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

John Cumberland put together a solid six-season run in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1974. This lefty from Westbrook, Maine, spent his pro years moving between four teams: the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and California Angels.

Cumberland wrapped up his baseball journey after the 1974 season with the Angels. His career covered 110 MLB games, and he had his best year during San Francisco’s 1971 National League West Division championship run.

Cumberland’s story really fits the mold of that classic journeyman pitcher—he found his spot as a reliable arm during what many consider baseball’s golden era. The highlights? Definitely 1971, when he posted a 2.92 earned run average and even got the nod to start a National League Championship Series game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He showed plenty of versatility, bouncing between starting and relieving, depending on what his team needed.

After he stopped playing, Cumberland jumped into coaching and spent more than two decades helping young pitchers develop in various minor league systems. He also worked with the Boston Red Sox as a pitching coach and scout, showing that his baseball smarts went way beyond just playing.

Cumberland’s whole baseball story gives you a sense of the dedication it takes to stick around in the pros, especially during such a competitive era.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

John Cumberland was born on May 10, 1947, in Westbrook, Maine. He found his love for baseball and football early on.

His path from small-town athlete to pro baseball player started with strong high school performances and a fateful meeting with a Cardinals scout.

Childhood and Hometown

Cumberland grew up in Westbrook, Maine, a small city that shaped his early athletic life. Born in 1947, he spent his childhood in this tight-knit community where sports were a big deal.

Westbrook gave him the foundation he needed for his athletic pursuits. The town’s focus on youth sports let him develop his skills from early on.

As a lefty, Cumberland stood out from other kids. His ability to throw hard set him apart in the area.

The support from his hometown really helped push his baseball dreams forward. People noticed his talent, though honestly, who could have guessed he’d make it to the majors?

High School Achievements

Cumberland went to Westbrook High School, where he excelled in both baseball and football. He became a standout in multiple sports.

His football skills? Pretty impressive. Colleges across the country offered him 52 football scholarships.

Even with all that football success, baseball was still his first love. He kept working on his pitching and technique throughout high school.

His achievements in both sports made him a hot prospect for college recruiters. The way he threw on the baseball diamond only added to his appeal.

Path Toward Professional Baseball

Cumberland’s pro baseball journey started in a pretty unexpected way. He didn’t get picked in the amateur draft, but his raw talent caught Cardinals scout Jeff Jones’ eye.

Jones noticed Cumberland’s potential and took a personal interest. He invited the young pitcher to dinner and offered him a chance to sign with the Cardinals.

“I got 52 scholarships out of high school, mostly for football, but the opportunity came up for baseball, so I signed for a steak dinner,” Cumberland told the Clearwater Times. “What a dummy. If I’d waited a little longer, I could have gotten $30,000 or $40,000, even back then.”

Cumberland signed with the Cardinals in 1966, basically for that steak dinner. He was eager to get his pro career started, though he later admitted he was “anxious for the publicity and all.”

MLB Career Highlights

John Cumberland’s major league career stretched from 1968 to 1974, taking him to four teams and both leagues. He really found his footing with the San Francisco Giants as a reliable left-handed pitcher in the National League.

MLB Debut and First Impressions

Cumberland made his MLB debut on September 27, 1968, with the New York Yankees at just 21. He came in as a reliever in the American League.

The young lefty from Westbrook had a tough time adjusting to major league hitters. In his first season, he pitched only 2.0 innings in one game and finished with a 9.00 ERA.

In 1969, he improved a bit, putting up a 4.50 ERA over 4 innings in two games. His early years with the Yankees didn’t feature many chances or consistent results.

With so little regular playing time, Cumberland struggled to lock down a spot in the Yankees’ rotation. You could see the potential, but like most young pitchers, he needed time to adjust.

Teams Played For

Cumberland played for four teams in his career, getting a taste of both the American and National Leagues. He started out with the New York Yankees (1968-1970), spending his first three seasons there.

In 1970, a mid-season trade sent him to the San Francisco Giants, where he’d have his best years. The Giants kept him around from 1970 to 1972.

He briefly joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972, but that stint didn’t last long. He finished his major league career with the California Angels in 1974.

Cumberland’s best stretch came with San Francisco. Over three seasons with the Giants, he went 11-10 with a 3.46 ERA in 221 innings.

Notable Performances and Achievements

Cumberland’s breakout season came in 1971 with the Giants. He finished 9-6 with a 2.92 ERA over 185 innings, the most work he saw in the big leagues.

That year, he made 45 appearances with 21 starts, completed five games, and threw two shutouts. His 118 ERA+ showed he was better than average compared to the rest of the league.

The 1971 season really marked his peak as both a starter and reliever. He struck out 65 and walked 55, showing better control than in earlier years.

Cumberland’s ability to pitch in different roles made him valuable. Throwing left-handed also gave his managers some strategic options.

Career Milestones

Cumberland closed out his six-year career with a 15-16 record and a 3.82 ERA over 334.1 innings. He appeared in 110 games, started 36, completed six, and threw two shutouts.

He struck out 137 and walked 103, ending up with a 1.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. During his career, he gave up 312 hits and 46 home runs.

His career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) reached 1.2, with his best single-season value of 2.9 in 1971. His WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) was 1.241.

Cumberland made his final big league appearance in 1974 with the Angels. He retired at 27, finishing a career that touched parts of seven seasons in the majors.

Key Playing Attributes

John Cumberland’s six-year MLB run was all about his left-handed pitching versatility and dependable defensive work. He adapted easily between starting and relieving, which made him useful to four different teams.

Pitching Style and Technique

Cumberland pitched left-handed and finished his career with a 3.82 ERA over 334.1 innings. His best year was 1971 with the Giants, when he posted a 2.92 ERA in 45 games.

