Jack Spring – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jack Spring made his mark in baseball history over an eight-year major league career, from 1955 to 1965. This left-handed pitcher from Spokane, Washington, bounced around as a journeyman reliever but really hit his stride with the Los Angeles Angels in the early ’60s.

Spring played for seven different teams in the majors, finishing with a 12-5 record and a 4.26 ERA in 155 games before retiring in 1965.

He started out as a high school standout in Washington State and broke into the majors at 22. He shifted from being a starter to a specialized relief pitcher as his career evolved.

Spring’s professional journey took him to the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cleveland Indians. The Angels, though, became his home for three seasons, where he worked as a left-handed specialist from 1961 to 1963.

But there’s more to Spring’s story than just stats. He grew up in Spokane’s baseball community, worked his way through the minors, and later became an educator and coach after baseball. His career gives you a good look at what life was like for so many players grinding through baseball’s golden era in the 1950s and 1960s.

Early Life and Education

Jack Russell Spring was born March 11, 1933, in Spokane, Washington. Spokane has turned out a few big names over the years—NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, for one.

Spring’s early years weren’t easy. He lost his mother, Marguerite Russell, to tuberculosis on October 9, 1935, when he was just 2½ years old. She was only 30.

After his mom passed away, Jack moved in with his maternal grandparents, the Russells. His aunt Liz stepped up and basically raised him. Meanwhile, his older brothers, Ralph Eugene and James Douglas, stayed with their dad.

When Jack’s father remarried, they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. Spring went to school there through fourth grade.

After another divorce, Jack moved back to Spokane for good, living with his grandparents in the Perry neighborhood. The family home sat on Spokane’s South Hill, about a mile southeast of downtown.

He actually didn’t play organized baseball until after seventh grade. That summer, he joined the park league at Grant Park.

Lewis and Clark High School Achievements

Spring went to Lewis and Clark High School and quickly stood out as one of the city’s top athletes. His baseball skills really showed during his freshman year, and he started playing American Legion ball in the summer.

On July 27, 1949, he threw his first no-hitter against Sedro Woolley for the Oscar Levitch Jewelers team at the state tournament in Seattle.

Over the next three years, Spring tossed four more no-hitters, including another in Legion play. As a sophomore in 1949, he pitched behind Curt Bloomquist as the team’s number two.

Lewis and Clark shared the city championship during Spring’s junior season. The Tigers didn’t lose a single game his senior year.

Spring, first baseman Ed Bouchee, and catcher Bill Farr anchored the team. On April 19, 1951, Spring kicked off his senior season with a 4-0 no-hitter over Rogers, racking up 19 strikeouts.

He earned All-City honors in both baseball and basketball. Spring also played for coach Elra “Squinty” Hunter’s basketball team, which finished 18-2 that year.

Hunter had a huge influence on Spring, inspiring him to pursue teaching and coaching later on.

Collegiate Baseball at Gonzaga University

After graduating from Lewis and Clark in 1951, Spring originally planned to attend Washington State University. He ended up taking classes at Gonzaga University during the day and played professional baseball for the Spokane Indians in 1953.

His tie to Gonzaga came from his pro baseball commitments in Spokane. He’d go to classes during the day, then pitch for the Indians at night.

This setup let him keep up with his education while still chasing his baseball goals. Balancing both wasn’t easy, but Spring managed it.

His time at Gonzaga didn’t last long, but it showed his commitment to learning even as his baseball career picked up steam.

Experience at Washington State University

Spring played a season of college baseball at Washington State University in 1952. He and his high school buddy Ed Bouchee both signed on to play for the Cougars after their successful run in high school.

Spring also planned to play basketball at WSU. During his freshman year, he lettered in baseball—freshmen could play varsity in some sports back then.

He finished with a 4-4 record that season, showing he could hold his own at the college level. Spring also played freshman basketball, proving he was a true multi-sport athlete.

Bouchee hit .302 with some power, and both guys caught the eye of pro scouts that year. The college season was short but meaningful.

On June 9, 1952, Bouchee signed with the Spokane Indians. Spring followed on June 11, signing for $375 a month plus 25 percent of any future sale price. That was the end of Spring’s college days and the start of his pro baseball career.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Jack Russell Spring’s professional baseball career stretched from 1955 to 1965, and he played for seven different MLB teams. He started as a starter but found his groove as a reliever, especially with the Los Angeles Angels in the American League.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Spring made his MLB debut on April 16, 1955 with the Philadelphia Phillies at 22 years old. He pitched two hitless innings and struck out two at the Polo Grounds in New York against the Giants.

Jumping into pro baseball wasn’t easy. Spring later admitted, “I was in the bullpen. In the ninth, they told me to warm up. I could hardly stand up, let alone warm up.”

His early career stats showed some promise but also inconsistency.

