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

Fred Scherman wrapped up his eight-year Major League Baseball career on July 6, 1976, when he made his final appearance for the Montreal Expos as a left-handed relief pitcher. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Scherman pushed through childhood challenges and became a reliable bullpen arm for three MLB teams in the late 1960s and 1970s.

He put together a solid 33-26 record with a 3.66 ERA in 347 games, striking out 297 batters and picking up 39 saves. Scherman really shined with the Detroit Tigers, setting a franchise record with 69 appearances in 1971 and stepping up as the team’s main closer under Billy Martin.

Starting in Ohio’s amateur leagues, Scherman worked his way up to his professional debut with Detroit in 1969. His story shows the kind of dedication you need to make it in baseball at the highest level.

His stats, memorable moments, and life after baseball give us a glimpse into what it was like to be a journeyman pitcher during a time of big changes in Major League Baseball.

Early Life and Background

Frederick John Scherman Jr. was born on July 25, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio. This is where he started building the foundation for his baseball career.

He went from Fairview High School to Ohio State University, and those years shaped his path toward the pros.

Childhood Challenges and Overcoming Adversity

Fred Scherman grew up in Dayton during the 1950s and early 1960s. Records don’t reveal too many details about his childhood struggles, but that era definitely threw some curveballs at young athletes.

Ohio’s post-war years brought a mix of opportunities and tough breaks. Families adjusted to economic shifts and changing times.

Scherman needed to juggle school with sports, and not every neighborhood had the same resources or coaching. Some kids had it easier, others didn’t.

Even with all that, Scherman’s left-handed pitching talent started to stand out as a kid. He stuck with the sport, and that commitment helped him push through any early setbacks.

Family and Education

Frederick John Scherman Jr. grew up in a family that cared about both school and sports. His parents encouraged him to chase academic goals and baseball dreams at the same time.

The Schermans made sure he finished his education while working on his pitching. That support really paid off later in life.

Fred went to Fairview High School in Dayton, managing schoolwork and his growing love for baseball. He kept his grades up and got into Ohio State University.

With his family behind him, Scherman could keep developing as a pitcher and a student. Having that educational background gave him more options down the road.

High School Baseball and Amateur Success

At Fairview High, Scherman made a name for himself as a standout lefty pitcher. Scouts and local baseball fans started to notice.

His high school performance got him recruited by Ohio State University. The Buckeyes saw his potential and wanted him on their team.

At Ohio State, Scherman worked on his pitching and gained experience against tough competition. The college program offered better coaching and training than he’d had before.

His college years became the launchpad for a pro career. The mix of natural talent and college training set him up for the majors.

By graduation, Scherman had grown into a polished left-handed pitcher, ready to take the next step.

Professional Baseball Career

Fred Scherman played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1976. He finished with a 33-26 record and a 3.66 ERA in 347 games for three different teams.

He started in the Minnesota Twins organization, but found his stride as a relief pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, where he set records and became a key part of their bullpen.

Path to the Major Leagues

Scherman signed with the Minnesota Twins in December 1963, picking their $5,000 offer to pitch over a $1,000 first baseman contract from the Phillies. In 1964, he played for the Single-A Orlando Twins and posted a 14-13 record with a 2.33 ERA in 30 games.

Detroit Tigers scout Al Federoff noticed his performance. The Tigers picked up Scherman from the Twins in December 1964 for $8,000.

He spent four seasons in Detroit’s minor league system, playing for Rocky Mount, Montgomery Rebels, and Toledo Mud Hens.

A bad elbow injury almost ended his career early. The torn tendons in his throwing arm needed careful rehab with Federoff’s help. Scherman started small, pitching to one batter, then one inning, slowly building back his strength.

He finally broke through in 1968 with Toledo, putting up an 8-2 record and a 1.76 ERA in 30 games. That Toledo team was stacked, with 13 players who would make it to the majors, and Scherman earned his shot with Detroit.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

Scherman debuted in the majors on April 26, 1969, but gave up a home run to Carl Yastrzemski right away. He got called up and sent down a few times, and under manager Mayo Smith, he barely pitched—sometimes sitting on the bench for more than 50 days straight.

In 1970, he finally got a full season in the big leagues. Scherman pitched in 48 games, all in relief, going 4-4 with a 3.23 ERA and earning his first save on May 22.

1971 was Scherman’s breakout year under new manager Billy Martin. He set a Detroit Tigers record with 69 appearances, the second-most in the American League that year.

He went 11-6 with a 2.71 ERA—almost a full run lower than the league average of 3.61—and became Detroit’s main closer.

Martin liked Scherman’s quick warm-up and his knack for getting ground balls with his fastball. Scherman didn’t focus on speed, but on hitting his spots, using a sinking fastball and mixing in the occasional slider.

In 1972, he kept up the good work with a 7-3 record and a 3.64 ERA in 57 games. He pitched in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, and his inside pitches to Reggie Jackson helped set off tensions that led to a brawl later in the game.

John Hiller’s monster season in 1973 (38 saves, 1.44 ERA) pushed Scherman into mop-up duty. His saves dropped from 32 combined in 1971-72 to just one in 1973, so Detroit traded him.

