Horace Clarke – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Horace Clarke spent ten years as the New York Yankees’ second baseman during one of the toughest stretches in franchise history. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1939, Clarke played in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1974, mostly with the Yankees, and finished his career with the San Diego Padres.

He retired from professional baseball at the end of 1974 after the Yankees traded him to San Diego for $25,000. Clarke wrapped up his career with 1,272 games, a .256 batting average, 27 home runs, and 151 stolen bases.

Fans often link Clarke’s name to the Yankees’ struggles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time many now call the “Horace Clarke Era.” That label unfairly put the blame for the team’s decline on Clarke, but he stayed durable and steady through the franchise’s darkest decade.

His story really shows what it’s like to play for baseball’s most successful organization during its roughest years. Clarke’s journey from the Caribbean to Yankee Stadium reveals how he grew as a player, his standout moments, and his role during a changing time in Yankees history.

He broke up three no-hitters in a single month, hit multiple grand slams, and used his defense and base-running to contribute, even when the team struggled.

Early Life and Background

Horace Meredith Clarke was born on June 2, 1939, in Frederiksted, St. Croix. He grew up in a musical home—his father Dennis played cricket and violin.

Clarke started out playing softball before moving to baseball. He figured out how to switch-hit mostly out of necessity, playing games near the ocean.

Family and Upbringing in St. Croix

Clarke grew up in a big family in the U.S. Virgin Islands. His parents, Dennis and Vivian Woods Clarke, raised six kids in Frederiksted, with Horace as the youngest.

He had one brother, Verne, and four sisters: Dina, Holly, Annette, and Letty. Dennis, his dad, was both an athlete and a musician, playing cricket and violin and passing down his love for music.

“I don’t know whether baseball gained or music lost,” Clarke said in 1969, reflecting on his musical side. The family called him “Harry,” a nickname that stuck with him on St. Croix, even after he became known as Horace in Major League Baseball.

There weren’t any Little Leagues on St. Croix when he was a kid. Clarke learned baseball by playing softball at first.

At 13, he watched Navy ship teams play hardball against local players at Paul E. Joseph Stadium in Frederiksted.

Education at Christiansted High School

Clarke attended Christiansted High School and represented the school in inter-island baseball competitions. These games brought together young talent from across the Virgin Islands.

His high school team often played against St. Thomas schools. Those matchups were memorable, especially since players like Elrod Hendricks, who later joined the Baltimore Orioles, took part.

Key High School Details:

• School: Christiansted High School
• Sport: Baseball
• Competition: Inter-island school meets
• Notable opponent: St. Thomas (featuring future MLB player Elrod Hendricks)

While in high school, Clarke also played for the Braves in the St. Croix Baseball League. That team was mostly teenagers, with a few adults mixed in.

He spent five years with the Braves, sharpening his skills against older players. His coach, David C. Canegata, also taught math at the school.

Canegata made such an impact on local baseball that St. Croix later named a main ballpark after him.

Journey to Major League Baseball

Clarke’s path to professional baseball was pretty unusual. As kids, he and his friends played baseball near the ocean in Frederiksted.

Since most were right-handed and strong enough to hit balls into the water, they started batting left-handed to keep from losing baseballs. “Almost all of us were right-handed. And since we were strong enough to hit the ball into the water, we switched sides at the plate, and everybody batted left-handed, so we wouldn’t lose the ball,” Clarke explained.

That early switch-hitting stuck with him. In 1957, he tried out at a camp where Pittsburgh scout Howie Haak signed fellow St. Croix native Elmo Plaskett.

Clarke said, “it just wasn’t my time yet.”

Professional Signing Details:

• Year: 1958
• Age: 18 (though he later shaved a year off his age)
• Team: New York Yankees
• Scout: José “Pepe” Seda
• Status: Amateur free agent

Yankees scout José “Pepe” Seda signed Clarke in January 1958. Seda, who played a big role in Puerto Rican baseball, told Clarke to shave a year off his age—a pretty common move back then to make young prospects look more promising.

