 1964, spent a few seasons with the Washington Senators, and finished up with a short run with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970.

Baltimore Orioles Tenure

Bertaina made his major league debut on August 1, 1964 against the Kansas City Athletics at Municipal Stadium. The Orioles had signed him as an amateur free agent in 1961 after his high school heroics.

He spent his first four seasons with Baltimore, from 1964 to 1967. During that time, Bertaina learned the ropes as a left-handed pitcher and did his part for the team.

The big highlight came in 1966 when the Orioles won the World Series. Bertaina didn’t get to pitch in the Series, but he was still part of that championship squad.

He improved steadily with Baltimore. The team mostly used him as a starter, giving him the chance to work on his craft in the majors.

Washington Senators Years

Bertaina joined the Washington Senators during the 1967 season. This move turned out to be the most productive stretch of his major league run.

His best season came in 1967, split between Baltimore and Washington. Out of 23 games (19 starts), he posted a 7-6 record and a 2.99 ERA, striking out 86 batters in 117⅓ innings. Those were career highs.

With the Senators, Bertaina pitched four complete games, all shutouts. He showed he could go deep into games and shut down hitters.

The next season, 1968, was tougher. He finished 7-13 with a 4.66 ERA, which, honestly, was a common struggle for pitchers at the time.

He stayed with Washington through 1969, filling in as both a starter and reliever whenever the team needed him.

Final Season with St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Bertaina from Baltimore on August 14, 1970. This was his last shot in the majors.

Bertaina appeared in eight games during the 1970 regular season with St. Louis. The Cardinals mostly used him out of the bullpen.

It was his third and final major league team. His time in St. Louis was short, just the last part of the 1970 season.

He retired after the 1970 season, closing out his seven-year stint in the majors. His last game came on September 25, 1970.

1970 Season and Retirement

Frank Bertaina’s final season in Major League Baseball marked the end of his journey through three teams. The lefty joined the St. Louis Cardinals midway through the season after being picked up from the Orioles, then pitched in eight games before retiring from professional baseball.

Standout Performances in 1970

Bertaina’s 1970 season only included eight appearances with the Cardinals. He pitched 31.1 innings in the regular season, and his performance at home and on the road couldn’t have been more different.

His home outings were a struggle. In three games at home, he posted a 5.11 ERA over 12.1 innings, giving up 17 hits and seven earned runs, plus six walks and three wild pitches.

On the road, he looked much better. In five games, he threw 19 innings with a sharp 1.89 ERA, allowing 19 hits and just four earned runs.

His most impressive moment in 1970 actually came in the minors. While pitching for Rochester, he tossed a complete game shutout with only one hit allowed. He finished that game by striking out the final batter, locking down a 4-0 win on June 6, 1970.

Transition to St. Louis Cardinals

The Baltimore Orioles sold Bertaina’s contract to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 14, 1970. That move marked his third team change as a pro.

The Cardinals brought him in as extra pitching depth. At just 26, he was expected to add some veteran presence and maybe help out in relief.

His time with St. Louis was short but still meant something. The team gave him a few chances late in the season, but honestly, he was mostly there as a backup option.

St. Louis gave Bertaina one last shot at sticking in the majors. Even though he had trouble finding consistency, the Cardinals let him show what he could do before the season ended.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

After the 1970 season, Frank Bertaina decided to call it a career. His time in baseball ended after seven seasons in the majors, playing for three different organizations.

He retired at 26, which is actually pretty young for a pro athlete. He’d spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues, from 1964 through 1970, with his share of ups and downs.

His final stats showed how tough it can be to stay consistent at the top level. The 1970 season marked the end of his run on major league rosters.

Bertaina lived nearly four decades after baseball, passing away on March 3, 2010. Not much is out there about his post-baseball life, but he left behind a unique story in the game.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Frank Bertaina put together a 19-29 record and a 3.84 ERA across seven seasons in Major League Baseball. He struck out 280 hitters in 413 innings, and honestly, his standout season came in 1967 when he finished with a 2.99 ERA.

