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

Fred Whitfield carved out his spot in Major League Baseball during the 1960s as a dependable first baseman who could come through in clutch moments. He grew up in Alabama, born in 1938, and battled his way through the minors before finally getting his shot with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.

His career lasted nine seasons and took him to four different teams before he finally decided to hang up his cleats in 1970.

Whitfield really hit his stride with the Cleveland Indians from 1963 to 1967. He became a steady power hitter and earned a reputation as one of the American League’s top first basemen. In 1966, he hammered 27 home runs, which put him fifth in the American League that year. His consistent play got him a spot on The Sporting News American League all-star team in 1965.

If you’re curious about Whitfield’s baseball career, it’s quite a journey from small-town Alabama to the big leagues. We’ll look at his early days, how he broke through with Cleveland, and what happened during his last seasons with Cincinnati and Montreal.

His story just goes to show how grit and sticking with it can leave a real mark in pro baseball.

Fred Whitfield’s Early Life and Path to Baseball

Fred Dwight Whitfield was born January 7, 1938, in Vandiver, Alabama. He grew up in a farming family, and that background shaped his work ethic and down-to-earth attitude.

His baseball journey kicked off at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham. Scouts started to notice his talent when he was a junior back in 1956.

Family Background and Childhood in Vandiver

Fred spent his early years in Vandiver, a tiny spot about 25 miles from Birmingham. His dad, W. Theodore Whitfield, worked the land, while his mom, Inez (née Brasher) Whitfield, ran the household.

The Whitfields were well-known in that rural area. Fred had two older sisters, Joy and Doris (who everyone called “Dot”). There was also a younger brother, Jerry, but sadly, Jerry passed away at just eight days old.

Even as a kid, Fred loved baseball. He used to sneak into Birmingham’s ballpark to watch games.

But honestly, he’d rather play than just sit and watch.

“I used to sneak into the park at Birmingham when I was a kid, but I always liked to play instead of watch,” Whitfield told Russell Schneider back in 1966.

Life on the farm gave Fred strong values. Those roots in rural Alabama shaped him into the humble, friendly, and religious man his teammates later described. He kept that quiet Southern drawl, too.

Woodlawn High School Years

Fred attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, and that’s where he started catching the eyes of pro scouts. In 1956, as a junior, he stood out as a promising young athlete.

Those high school years were key for him. The competition in Birmingham was tougher than what he’d seen in Vandiver, and it helped him get ready for what was ahead.

At 18, still in high school, Fred got his first professional opportunity. The Pittsburgh Pirates offered him a contract, and that was the start of his long road to the majors.

His time at Woodlawn was really the last big step before turning pro. It gave scouts a chance to see what he could do against solid competition.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

Fred’s early path to pro baseball wasn’t easy. In 1956, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him for $500 and a Class D contract.

But they sent him home after just two weeks of spring training in Brunswick, Georgia. “They said I didn’t have the tools to become a major league prospect,” Fred remembered.

After the Pirates let him go, Fred went back to Alabama and played sandlot ball. His team made the playoffs, and he pitched the last three innings of their final game.

He didn’t know it at the time, but he hurt his throwing arm during that appearance.

The Baltimore Orioles picked him up at the end of 1956 as a pitcher-outfielder. But his arm injury showed up in spring training 1957, and Baltimore let him go after about two weeks.

In 1958, Cardinals scout Mercer Harris saw something in Fred’s hitting. The Cardinals signed him as an amateur free agent, finally giving his pro career a real start at age 20.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Seasons

Fred Whitfield’s MLB story started in 1962. The St. Louis Cardinals called him up from their Triple-A club in Atlanta.

He made his debut on May 27, 1962, as a pinch-hitter. That day kicked off a career that would last nearly a decade.

Joining the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals brought Whitfield in as an amateur free agent in 1956, after he’d had short, tough stints with the Pirates and Orioles. It took him six years in the minors to reach the big leagues.

Whitfield got his shot with the Cardinals in May 1962, while playing for the Atlanta Crackers. He was batting .323 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs in only 33 games when St. Louis gave him the call.

The Cardinals needed a right-handed bat off the bench, but they didn’t have one ready in the minors. So, they brought up the lefty Whitfield instead.

Manager Johnny Keane planned to use him as a backup for first baseman Bill White. White was already one of the National League’s top first basemen by then.

First MLB Appearances and Key Moments

Whitfield made his MLB debut on May 27, 1962. He pinch-hit for future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, drew a walk off Milwaukee Braves pitcher Bob Shaw, but then got erased in a double play.