Major League Debut and Establishing a Career

Horace Clarke’s journey to Major League Baseball really got going in 1958 when the New York Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent. He made his debut on May 13, 1965, at age 25.

That marked the start of a ten-year run that saw him move from utility player to the Yankees’ regular second baseman during a tough time for the team.

Signing with the New York Yankees

The New York Yankees spotted Clarke’s talent and signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1958. Born in Frederiksted, Virgin Islands, Clarke brought a unique background to the Yankees organization.

He attended Christiansted High School in St. Croix before going pro. Yankees scouts liked his switch-hitting and defensive skills.

The signing gave Clarke a real shot at his MLB dream. He spent several years in the Yankees’ minor league system, working on his game before finally making it to the majors.

His journey from the Caribbean to the Bronx showed the Yankees were willing to look anywhere for talent. The organization put time into developing Clarke as a middle infielder.

Breakthrough Years as a Middle Infielder

Clarke made his Major League Baseball debut on May 13, 1965. He came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

He singled off pitcher Dave Morehead in his first at-bat—a strong start to his big league career. During his rookie season, Clarke played multiple infield positions.

He appeared at second base, third base, and shortstop, showing his value as a utility player. In 1965, he passed the rookie limits, making his major league status official.

At 5’9″ and 175 pounds, teammates and fans nicknamed him “Hoss.” Clarke’s early years lined up with a transition period for the Yankees.

The team was moving on from its dominant 1960s era, giving young players like Clarke a chance to step up. His switch-hitting made him valuable in the lineup.

Clarke threw right-handed but could bat from both sides, giving managers more options in different situations.

Transition from Utility Player to Starting Second Baseman

By 1967, Clarke had become the Yankees’ regular second baseman. That season, he played 143 games, collected 160 hits, and scored 74 runs with a .272 average.

Moving from utility player to starter meant Clarke had to step up his defense. His fielding, once called “a work in progress,” really improved over his career.

Clarke’s 1969 season was his best as a starter. He hit .285 with 183 hits, 82 runs, and 48 RBIs in 156 games.

His time as starting second baseman matched up with the Yankees’ struggles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Even with the team’s problems, Clarke kept producing and became a steady presence in the infield.

Manager Ralph Houk praised Clarke’s professionalism and reliability. “He has never caused me any trouble,” Houk said, pointing out Clarke’s quiet leadership and steady approach.

Playing Style and Key Achievements

Horace Clarke made a name for himself as a reliable switch-hitting second baseman. He stood out in several areas over his ten-year career.

His defensive consistency, base-stealing, and durability made him a valuable asset for the Yankees in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Defensive Skills and Fielding Prowess

Clarke’s defense was one of his best qualities as a middle infielder. He led all American League second basemen in assists for six straight years.

He also topped the league in putouts for four seasons in a row. Clarke showed great range and consistency at second base.

His fielding percentage stayed solid throughout his career. He worked well with different shortstops to turn double plays.

Clarke took a cautious approach when turning double plays. He jumped over sliding runners to avoid injury rather than staying in the baseline.

That kept him healthy, but some people wanted a more aggressive style. Even so, his defensive reliability made him a fixture in the Yankees’ infield for almost a decade.

Manager Ralph Houk appreciated Clarke’s underrated defensive work, saying he “did a lot of things good” in the field.

Stolen Bases and Offensive Contributions

Clarke’s speed was his biggest asset on offense. He stole 151 bases in the majors, with a 72% success rate.

As a leadoff hitter, Clarke put up a .256 career average, 27 home runs, and 304 RBIs. His best year at the plate was 1969, when he hit .285 with 33 steals and a .339 on-base percentage.

Switch-hitting gave Clarke more flexibility at the plate. He learned the skill during winter ball in Puerto Rico in 1960, but the habit started back in St. Croix, where left-handed hitting kept balls out of the water.

He was a contact hitter and could bunt well, making him effective at the top of the lineup. Clarke averaged 151 games per season over seven years, showing real durability for a middle infielder.

