John Bateman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

John Bateman wrapped up his ten-year Major League Baseball career in 1972, closing out a journey that started with the expansion Houston Colt .45s and ended with the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-handed catcher played for four teams over those ten seasons, finishing with a .230 batting average, 81 home runs, and 375 RBIs in 1,017 games.

Bateman’s last season in 1972 might’ve been his most memorable, since he helped future Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton put together one of the best pitching seasons ever. After Montreal traded him to Philadelphia in June, Bateman caught most of Carlton’s games, guiding him to a wild 20-4 record and a 1.60 ERA when they worked together.

This look at Bateman’s career traces his path from a young prospect in Oklahoma to his big league debut, through his years helping build the Houston franchise, his time with the Montreal Expos, and his final moments in baseball before retirement.

His story really shows how much steady veterans mattered to baseball’s growth during the expansion years of the 1960s and early 1970s.

Early Life and Background

John Alvin Bateman was born July 21, 1940, at Fort Sill, an Army post in Lawton, Oklahoma. His childhood wasn’t easy—family trouble meant relatives raised him instead of his parents.

Childhood in Oklahoma

John Bateman’s family had deep Midwest roots going back to the early 1800s. His great-grandfather Thomas fought in the Union army during the Civil War, coming from Logan County, Illinois.

In the 1890s, Thomas’s son Alvin moved south during the Oklahoma land rush. He staked out land in what had been Indian Territory and became a farmer with his wife, Euphema Alberta “Bertie” Sandusky.

Their youngest son, Thompson J.W. (“TJ”) Bateman, picked an Army career. TJ married Mildred Roberts, whose dad worked for the Works Progress Administration during the Depression.

TJ and Mildred just weren’t cut out for parenting. John and his younger brother Tommy ended up with Mildred’s older sister Jewel and her husband, Raymond Priest, in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Sports turned into one of the few safe spaces for John during his rocky childhood. He found a little stability on the baseball diamond while everything else at home felt messy.

Education and Amateur Baseball

John went to Lawton High School, playing for the Wolverines in both basketball and baseball. He also played American Legion ball for the Lawton Colonels.

Even though he had a cannon for a right arm, John didn’t really stand out in high school. Scouts barely noticed him back then.

But after graduation, things changed fast. John shot up to 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, and his baseball skills suddenly took off.

His early adult years were rough. A childhood friend remembers stories about a brief marriage that only lasted a few weeks. He got into bar fights and other trouble that put him on the police radar.

Around 1959 or 1960, his aunt Jewel had enough of his antics. She sent him to live with his dad TJ, a master sergeant who’d just moved to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Path to Professional Baseball

At Fort Hood, TJ pulled some strings and got John onto the fort’s baseball teams. John’s skills kept improving in that Texas setting.

Wanting to see how far he could go, John started writing letters to different major-league clubs asking for tryouts. That gutsy move ended up changing his life.

In March 1962, the brand-new Houston Colt .45s answered his letters. They spent just $50 to bring him to their amateur camp in Texas City, southeast of Houston. That money covered a sweatshirt, a mitt, and a bus ticket.

Scout Red Murff ran the camp and instantly liked Bateman. Murff pushed the team to sign the 21-year-old right-handed hitter.

Bateman didn’t exactly play it straight during this process. He said he was two years younger than he really was and claimed to be a Texan, hoping that would help with the only Texas-based MLB team.

No one ever caught on to his age lie. Every team roster for Bateman in pro baseball listed his birth year as 1942 instead of 1940.

Major League Debut and Houston Astros Years

John Alvin Bateman’s pro career began with the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. He quickly made a name for himself as a promising young catcher. His rise from unknown prospect to key National League player lasted through his Houston years up to 1968.

Joining the Houston Colt .45s

Bateman’s shot at the majors started with his letter-writing push in 1962. The 21-year-old sent out tryout requests, and the Houston Colt .45s took him up on it.

Scout Red Murff invited Bateman to the amateur camp in Texas City for just $50, which covered the basics. Murff liked what he saw and recommended signing him.