• 1955: 7-8 record, 4.00 ERA
• Split time between Philadelphia and Triple-A Syracuse

After his debut, Spring bounced around a bit. He played for the Boston Red Sox in 1957 and the Washington Senators in 1958, picking up experience with different organizations.

Transition to Reliever Role

Spring’s career changed course when he joined the Los Angeles Angels in 1961. He’d been a starter in the minors but moved to the bullpen full-time with the Angels.

That move really worked out for him. Spring stuck with the Angels for four seasons, from 1961 to 1964, his longest run with any team.

As a reliever, his left-handed delivery made him valuable in certain game situations. He became a dependable bullpen arm.

During his time with the Angels, Spring handled key late-game spots. The team counted on his experience and his ability to get lefties out.

Statistical Highlights

Spring finished his MLB career with 12 wins and 5 losses over 155 games. His career earned run average was 4.26, which was solid for a middle reliever back then.

He struck out 86 batters in the majors. Not huge by today’s standards, but decent for that era.

Career team breakdown:

• Philadelphia Phillies (1955)
• Boston Red Sox (1957)
• Washington Senators (1958)
• Los Angeles Angels (1961-1964)
• Chicago Cubs (1964)
• St. Louis Cardinals (1964)
• Cleveland Indians (1965)

Spring’s best years came with the Angels, where he appeared in most of his 155 games. He moved around a lot, but his versatility helped him fit in with several teams.

He wrapped up his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1965, closing out a decade in the big leagues.

Teams Played For in MLB

Jack Spring suited up for seven different teams during his eight-year MLB career from 1955 to 1965. He started with the Philadelphia Phillies and later played for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators before landing his biggest role with the Los Angeles Angels.

Philadelphia Phillies Career

Spring broke into the big leagues with the Phillies on April 16, 1955. He made his debut in New York at the Polo Grounds, coming in as a reliever.

He tossed two hitless innings and struck out two in his first game. That debut followed a quick leap from Double-A to Triple-A Syracuse in 1954.

Spring’s time in Philly was short but memorable. He didn’t pitch much in 1955, mostly working out of the bullpen. The Phillies sent him to their farm system, where he kept developing as a reliever.

The Phillies got Spring’s rights through a deal with the Spokane Indians. Team owner Roy Hotchkiss received $30,000 for Spring’s contract, and Jack got his 25 percent share.

Boston Red Sox Tenure

Spring joined the Boston Red Sox in 1957 for another short stint. It was his second American League team after starting with the Phillies in the National League.

With Boston, Spring kept working as a reliever. The Red Sox used his left-handed pitching in their bullpen that season.

His time with the Red Sox gave him a look at a different organization and pitching philosophy. That experience helped him adapt throughout his career.

He didn’t stay long in Boston, moving on after just one season.

Washington Senators Involvement

Spring landed with the Washington Senators in 1958—his third MLB team. He continued his pattern of short stays with different clubs early in his career.

With the Senators, he stayed in the bullpen. The team gave him another shot to prove himself and get more big league experience.

His time in Washington added to his resume as a reliable lefty reliever. The Senators used him during the 1958 season as part of their bullpen mix.

This stop helped him build a reputation as a steady option for teams needing left-handed relief.

Los Angeles Angels Impact

The Los Angeles Angels gave Spring his longest and most stable run in the majors, from 1961 to 1964. Those four years marked the peak of his career.

Spring finally found a consistent role with the Angels as a full-time reliever. He became a trusted lefty out of the bullpen for manager Bill Rigney.

During this stretch, Spring pitched in multiple seasons and became a regular part of the Angels’ relief staff. His 12 wins and 5 losses included some of his best work during these years.

The Angels gave Spring the stability he’d been looking for, letting him settle in and build real relationships with teammates and coaches.

Later Teams and Notable Transactions

In his final MLB years, Jack Spring moved between several teams from 1961 to 1965. The Angels were his best fit, but he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cleveland Indians before calling it a career.

Kansas City Athletics Connections

Jack Spring never actually played for the Kansas City Athletics, but his career crossed paths with them through various player moves in the early ‘60s. The Athletics were pretty busy in the trade market during Spring’s later years.

Spring’s journey through so many teams often meant he played alongside or swapped places with guys who had Kansas City ties. The Athletics’ constant roster changes during that era opened doors for relievers like Spring to find new teams.

The American League saw a lot of player movement in those years. Kansas City’s rebuilding efforts shifted the league’s player landscape and gave pitchers like Spring more chances to move around.

Chicago Cubs and the Famous Lou Brock Trade

The Chicago Cubs picked up Jack Spring as part of their roster moves in 1964. That same year, the Cubs pulled off one of baseball’s most talked-about trades by sending Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Spring joined the Cubs during a time when the team was making a lot of changes. They kept shuffling the roster with several transactions.

People now look back at the Cubs’ decision to trade Brock and shake their heads. Brock went on to become a Hall of Fame outfielder with the Cardinals.

