Hal Reniff – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Harold Eugene “Hal” Reniff made his mark as a relief pitcher over seven solid years in the majors, mostly with the New York Yankees. He wrapped up his big league career in 1967 with the New York Mets. Born in Warren, Ohio, Reniff became a trusted bullpen arm during the Yankees’ glory years, helping out in some of their championship runs and World Series appearances in the early 1960s.

Reniff called it quits in Major League Baseball after the 1967 season, having pitched in 29 games for the Mets. He didn’t leave the game entirely, though—he kept playing in the minors until 1972.

His last MLB outing came on September 3, 1967. By then, he’d racked up 45 saves, 314 strikeouts, and a pretty respectable 3.27 ERA over 276 relief appearances.

Reniff’s story traces a classic path—he started in amateur baseball, worked his way through the minors, and found success in pinstripes. He made the most of his shot during baseball’s golden age. His stats, World Series moments, and life after baseball all add up to a guy who left his mark on the game during a time of big changes.

Hal Reniff’s Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Harold Eugene Reniff was born July 2, 1938, in Warren, Ohio, to a family that already loved baseball. He played at Chaffey High School in Ontario, California, and that’s where his future in professional baseball really took shape.

Childhood in Warren, Ohio

Reniff entered the world on July 2, 1938, in Warren, Ohio. He grew up in this industrial city during tough times.

His family eventually moved to California when he was still young. That shift took him from Ohio to the West Coast.

California’s climate let Reniff play baseball year-round. That extra practice really helped him develop.

As a kid, he picked up the skills that would later earn him the nickname “Porky.” People noticed his right-handed pitching talent early on.

Family Baseball Legacy and Joe “Moon” Harris

Reniff’s family had some serious baseball history thanks to his great uncle Joe “Moon” Harris. Harris played 22 seasons in the big leagues from 1914 to 1928.

Joe Harris put up some strong numbers, batting .317 with 47 home runs and 517 RBIs. He also had a .404 on-base percentage, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Harris suited up for seven different teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. He helped the Washington Senators get to the World Series, where he hit .440 with three home runs.

Having a great uncle who made it in the majors probably inspired Reniff. It gave him a glimpse of what it took to play at the highest level.

Harris also served in World War I and suffered a cracked skull in France. That injury almost ended his career, but he bounced back—toughness seems to run in the family.

High School Career at Chaffey High School

Reniff attended Chaffey High School in Ontario, California. There, he really started honing his pitching skills.

His high school performances caught the eye of pro scouts. The New York Yankees saw something in him as a right-handed pitcher.

At six feet tall and 215 pounds, Reniff had the size and strength that teams wanted. Scouts liked what they saw.

The Yankees signed him in 1956, right after he finished high school. That move kicked off his pro baseball journey at just 18 years old.

He made the jump from high school to pro ball without missing a beat. Those early years laid the groundwork for his major league career.

Minor League Journey Before 1961

Hal Reniff’s road to the majors took five years in the minor leagues. He signed with the New York Yankees organization in 1956 and kept improving, with his 1959 season in the Carolina League standing out.

Signing with the New York Yankees Organization

Reniff joined the Yankees in 1956 after his time at Chaffey Union High School. He’d earned all-state honors as a senior, which put him on the Yankees’ radar.

He started his pro career that same year, at just 18. The Yankees had a deep farm system, and Reniff got his start there.

The Yankees wanted to find talent out West, and Reniff fit the bill. He was the kid from Ohio who found himself in California, ready to pitch.

Carolina League Milestones and Notable Stats

In 1959, Reniff really broke out. He dominated the Carolina League, going 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA.

He led the league with those 21 wins. That season put him on the map as one of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects.

Reniff’s big year came in his third season of pro ball. He kept winning and showed he was ready to move up.

That year set him up for a shot at the majors. His numbers proved he could handle the pressure as a starter.

Progression Through the Minor Leagues

From 1956 to 1961, Reniff moved up through the Yankees’ system. He played for teams like the Kearney Yankees, Modesto Reds, Salem Senators, Greensboro Yankees, and Binghamton Triplets.

