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

Frank Linzy made a name for himself as one of baseball’s most reliable relief pitchers in the 1960s and early ’70s. Born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, he played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball before finally hanging up his cleats in 1974.

He bounced around a bit, starting with the San Francisco Giants, then moving to the Philadelphia Phillies, and making stops with St. Louis and Milwaukee. Linzy retired from professional baseball on September 2, 1974, after pitching his last game for the Phillies. Over his career, he notched 110 saves and kept a 2.85 ERA across 516 games.

Linzy stood out as a “fireman” reliever, which was a lot different from today’s closer role. Instead of waiting for the ninth inning, he’d come in whenever his team needed him most—maybe the seventh, maybe the eighth, or the final frame.

His best season probably came in 1965. That year, he led the league with a 1.43 ERA and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. If you look at his career statistics, you’ll see a story of consistency and durability: 62 wins, 57 losses, and over 817 innings pitched.

From his early days as a standout rookie to his last years in Philadelphia, Linzy’s career really shows what relief pitching looked like as it was becoming more specialized.

Early Life and Background

Frank Alfred Linzy was born on September 15, 1940, in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. That’s where he built the foundation for his future in Major League Baseball.

His athletic talents showed up early. At Porter High School, he played both baseball and basketball—and he wasn’t just average at either.

Birth and Hometown

Frank Alfred Linzy came into the world on September 15, 1940, in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. This small town in eastern Oklahoma shaped his early years.

Fort Gibson had that classic small-town American vibe. The community played a big part in nurturing his love for sports and competition.

Growing up in Oklahoma in the ’40s and ’50s, Linzy got a taste of rural life. His family stayed in the area for years.

He carried the work ethic and values of Fort Gibson into his baseball career. That upbringing helped him earn a reputation as an unassuming, friendly teammate and a fan favorite.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Linzy went to Porter High School, where his athletic ability really started to stand out. He became a star in both baseball and basketball.

His pitching was so good that he made the all-state team in 1959. That honor put him on the radar for professional baseball.

He also shined on the basketball court, earning all-state honors there too. Linzy’s versatility as an athlete was hard to ignore.

The success he found in both sports at Porter High School showed off his natural athleticism and competitive edge. Those qualities came in handy when he jumped to pro baseball just a year after graduating.

MLB Debut and Rookie Recognition

Frank Linzy made his Major League debut with the San Francisco Giants on August 14, 1963, at just 22 years old. His real breakout came in 1965, when he led the league with a 1.43 ERA and earned National League Rookie of the Year honors as a pitcher.

MLB Debut with San Francisco Giants

Linzy first stepped onto a major league mound on August 14, 1963. He became the 12,141st player in MLB history, which is a fun bit of trivia.

The right-hander from Fort Gibson was just 22 when he debuted for San Francisco. He pitched 2 innings against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up 8 hits and 3 earned runs, but he managed to strike out 2 and didn’t walk anyone.

The Giants didn’t use him much that year. He appeared in 8 games, made one start, and pitched 16.2 innings total. His rookie stats: a 4.86 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

After 1963, Linzy didn’t see any big-league action in 1964. He came back to the Giants in 1965 and started to make a name for himself as a premier relief pitcher.

Impactful Rookie Season

Linzy’s real rookie campaign was 1965. He was 24 and really showed what he could do as a relief pitcher, racking up a 9-3 record and a .750 winning percentage.

He led the National League with a 1.43 ERA. Linzy pitched in 57 games, all in relief, and picked up 20 saves while finishing 40 games for the Giants.

Key 1965 Statistics:

• ERA: 1.43 (NL leader)
• Record: 9-3
• Saves: 20 (second in NL)
• Innings Pitched: 81.2
• WHIP: 1.212

His control and effectiveness made him a huge asset for San Francisco’s bullpen. He struck out 35 and walked just 23 in those 81.2 innings.

Awards and Honors

Linzy’s 1965 season earned him some serious recognition. He was named National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year, which put him on the map as one of the top young talents in the game.

He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and even landed 13th in NL MVP voting. That’s pretty impressive for a relief pitcher back then.