He showed a lot of flexibility. He started 36 games and also came out of the bullpen 29 times, picking up 2 saves along the way. That kind of adaptability helped him fit wherever he was needed.

His control went up and down. In 1971, he kept walks down to 2.7 per nine innings, but in later seasons, especially 1972, his command slipped and his ERA jumped to 7.71.

Cumberland wasn’t a big strikeout guy, averaging just 3.7 per nine innings. He relied more on locating pitches and mixing speeds than on pure velocity.

Defensive Contributions

Cumberland handled his defensive responsibilities well during his time in the majors. His fielding stats show he made very few errors and covered first base reliably.

He didn’t just stick to the basics. Cumberland finished 6 games as a starter, showing the stamina and focus to go the distance. That kind of durability really helped his teams manage their bullpen.

Holding runners became a bigger part of his job when he came out of the bullpen. His quick delivery to the plate made it tough to steal against him, though stats from that era are a bit hard to find.

His defensive positioning let him handle bunts pretty well. At 6 feet tall, he had enough athleticism to get to balls hit back through the middle.

Noteworthy Games and Rivalries

Cumberland’s career had some big moments that really defined his time in the majors. His most memorable game probably came during the 1971 NL Championship Series, and he crossed paths with some legendary players along the way.

Memorable Matchups

Cumberland’s biggest stage was Game Two of the 1971 NL Championship Series between the Giants and Pirates. He started that game, facing a ton of pressure.

He ran into trouble early against the Pirates’ lineup. In the first inning, he worked around two singles, but things got away from him as the game went on.

In the second, he gave up an RBI single to Manny Sanguillen. Then in the fourth, Bob Robertson hit a solo homer.

After Sanguillen singled again, the Giants took Cumberland out after just three innings. He got tagged with the loss in Pittsburgh’s 9-4 win, allowing three earned runs.

Another game that stands out happened on April 23, 1970. Cumberland picked up his first big-league win, throwing 6⅓ innings of relief against the Washington Senators and striking out six in New York’s 11-6 victory.

He even got his first hit and RBI in that game with a clutch single.

Influential Teammates and Opponents

Cumberland’s career brought him up against some real legends. In his MLB debut on September 27, 1968, he faced Carl Yastrzemski as his first batter.

Yaz hit a comebacker right to Cumberland for an easy out. The rest of the game got tougher—Reggie Smith crushed a two-run homer off him.

With the Giants, Cumberland got to work alongside Hall of Fame pitchers like Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal. That veteran staff gave him valuable experience during his best season in 1971.

Later, as a coach, Cumberland helped future star Dwight Gooden. While coaching for the Lynchburg Mets, he worked with Gooden on his changeup and helped him speed up his delivery.

In one big moment, Cumberland challenged the 18-year-old Gooden after he loaded the bases with nobody out. He told Gooden he didn’t think he wanted to win and questioned his competitiveness.

Gooden struck out the side and finished the season with 19 wins.

Statistics and Signature Moments

Cumberland wrapped up his six-year career with a 15-16 record and a 3.82 ERA in 110 games. His best season came in 1971 with San Francisco, where he went 9-6 and posted a 2.92 ERA.

Pitching Records and Stats

Cumberland really hit his stride in the middle of his career. Over 334.1 innings, he struck out 137 batters.

His career WHIP sat at 1.241, which showed pretty solid command for a lefty back then.

On average, he managed 3.7 strikeouts every nine innings. He finished six games and tossed two shutouts.

Cumberland also picked up two saves, proving he could handle different roles on the mound.

His best numbers came with the Giants in 1971. That season, he struck out 65 hitters in 185 innings and kept his control sharp.

Cumberland posted a 2.92 ERA that year, which stacked up well against other Giants pitchers.

Significant Seasons

1971 really stands out as Cumberland’s signature year. He pitched in 45 games for San Francisco and started 21 of them.

He finished five of those games, and two were shutouts—so he definitely knew how to close things out.

Cumberland’s 1971 stats looked strong across the board. Opposing batters only hit .204 against him, and he posted a 118 ERA+, which meant he was well above average.

He racked up 2.9 WAR that season, his highest mark in any year.

The next year, 1972, brought some real struggles. Splitting time between San Francisco and St. Louis, he ended up with a 7.71 ERA over 23 games.

Things got a bit better in 1974 with California. He pitched in 17 games as a reliever and put up a 3.74 ERA.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

John Cumberland wrapped up his Major League career in 1974 at just 27, closing out a six-year run through professional baseball.

He moved down to Florida and spent his retirement years working on his autobiography. Sometimes he’d look back on his baseball experiences and reflect on his journey.

Final Season and Retirement in 1974

Cumberland’s final season came with the California Angels in 1974. His last game came on July 27, 1974, which closed the book on his professional career.

He walked away from baseball at 27, which is pretty young for a player to call it quits. Cumberland spent six seasons in the majors, from 1968 to 1974.

He pitched for four teams: the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and California Angels. The Angels ended up being his last stop.

After he officially retired, Cumberland stepped away from the baseball scene entirely. He didn’t go into coaching or chase other baseball gigs like some players do.

Post-Retirement Activities

Cumberland moved to Florida after his baseball career ended. He’d lived there right after high school and just figured he’d stick around for good.

In his retirement, Cumberland started working on his autobiography, “Four C’s.” He spent a lot of time dictating and helping write the book, which focused on the ideas he felt were the foundation for success.

Those four C’s? They summed up the core principles he believed anyone needed to reach their goals.

Cumberland teamed up with St. Cyr for the project. That book really became a big part of his life after baseball.

He spent hours reflecting on his experiences, trying to share what he’d learned about success.

After he retired, the former pitcher kept things pretty quiet in Florida. He mostly stayed out of the spotlight and put his energy into his personal life and writing.