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

Fred Valentine walked away from Major League Baseball in 1968, closing out a seven-season career that ran from 1959 to 1968 with the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators.

This outfielder from Mississippi played in 533 games, carving out a reputation as a steady presence during a time when professional baseball was changing fast.

Valentine’s career lined up with baseball’s ongoing integration in the years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. He helped break down racial barriers in minor league baseball throughout the South before finally making it to the majors.

His journey from the Negro Leagues-influenced amateur circuits around Memphis to the big leagues really reflects how much American baseball transformed in the 1950s and 1960s.

People called him “Squeaky” since he was a kid, and honestly, Valentine’s story stretches way beyond what you’ll find in his final season stats.

His climb through Baltimore’s organization, his part in desegregating minor league teams, and his bonds with teammates and rivals all shed light on both who he was and what pro baseball was becoming during a turning point in its history.

Fred Valentine’s Professional Baseball Career

Fred Valentine played seven seasons in Major League Baseball, suiting up for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators from 1959 to 1968.

He started out with a promising debut in Baltimore, picked up steam with the Senators, and wrapped things up after the 1968 season at age 33.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Fred Valentine made his MLB debut on September 7, 1959, with the Baltimore Orioles at age 24.

He played in 12 games that first year, putting up an impressive .316 batting average in just 22 plate appearances.

But his path to the majors didn’t come easy or fast. After that first call-up, he spent four more years grinding it out in the minors with the Orioles’ Triple-A team.

He came back to Baltimore for short stints in 1963 and 1968. The Orioles had a stacked outfield, which really limited his chances to play, even though he kept performing well in Triple-A.

Key Early Career Stats:

• 1959: .316 batting average in 12 games
• 1963: Brief stint with Baltimore
• Minor League Performance: Solid numbers year after year in Triple-A

Breakthrough with the Senators

The Washington Senators bought Valentine’s contract from Baltimore for $25,000 after the 1963 season.

The Senators liked his switch-hitting skills and his speed.

Valentine got his longest look in the majors with Washington from 1964 to 1968.

Manager Gil Hodges first used him in a right-field platoon with Jim King.

His 1964 season was tough—he hit just .226 in 212 at-bats. Even so, Valentine worked his way into the Senators’ regular lineup over the next few years.

Washington Senators Years (1964-1968):

• Main spot: Right field
• Role: Platoon guy and regular outfielder
• Known for: Switch-hitting, speed, and steady defense

Final MLB Season and 1968 Retirement

Valentine played his last Major League season in 1968, splitting time between the Washington Senators and a short return to the Orioles.

He wrapped up his career at age 33 after seven years in the big leagues.

He finished with a .247 batting average, 36 home runs, and 138 RBIs in 533 games.

Valentine only played for two teams, spending most of his time with the Senators.

The 1968 season was his last as a pro ballplayer. He stood among the wave of African American players who helped integrate baseball after Jackie Robinson.

Final Career Numbers:

• Games: 533
• Batting Average: .247
• Home Runs: 36
• RBIs: 138
• Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators

Playing Style and Key Positions

Fred Valentine worked as a versatile outfielder, covering all three outfield positions during his seven-year MLB run.

He mostly played right field and center field, logging most of his 533 career starts there.

Outfielder Skills and Attributes

Valentine brought real flexibility to every roster he joined.

He was a switch hitter who threw right-handed, stood 6’1″, and weighed in at 190 pounds.

Hitting from both sides of the plate made him a headache for opposing pitchers. Valentine could handle center, right, or left field with equal confidence.

Managers often called on him as a pinch-hitter, thanks to his switch-hitting. That made him a useful tool for managers who liked to mix up their lineups.

Valentine’s top offensive year came in 1966 when he started 127 games, mostly as Washington’s center or right fielder.

He hit .276 that season, with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs.

His speed and glove let him cover a lot of ground in the outfield. In 1966, Valentine led the Senators in runs scored (77), hits (140), and doubles (29).

Contributions in Right Field

Valentine made his biggest mark in right field for the Washington Senators.

He started 111 games as an outfielder in 1967, mostly in center and right.

His defensive positioning and arm strength stood out. At 6’1″, he had the reach to snag line drives and fly balls.

His switch-hitting was especially handy in right field. Valentine could change his approach depending on the pitcher and the situation.

From 1964 to 1968 with the Senators, he often served as the team’s “fourth” outfielder. He filled in at right field when needed and stayed ready to start.

That versatility really helped his teams juggle their roster. Valentine could shift between spots depending on matchups or injuries.

Noteworthy Teammates and Rivals

Fred Valentine shared the diamond with some standout players during his years with the Orioles and Senators.

In Washington, he lined up next to slugging first baseman Frank Howard. Over in Baltimore, he crossed paths with rising star Paul Blair.

Playing Alongside Frank Howard

Frank Howard became one of Valentine’s most memorable teammates when they played together for the Senators from 1964 to 1968.

Howard, called “Hondo,” stood 6’7″ and weighed 260 pounds, making him a giant presence in the game.

Valentine got a front-row seat to Howard’s power during some of his best seasons. In 1968, Howard blasted 44 home runs and drove in 106 runs.

The next year, after Valentine retired, Howard would hit 48 home runs.

These two played very different games. Howard was all about power, while Valentine focused on contact and could cover several outfield spots.

Valentine’s flexibility often balanced out Howard’s role as a big bat in the lineup.

Their partnership gave the Senators a better shot in the American League during the mid-1960s.

Having Howard in the lineup probably helped Valentine and others get better pitches to hit, too.