His 1.43 ERA and 20 saves turned heads across baseball. Linzy became one of the league’s best closers at just 24.

That rookie year set the stage for a solid 11-season career. The Giants had found themselves a reliable arm for the bullpen.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Frank Linzy played 11 seasons in the majors from 1963 to 1974. He built a reputation as one of the top relief pitchers of his era.

He appeared in 516 games for four teams, posted a 2.85 ERA, and collected 110 saves. Teams could count on him to step in at any crucial moment.

Teams Played For

Linzy started his MLB run with the San Francisco Giants in 1963. He stayed with them through 1970, which was the bulk of his career.

After San Francisco, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1970 to 1971, then the Milwaukee Brewers from 1972 to 1973.

He wrapped up his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1974. Linzy’s last game came on September 2, 1974, when he was 33.

His journey through these four teams showed just how valuable he was as a relief specialist.

Role as a Relief Pitcher

Frank Linzy worked as a classic “fireman” from the 1960s. He pitched in 516 games over 11 MLB seasons and started just two games.

His job was to enter when things got dicey—maybe the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning—whenever the other team threatened. That’s a lot different from today’s closer who usually pitches just the ninth.

Linzy finished 342 games in his career, which says a lot about his ability to close things out. Over his MLB years, he pitched 817⅓ innings, averaging more innings than most modern relievers ever see.

He collected 110 career saves, which reflected how teams used relievers differently back then. Modern stats like WAR weren’t around yet, but by today’s calculations, he contributed plenty to his teams’ success.

Notable Career Highlights

Linzy’s breakout 1965 season was the high point. He went 9-3, led the league with a 1.43 ERA, and saved 21 games.

That year, he finished 13th in NL MVP voting and 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting. Willie Mays, his teammate, took home the MVP.

In 1965 and 1966, Linzy came up big during intense pennant races. His clutch pitching really mattered in those tight games.

He finished his career with a 62-57 win-loss record, 358 strikeouts, and a 2.85 ERA. Those numbers show how steady he was over more than a decade in the big leagues.

Statistical Achievements and Pitching Performance

Frank Linzy put up some pretty strong numbers in his 11 years. He posted a 2.85 ERA over 817.1 innings and 110 saves.

His 62-57 record and 12.5 career WAR prove just how dependable he was as a relief pitcher in the ’60s and early ’70s.

Career ERA and Saves

Linzy’s 2.85 career ERA stands out as his signature stat. He had his best years with San Francisco, including a 1.43 ERA in 1965 and 1.51 ERA in 1967.

He racked up 110 saves in his career, peaking with 20 in 1965. In 1967, he notched 17 more, making him a dependable closer by the standards of his time.

Linzy pitched 817.1 innings overall, averaging around 74 innings per season. He handled heavy workloads, appearing in 50 or more games several times, including 58 outings in 1969.

Wins, Losses, and Key Metrics

Linzy ended up with a 62-57 record and a .521 winning percentage. His best single season for wins was 1969, when he went 14-9, although his ERA climbed to 3.64.

He carried a 1.312 career WHIP, which shows he had solid control. Linzy struck out 358 batters and walked 282, for a 1.27 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

His 3.28 career FIP suggests he actually pitched a little better than his ERA might indicate. He kept the ball on the ground and rarely gave up home runs—just 35 in his whole career.

League Rankings and WAR

Linzy racked up 12.5 WAR over his career, with his peak in 1965 at 3.8 WAR. That season got him 13th in MVP voting and third in Rookie of the Year voting.

In 1967, he posted 3.3 WAR, making him one of the top relievers in the National League. From 1965 to 1969, his prime with the Giants, he averaged 2.1 WAR a year.

His career ERA+ of 124 means he was 24% better than league average. In 1965 (253 ERA+) and 1967 (223 ERA+), he ranked among the best relievers of that whole decade.

Tenure with Key MLB Teams

Frank Linzy spent 11 seasons with four MLB teams from 1963 to 1974. He had his best years with the San Francisco Giants, especially in 1965 when he posted a 1.43 ERA.