Leadership and Work Ethic

Clarke’s steady approach and professionalism brought some stability during the Yankees’ tough rebuilding years. He played in 1,272 major league games, more than any other player from the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time he retired.

He kept working hard in the offseason, playing ten winter league seasons in Puerto Rico. There, he hit .270 with 52 steals and honed his switch-hitting against top pitching.

Even when critics blamed him for the Yankees’ struggles, Clarke stayed professional. “My conscience is clear,” he said in 1999 about his career and the unfair blame.

His durability and consistency earned him respect from teammates and managers. Clarke’s commitment to the team showed in his willingness to play through the franchise’s roughest years.

The Horace Clarke Era in Yankees History

From 1967 to 1974, people started calling it “The Horace Clarke Era,” a time that marked one of the darkest chapters in Yankees history. Clarke was the steady second baseman during these rebuilding years, as the franchise dealt with roster changes and declining results in the American League.

Leadership During the Yankees’ Rebuilding Years

Clarke took over as the Yankees’ regular second baseman in 1967 after Bobby Richardson retired. Manager Ralph Houk counted on Clarke as one of the few steady players during those chaotic years.

The team kept changing at other positions. From 1967 to 1971, Clarke started at second base on Opening Day for five straight seasons.

At the same time, the Yankees used five different first basemen, five third basemen, and three shortstops. Clarke’s defense gave the lineup some much-needed stability.

He led American League second basemen in fielding percentage (.990) in 1967. From 1967 to 1972, Clarke regularly ranked among the top AL second basemen in putouts and assists.

Some criticized him for not turning double plays more aggressively, but Clarke led AL second basemen in double plays in 1969 and 1972. He finished in the AL top 5 in double plays from 1967 to 1973.

Team Dynamics with Notable Players

Clarke played with both aging stars and young up-and-comers during the Yankees’ transition years. Guys like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Roger Maris were winding down their careers just as Clarke was making a name for himself.

Key teammates included:

• Bobby Murcer – Outfielder who quickly became a fan favorite
• Mel Stottlemyre – Ace pitcher who really anchored the rotation
• Joe Pepitone – First baseman known for his power at the plate
• Roy White – Reliable outfielder and switch hitter
• Fritz Peterson – Lefty who won 20 games in 1970

Clarke saw future stars arrive, like Thurman Munson in 1969. The pitching staff had Peterson and Mike Kekich, who later got famous for that wild wife-swapping story.

When Tony Kubek retired before 1966, Clarke had to split shortstop duties with Tom Tresh at first. That flexibility helped him carve out a spot in the Yankees’ plans.

Legacy and Fan Perception

People started calling it the “Horace Clarke Era,” which, honestly, became a nickname for the Yankees’ mediocre stretch. From 1967 to 1974, with Clarke as the regular second baseman, the team never finished higher than fourth.

Clarke’s own achievements slipped under the radar while the team struggled. In 1970, he actually broke up three no-hitters in the ninth inning in just one month. He ruined no-hit bids by Jim Rooker (June 4), Sonny Siebert (June 19), and Joe Niekro (July 2).

Only Clarke and Joe Mauer have ever broken up three ninth-inning no-hitters in baseball history. Clarke stepped up to the plate 732 times in 1970, showing just how durable and reliable he was.

Fans and the media pinned a lot of the blame for the team’s decline on Clarke, which just seems unfair. Even though people slapped his name on that era, he was one of the more steady players around. His .256 career batting average and solid defense showed he was competent, even if the teams around him weren’t exactly loaded with stars.

Notable Games and Career Highlights

Clarke gave fans some truly memorable moments, showing off his clutch hitting and smooth defense. He made headlines for breaking up no-hitters and coming through with big hits when it mattered.

Grand Slams and First Career Hits

Clarke made an impressive debut on May 13, 1965, at Fenway Park. He pinch-hit for Hal Reniff and singled off Dave Morehead in his very first major league at-bat.

His first home run was a grand slam, no less. On September 21, 1965, at Yankee Stadium, Clarke took Cleveland’s Floyd Weaver deep with the bases loaded. Not bad for a young infielder from the Virgin Islands.

