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

Fred Green wrapped up his baseball career in 1964 after five seasons in Major League Baseball. That journey took him from a small New Jersey town all the way to the top of professional baseball.

The left-handed pitcher played his final games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing up in just eight games before the team sent him back to the minors for one last stint.

Green retired from professional baseball after the 1965 season at age 32. That ended a career with 88 major league appearances and a World Series championship with the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent time with both the Pirates and the Washington Senators, mainly working as a relief pitcher back when bullpen roles were just starting to change.

Green never really became a star, but his career tells an interesting story about what it’s like to be a journeyman player. He got to taste October glory and also had to fight to keep his spot on the roster.

His story includes his early days in the Pirates’ farm system, his part in Pittsburgh’s unforgettable 1960 championship, and his move to life after baseball in the transportation industry.

Early Life and Background

Fred Allen Green was born on September 14, 1933, in Titusville, New Jersey, to David and Edna Green. He showed athletic talent early in high school, excelling in several sports before picking baseball as his path.

Birthplace and Family

Fred Allen Green came into the world in Titusville, New Jersey, a small hamlet. His parents, David and Edna Green, gave him a solid foundation for his athletic future.

David worked as a carpenter, and Edna took care of the home. Fred grew up with his younger brother Robert, making for a close-knit family in their small town.

Titusville sits just a few miles north of where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776. That little community became the starting point for Fred’s baseball dreams.

Growing up in a modest, blue-collar household, Fred learned the value of hard work. Those lessons stuck with him throughout his baseball career.

High School Years in Titusville

Fred Green turned into quite the athlete at Titusville High School. By then, he stood 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 190 pounds, which gave him a natural edge.

Sports Excellence:

• Baseball (left-handed pitcher)
• Basketball
• Soccer

His athleticism let him shine in several sports, but pitching really grabbed the attention of pro scouts.

Green’s left-handed pitching stood out among his talents. Scouts saw real potential in his delivery and mound presence.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Pittsburgh Pirates noticed Green’s skills and signed him right after he graduated high school in 1952. That moment was a huge step toward the big leagues.

He joined as part of Branch Rickey’s youth movement. The organization jokingly called these young prospects “Rickey’s Dinks,” showing their focus on developing new talent.

Green jumped straight from high school to the Pirates organization. The team believed in his potential as a left-handed pitcher and invested in his growth.

That signing kicked off his journey through the minors, a path that eventually led to his major league debut in 1959.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Fred Green pitched in the majors for five seasons between 1959 and 1964. He finished with a 9-7 record and a 3.48 ERA in 88 games.

The left-handed pitcher spent most of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a brief stop at the Washington Senators in 1962.

MLB Debut and Final Season

Green made his major league debut on April 15, 1959, against the Cincinnati Reds. He came in to relieve Bennie Daniels in the seventh inning with the Pirates down 8-5. That first outing was rough—he walked Jerry Lynch and gave up a home run to Ed Bailey.

Even with those early struggles, he showed promise in his rookie season. Green ended 1959 with a 1-2 record and a 3.13 ERA in 17 games.

He made his only major league start on September 11 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He lost 4-0 after giving up a three-run homer to Wally Moon in the fifth inning.

The big highlight of his career came in 1960. Green helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series and went 8-4 with three saves during the regular season.

The Sporting News named him to their 1960 All-Star rookie team, even though he struggled in the World Series.

His final MLB appearance came on June 14, 1964, against the Chicago Cubs. Green entered in the seventh and retired Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

He wrapped up his last season with a 1.23 ERA in eight games.

Playing Style and Pitching Role

Green worked mostly as a relief pitcher during his MLB career. He appeared in 88 games, starting just once, and became a reliable bullpen piece for both the Pirates and Washington Senators.

At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Green used his height and left-handed delivery to his advantage. After the 1960 season, he added a palmball and started changing speeds to keep hitters off balance.

His best year came in 1960, when The Sporting News called Green and Elroy Face the best bullpen duo in the National League. Manager Danny Murtaugh often called on Green as his go-to lefty in tough lefty-righty matchups.

Green struck out 77 batters over his career and kept pretty good control. He played a key role as a situational lefty during Pittsburgh’s championship run, though he had a tough time against Yankees hitters in the World Series, giving up ten runs in four innings over three games.

Highlights with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Fred Green made his biggest mark with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1959-1961 and briefly again in 1964. His standout season was 1960, when he helped the Pirates win their first World Series since 1925.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Green broke through in 1960, posting an 8-4 record with three saves. He teamed up with Hall of Famer Elroy Face, and The Sporting News called them the best bullpen pair in the National League.

The lefty played in 88 big league games, almost all as a reliever—he started only once.

Green’s ERA was especially solid in his rookie year, posting a 3.13 mark in 17 games after his call-up from the minors.

He showed he still had something left in 1964, pitching 7.67 innings across eight games with a 1.23 ERA, even as his major league time was winding down.

1960 World Series Performance

Green pitched in all three of the Pirates’ losses during the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees. In four innings, he gave up ten runs and found the Yankees lineup tough to handle.

His most unforgettable moment? Surrendering two home runs to Mickey Mantle. One of those shots cleared the right-center wall at Forbes Field in Game Two.

Even after his World Series struggles, Green made The Sporting News’ 1960 All-Star rookie team. His widow Mona later said, “Fred’s biggest thrill was playing in a World Series, although he didn’t pitch well.”