After a strong 1962 season with the Modesto Colts in Class C, Bateman moved up. He hit .280 with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs in the California League.

Major League Debut: April 19, 1963

• Opponent: Los Angeles Dodgers
• Pitcher faced: Sandy Koufax
• Result: Struck out as a pinch-hitter

Bateman picked up his first MLB hit off Johnny Podres on April 20, 1963. He hit his first home run the very next day.

Rise as a Catcher in the NL

Houston made Bateman their main catcher fast, even though he barely had any pro experience. He’d only played one year in the minors before making the big leagues.

His 1963 rookie season had ups and downs. He only batted .210, but he led the team in RBIs (59), triples (6), and home runs (10).

The St. Louis Cardinals called him the “best throwing catcher in the league” after his rookie year. But he also led the league in passed balls and catcher errors.

Notable 1963 Achievement: Bateman caught Don Nottebart’s no-hitter on May 17, 1963, the franchise’s first ever.

The 1964 season was rough—Bateman hit just .190. He spent some time in the minors with Oklahoma City but got called back up in September.

Notable Performances with Houston Astros

Bateman’s best year with Houston was 1966, when he set a franchise record with 16 home runs as a catcher. That record lasted until Jason Castro tied it in 2013.

He started hot in 1965, helping Houston reach first place briefly on May 1. On April 18, 1965, Bateman’s two home runs gave Houston all the runs they needed in a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh.

Career Houston Statistics (1963-1968):

• Games: 574
• Batting Average: .230
• Home Runs: 55
• RBIs: 235

Houston traded Bateman after 1968, as they had new catching prospects coming up.

His time in Houston made him known as a steady defensive catcher with a bit of pop. Even though he struggled at the plate, pitchers liked his strong arm and how he called games.

Montreal Expos Era

John Bateman became the first catcher in Montreal Expos history when the team picked him in the 1968 expansion draft. He played three and a half seasons for the Expos, set several defensive records, and caught the first no-hitter in team history on April 17, 1969.

Selection in the Expansion Draft

The Montreal Expos made Bateman their third pick in the 1968 expansion draft on October 14. Houston left him unprotected after picking up Johnny Edwards, a defensive specialist, from the Cardinals.

Montreal picked Bateman early, clearly planning to make him their starting catcher. The Expos valued his leadership and defense even though his hitting had dropped off in Houston.

Bateman’s background with expansion teams mattered. He’d been on the original Houston Colt .45s in 1963 as one of the “Baby Colts.” That made him a great fit to help launch the new Montreal franchise.

Statistical Highlights with the Expos

Bateman started as Montreal’s main catcher in 1969 but ran into some bumps. He played in the team’s first game on April 8 against the Mets and their home opener on April 14 versus the Cardinals.

His offense stayed pretty average in Montreal. In 1969, he hit .209 with 8 home runs in 235 at-bats. The next year was better—he batted .237 with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs in 520 at-bats.

Key Montreal Stats:

• 1969: .209 average, 8 HR, 235 AB
• 1970: .237 average, 15 HR, 68 RBI
• 1971: .242 average, 10 HR, 56 RBI

Bateman set some defensive marks with Montreal. In 1970, his 15 double plays became an all-time Expos record. He caught 1,181 of the team’s 1,438 innings that season, starting 136 games.

Grand Slams and Key Moments

Bateman’s biggest offensive moment with Montreal happened July 2, 1970, against the Cardinals. He hit a grand slam and drove in seven runs, a team record that lasted until 1982.

He caught Bill Stoneman’s no-hitter on April 17, 1969, in Philadelphia. That was the first no-hitter in Expos history. Bateman had also caught the first no-hitter in Houston Astros history, making him a rare figure in the game.

Another cool moment came on September 29, 1970—Bateman hit the last home run ever at Philadelphia’s Connie Mack Stadium, taking Bill Laxton deep. That one’s a little piece of baseball history.