Pitching Records

Bertaina pitched in 99 games from 1964 to 1970, starting 66 of them. He kept his 3.84 earned run average steady through his career and racked up 280 strikeouts.

In 1967, splitting his time between Baltimore and Washington, he really hit his stride. That year, he went 7-6 with a 2.99 ERA in 117.1 innings.

He finished six games and threw five shutouts in his career. His rookie year with Baltimore brought his best ERA, a sharp 2.77.

Batting Contributions

There isn’t much to say about Bertaina’s batting stats, which was pretty common for pitchers back then. Toward the end of his career, he even pinch-hit a few times.

Most of what he did at the plate just came in the course of pitching. In the 1960s, pitchers had to bat, but nobody expected much offense from them.

Bertaina brought value to his teams with his arm, not his bat. He stuck to pitching duties for all seven years.

Notable Games and Milestones

Bertaina debuted in the majors on August 1, 1964, pitching for the Baltimore Orioles at just 20 years old. He grabbed his first win as a rookie.

Those four shutouts in 1967? That was a big deal and really the highlight of his time on the mound. He showed both effectiveness and durability that year, working 117.1 innings.

He wrapped up his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, tossing eight games with a 3.16 ERA. Over his career, he posted a WHIP of 1.484 and averaged 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

He pitched 413 innings for three franchises in both the American and National Leagues.

Personal Life and Legacy

After he left professional baseball in 1970, Frank Bertaina dove into his passion for fishing and became a bit of a pioneer in that industry. He focused on fishing travel and guiding, and his legacy stretches into both baseball and the fishing community.

Post-Baseball Activities

Once Bertaina hung up his cleats, he found his calling in fishing. As a kid, he spent vacations on the Russian River, back when it teemed with steelhead, silver salmon, and striped bass.

He learned to fly cast as a teenager at King’s Sport and Tackle in downtown Guerneville.

In 1974, Bertaina teamed up with Bob Nauheim to start one of the first fishing travel agencies in the world. That move completely shifted his career path.

For over 20 years, they traveled all over—New Zealand, Patagonia, Norway—chasing fish and adventure.

He joined Fishing International, where he became the group’s energetic promoter. People noticed his charisma, and it made him especially effective.

Later, he ran Lava Creek Lodge on the Fall River with other Santa Rosa fishermen for several years.

He stood out as an exceptional right-handed caster, which is pretty impressive since he was actually left-handed. His knack for making long, accurate casts in tough conditions really set him apart.

Recognition and Honors

Bertaina’s baseball highlights started with strong minor league numbers before he made it to the big leagues. In 1964, he led the Eastern League in winning percentage at .733. The following year, he topped the International League in strikeouts with 188.

His best season in the majors was 1967, when he went 7-6 and posted a 2.99 ERA. He threw four complete games that year, all shutouts, and honestly, that was the peak of his MLB run.

During the 1966 World Series, Bertaina roomed with future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. That experience always meant a lot to him.

His teammates called him “Toys in the Attic,” a nod to his playful side.

Influence on Baseball Community

Frank Bertaina made an impact that went way beyond just his stats. He went to Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School in San Francisco, where he stood out as an athlete.

The Baltimore Orioles picked him up as an amateur free agent in 1961, signing him straight out of high school.

His fishing career left a mark on countless anglers. People who followed his adventures with fly rods started traveling the world too.

The stories and photos from his fishing trips sparked something in others, pushing them to chase similar experiences. A lot of California anglers say Bertaina and his partner Bob Nauheim opened up new fishing opportunities for them.

Bertaina died on March 3, 2010, at 65 after complications from a major heart attack. They held his memorial service at the Oddfellows Hall in Santa Rosa, California, on April 18, 2010.

Friends remembered him as a true storyteller, someone who lived life on his own terms.