He didn’t rush—he took each level as it came. Every stop helped him sharpen his pitching.

The Yankees kept a close eye on his progress. His nickname, “Porky,” became familiar to teammates and fans in the minors.

By 1961, Reniff finished his time in the minors. He made his big league debut in June 1961 against the Kansas City A’s, after five years of hard work.

Major League Achievements with the Yankees

Hal Reniff earned a reputation as a steady relief pitcher during his six seasons with the Yankees, from 1961 to 1967. He really shined during the team’s pennant runs in 1963 and 1964, saving 18 games in 1963 and pitching well in the World Series.

MLB Debut in 1961

Reniff made his big league debut on June 8, 1961, with the Yankees at age 22. He joined a team that would win the World Series that year.

He split his rookie season between the Yankees and their Triple-A team in Richmond. The club bounced him between the majors and minors in 1961 and 1962 to keep working on his game.

He got a spot on the Yankees’ 1961 World Series roster against the Reds, but he didn’t pitch. Still, he got a championship ring that year—that would be his only World Series title.

Establishing Himself as a Reliever

By 1963, Reniff had locked down a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen. He became known for getting the job done in relief, finishing 30 games that year.

His breakout came in 1963 with a 4-3 record and a 2.62 ERA. He struck out 56 and walked 42 in 89⅓ innings across 48 games.

That season made him one of the Yankees’ top relief options. Managers liked his steady hand in late innings.

Key Seasons and World Series Appearances

Reniff’s best years lined up with the Yankees’ pennant wins in 1963 and 1964. He saved 18 games in 1963, leading the bullpen.

In 1964, he picked up 6 wins and 9 saves and kept up his effectiveness. He pitched in both the 1963 and 1964 World Series and put up great postseason numbers.

World Series Performance:

• Games: 4
• Innings: 3⅓
• ERA: 0.00
• Earned runs allowed: 0

He didn’t give up a run in the postseason, showing he could handle the pressure.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Reniff stood 6 feet tall and weighed in at 215 pounds, earning him the nickname “Porky.” He threw and batted right-handed and used his size to generate power on the mound.

His stats showed steady reliability more than dominance. Over seven years, he posted a 3.27 ERA with 314 strikeouts in 471⅓ innings.

He finished 148 games as a big leaguer. Most of his 45 career saves came with the Yankees, where he proved himself as a setup man and closer.

Final MLB Season: New York Mets and Retirement in 1967

Hal Reniff’s last season in the majors brought a big change—he moved from the Yankees to the Mets in June 1967. That switch made him the only pitcher to play for both current New York teams without suiting up for anyone else in the majors.

Transition to the New York Mets

The Mets bought Reniff’s contract from the Yankees on June 29, 1967. He’d spent nearly his whole career with the Yankees up to that point.

Reniff made his Mets debut on July 1, 1967. He picked up his first win for the Mets by pitching the last three innings in a 6-4 victory over the Cardinals.

This move gave Reniff a fresh start. He went from the powerhouse Yankees to the up-and-coming Mets, a team still finding its way.

The Mets gave him a chance to bring his experience to a new pitching staff. He tried to make the most of it.

Highlights of the 1967 Season

Reniff worked out of the bullpen for the Mets. He mostly came into games in the middle or late innings to help out.

His best moment came in that debut game against the Cardinals. He threw three innings in relief and got the win.

1967 was Reniff’s seventh and last season in the majors. He’d built a reputation as a reliable relief arm.

Pitching for both New York teams in 1967, Reniff showed he could adapt. The Mets valued his experience.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

Reniff played his final big league game on September 3, 1967. That marked the end of his major league career.

The Mets released him on October 3, 1967, just a few months after he joined them. That move ended his MLB days at age 29.

His career in the majors ran from 1961 to 1967. He spent almost all of it with the Yankees, except for that last season with the Mets.

Reniff stepped away from the game after his short time with the Mets. It was a tough choice, but he decided it was time.

Post-1967 Career, Life, and Legacy

After his playing days, Hal Reniff stayed in the Yankees organization, moving from pitching to other roles in baseball. He passed away in 2004 in Ontario, California. People remember him for his clutch World Series outings and steady relief pitching during the Yankees’ title years.