Two days later, he started his first game at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. He went 1-for-4, picking up his first big league hit.

On June 10, 1962, he hit his first home run—a three-run shot off Giants pitcher Billy Pierce. The ball cleared the roof at Busch Stadium, and Pierce had knocked him down twice during that at-bat.

Cardinals coach Vern Benson saw Whitfield’s power right away. Benson said, “He has a quicker bat than anyone on the Cardinals. And he can reach the roof at Busch Stadium.”

Notable Games and Influential Teammates

Whitfield played in 73 games during his rookie year with St. Louis. He made 38 appearances in the field and was often used as a pinch-hitter.

He wrapped up his first season with a .266 average, 8 home runs, and 34 RBIs in 167 plate appearances. That performance got him a spot on the Topps 1963 rookie all-star team.

Most of his time, he backed up Bill White at first base and got 30 starts that season. White’s presence meant fewer chances for Whitfield, but he learned a lot from him.

The Cardinals’ 1962 roster had some experienced vets who helped shape Whitfield’s early years. Playing alongside those guys taught him the ropes of major league baseball.

His rookie run ended in December 1962, when St. Louis traded him to the Cleveland Indians. Whitfield went to Cleveland in exchange for shortstop Jack Kubiszyn and pitcher Ron Taylor.

Prime Career Years with the Cleveland Indians

Fred Whitfield really found his groove with the Cleveland Indians from 1963 to 1967. He became a steady power hitter and a reliable first baseman, hitting career highs in home runs, batting average, and RBIs during those years.

Starting Role as First Baseman

Whitfield joined the Indians in 1963 after the trade from St. Louis. Now, he finally had a shot to play first base regularly.

His left-handed swing and throwing arm made him a natural at the position. He quickly became Cleveland’s main first baseman, starting most games during his time there.

Fans started calling him “Wingy” because of his unusual throwing motion. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he had the build for the job.

Whitfield’s defense was solid, too. He handled the demands of first base and anchored the Indians’ infield throughout the mid-’60s.

Home Run Seasons and Batting Successes

Whitfield’s power peaked in Cleveland. He hit double-digit home runs in four straight seasons.

His big years were 1963-1966: 21, 10, 26, and 27 homers, in that order.

His 1966 season was the best—27 home runs, ranking him fifth in the American League that year. That really put him on the map as a home run threat.

He hit his best batting average in 1965—.293. That same year, he drove in 90 runs, another personal best.

American League All-Star Selection

Whitfield’s big 1965 season got him named first baseman on The Sporting News American League all-star team. That was the high point of his recognition in Cleveland.

He earned the honor after hitting .293 with 90 RBIs. His 26 home runs that year didn’t hurt, either.

That all-star nod put him among the American League’s top first basemen for 1965. It was a real acknowledgment of what he brought to the team.

Impact on the Cleveland Indians Lineup

Whitfield gave the Indians reliable power at first base in the mid-’60s. His left-handed bat balanced out their lineup.

Over five seasons in Cleveland, he averaged 21 homers a year when he stayed healthy. He could drive in runs and held down the middle of the order.

The Indians counted on Whitfield’s production during some competitive years in the American League. His 108 career home runs and 356 RBIs included a big chunk from his Cleveland days.

With him at first, the Indians could focus on other roster needs. His steady play—both at bat and in the field—brought stability to the team.

Later MLB Career: Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos

Whitfield’s last years in pro baseball had him moving between two National League teams. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up in November 1967, but his role was limited before he ended up with the Montreal Expos for a brief stint in 1970.

Trade to the Cincinnati Reds

The Indians traded Whitfield to the Reds on November 21, 1967, along with pitchers George Culver and Bob Raudman for Tommy Harper. That trade kicked off Whitfield’s final MLB chapter.

His time with the Reds was tough. They already had first base covered, so Whitfield didn’t get many chances to play.

By November 1969, the Reds sent him to Triple-A Indianapolis with Dennis Ribant and Jim Beauchamp. The team wanted to “make room for farmhands on the parent roster.”

That move pretty much ended his run with Cincinnati. They released him soon after.

Final Season and Retirement with the Montreal Expos

After Cincinnati let him go, Whitfield signed with Buffalo in April 1970. Buffalo was the Montreal Expos’ top farm club.

The Expos officially picked him up on April 2, 1970. This was his last shot in pro baseball.

His stint with Montreal was short and wrapped up his nine-year big league career. Whitfield played in the majors from 1962 to 1970, mostly as a first baseman.

