Jimmie Schaffer – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jimmie Schaffer put together a solid eight-year run as a Major League Baseball catcher, suiting up for six teams between 1961 and 1968. He grew up in small-town Pennsylvania and spent years grinding in the minors before finally debuting with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 25.

Schaffer played in both the National and American Leagues, moving through the Cardinals, Cubs, White Sox, Mets, Phillies, and Reds before calling it quits after the 1968 season. He went from a Pennsylvania high school diamond to the big leagues, catching for some of the era’s top pitchers, including Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm.

Once he retired, Schaffer didn’t leave the game behind. He jumped into coaching, spending over a decade on major league staffs and even picking up a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals in 1985.

His story gives a real sense of what the life of a journeyman ballplayer looked like, squeezing the most out of his skills and finding success on and off the field during what many call baseball’s golden era.

Jimmie Schaffer’s Baseball Career Overview

Jimmie Schaffer played eight years in the majors as a catcher, from 1961 to 1968, and wore the uniforms of six different teams in both leagues. He kicked things off with the St. Louis Cardinals and wrapped up with the Cincinnati Reds.

He built a reputation as a reliable defensive specialist, working with Hall of Fame pitchers throughout his time.

Career Timeline and Key Milestones

Jimmie Ronald Schaffer was born April 5, 1936, in Limeport, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Coopersburg High School and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955.

He put in six seasons in the minors. Finally, all that work paid off when he broke into the majors on May 20, 1961, at 25.

His first big league at-bat turned into a memory he’d never forget. Schaffer lined a single to center off Dick Ellsworth—a moment he’d later call one of his favorites from his time in the majors.

The 1963 season with the Chicago Cubs was his best. He played 57 games, hit 7 homers, drove in 19 runs, and posted a 1.4 bWAR.

He played his last game on July 11, 1968, against the San Francisco Giants as a Cincinnati Red. Schaffer was 32 when he hung up his spikes.

Role as an MLB Catcher

Schaffer made his mark as a defensive specialist behind the plate. He caught 304 games and threw out 46 runners trying to steal.

He built his catching philosophy around the basics. “Work very hard at all parts of the game,” Schaffer told young catchers. “Learn your pitchers and their favorite pitches. Block balls and keep everything in front of you.”

He didn’t exactly hold back when talking about modern catching, saying too many young players were “Retrievers not Receivers.” That really shows how much he cared about proper receiving and pitch framing.

Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Fame knuckleballer, was one of the toughest pitchers Schaffer handled. Schaffer said his knack for catching the knuckler helped him “make a good living” in the big leagues.

At the plate, Schaffer’s numbers showed his defensive focus: a .223 career average, 11 homers, 56 RBIs in 304 games.

Major League Teams Played For

Team	Years	League
St. Louis Cardinals	1961-1962	National League
Chicago Cubs	1963-1964	National League
Chicago White Sox	1965	American League
New York Mets	1965	National League
Philadelphia Phillies	1966-1967	National League
Cincinnati Reds	1968	National League

Schaffer spent most of his career in the National League, though he did get a taste of the American League. Teams shuffled backup catchers and defensive guys like him around pretty often back then.

The Cardinals brought him up from high school and molded him into a big leaguer. His best numbers came with the Cubs.

He only played briefly for the White Sox in 1965. After that, he bounced back to the National League with the Mets.

Notable Teammates and Opponents

Schaffer played with and against some real legends during his eight years. He shared a dugout with Stan Musial on the Cardinals, Ron Santo with the Cubs, and Pete Rose with the Reds.

He caught more Hall of Fame arms than just Wilhelm. The Cardinals’ staff during his time there included a few top-tier pitchers who helped him learn the ropes.

He picked up tips from all sorts of coaches. Schaffer especially credited Al Unser, a former catcher who managed him early on, for helping him grow.

Jumping from team to team meant Schaffer worked with lots of different pitchers and saw a bunch of coaching styles. That variety came in handy when he moved into coaching later with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

Major League Teams and Seasons

Jimmie Schaffer played eight seasons with six clubs from 1961 to 1968. He saw his best years with the Cardinals and Cubs, but also made stops with the White Sox, Mets, Phillies, and Reds.

St. Louis Cardinals Years

Schaffer broke into the majors with the Cardinals on May 20, 1961, at 25. He debuted against the Cubs, going 1-for-3.

In his 1961 rookie year, Schaffer got into 68 games and had 167 plate appearances. He hit .255, collecting 39 hits, 7 doubles, 1 homer, and 16 RBIs. Not too shabby for a rookie catcher.

The 1962 season wasn’t as kind. Schaffer played 70 games but only got 74 plate appearances, and his average dipped to .242 with 16 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 6 RBIs.

All told, Schaffer hit .251 in 138 games for St. Louis. He finished his Cardinals stint with 55 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, and 22 RBIs in 241 plate appearances.

Chicago Cubs Performance

Schaffer’s best MLB years were with the Cubs from 1963 to 1964. Chicago picked him up after his Cardinals run.

In 1963, he had his top season. Schaffer played 57 games, had 153 plate appearances, hit .239, and tallied 34 hits. He blasted 7 home runs and drove in 19 runs, both career highs.

