Fred Beene – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Fred Beene’s name probably won’t pop up in Cooperstown, but his story in Major League Baseball is honestly pretty inspiring. He stood just 5’9″ and weighed 155 pounds, yet Beene kept proving people wrong when they said he was too small for the big leagues.

His career ran from 1968 to 1975. He pitched for three teams and showed that grit and stubbornness can get you pretty far, even when you don’t have the size everyone expects.

Beene retired from Major League Baseball in 1975. Arm problems limited him to only 19 games with the Cleveland Indians that year. He spent time on the disabled list and posted a rough 6.94 ERA, a far cry from the incredible 1.68 ERA he put up with the New York Yankees in 1973.

Still, Beene managed some brilliant moments that really highlighted his clever pitching and his competitive fire.

After his playing days, Beene’s story kept going. He had a standout amateur career at Sam Houston State, fought his way through the minor leagues, and later moved into coaching and scouting.

His stints with the Orioles, Yankees, and Indians give us a glimpse into what smaller players had to deal with back then, especially in an era that cared a lot about size. Beene really showed how sticking with it can pay off in professional sports.

Fred Beene’s Baseball Career Overview

Fred Beene pitched in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1975. He played for three teams over those seven years.

This 5-foot-9 right-handed pitcher didn’t let his size hold him back. He carved out a spot as a reliable reliever and finished with a 12-7 record and a 2.96 ERA.

Major League Debut and Teams

Freddy Ray Beene made his major league debut on September 18, 1968, with the Baltimore Orioles. He faced the Boston Red Sox and pitched one inning, giving up two hits, a walk, and an earned run, while striking out one.

Baltimore’s stacked farm system kept Beene stuck in the minors early on. Even though he pitched well there, he couldn’t crack the loaded Orioles rotation. Manager Earl Weaver leaned on his veterans, so Beene didn’t get many chances.

Things changed when the Yankees traded for him in January 1972. “When I got to spring training, they had about five sore-armed pitchers,” Beene remembered. Manager Ralph Houk called him in and told him he made the team, and for once, Beene wasn’t just hanging around for a September call-up.

Beene’s best years were with New York in 1972 and 1973. In ’73, he went 6-0 with a 1.68 ERA in 19 games. The Yankees traded him to Cleveland in April 1974, and the deal surprised a lot of people in the clubhouse.

Era and League Context

Beene pitched during a time when baseball was changing. The American League added the designated hitter rule in 1973, and at first, Beene worried about it. “I thought the DH would ruin me since you don’t need as many pitchers on a team,” he said.

But the rule actually helped him. He became one of baseball’s first long relievers, a role that didn’t even exist before. That new spot let him find his place on the Yankees.

The late ’60s and early ’70s were all about dominant pitching. The Orioles won three straight pennants starting in 1969, so it was tough for new pitchers to break in.

Position and Playing Style

Beene threw right-handed and mostly worked out of the bullpen. At 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, he kept hearing he was too small, but that never stopped him.

His dad taught him the basics—pitching inside, mixing speeds, and hitting his spots.

Scouts liked his “crafty assortment of pitches.” Beene had great control, walking just 47 batters in 193 minor league innings in 1969. His best big league year was 1973, when he issued only 27 walks in 91 innings.

He appeared in 115 MLB games, all as a reliever. He struck out 156 hitters and picked up three saves. In his perfect 1973 season, opponents batted just .209 against him, which shows how tough he could be when healthy and in the right situation.

Notable Teams and Transactions

Fred Beene’s career in the majors lasted eight years and included some big trades. The most important deal sent him from Baltimore to the Yankees in 1972, where he spent two years before heading to Cleveland in a four-pitcher swap.

Baltimore Orioles and Early Trades

Beene started his big league career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1968. He spent his first four years there, mostly developing in the minors.

Baltimore was building a powerhouse team, which meant young pitchers like Beene didn’t get many shots.

On January 19, 1972, the Orioles traded Beene to the Yankees for a player to be named later. That move gave Beene a much better chance to pitch regularly.

The Yankees finished the trade on April 10, 1972, by sending Dale Spier to Baltimore. Spier never made it to the majors, so the Yankees definitely got the better end of that deal.

New York Yankees Years

Beene’s stretch with the Yankees from 1972 to 1974 was the best of his career. He got more chances to pitch and really showed what he could do.

With the Yankees, Beene wore number 47. He earned a reputation as a dependable middle reliever and fit nicely into their bullpen.

He contributed a lot in 1973 and 1974. His time with Baltimore helped him settle in quickly in New York.

Cleveland Indians Period

On April 26, 1974, the Yankees traded Beene, Tom Buskey, Steve Kline, and Fritz Peterson to the Cleveland Indians. That four-player trade shook up both teams’ pitching staffs.