He hit his second career home run on July 16, 1967, and yep, it was another grand slam—this time against the Kansas City Royals. That made him one of the rare players whose first two homers both cleared the bases.

These early highlights proved Clarke could handle pressure. Both grand slams came at crucial times when the Yankees needed offense.

No-Hit Bid Spoilers Against Top Pitchers

Clarke built a reputation for breaking up no-hitters. In a wild stretch during the 1970 season, he spoiled three no-hit bids in the ninth inning within a single month.

On June 4, 1970, Clarke broke up Jim Rooker’s no-hitter in the ninth. Just two weeks later, on June 19, he did it again to Sonny Siebert. Then, on July 2, he capped it off by breaking up Joe Niekro’s no-hit bid.

That run really showed his knack for coming through against top pitchers. Clarke just seemed to find a way to get on base in big moments.

Memorable Moments Against Rival Teams

Clarke’s best single-game performance? That probably came on April 19, 1970, in a doubleheader against the Orioles at Memorial Stadium. He racked up five hits in the nightcap, showing off his contact skills against some tough pitching.

That five-hit game happened during the Yankees’ 1970 season, when they won 93 games. Clarke proved his worth as a steady contributor on a pretty competitive team.

He also played in a historic exhibition game against the Red Sox on March 31, 1967. The Yankees beat Boston in the first major league exhibition ever played in the Virgin Islands at Paul Joseph Stadium.

Clarke’s durability kept him in the Yankees lineup for rivalry games year after year. He averaged 151 games per season over seven years, staying productive against American League East rivals.

Career Conclusion and Life After Retirement

Horace Clarke wrapped up his baseball career in 1974 after a short stint with the San Diego Padres. That marked the end of his decade-long journey in the majors. After baseball, he shifted gears and focused on helping young players back home in the Virgin Islands.

Final Season with the San Diego Padres

The Yankees sold Clarke to the Padres on May 31, 1974, for $25,000. That move ended his nine years with the Yankees.

Clarke didn’t spend long with the Padres, but it gave him his only taste of the National League. He split 1974 between both teams, learning to adapt in his final months as a pro.

The Padres were still finding their way as a franchise, and Clarke brought some much-needed experience to the clubhouse. His steady presence offered leadership to a pretty young team.

At the end of the 1974 season, Clarke decided to retire. At 35, he closed out his playing days with the Padres.

Retirement in 1974 and Personal Life

After he retired, Clarke went back to the U.S. Virgin Islands. He became a baseball instructor for the Virgin Islands Department of Recreation, passing on his knowledge to young players.

He also worked as an assistant scout for the Kansas City Royals, which let him stay involved in professional baseball and help spot new talent.

Clarke’s mentoring didn’t stop with official roles. He worked hard to promote youth baseball across the Virgin Islands, helping shape the next generation of players from the territory.

One of his most notable protégés was Jerry Browne, who played 10 seasons in the majors from 1986 to 1995. Browne took the field for the Rangers, Indians, Athletics, and Marlins during his career.

Clarke’s commitment to helping young players became his lasting mark on the game. He helped open doors for Virgin Islands talent to reach the professional ranks.

Legacy in Major League Baseball

Clarke wrapped up his MLB career with a .256 batting average, 27 home runs, and 304 RBIs over 10 seasons. Sure, his offensive stats weren’t eye-popping, but he always brought solid defense at second base, and that really mattered.

He played for the Yankees during a tough stretch for the franchise. The team had a rough go while he held down second base from 1967 to 1973.

Clarke’s career bridged the gap between the Yankees’ old dynasty days and their later comeback under George Steinbrenner. He brought a steady presence when the organization was trying to rebuild.

His impact goes way beyond the numbers. As one of the few players from the Virgin Islands to make it to the majors back then, Clarke opened doors for others from his home.

Clarke died on August 5, 2020, after battling complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He spent his life in baseball, not just playing but also mentoring younger athletes.