San Francisco Giants Era

Linzy kicked off his big league career with the San Francisco Giants in 1963, debuting on August 14 at age 22. After a short trip back to the minors, he returned in 1965 and really broke out.

That 1965 campaign was something else. He went 9-3, saved 21 games, and led the league with a 1.43 ERA over 57 games. Those numbers got him third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and 13th in MVP voting.

The Giants used Linzy as a “fireman,” not a typical closer. He’d come in during the 7th, 8th, or 9th innings, whenever things got tense. That approach worked well, especially during the tight pennant races of 1965 and 1966.

Linzy stayed with San Francisco through 1970. He was their main relief pitcher for eight seasons, and it was definitely the most successful stretch of his career.

St. Louis Cardinals Years

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Linzy during the 1970 season. He spent parts of two years with them, marking a clear transition from his dominant Giants days.

Linzy kept working as a relief specialist for St. Louis. He delivered solid performances and had to get used to a new team and clubhouse vibe.

The Cardinals leaned on his experience, especially in tense moments. They really valued his steady hand and reputation in the bullpen.

He stuck around through 1971, giving the team a veteran presence. Linzy added depth to the Cardinals’ pitching staff and kept his rep as a reliable reliever.

Milwaukee Brewers Period

In 1972, Linzy landed with the Milwaukee Brewers and spent two seasons in the American League. That move marked his first time pitching in the AL after years in the National League.

Milwaukee put his veteran know-how to good use in their bullpen during ’72 and ’73. Linzy adjusted to facing AL hitters and kept his edge as a reliever.

His experience meant a lot to the Brewers, who were still a pretty young franchise at the time. Linzy showed the same durability he always had, appearing in plenty of games each season.

He provided steady relief work for Milwaukee’s pitching staff. The Brewers counted on him to keep things under control late in games.

Philadelphia Phillies Final Season

The Philadelphia Phillies brought Linzy on for his last MLB season in 1974. That short stint wrapped up his 11-year big-league career by September 2, 1974.

In Philadelphia, Linzy took on the role of veteran bullpen arm during his final year. His numbers had dipped from his best Giants days, but he still brought useful experience to a younger Phillies squad.

His stats that year showed he was winding down. Even with less effectiveness, Linzy closed out his career with the Phillies, finishing with totals of 62 wins, 57 losses, and a 2.85 ERA in 516 games.

Retirement and Legacy

Frank Linzy wrapped up his 11-season MLB journey on September 2, 1974, with the Philadelphia Phillies. He’d already built a reputation as one of the National League’s top relief pitchers.

His career numbers—110 saves and a 2.85 ERA across 516 games—really highlight just how effective he was as a “fireman” reliever back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Final Season in 1974

Linzy’s last MLB appearance happened on September 2, 1974, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched 1.1 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 walk, but didn’t record a strikeout or allow any earned runs in his final outing.

The 1974 season basically capped off a slow decline for the right-handed pitcher. By age 33, he wasn’t the dominant force he’d been with the San Francisco Giants in the mid-1960s.

His final season with Philadelphia meant he’d played for four different teams. After most of his career with San Francisco, he’d gone to the Cardinals, then the Brewers, and finally the Phillies.

The veteran reliever finished with 342 games finished—a stat that really shows his role as a closer and late-inning specialist. That number says a lot about how often teams trusted him to finish games.

Legacy in Relief Pitching

Linzy pitched during a time when relief roles in MLB were shifting. He worked as a 1960s “fireman,” not quite the modern closer, and you’d see him come in for the 7th, 8th, or 9th innings—whenever the other team started threatening.

His 1965 season? Easily his standout year. Linzy put up a 9-3 record, collected 21 saves, and led the league with a sharp 1.43 ERA.

He landed 13th in National League MVP voting and grabbed 3rd place in Rookie of the Year voting that same season.

If you look at the Oklahoma native’s career stats, you can see consistent effectiveness. Over 11 seasons, he kept a 2.85 career ERA across 817.1 innings, which shows some serious durability.

Linzy racked up 110 career saves, ranking him among the top relief pitchers of his time.

He finished 342 games, proving just how valuable he was to every team that had him on the roster.