Houston Astros Years

On December 3, 1973, the Tigers traded Scherman to the Houston Astros for Gary Sutherland and Jim Ray. The switch to the National League didn’t go smoothly, and he struggled with both his performance and his health.

In 1974, Scherman went 2-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 54 relief outings. His back, which had bothered him for years, got worse. He played most of the season with two ruptured discs—he later blamed the Astrodome’s hard surface for making it worse.

Tests in late September revealed just how bad his back was. Scherman had surgery in the off-season to fix the ruptured discs that had slowed him down.

The 1975 season started rough for Scherman with the Astros. He went 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in 16 relief games. One tough moment came on April 20, when Pete Rose hit a two-run, ninth-inning homer off him to win the game for Cincinnati.

Montreal Expos and Final MLB Games

On June 8, 1975, the Montreal Expos picked up Scherman for cash and future considerations. The new team gave him a shot as both a starter and reliever.

In his first six starts for Montreal, Scherman pitched well but got almost no run support. Manager Gene Mauch said Scherman “gave us a chance to win all six games he started,” but the bats just didn’t back him up.

Scherman moved back to the bullpen, pitching in 34 games for the Expos in 1975. Seven of those were starts, and he finished with a 4-3 record and a better 3.54 ERA.

His last season in 1976 saw him pitch in 31 games for Montreal. Scherman made his final MLB appearance on July 6, 1976.

He wrapped up his career with 297 strikeouts and 39 saves over eight seasons.

After his time in the majors, Scherman spent a bit of 1977 pitching in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system. He finished his pro career with a season in Japan in 1978.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Fred Scherman hit his stride during his five years with the Detroit Tigers, setting team records and earning a reputation as one of the American League’s top relievers. He reached his peak in 1971, stepping in as Detroit’s main closer and helping drive their playoff run.

Notable Seasons and Records

Scherman’s 1971 season really stands out. He went 11-6 with a 2.71 ERA, almost a full run better than the league average.

He made 69 appearances that year, setting a Detroit Tigers franchise record and ranking second in the American League.

The lefty also logged 20 saves and finished 40 games, both good for third in the league. His .647 winning percentage put him 10th among AL pitchers.

Manager Billy Martin called Scherman “our No. 1 man in the extremely difficult situations.” Martin liked how fast Scherman could warm up and how he threw strikes.

Fans voted Scherman the “King Tiger” in both 1971 and 1972. In 1972, he kept up the momentum with a 7-3 record and 3.64 ERA, picking up 12 saves in 57 games.

American League Championship Series Performance

Scherman pitched in Game 2 of the 1972 American League Championship Series against Oakland. The Tigers lost 5-0, but Scherman’s outing got attention for other reasons.

He knocked down Reggie Jackson twice with inside pitches during his 2/3 innings pitched. Those pitches helped ramp up tensions.

Later, Tigers pitcher Lerrin LaGrow hit Oakland’s Bert Campaneris, and a major brawl broke out. Some people blamed Scherman’s earlier knockdowns for starting the trouble.

Despite all the drama, Scherman didn’t give up any earned runs in his brief playoff appearance.

Significant Trades and Transactions

The December 3, 1973 trade to Houston changed Scherman’s career path. Detroit sent him to the Houston Astros for Gary Sutherland and Jim Ray at the Winter Meetings.

Detroit made the move because John Hiller had taken over as their top closer in 1973. Hiller had a 1.44 ERA and set a major league record with 38 saves, leaving Scherman with fewer chances.

Scherman’s saves dropped from 32 combined in 1971-72 to just one save in 1973. He later said, “Hiller had a tremendous year. The rest of the bullpen couldn’t get enough work.”

In June 1975, the Montreal Expos picked up Scherman for cash and future considerations. The Expos tried him as a starter, then moved him back to the bullpen, where he bounced back with a 3.54 ERA.

Statistical Overview and Player Analysis

Fred Scherman’s MLB career lasted eight years. He finished with a 33-26 record, a 3.66 ERA, and 297 strikeouts in 536.1 innings.

His best years were with Detroit, where he racked up 34 saves and put up his lowest ERA numbers.

Career Stats and Rankings

Scherman put together his career statistics between 1969 and 1976. He appeared in 346 games but started just 11 times.

He won 33 games and lost 26, ending up with a .559 winning percentage. That’s a pretty solid mark for a reliever, honestly.

During his Detroit years (1969-1973), the lefty pitched his best ball. With the Tigers, he notched 25 wins, 15 losses, and a 3.39 ERA over 342.1 innings.

After he moved to the National League, things didn’t go as well. Scherman went 8-11 with a 4.13 ERA for Houston and Montreal.

His strikeout rate actually ticked up a bit, from 4.9 per nine innings in the AL to 5.1 in the NL, but that didn’t really translate to better results.

Career Totals:

• Games: 346
• Wins: 33
• Losses: 26
• Saves: 39
• Strikeouts: 297

Pitching Metrics: ERA, WHIP, and WAR

Scherman’s 3.66 ERA sat right at league average for his era. Baseball Reference gives him an ERA+ of 100.