The Indians got four experienced pitchers in the deal. Beene joined a Cleveland team that was in the middle of a rebuild.

He played his last major league season with Cleveland in 1975. That year marked his final shot at the big leagues.

Beene wrapped up his career after 1975. He finished with 12 wins, 7 losses, and 115 games pitched.

Key Trade Partners and Players

Fritz Peterson stood out as the biggest name in Beene’s trade to Cleveland. Peterson was a proven Yankees starter who brought a lot to the Indians.

Tom Buskey and Steve Kline rounded out the group sent to Cleveland. Both had solid major league experience.

Dale Spier was the player the Yankees sent to Baltimore to complete the original trade for Beene. Spier never reached the majors, but his inclusion wrapped up the 1972 deal.

The Yankees got players in return for the four-pitcher trade, but honestly, Cleveland probably benefited more in the long run.

Pitching Performance and Statistics

Fred Beene put together a 12-7 record and a 3.63 ERA in 115 games over seven seasons. He struck out 156 batters, mostly as a relief pitcher and middle reliever.

Career Earned Run Average

Beene’s 3.63 career ERA shows he was pretty solid during his time in the majors. His best season came in 1973 with the Yankees, when he posted a 1.68 ERA in 19 games.

That year, he gave up just 67 hits in 91 innings and walked only 27. Opponents managed a .209 average against him.

His ERA changed a lot from team to team. In 1972 with the Yankees, he had a strong 2.34 ERA. After moving to Cleveland in 1974, his numbers slipped.

In 1975, arm issues kept him on the disabled list for 62 days. His ERA shot up to 6.94 in just 19 games, which pretty much ended his major league run.

Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

Beene racked up 156 strikeouts in his career. Not bad for a reliever, especially one who was always fighting the size stereotype.

His best strikeout year was 1973 with the Yankees—49 punchouts in 91 innings and only 27 walks.

Beene’s innings pitched depended on his relief role. The DH rule in 1973 actually helped him; he became one of the first long relievers.

He threw strikes and didn’t walk many hitters. That command helped make up for what he lacked in size.

Relief Pitching Roles

Beene eventually found his spot as a reliever after struggling to break into starting rotations. He went from spot appearances to being a key middle guy for the Yankees.

With New York, he worked out of the bullpen alongside guys like Sparky Lyle and Lindy McDaniel. He could handle multiple innings, which made him valuable in the early ’70s.

After the Yankees traded him to Cleveland, Beene’s relief work wasn’t as sharp. His ERA climbed to 4.93 with the Indians.

Career Saves and Achievements

Beene picked up career saves during his time in the big leagues. In 1972, he notched three saves and posted a 2.34 ERA in 29 games.

His highlight was that perfect 6-0 record with a 1.68 ERA in 1973. That season was the high point of his career.

He helped steady the Yankees’ bullpen in the early ’70s. His middle relief work gave the team some stability.

He never got to celebrate a World Series title, though. He missed out on the Orioles’ 1969 championship since he was a late-season call-up and not on the playoff roster.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Fred Beene grew up in Texas, where his dad became his biggest baseball influence—even though the elder Beene never played organized ball. Fred starred at Brazosport High School, then made his mark at Sam Houston State University, helping them win a national championship.

High School Years

Freddy Ray Beene was born November 24, 1942, in Angleton, Texas. The town sits about 50 miles south of Houston, not far from the Gulf.

His dad, William Andrew Beene, played a huge role in his baseball upbringing. “My dad was my biggest influence,” Fred said in a 2005 interview. “He never pitched an inning anywhere except in a cow pasture.”

William Beene taught Fred the basics of pitching, even though he never played on an actual team. “He was a farmboy who just loved baseball,” Fred recalled. “He taught me about pitching inside and changing speeds and location.”

Those early lessons worked. At age 10, Fred tossed a perfect game, striking out all 18 batters. “I didn’t walk a guy and I struck out all 18 hitters,” he remembered.

Beene went to Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas. Even then, people doubted him because of his size—5-foot-9 and 155 pounds—but he just kept proving them wrong.

Sam Houston State University and Small College World Series

After high school, Beene headed to Sam Houston State University. He joined the baseball team and wasted no time making his mark as a pitcher.

In 1963, Beene really stood out. He helped lead Sam Houston State to a win in the NAIA championship game. That tournament basically served as the Small College World Series for schools outside the big college divisions.

Scouts noticed his performance in the national tournament. That championship run gave Beene a chance to show what he could do against some of the best competition from all over the country.

The success at Sam Houston State seemed to back up his father’s early lessons. Beene, despite his size, showed he could handle quality hitters if he had good command and location.

