Hank Webb – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Henry Gaylon Matthew Webb, who most people know as Hank Webb, wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1977 after six seasons as a right-handed pitcher. He was born on May 21, 1950, in Copiague, New York.

Webb made his debut with the New York Mets in September 1972 when he was 22. He played for both the Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers during his professional career.

Webb finished with a 7-9 lifetime record across 55 games. His best year came in 1975, when he made 29 appearances for the Mets, including 15 starts, and posted a 7-6 record with a 4.07 ERA over 115 innings.

He never became a household name, but Webb did have some memorable moments. He was the losing pitcher in the longest game played to a decision in National League history, pitching the 25th inning of the Mets’ loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on September 11, 1974.

Webb’s journey through professional baseball shows what life was like for a journeyman pitcher in the 1970s. His story covers his development from a young prospect with the Mets, his short stint with the pennant-winning 1977 Dodgers, and his life after baseball.

He also left a legacy as the father of future major leaguer Ryan Webb.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Henry Gaylon Matthew Webb was born on May 21, 1950, in Copiague, New York. He developed his baseball skills in high school before the New York Mets drafted him in 1968.

His journey from a Long Island teenager to a professional pitcher started when major league scouts noticed him during his senior year at Copiague High School.

Birthplace and Family Background

Hank Webb grew up in Copiague, a small Long Island community. People called him “Hank” throughout his baseball career, though his full name was Henry Gaylon Matthew Webb.

Copiague gave Webb a typical suburban upbringing in the 1950s and 1960s. The area produced several talented athletes who went on to play professional sports.

Webb grew up during baseball’s golden era, with the New York Yankees dominating the sport. Living in New York exposed him to high-level baseball early on.

His family supported his athletic dreams. The tall, right-handed pitcher showed promise from a young age.

High School and Amateur Career

Webb attended Copiague High School, where he played baseball and built a reputation as a skilled pitcher. Scouts started paying attention to him after seeing his performances on the high school diamond.

During his senior year, Webb’s pitching ability really stood out. He stood six feet tall and threw right-handed, which gave him the physical tools scouts liked.

The righty showed good control and velocity during high school. His performances convinced major league teams to consider him as a prospect.

Webb’s amateur career peaked in his final year at Copiague High School. His steady pitching made him one of the top prospects in the area.

Draft and Entry into Professional Baseball

The New York Mets picked Webb in the 10th round of the 1968 MLB June Amateur Draft. They selected him straight out of Copiague High School, making him a local kid for the Queens-based team.

Being drafted by the Mets meant Webb could start his pro career close to home. The organization was building its farm system and needed young pitching talent.

Webb was just 18 when he entered professional baseball. He joined other promising pitching prospects in the Mets’ minor league system in the early 1970s.

That draft selection was the first step in what turned out to be a six-year professional career. Webb spent the next several years working his way through the Mets’ minor league system before reaching the majors in 1972.

Major League Career Overview

Hank Webb’s MLB career lasted six seasons, from 1972 to 1977. He compiled a 7-9 record with a 4.31 ERA in 55 games.

His journey took him from the New York Mets to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He showed flashes of promise but also faced plenty of challenges.

Debut and Early MLB Years

Webb made his MLB debut on September 5, 1972, with the New York Mets at 22. He pitched one inning against the Chicago Cubs, allowing one hit and striking out one.

He spent most of his career with the Mets from 1972 to 1976. During these years, Webb worked to establish himself in the majors while also spending time with minor league affiliates.

He passed rookie limits in 1975, officially graduating from rookie status. Webb spent his early MLB years learning to adapt his pitching style to major league hitters.

Webb’s most memorable early moment came on September 11, 1974, when he took the loss in the longest game played to a decision in National League history. He pitched the 25th inning of the Mets’ loss to the Cardinals, his first major league decision.

Playing Style and Pitching Strengths

Webb threw and batted right-handed, sticking to a traditional pitching approach for his era. Over his six-year MLB run, he collected 71 strikeouts, so he relied more on location and movement than blazing speed.

His 4.31 ERA put him in the middle range for pitchers of the 1970s. Webb’s WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.479, showing he sometimes struggled with command but still competed at the major league level.

He took on a variety of roles, appearing in 55 games. Webb mainly worked as a relief pitcher and spot starter for both the Mets and Dodgers.

His pitching style fit the 1970s focus on contact pitching and durability. Webb could throw multiple innings in relief, as he did in the 25th-inning appearance, showing the stamina expected of pitchers back then.