Return to Minor Leagues and Post-Baseball Activities

After his major league career ended in 1967, Reniff stuck with the Yankees organization. His obituary mentions that he stayed in their system until he fully retired from baseball.

The details about his roles after playing aren’t clear. Back then, many former players moved into coaching, scouting, or front office jobs in the minors.

Reniff’s continued involvement with the Yankees showed they trusted his baseball smarts and character. That connection probably gave him some stability and kept him close to the game.

He chose to stay with the Yankees rather than chase other opportunities. Loyalty like that was pretty common among players from his era.

Personal Life and Death

Hal Reniff was born on July 2, 1938, in Warren, Ohio. He played baseball in local leagues, building his skills from a young age.

He moved up through Little League and American Legion baseball. Major league scouts eventually noticed his talent.

Before he went pro, he served in the Army Reserves. Like a lot of players from his generation, he balanced military service with chasing his baseball dreams.

Reniff died on September 7, 2004, in Ontario, California, at 66. He spent his later years living on the West Coast, far from the ballparks where he made his mark.

Honors and Lasting Impact

Reniff’s biggest baseball achievement was his perfect 0.00 ERA in World Series competition. He pitched 3.1 innings in four games during the 1963 and 1964 World Series without giving up a single run.

In 1963, he notched a career-high 18 saves, which really helped the Yankees during their championship runs. Relief pitching was starting to become more specialized back then, so his role was pretty important.

Reniff’s 279-game career with a 21-23 record might not look flashy now, but he gave the Yankees a steady arm in the bullpen. Over seven seasons, he proved his worth to the team.

People called him “Porky,” a nickname that captured the friendly vibe in the Yankees’ clubhouse during the 1960s. It’s those little details that make players feel real, especially as media coverage grew.

Hal Reniff in Baseball Statistics and Historical Records

Hal Reniff finished his career with 21 wins and 23 losses, posting a 3.27 ERA in 276 relief appearances from 1961 to 1967. You’ll find his stats in places like Retrosheet and Baseball Reference, which document his impact on those Yankees championship teams.

Career Totals and Pitching Statistics

Reniff worked only as a reliever during his seven years in the majors. He pitched in 276 games, always coming out of the bullpen for the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

Here’s what his numbers look like:

• 21 wins, 23 losses
• 45 saves
• 3.27 ERA
• 314 strikeouts
• 242 walks
• 383 hits allowed
• 471⅓ innings pitched

His best season was 1963, when he racked up 18 saves, ranking sixth in the American League. That year, he put up his lowest ERA at 2.62 and became a key part of the Yankees’ bullpen.

In the 1963 and 1964 World Series, Reniff pitched 3⅓ innings and didn’t allow a run. He surrendered just two hits and one walk in those Fall Classic games.

Retrosheet and Statistical References

Retrosheet tracks Reniff’s game-by-game performance from his MLB days. The database has detailed play-by-play info from all 276 of his relief outings.

Baseball Reference is another main place to find Reniff’s stats. The site lists his full major and minor league numbers from 1956 through 1972.

You’ll also find his career stats on ESPN and other modern sports sites. These make his pitching and hitting data easy to look up for fans and researchers.

The Baseball Cube adds context like salary info and transaction history. StatsCrew.com breaks down his seven-year career in other ways that might interest stat lovers.

Recognitions in Baseball History

Reniff picked up a World Series championship ring with the 1961 New York Yankees. That was probably his biggest team accomplishment during his MLB career.

He saved 18 games in 1963, which put him among the American League’s top closers that year. Landing sixth in saves really showed how much the Yankees relied on him in the bullpen during their championship run.

Baseball databases still list Reniff’s role with the Yankees from 1961 to 1967. You’ll find his stats right next to other relief pitchers from the team’s successful run in the 1960s.

Historical records call Reniff one of the steady middle relievers as the Yankees moved between championship eras. His steady pitching helped the team bridge the gap between those dominant late ’50s squads and the teams that came together in the mid-’60s.