Encounters with Paul Blair

Paul Blair joined the Orioles in 1964, overlapping with Valentine during his short return in 1968.

Blair was becoming one of the top center fielders in the league at that time.

Valentine’s last year happened just as Blair was breaking out as a key player for Baltimore.

Blair would later win eight Gold Gloves and help the Orioles win two World Series titles in 1966 and 1970.

The two outfielders really came from different points in Orioles history. Valentine was wrapping up his career, while Blair was just getting started on what would be a long, impressive run.

By 1968, Blair’s defense in center field was already drawing plenty of attention. He’d soon become a huge part of Baltimore’s success in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

Milestones and Statistical Highlights

Valentine’s best years came during his five-season stretch with the Washington Senators.

His 1966 season stands out, but he played solid defense and contributed steadily throughout his time in the majors.

Standout Seasons with the Senators

Valentine’s 1966 campaign was the highlight of his career.

He played in 146 games and put up a .276 batting average with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs.

That year, he even got some MVP votes, finishing 21st in the American League. Valentine racked up 140 hits and showed off his speed with 22 stolen bases.

His .455 slugging percentage and .806 OPS in 1966 were both well above his career averages.

The next season, 1967, he played in 151 games, holding onto regular playing time and adding 107 hits and 11 homers to the Senators’ offense.

Career Batting and Fielding Achievements

Valentine wrapped up his seven-year career with a .247 batting average in 533 games.

He collected 360 hits, 36 home runs, and 138 RBIs between 1959 and 1968.

He also scored 180 runs and stole 47 bases. Valentine finished with a .330 on-base percentage and a .703 OPS.

Career Totals:

• Games: 533
• Hits: 360
• Home Runs: 36
• RBIs: 138
• Batting Average: .247

He mostly played the outfield, showing he could handle left, right, or center field for both the Orioles and Senators.

Life Before and After Major League Baseball

Fred Valentine grew up in the segregated South, facing plenty of challenges on his way to the majors.

After he retired from baseball in 1968, Valentine stayed involved in the sport through community work and leadership roles.

Early Life and College Career

Fred Lee Valentine was born January 19, 1935, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, but his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was young.

His aunt started calling him “Squeaky” as a toddler, and the nickname stuck.

Valentine went to Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis and graduated in 1953. He played multiple sports, but he really stood out in football and baseball.

He was ambidextrous, which helped him become the starting quarterback as a sophomore.

“I could lateral the ball both to the left and right on running plays with equal dexterity and that helped me beat out a junior quarterback my sophomore year,” Valentine once said.

Even though Major League Baseball scouts showed interest, Valentine decided to go to Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial College (now Tennessee State University).

He played both football and baseball at the historically black college.

As a quarterback, he got some national attention. He made varsity as a freshman and ranked fifth in offense among small-college backs during his sophomore year.

His baseball coach, Raymond Whitman, told him to focus on baseball instead of football, pointing out that there weren’t any black quarterbacks in the NFL back then.

Valentine graduated in three and a half years, then signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 1956.

Post-1968 Activities and International Play

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1968, Valentine stayed involved in the baseball community. He and his wife Helena, whom he met while playing minor league ball in Wilson, North Carolina, settled in the Washington D.C. area.

Valentine helped found the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in 1982. He took on the role of Vice President and worked with President Brooks Robinson, who had been his Baltimore Orioles teammate.

The Alumni Association promoted baseball by running community activities and youth education. They put together golf tournaments, banquets, and games that featured former players to raise money for charity.

Valentine didn’t just stick to administrative work. He got involved in community outreach programs that aimed to inspire young players and keep the sport thriving.

He truly believed in giving back to the game that opened doors for him. Valentine kept close ties to the Washington D.C. baseball scene right up until he passed away on December 26, 2022, at 87.

His long-term involvement really showed how dedicated he was to helping baseball grow at the grassroots level.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Fred Valentine’s contributions to baseball reached far beyond his stats. He played a key role in integration, and he never lost his connection with Washington Senators fans. After retiring, he worked hard to preserve baseball history and give support to former players.

Recognition Among Washington Senators Fans

Valentine made a real impression on Washington Senators fans during his five seasons with the team from 1964 to 1968. His best season came in 1966 when he hit .276, knocked 16 home runs, and drove in 59 runs. He also managed to steal 22 bases that year.

That performance got him some MVP consideration. He actually finished higher in the voting than big names like Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Conigliaro, and Jim Fregosi.

Senators fans loved how steady and adaptable Valentine was. He played in over 100 games in three different seasons for Washington. By handling right field so often, he brought some much-needed stability to the outfield.

Even after he retired, Valentine stayed close to the Washington D.C. area. For decades, he pushed hard to bring baseball back to the nation’s capital. His efforts played a part in Major League Baseball’s return to Washington with the Nationals.

Enduring Influence and Remembrance

Valentine made a real mark on the baseball community after he wrapped up his playing days. He helped found the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and took on the role of Vice President.

The Alumni Association started up in 1982. Its mission focused on promoting baseball and getting former players involved in community events.

Valentine teamed up with his old Baltimore Orioles teammate, Brooks Robinson, who acted as President. They worked together to build something lasting.

His work in baseball integration stands out as a huge part of his legacy. He joined that early group of Black players who really pushed MLB toward full integration in the 1950s and 1960s.

Valentine’s story echoes what so many players went through while chasing their baseball dreams and dealing with discrimination. His class and perseverance during tough times opened doors for the next wave of players.

He passed away on December 26, 2022, at 87. The baseball community still feels the impact of his dignity and service.