He peaked in 1971, putting up a 2.71 ERA over 113 innings with Detroit. That was probably his best stretch.

His WHIP landed at 1.430, which hints at some control issues over the years. Scherman walked 245 batters and struck out 297, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio was just 1.21.

He walked 4.1 per nine innings, which is honestly a bit high for a reliever.

WAR analysis shows Scherman added 4.3 wins above replacement in his career. He hit his peak in 1971 with a 3.2 WAR season.

In three different years, including his last one in Montreal, he actually posted negative WAR.

The numbers say Scherman worked as a serviceable reliever, especially in high-leverage spots. His FIP sat at 4.08, so maybe he pitched a little better than his ERA shows.

Strikeouts, Saves, and Key Achievements

Scherman struck out 297 hitters in his career, averaging 5.0 per nine innings. His strikeout rate jumped to 7.5 per nine during his strong 1970 season with Detroit.

He racked up 39 career saves, with 34 of those coming while he wore a Tigers uniform. His best year for saves was 1971, when he locked down 20 and posted that sharp 2.71 ERA.

In 1971, Scherman really hit his stride. He got into 69 games, finished 40 of them, and only walked 49 hitters across 113 innings.

Key Statistical Achievements:

• 20 saves in 1971 season
• 11 wins in 1971 (career high)
• 69 game appearances in 1971
• 3.2 WAR in peak season

His career wrapped up after a tough 31-game stretch with Montreal in 1976, where he put up a 4.95 ERA to close things out.

Post-MLB and Retirement Years

Fred Scherman didn’t just disappear after leaving the Montreal Expos in 1976. He chased opportunities with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and even looked into international baseball before eventually moving on from the game.

Minor League and International Play

When the Expos released Scherman in 1976 after he refused a demotion to Triple-A Denver, he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his glove. He’d spent eight years in the majors and wanted to prove he still had something left.

Scherman looked around for ways to keep playing. The mid-70s didn’t offer a ton of options for veterans, but international leagues were starting to open up for guys like him.

Records don’t say much about his specific international experience. Still, a lot of former MLB players found gigs in winter leagues or new pro circuits in Japan, Mexico, and other countries that were just getting serious about baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates and Columbus Clippers

In 1977, Scherman caught on with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hoping for one more shot at the big leagues. The Pirates sent him to their Triple-A club, the Columbus Clippers, so he could try to pitch his way back.

Columbus was the Pirates’ top minor league squad at the time. Scherman joined a mix of veterans and prospects, all trying to get noticed.

Despite his experience as both a closer and starter, he didn’t get the call to return to the majors. The 1977 season ended up being his last real attempt at pro baseball.

At 33, he realized it was time to move on.

Life After Baseball

After his comeback with the Pirates fizzled, Scherman stepped away from professional baseball. Like a lot of guys from his era, he had to figure out what came next.

Details about his post-baseball life are pretty scarce. Players from his generation often found new paths in coaching, business, or somewhere they could use the discipline and teamwork they picked up on the field.

Some even stayed close to the game through youth leagues or local teams.

Scherman’s big league numbers remain his legacy: 33 wins, 26 losses, a 3.66 ERA, 39 saves, and 297 strikeouts across 347 games. His best stretch came with the Detroit Tigers from 1971-1972, when he worked as their main closer during some competitive seasons.

Legacy and Recognition

Fred Scherman’s eight-year MLB run made a modest but memorable mark on relief pitching in the early 1970s. You’ll find his name in the baseball databases and stat books, a reminder of his steady presence as a lefty reliever.

Influence on Relief Pitching

Scherman’s peak years came as baseball started to specialize relief pitching. His 1971 season with the Tigers really highlighted the modern closer role just as it was taking shape.

Billy Martin turned to Scherman when the Tigers needed someone in pressure situations. That trust helped set the tone for what teams would expect from their bullpen specialists later on.

Key Performance Metrics:

• 39 career saves across eight seasons
• 297 strikeouts in 347 games pitched
• 3.66 ERA as a relief specialist

Scherman’s work helped Detroit grab the 1972 American League East division title. He picked up 12 saves and seven wins that year, showing just how valuable a steady late-inning arm could be.

His approach as a lefty influenced how teams started to view specialized relief jobs. Scherman’s consistency from the bullpen proved that reliable performance could swing a pennant race.

Mentions in Baseball Literature and Databases

Modern baseball reference sites like Baseball-Reference.com and Baseball Almanac keep Scherman’s full statistical record alive. Thanks to these databases, researchers and fans can still dig into his career.

Baseball-Reference.com tracks his journey across three teams from 1969 to 1976. You’ll find detailed breakdowns of his time with Detroit, Houston, and Montreal.

Baseball Almanac shares some biographical details—he was born July 25, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio. It also points out that he made his major league debut with Detroit on April 26, 1969, at age 24.

Statistical Preservation:

• Complete game logs and season stats
• Team-by-team performance breakdowns
• Career totals and averages

These resources help Scherman stay part of baseball’s story. Fans today can get a sense of what he brought to the game back in the 1970s.