The Pirates clinched the championship when Bill Mazeroski hit his legendary walk-off homer in Game Seven. Green watched from the bullpen as the ball sailed over the left-field fence at Forbes Field.

Tenure with the Washington Senators

Green joined the expansion Washington Senators late in 1961 after the Pirates sold him on waivers. His time with the Senators was short and included some rough outings against his old World Series foes, the New York Yankees.

Season Performance in 1962

Green’s 1962 season with Washington got off to a rocky start. The lefty faced the Yankees early and things went downhill fast.

On April 28, 1962, Green took the mound at D.C. Stadium in the sixth inning with Washington already trailing 5-1. He gave up an unearned run that inning.

The seventh inning was a nightmare. Green surrendered three straight home runs to Hector Lopez, Clete Boyer, and Roger Maris.

That rough outing pretty much ended his major league time with Washington. Within days, the Senators sent him down to their Jacksonville minor league affiliate.

Green finished the 1962 season split between Jacksonville and Syracuse. His combined minor league numbers showed a 4-7 record and a 5.13 ERA, which reflected his ongoing struggles.

Return to the Pirates in 1964

The Senators released Green in May 1963. The Pirates picked him up again and sent him to their Columbus affiliate to finish out the year.

Green’s work in the minors paid off when he made the Pirates’ roster for the 1964 season. Still, his role was much more limited than before.

In 1964, Green pitched in only eight games for Pittsburgh. He threw just 7⅓ innings but posted an impressive 1.23 ERA.

His last MLB appearance came on June 14, 1964, against the Chicago Cubs. Green entered in the seventh and retired both Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

Soon after, Pittsburgh sent him back to Columbus. He finished the 1964 season in the minors, and that was the end of his major league career at age 32.

Career Statistics and Notable Records

Fred Green’s five-year big league career ended with a 9-7 record and a 3.48 ERA over 88 games. In the minors, he pitched for 12 seasons, notching nearly 100 wins and over 1,500 innings.

Major League Stats

Green pitched in 88 MLB games from 1959 to 1964, almost all as a reliever. His career record was 9 wins and 7 losses, with a 3.48 ERA.

His top season was 1960, when he went 8-4 with 3 saves in 45 games. That year, Green threw 70 innings with a 3.21 ERA and was a key part of Pittsburgh’s World Series bullpen.

Career MLB Statistics:

• Games: 88
• Wins: 9
• Losses: 7
• ERA: 3.48
• Saves: 3 (all in 1960)

He had a tough time in the 1960 World Series against the Yankees, giving up 11 hits and 10 runs in just 4 innings over three games.

Minor League Contributions

Green put together a 98-88 record with a 3.91 ERA over 12 minor league seasons from 1952 to 1965. He pitched 1,582 innings for various teams.

His best minor league year was 1952 with the Brunswick Pirates. Green went 20-11 with a 2.54 ERA and led the Georgia-Florida League with 265 strikeouts.

That season earned him an All-Star nod and showed his potential as a power pitcher. Green moved up through teams like the Hollywood Stars, Salt Lake City Bees, and Columbus Jets before reaching the majors.

Batting Highlights

Even though he was a pitcher, Green surprised people in 1960 by hitting for power. He got 3 hits in 8 at-bats, including 2 home runs.

That was pretty rare for a relief pitcher and added to his value during Pittsburgh’s run to the championship.

His hitting heroics were limited to that one season, but they made for some memorable moments during a historic year for the Pirates.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After Fred Green hung up his cleats in 1964, he went on to a successful business career with Leaseway Transportation Company. He also built a baseball legacy through his son Gary Green, who followed in his dad’s footsteps as a pro ballplayer.

Family Legacy and Connection to Gary Green

Fred Green left his biggest mark after baseball through his son, Gary Green, who carved out his own path as a professional ballplayer. Gary played shortstop in the majors for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds.

The Green family just couldn’t shake their love for baseball, even after Fred hung up his glove. Gary kept that tradition alive, managing farm teams for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers organizations for 11 seasons.

Fred and his wife Mona raised Gary and Gregg in their New Jersey home. Baseball seemed to run in their veins.

When Fred passed away in 1996, Gary was coaching for the minor league Toledo Mud Hens. The Green family’s baseball story stretched across generations, staying strong through the years.

Professional Activities After Retirement

Fred Green didn’t waste much time after leaving baseball—he jumped into the business world. He joined Leaseway Transportation Company in Chicago after retiring in 1964 at just 32.

He put in the work and moved up the company ladder. Fred eventually managed at Leaseway, showing off the same grit he’d relied on during his five years in the majors.

Even with a new job, Fred couldn’t quite leave baseball behind. Sometimes he’d pitch batting practice for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team where he’d celebrated his biggest moments, like the 1960 World Series.

His business career gave his family the stability and security they needed after his days on the field were done.

Community Impact and Later Years

Fred Green always stayed close to his New Jersey roots. He spent his later years in Titusville, New Jersey, the same small town where he was born on September 14, 1933.

People in the community saw him as a quiet presence. He took real pride in his connection to baseball, especially his role on the 1960 World Series champion Pirates team.

Fred Green died of a heart attack on December 22, 1996, at age 62 in Titusville. His family buried him in Harbourton Cemetery in Lambertville, New Jersey.

Former teammate and Pirates broadcaster Nellie King summed up Green’s legacy in a way that feels pretty spot on: “He was a journeyman, a good, friendly guy who had to work like hell to get where he was, but there are great players who never played on a championship team. He did!”