The 1964 season gave him more chances but the bat cooled off. Schaffer got into 54 games, 140 plate appearances, and batted .205 with 25 hits, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers, and 9 RBIs.

During his Cubs run, he played 111 games and hit .223. He racked up 59 hits, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 9 homers, and 28 RBIs in 293 plate appearances.

Chicago White Sox Stint

Schaffer switched to the American League in 1965, joining the White Sox. This was his only AL season.

His time there was short but not bad. Schaffer played 17 games, got 34 plate appearances, and hit .194 with 6 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 RBI.

He didn’t hit for average, but his .355 slugging percentage wasn’t terrible. The White Sox stint showed Schaffer could adapt to new teams and leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets

Schaffer also played for the Mets in 1965. He got into 24 games, 38 plate appearances, but hit just .135 with 5 hits and 2 doubles.

He joined the Phillies in 1966 and 1967. In 1966, Schaffer only played 8 games, 16 plate appearances, hitting .133 with 2 hits, 1 double, 1 homer, and 4 RBIs.

His 1967 season barely saw him on the field. He played 2 games, 3 plate appearances, went hitless, but did drive in a run.

With the Phillies, Schaffer played 10 games, hitting .118 with 2 hits, 1 double, 1 homer, and 4 RBIs in 19 plate appearances.

Cincinnati Reds and Final MLB Games

Schaffer finished up with the Reds in 1968. That last season was a quick one.

He appeared in just 4 games, 6 plate appearances, and picked up 1 hit and 1 RBI, batting .167. His final game was July 11, 1968, against the Giants.

The Reds stint closed out his eight-year career, which saw him play in both leagues. Schaffer’s career totals: .223 average, 128 hits, 11 homers, 56 RBIs in 304 games.

Statistical Highlights and On-Field Performance

Jimmie Schaffer played in 304 games over eight seasons, batting .223 with 128 hits and 11 home runs. The advanced stats show he brought solid defensive value as a catcher, even if the offense didn’t always pop.

Batting and Fielding Statistics Overview

Schaffer suited up for 304 MLB games from 1961 to 1968. He had 574 at-bats, picking up 128 hits for a .223 career average.

He chipped in 28 doubles, 3 triples, and 11 homers. Schaffer drove in 56 runs and scored 53.

He drew 49 walks and struck out 127 times. His on-base percentage was .286, and his slugging sat at .340.

Career Fielding Summary:

• Primary position: Catcher
• Secondary position: Third base
• Games played: 304
• Career span: 1961-1968

Key Metrics: Hits, Home Runs, RBIs

Schaffer’s 128 career hits mostly came during his Cardinals and Cubs years. His best single-season hit total was 39 in 1961.

He hit 11 home runs in total, with the 1963 Cubs season being his power peak—7 homers in 57 games.

Schaffer finished with 56 RBIs. His best RBI year was 1963, when he knocked in 19.

He scored 53 runs in his career, mostly in a backup role. The 1963 season saw him cross the plate 17 times, his best mark.

WAR, OPS, and Advanced Stats

Schaffer’s career WAR was 0.9, so he provided just above replacement-level value. His best year was 1963, with a 1.4 WAR for the Cubs.

His OPS was .626, which was under league average for his time. The high-water mark came in 1963, when he posted a .731 OPS.

Advanced stats put his OPS+ at 69 for his career, so his offense was 31% below league average. His rOBA was .296, which gives more context to his offensive output.

That 1963 season was the only time he hit league average on offense, with an OPS+ of 103.

Position-Specific Contributions

As a catcher, Schaffer’s main value came from his defense and game management. Teams relied on him to handle pitching staffs and call games.

The “2/H” in his stats means he also played some third base. That flexibility made him a handy utility guy.

His best defensive years were with the Cubs in 1963 and 1964. The advanced numbers show his glove helped make up for his bat.

Schaffer’s role as a backup catcher and occasional third baseman was pretty typical for the era. Teams liked having defensive-minded guys who could fill in at more than one spot.

Retirement and Post-Playing Career

Jimmie Schaffer’s playing career wrapped up in 1968 after eight seasons in the majors. He kept working in pro baseball for over twenty more years, coaching with teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals.

Retirement in 1968 and Final MLB Season

Schaffer wrapped up his final season in 1968 with the Cincinnati Reds. He played his last game on July 11, 1968, facing the San Francisco Giants at age 32.

In that last appearance, the veteran catcher stepped up for one at-bat but didn’t get a hit.

The 1968 season closed out an eight-year career that started back in 1961 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Schaffer ended his playing days with a .223 batting average, 11 home runs, and 56 RBIs in 304 games.

He wore the uniform for six different teams, including the Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds.

He retired while still pretty young for a catcher. Nearly two decades of professional baseball, counting six minor league seasons before his MLB debut, had taken a toll on him.

Transition to Coaching and Baseball Involvement

After he hung up his cleats, Schaffer jumped straight into coaching roles in pro baseball. He started out coaching in the minor leagues, passing along his catching experience to younger players.