Scouting and Signing

Dee Phillips, a Baltimore Orioles scout, started following Beene during his college days. Phillips saw real potential in the young pitcher.

Former major league pitcher Burleigh Grimes joined Phillips to check out Beene after the national tournament. They met for the signing at a Holiday Inn in Joplin, Missouri.

“Burleigh was in the room when I signed,” Beene said. “Burleigh said if I were bigger, I could get more money. That talk was already starting.”

Phillips really pushed for Beene, even though people worried about his size. “Dee knew me and he scouted me,” Beene recalled. “He knew what kind of athlete and competitor I was. He wanted me pretty bad.”

The Orioles gave Beene his first pro contract in 1964. Grimes encouraged him that day, despite the size question. “Burleigh told me a lot of good things that day,” Beene remembered.

Post-Retirement Contributions

Fred Beene stayed close to baseball after he finished playing in 1975. He focused on helping young talent develop through scouting and passed his knowledge to the next generation.

Scouting Career

Once he retired from pro ball, Beene moved into scouting. He drew on his experience as a big league pitcher to evaluate young players for pro teams.

Since he spent time as a relief pitcher with three different teams, Beene knew exactly what scouts wanted in a prospect. He understood the mental side of pitching at the top level.

He used his background to judge amateur players, relying on the fundamentals he learned over seven seasons in the majors. That credibility helped him succeed in talent evaluation.

Scouting kept Beene involved in the game he loved. He played a role in finding promising players who might one day make it to the majors.

Impact on Future Players

Beene shared his pitching knowledge with younger players after his playing days. He drew on his experience as a 1970s relief pitcher to help coach pitchers coming up.

The right-hander emphasized mental preparation and consistency. In 1973, he had his best season, posting a 6-0 record with a 1.68 ERA for the Yankees.

He taught young players the basics of pitching mechanics. From his relief pitching days, he knew how to succeed under pressure.

Beene helped keep baseball knowledge from the 1960s and 1970s alive. He passed down techniques and strategies that worked for him with Baltimore, New York, and Cleveland.

Personal Life and Legacy

Fred Beene’s life outside baseball reflected his Texas roots and strong family values. His reputation in the game came from his determination to succeed despite physical limitations. His legacy continues through his work in player development and scouting.

Family and Background

Freddy Ray Beene was born November 24, 1942, in Angleton, Texas, about 50 miles south of Houston near the Gulf. His parents, William Andrew Beene and Inez Fay Steadman, raised him alongside his younger sister Lena.

His dad played a huge part in shaping his baseball career. “My dad was my biggest influence,” Beene said in a 2005 interview. “He never pitched an inning anywhere except in a cow pasture. He was a farmboy who just loved baseball.”

William Andrew Beene taught Fred the pitching basics, even though he never played organized ball. He stressed pitching inside, changing speeds, and hitting spots. Those lessons stuck with Fred all through his pro career.

Growing up in rural Texas gave Fred a strong work ethic and a lot of grit. That background helped him overcome doubts about his size in pro baseball.

Reputation in Baseball

Fred Beene earned respect in baseball for his drive and skill, even though many thought he was too small for the majors. At 5’9″ and 160 pounds, he kept proving people wrong.

His nickname “Beeney” showed the affection teammates and coaches felt for him. Folks knew him as a crafty pitcher with a good mix of pitches and great fielding.

“I was small and I had to battle all those perceptions about my size,” Beene said. “I always heard that I was too little to pitch in the big leagues.”

His perseverance became a bit legendary in baseball circles. He spent eight years in the Baltimore Orioles organization with few chances, but he never quit chasing his dream.

Key Career Highlights:

• Perfect 6-0 record with 1.68 ERA in 1973 with the Yankees
• 156 career strikeouts over seven major league seasons
• Pioneer of the long reliever role after the designated hitter arrived

Commemoration and Honors

After he retired as a player in 1979, Beene jumped into coaching and scouting. He managed to extend his baseball legacy for more than twenty years.

He worked as the pitching coach for the Tidewater Tides in the International League. Later, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers as a scout.

Beene spent 20 years scouting before he finally retired from baseball in 2001. During those years, he always talked about how adaptability and perseverance made the difference in a prospect. “After scouting for 20 years, I determined the biggest factors in a prospect are his ability to adapt and his perseverance,” Beene once said.

He signed one of his most memorable prospects in 1982—a 6-foot-3, 215-pound pitcher from Brownwood, Texas. That pitcher, Jim Morris, struggled with injuries at first, but eventually made his major league debut in 1999.

Beene’s story still inspires smaller players who deal with the same size-related doubts. His career really shows that determination and skill can help you beat the odds in professional sports.