Bateman’s Montreal run ended during the 1972 season after things soured with manager Gene Mauch. He only played 18 games before the Expos traded him to the Phillies for Tim McCarver.

Final Season and Retirement in 1972

John Bateman finished his career in 1972, splitting time between the Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies. His last MLB game was October 3, 1972, capping a ten-year run that started with the Houston Colt .45s.

Trade to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies picked up Bateman from Montreal during the 1972 season. That made the Phillies his fourth MLB team after the Colt .45s, Astros, and Expos.

Philadelphia was Bateman’s last stop in pro baseball. He joined a Phillies squad that finished with just 59 wins in 1972—one of the worst records in the National League that year.

Bateman mostly served as a backup catcher. He worked with pitcher Steve Carlton, who put together an amazing 1972 season even though the team struggled.

1972 Season Performance

Bateman’s 1972 numbers showed a player near the end of his career. In his final MLB game on October 3, 1972, against the Cubs, he went 1-for-4.

His performance with Montreal and Philadelphia that year dropped off. His batting average and power just weren’t what they used to be.

Career Totals Through 1972:

• Games Played: 1,017
• Batting Average: .230
• Home Runs: 81
• RBI: 375

Even though his bat cooled off, Bateman still brought value with his defense and experience behind the plate. Pitchers like Steve Carlton still trusted him to handle the staff late in his career.

Reasons for Retirement

John Bateman retired from professional baseball after the 1972 season when he was 32. He spent a decade in the major leagues and built a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher.

His offensive numbers had started to dip, which probably played a big role in his decision to step away. Teams had begun using him more as a backup than a starter, and that shift signaled his changing status in MLB.

At 32, Bateman was still pretty young for a catcher, at least by today’s standards. Still, catching is brutal on the body, and the grind of pro baseball made it tough to keep going.

His retirement closed out a career that started in the early ’60s and ran through the early ’70s. He played for National League teams and helped put baseball on the map in Houston and Montreal.

Career Achievements and Impact

John Bateman spent ten years in the majors, showing off strong defensive skills and a knack for clutch hits, even if his stats weren’t flashy. People around the league respected him for his steady glove and big arm, especially during his time with Houston and Montreal.

Career Statistics and Milestones

Bateman put together a .230 batting average with 81 home runs and 375 RBIs over 1,017 games in his 10 seasons. He played from 1963 to 1972, suiting up for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Montreal Expos, and Philadelphia Phillies.

His best year was 1966 when he set a Houston Astros franchise record by hitting 16 home runs as a catcher. That record stuck around for decades until Jason Castro matched it in 2013.

During his rookie year in 1963, Bateman hit some impressive milestones. He caught Don Nottebart’s no-hitter, the first in franchise history. He did lead the league in passed balls and errors that year, but he also finished fourth among major league catchers in RBIs with 59.

He racked up 765 hits and scored 250 runs in his career. In 1963, Bateman set a big league record for the fewest walks (13) in a season with at least 100 strikeouts.

Defensive and Offensive Strengths

Bateman’s arm stood out above everything else. Houston general manager Paul Richards once compared him to Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett, saying Bateman could “just grab the ball and fire it.”

The St. Louis Cardinals even called him the “best throwing catcher in the league” early on. His defense made him a trusted backstop, even if he sometimes struggled with passed balls—especially with Houston’s knuckleballers.

At the plate, Bateman had some pop in his right-handed swing. He came through in clutch spots, especially in the minors, where he helped his teams win championships.

He was a big guy—6-foot-3 and 210 pounds—which gave him plenty of power. In spring 1965, Bateman got hot, hitting .400 early and knocking out three of Houston’s first four homers.

Reputation Among Peers

Pitchers liked working with Bateman and trusted him to call a good game. He handled all kinds of pitchers and earned respect in every clubhouse he joined.

Teammates admired his toughness. In one minor league game, a pitch knocked him unconscious and sent him to the hospital for X-rays, but he came back and warmed up a reliever in the eighth inning.