Challenges and Development as a Player

Webb’s career had both memorable highlights and tough challenges. The September 11, 1974 game against St. Louis stands out, as Webb was charged with his only major league error when a wild pickoff throw let Bake McBride score from first.

His 7-9 win-loss record shows the struggles he faced in finding steady success. Control issues held him back, as shown by his WHIP and that costly error in the historic 25-inning game.

Webb’s last MLB season came in 1977 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his final appearance on October 2, 1977, against the Houston Astros, pitching two innings with two hits and no runs allowed.

Throughout his career, Webb worked to sharpen his command and consistency. Even with the challenges, he stuck around professional baseball for six seasons. That takes some grit.

New York Mets Tenure

Hank Webb spent five seasons with the New York Mets from 1972 to 1976. He mostly pitched in relief, with some starts mixed in.

His best year was 1975, when he won all seven of his career games. He also found himself at the center of the longest game in National League history.

Transition to the Major Leagues

Webb debuted on September 5, 1972, at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old righty gave up two runs in one inning during the Mets’ 3-2 loss.

Three days later, Webb made his first big league start against the Cardinals. He pitched seven innings and allowed four runs in a 9-4 loss.

In his final 1972 outing on October 3rd against the Expos, Webb threw six innings and allowed three runs but got no decision in the Mets’ 4-3 win. He wrapped up his rookie year with a 9.00 ERA over 18 innings.

The 1973 season was rough for Webb. He appeared in just two games in May, giving up two runs in 2.1 innings for an ERA over 10.00. The Mets sent him back to AAA Tidewater, where he went 8-9 with a 3.05 ERA.

Highlight Seasons and Notable Games

Webb’s name became part of baseball history on September 11, 1974. He entered the game in the 25th inning of a 3-3 tie between the Mets and Cardinals at Shea Stadium.

He faced Bake McBride, gave up a single, and then tried a pickoff throw to first base that went wild. McBride scored all the way from first after Mets catcher Ron Hodges dropped the relay home. That ended the longest game in National League history after more than seven hours.

1975 was Webb’s best season. He pitched in 29 games, starting 15, and put up a 7-6 record with a 4.07 ERA. Webb threw 115 innings and struck out 38.

His top performance came on August 25, 1975, when he tossed a five-hit shutout against the Padres. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out two in the complete game win.

Role Within the Mets Roster

Webb served as a versatile pitcher, handling both starting and relief duties. In 1975, he balanced 15 starts with 14 relief outings.

The Mets used Webb mostly as a back-of-the-rotation starter and middle reliever. His 1975 stats showed 38 strikeouts and 62 walks, pointing to command issues that limited his impact.

Webb wasn’t a bad hitter for a pitcher. In 1975, he batted .258, collected all eight hits of his career, and drove in three runs.

His last season with New York came in 1976. Webb started out in the bullpen but struggled, posting a 4.50 ERA before heading back to AAA Tidewater in May.

Webb’s Mets career included 48 games and 19 starts. He put together a 7-9 record with 69 strikeouts and 90 walks in 161 innings. The team traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 1976 season.

Trade to Los Angeles Dodgers and Final MLB Season

Hank Webb’s last chapter in the majors started with a trade from the Mets to the Dodgers. The 1977 season brought both a new team and the end of his MLB career.

Circumstances of the Trade

The exact details of Webb’s trade to the Dodgers get lost in the shuffle of the 1977 season’s many transactions. Webb joined the Dodgers after spending most of his career with the Mets, who drafted him in 1968.

The trade gave Webb a fresh start. He’d compiled a 7-9 record with the Mets from 1972 to 1976.

The Dodgers were a strong National League team looking for pitching depth. Webb arrived as teams shuffled their rosters for the 1977 season.

Performance with the Dodgers

Webb’s time with the Dodgers was short, but it closed out his MLB career. He pitched during the 1977 season, adding to his total of 55 career games across both teams.

He finished with a career record of 7 wins and 9 losses. Webb continued to pitch in his usual role with the Dodgers.

The 1977 season saw a lot of activity in MLB, with trades and moves all over the place. Webb’s performance that year rounded out his career stats.

Retirement From Major League Baseball

The 1977 season marked the end of Webb’s big league career. At 27, he wrapped up a five-year MLB run that started in 1972.

After retiring, Webb left behind a baseball legacy that included time as both a Met and a Dodger. His son Ryan Webb later followed in his footsteps, making it to the majors too.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Hank Webb put up modest but respectable numbers during his six-year MLB career with the Mets and Dodgers. His 7-9 record and 4.31 ERA tell the story of a pitcher who battled to find steady success at the highest level.