He knew the game inside out and worked well with pitchers, which made him a real asset for any organization trying to develop talent.

Schaffer built his coaching philosophy around the fundamentals, especially for catchers. He always stressed blocking balls and keeping everything in front of the plate.

In later interviews, he admitted he worried about young catchers turning into “retrievers not receivers,” showing how much he cared about proper technique and positioning.

He played alongside Hall of Famers like Stan Musial, Ron Santo, and Pete Rose, which gave him insights that proved useful as a coach. Schaffer often talked about how important it was to listen to coaches and keep improving.

Baltimore Orioles and Later Roles

Schaffer spent some time coaching in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, working to develop catching prospects. He brought experience handling knuckleball pitchers, especially Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, which made him a go-to guy for teaching tough skills.

He later joined the Texas Rangers coaching staff in the late 1970s and returned to the majors. After that, he had his longest run with the Kansas City Royals, starting in 1980.

He spent 10 seasons with the Royals and was part of their 1985 World Series championship team.

His coaching career wrapped up after the 1989 season, capping off more than twenty years in pro baseball after his playing days. When he retired from coaching, Schaffer went back to Limeport, Pennsylvania, settling down with his wife Jeanne and their five kids.

Personal Background and Early Life

Jimmie Ronald Schaffer was born on April 5, 1936, in Limeport, Pennsylvania, a small town near Allentown. His journey from rural Pennsylvania to professional baseball started during high school at Coopersburg High, where his talent caught the eye of major league scouts.

Early Years and Pennsylvania Roots

Schaffer grew up in Limeport, a tiny town that really shaped his baseball journey. Born in 1936, he spent his early years in this tight-knit community not far from Allentown.

His athletic talent stood out at Coopersburg High School, which became the launching pad for his baseball dreams.

He started developing his catching skills during those important teenage years.

Growing up in Limeport helped build his work ethic and determination. Pennsylvania’s strong baseball tradition gave him plenty of chances to compete and get better.

His family always backed his athletic goals, sticking with him through it all.

After he finished high school, Schaffer’s talent had reached a point where pro scouts took notice. The St. Louis Cardinals saw his potential and signed him in 1955, right after he graduated from Coopersburg.

Path to the Major Leagues

The Cardinals picked up Schaffer in 1955 when he was just 19. That moment kicked off his professional baseball journey.

He spent six seasons grinding in the minor leagues, working to sharpen his skills. The Cardinals organization invested time in developing his catching and hitting abilities.

He learned from experienced coaches and battled against other hopefuls.

His hard work finally paid off on May 20, 1961, when he debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals. That game, against the Chicago Cubs, marked a big milestone.

In his first at-bat, he lined a single to center field off pitcher Dick Ellsworth.

That debut really showed the result of years of effort and dedication. Schaffer had made the leap from small-town Pennsylvania to the top level of pro baseball.

Age and Milestones

Schaffer broke into the majors at 25 years old in 1961, making him one of the older rookies. Those six years in the minors definitely prepared him for the big leagues.

He played eight seasons in the majors, from 1961 to 1968. During that time, he suited up for six teams in both the National and American Leagues.

He played his final game on July 11, 1968, against the San Francisco Giants at age 32.

Retiring at 32 was pretty typical for catchers back then. The position is tough on the body, so most didn’t last much longer.

Schaffer’s eight-year run showed off his durability and solid skills behind the plate.

He finished with 304 games played, 128 hits, and 46 runners thrown out, which proved he was a reliable backup catcher for several teams.

Legacy and Impact on Professional Baseball

Jimmie Schaffer left his mark on baseball with his catching skills and his knack for mentoring others. His journey across six teams in both leagues really highlighted the value of defense and adaptability in the game.

Influence as a Catcher and Mentor

Schaffer made his biggest impact with his ability to handle tough pitches, especially knuckleballs. He caught Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm and once said, “I made a good living being able to catch knuckleball pitches.” That skill made him valuable to several teams.

He always pushed for fundamental catching techniques, focusing on keeping balls in front of the plate. Schaffer often called modern catchers who retreat “Retrievers not Receivers,” and he liked to point to Yadier Molina as an example of how it should be done.

After he retired as a player, Schaffer moved into coaching with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. He spent 10 seasons with the Royals and helped them win the 1985 World Series as a coach.

Significance Across Teams and Leagues

Schaffer played in both the National League and American League, suiting up for six different teams. That experience gave him a unique perspective on the game.

His versatility behind the plate let him work with all sorts of pitching staffs. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox.

His best year came in 1963 with the Cubs, when he posted a 1.4 bWAR in 57 games. That season really showed his value as a defensive specialist.

Overall Career Assessment

Schaffer hit .223 with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs over 304 games. His offense never really stood out, but he stuck around for eight seasons because of his defense and the way he handled pitchers.

He managed 128 hits and threw out 46 runners trying to steal, which really shows how much he focused on defense. You can see he was more of a defensive specialist than a big bat.

After he stopped playing, he moved right into coaching. That, honestly, says a lot about his baseball smarts and leadership.

He spent 35 years in pro baseball. That’s a long time—his influence went way beyond just his numbers as a player.