Writers noticed his potential right away. He got some consideration for the Topps All Star Rookie Team in 1963, even though he batted just .210.

Scouts and managers liked his work ethic and smarts. The New York Mets even tried to trade for him, which shows how much other teams valued his skills behind the plate.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Remembrance

After baseball, John Alvin Bateman spent years working with Eddie Feigner’s famous softball team and faced tough health battles. He died on December 3, 1996, after fighting cancer, leaving behind memories of both his athletic feats and personal struggles.

Life After Baseball

Bateman found a surprising new path in softball when his MLB days ended. He caught for Eddie Feigner’s legendary four-man team, “The King and His Court.”

That traveling show was famous for wild performances and serious skill. Bateman would later say he made more money with Feigner than he ever did in the majors.

Switching to softball let Bateman keep using his athletic gifts. His big arm and catching talent fit right in with the team’s entertainment style.

During the late 1970s, Bateman hit the road with The King and His Court. They played all over the country, drawing big crowds who came for their unique brand of softball.

Battle with Cancer

John Bateman faced cancer during his later years. That fight turned out to be tougher than any pitcher he ever had to deal with.

Not many details about his type of cancer or how long he battled it are out there. In the end, the illness took his life on December 3, 1996.

Bateman was 56 when he died. His passing closed the book on a life filled with athletic highs and personal challenges, from tough times as a kid to his career in the big leagues.

Burial and Memorial

Public records don’t offer much about John Alvin Bateman’s burial or his final resting place. When he died in 1996, it marked the end of a baseball journey that began in Oklahoma and took him all the way to the majors.

People in the baseball world remembered Bateman for his defense and that cannon of an arm. Old teammates and rivals talked about what he meant to the early Houston Colt .45s.

His legacy includes franchise records and being part of some big baseball moments. Most notably, he caught Don Nottebart’s no-hitter in 1963, the first ever for Houston.

Collectibles and Popular Culture

John Bateman’s career left a real mark on the collectibles market, especially through his trading cards and memorabilia. His cards from the 1960s and 1970s still draw collectors, even decades after he hung up his spikes.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

Bateman showed up on a bunch of baseball cards during his career, but the 1972 Topps card #5 stands out. That one shows him as a Montreal Expos player and remains a favorite among collectors. The 1972 Topps set has those wild disco-style borders and bold colors that make it really pop.

Topps also put Bateman on collectible coins that came inside card packs in the ’60s. Those metal bottle caps from 1964 now sit in the National Museum of American History. They’re about 1.5 inches across and are a cool piece of baseball memorabilia history.

Card values for Bateman’s stuff bounce around depending on condition and rarity. His rookie cards and Colt .45s cards are particularly prized. The market for his memorabilia has stayed pretty steady with vintage card fans.

Impact on Fan Community

Bateman’s collectibles have built a loyal following among baseball card collectors and Houston Astros fans. Cards from the team’s Colt .45s days mean a lot to folks who collect early franchise stuff. Those items capture a bit of the team’s roots in the National League.

Online forums and trading groups talk about Bateman’s cards and their prices all the time. Collectors like to hunt for his whole run from 1963 to 1972. Fans who appreciate defense seem to especially like his memorabilia.

The Bateman market goes beyond just cards—autographed baseballs and photos show up too. Because he was from Texas, his memorabilia is a hit with collectors from that part of the country.

Mentions in Modern Baseball Media

Modern baseball media brings up Bateman now and then, especially when people talk about the early days of the Houston Astros. Since he served as the team’s main catcher during their shift from the Colt .45s to the Astros, he still pops up in team retrospectives.

Baseball card blogs and collecting sites like to show off Bateman’s cards in their vintage set reviews. The 1972 Topps set, honestly, gets a lot of love for its design and the players it features.

Card grading services still check out Bateman’s cards for collectors, making sure they’re the real deal.

People mention his stats sometimes, like the fact that he caught two no-hitters. That kind of stuff keeps collectors interested in his cards and memorabilia.