Pitching Records and ERA Analysis

Webb’s career stats tell the story of a journeyman pitcher who flashed potential but never really broke through. He wrapped up his time in the majors with a 7-9 record over 55 games between 1972 and 1977.

His 4.31 ERA sat just a bit above the league average for those years. Webb struck out 71 batters, but he also walked 91 in 169 innings, which really points to his control problems.

That 1.27 strikeout-to-walk ratio? Yeah, it definitely shows he struggled with command. In 1975, he put together his best season, going 7-6 with a 4.07 ERA in 29 games.

He started 15 games that year and threw 115 innings, which ended up being the most he’d ever pitch in a single MLB season. Webb gave up 17 home runs during his career.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) climbed higher than you’d like, mostly because he handed out so many free passes.

Noteworthy Standout Performances

Even with modest numbers, Webb managed some memorable moments. On August 25, 1975, he tossed a complete-game shutout against the San Diego Padres.

That day, he scattered five hits, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out two. Honestly, that was the clear highlight of his big league career.

He also found himself in the middle of one of baseball’s wildest games. On September 11, 1974, he came into the longest game in National League history between the Mets and Cardinals.

Unfortunately, Webb’s wild throw to first base allowed the winning run to score in the 25th inning. In the minors, Webb fired a seven-inning no-hitter on June 7, 1974, for the AAA Tidewater Tides.

That performance earned him another shot at the majors that September.

Comparisons to Contemporaries

Webb’s numbers put him among the many fringe big-league pitchers of the 1970s. His 4.31 ERA was higher than the National League average, which hovered around 3.60 during his career.

If you stack him up against other Mets pitchers from that era, Webb’s stats just don’t measure up. The Mets had arms like Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, so Webb struggled to find regular starts.

He struck out 71 batters in 169 innings, which comes out to about 3.8 per nine innings. That’s well below the league average for starters in the mid-1970s.

Webb’s walk rate—4.8 per nine innings—was pretty high for the time. Most successful pitchers kept their walk rates closer to 3.0 per nine.

Life After Baseball

When Webb retired from pro baseball in 1977, he didn’t just fade away. He moved into media and nonprofit work, eventually serving as Executive Director of Clearwater for Youth for 33 years.

He raised a family, too, including his son Ryan, who later became a major league pitcher.

Transition Away From Professional Sports

Webb made one last run at pro baseball in 1978 with the Miami Amigos of the Inter American League. Davey Johnson managed that team, and about 18 former major leaguers filled out the roster.

The league only lasted a season before folding. Webb retired from baseball for good after that.

After hanging up his glove, Webb jumped into radio and TV as an account executive. He started at WPLP-570 AM, then moved on to what’s now Fox 13.

This shift let Webb stay close to the media world while learning new skills. Moving from athlete to businessman meant he had to adjust to totally different work environments.

Family and Personal Interests

Webb always said his biggest achievement was raising his son Ryan, who pitched in the majors for several years. Baseball stuck around in the family.

Webb grew up on Long Island, New York, but later settled in the Tampa Bay area. His ties to Florida deepened through his work with youth organizations.

In 1985, Webb started what turned out to be his most impactful post-baseball job, leading Clearwater for Youth (CFY) as Executive Director. He held that post for 33 years.

CFY, founded in 1972, supports youth athletic programs and organizations in Pinellas County. The nonprofit focuses on building skills through scholarships, grants, and other efforts.

While Webb led CFY, the group grew from helping a few hundred kids to thousands every year. “We basically started with nothing,” Webb said. “We added programs, we raised money, we went from supporting a few hundred kids to thousands. We got a building.”

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Webb made his biggest mark at CFY by securing 15.5 acres of land in Clearwater. That spot became the organization’s home base, giving the nonprofit a real foundation to build on.

Now, the organization’s programs reach thousands of kids every year through all sorts of initiatives. Over his 33 years, Webb really turned CFY into a major player in youth development across Pinellas County.

Still, even with all he’s done for baseball, Webb has run into some trouble about his pension. He’s one of about 500 former players who somehow slipped through the cracks in MLB’s pension system.

Douglas Gladstone covers this situation in the book “A Bitter Cup of Coffee.” “MLB has ignored this,” Webb, now 72, said, sounding pretty frustrated with how the league treats former players’ benefits.

Webb’s legacy isn’t just about his time on the field. Decades of working with young people have left a real mark. Thousands of kids in Florida have felt his impact, and honestly, that’s a contribution that sticks with the whole community.