Spring didn’t spend long with Chicago, but he was there during this wild stretch. The Cubs got pitcher Ernie Broglio, Bobby Shantz, and Doug Clemens in exchange for Brock and a few others.

Time with St. Louis Cardinals

Jack Spring landed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, right after they grabbed Lou Brock from the Cubs. The Cardinals were putting together a squad that would win the World Series that year.

St. Louis mostly used Spring in relief, especially against left-handed batters. His role was small, but he still played a part.

The Cardinals had a pitching staff full of veterans when Spring joined. He added some depth to the bullpen during their championship push.

St. Louis won the 1964 World Series, although Spring didn’t see much action. Still, that season became a huge highlight in Cardinals history.

Final MLB Season with Cleveland Indians

Jack Spring wrapped up his Major League Baseball career with the Cleveland Indians in 1965. Cleveland became the seventh and last team of his professional journey.

The Indians used Spring only in short relief outings. That last season showed a veteran pitcher winding down his career.

Spring shared the bullpen with Bud Byerly and other relievers during his final year. He threw his last MLB pitch on August 31, 1965.

He finished with a 12-5 record and a 4.26 ERA in 155 games. After eight years and seven teams, Spring’s major league run ended with the Indians.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Career

After the 1965 season, Jack Spring hung up his cleats and switched gears to education. He ended up spending over thirty years teaching and coaching at West Valley High School in Spokane, earning recognition that really stuck with people locally.

Coaching and Teaching at West Valley High School

Spring started his second career at West Valley High School right after leaving pro baseball in 1965. The school sat just a few miles east of downtown Spokane, so he stayed close to home.

He spent his whole post-baseball life at that one school. Spring worked as both a teacher and a coach at West Valley, sticking around for more than three decades.

Switching from professional athlete to educator just felt right for Spring. He always credited his high school basketball coach, Elra “Squinty” Hunter, for inspiring him to teach and coach. Spring once said, “I wanted to teach and coach because of my admiration for Squinty. He made a big impact on me.”

Spring brought his experience as a pro athlete into his coaching. He understood what it took to compete at a high level, and that really helped him guide young athletes.

Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Spring’s work in baseball and education earned him spots in three different halls of fame. He never made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but his impact in the region couldn’t be ignored.

The Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame honored Spring’s career, highlighting both his playing days and his long service to Spokane sports.

Getting inducted into several halls of fame showed just how much Spring accomplished. People recognized not only his eight seasons in the majors, but also his decades helping kids and coaching.

By 2011, Spring was 78 and had spent most of his life in Spokane, Washington. The city produced other big names too, like Ryne Sandberg and John Stockton. Spring’s hall of fame honors put him right up there with the best athletes to come out of Spokane.

Legacy and Personal Life

Jack Spring’s influence reached way beyond his eight years in the majors, especially through his deep roots in Spokane. His ties to other local athletes and his move into education left a real mark on his hometown.

Influence on Spokane Sports

Spring became part of Spokane’s strong sports tradition that produced several Hall of Fame athletes. The city turned out nearly two dozen major league baseball players, and Spring stood out among them.

His high school days at Lewis and Clark High School were impressive—he set records that inspired the next generation. Spring threw five no-hitters as an amateur, including one during the 1949 state tournament.

After he retired from pro baseball in 1965, Spring committed his entire teaching and coaching career to West Valley High School. He spent decades shaping young athletes in Spokane.

Spring got inducted into three different halls of fame for his contributions to baseball at every level. His coaching success at the high school level matched what he did as a player.

Connections with Notable Athletes

Spring shared Spokane’s sports spotlight with other future Hall of Famers. The city also produced NBA legend John Stockton, who played his entire career with the Utah Jazz and made the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Ryne Sandberg, another Spokane native, joined Spring as a Baseball Hall of Fame member. The area’s athletic success created a tight network of pros with a lot of hometown pride.

Spring played alongside Ed Bouchee at Lewis and Clark High School, and both went on to the majors. Their friendship started in high school and lasted a lifetime.

He even played matchmaker for close friends, helping arrange marriages that lasted decades. Spring, Bouchee, and Bill Farr all married their high school sweethearts thanks to Spring’s connections.

Life After Baseball

Spring left professional baseball in 1965 and jumped right into education. He picked teaching and coaching, inspired by his high school basketball coach, Elra “Squinty” Hunter.

He married Vona Lee McLean back in 1952, and that partnership really anchored him during his playing days and after. They stuck together for decades, which says a lot about the kind of relationships Spring valued from early on.

At West Valley High School, Spring found a way to stay close to sports. He taught and coached, making a real impact on a lot of students.

Spring spent most of his 82 years in Spokane, never straying far from the community he loved. When he passed away in 2015, it was the close of a nearly fifty-year chapter in local sports.