The 1970 season marked the end of his baseball journey. He finished up with a .253 average, 108 homers, and 356 RBIs in 817 games across four teams.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Fred Whitfield put together a solid nine-year career, hitting .253 with 108 home runs and 356 RBIs over 817 games. His best season came in 1965, when he batted .293 with 26 home runs and 90 RBIs, playing mostly first base for the Cleveland Indians.

Seasonal Batting Averages

Whitfield’s batting numbers bounced around a lot during his career. When he broke in with St. Louis in 1962, he hit a solid .266 over 73 games.

He really hit his stride with Cleveland from 1963 to 1967. The 1965 season stands out—he batted .293 in 132 games, easily his best average. That year, he even got some attention in the MVP race, finishing 21st in the American League voting.

After that, his averages dipped. In 1966, he hit .241 across 137 games. By 1967, it dropped to .218.

When he moved to Cincinnati, his numbers were up and down. In 1968, he hit .257, but the next year he struggled badly, batting just .149 in limited action.

He wrapped up his career with Montreal in 1970. He only appeared in four games and managed just one hit out of 15 at-bats for a .067 average.

Home Run and RBI Milestones

Whitfield brought a steady dose of power to the lineup. He hit double-digit home runs in six out of nine seasons. His biggest year for homers came in 1966, when he launched 27 for Cleveland.

Back in 1965, he paired 26 home runs with a career-high 90 RBIs. Even though he hit only .241 in 1966, he still managed 27 homers and knocked in 78 runs over 137 games.

He flashed his power early too, with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs in 1963. In 1964, he hit 10 homers, and in his rookie year, he managed 8.

Whitfield usually batted in the middle of the order and drove in plenty of runs. Besides his 90 RBIs in 1965, he put up 78 in 1966 and 54 in 1963.

Fielding Performance and Highlights

Whitfield played first base for most of his career and handled the position well. His fielding percentage hovered between .987 and .993 during his best years with Cleveland.

In 1965, his top offensive season, he played 122 games at first and posted a .993 fielding percentage. He handled 1,019 total chances, made just seven errors, and turned 79 double plays.

He took on his heaviest defensive workload in Cleveland. In 1963, he played first in 92 games, racking up 690 putouts and 51 assists. The next year, he kept up steady defense with 596 putouts in 79 games.

His range factor stayed solid, and he gave each of his four teams a reliable glove at first base.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

After he retired in 1970, Fred Whitfield settled into a quieter life in Alabama. He worked as a shipping clerk and dove into his love for music and the outdoors.

He stayed active in his community right up until his passing at 75 in 2013. Whitfield left behind a reputation as a solid first baseman who helped out four major league teams in the 1960s.

Post-Retirement Life and Career

Once his baseball days ended, Whitfield moved back to Alabama and got a job as a shipping clerk at Anderson Electric in Vandiver. That was quite a shift from the ballpark to everyday work life.

For players in Whitfield’s era, finding a new job after baseball was pretty normal. Back then, most guys couldn’t just retire after their playing days—they needed to support their families.

Whitfield handled the transition well. He worked steadily at Anderson Electric for years after leaving the majors. The work ethic he built as a ballplayer definitely helped him in his second career.

Personal Life and Interests

Whitfield loved being outdoors. Spending time in nature brought him peace, and he made it a big part of his retirement.

Music was a big deal for him too. He played bluegrass and gospel guitar, and that became a way for him to connect with both family and community.

He joined a gospel group that included his wife Helen and other family members. Music reflected his faith and gave him a creative outlet after baseball.

Whitfield stayed married to Helen Leverton for almost 56 years until he passed away. They raised six kids together, and family always stayed at the heart of his life.

Lasting Influence and Remembrance

Fred Whitfield passed away on January 31, 2013, at age 75. Complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma took his life.

He lived a life that blended professional athletics with quiet family devotion. It’s hard not to feel a sense of loss when someone like that goes.

People who look at his baseball stats can see he was a steady first baseman. He finished with a .253 batting average, 108 home runs, and 356 RBIs over nine seasons.

Cleveland saw his best years from 1963 to 1967. He showed up as a regular starter and made a real impact.

Fans and teammates called him “Wingy” because of his unusual throwing motion. That quirky style really stuck in people’s minds.

His wife Helen, six children, and a big family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren survived him. If you talk to folks who watched him play in the ‘60s, you’ll hear stories—his legacy just keeps going through them and his family.