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

John DeMerit made his mark in Major League Baseball during the late 1950s and early 1960s as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets. Born January 8, 1936, in West Bend, Wisconsin, people called him “Thumper” during his five seasons in the majors.

DeMerit played his last professional game on May 20, 1962, with the New York Mets at just 26 years old. His career covered parts of five seasons, from 1957 to 1962, with a short break in 1960. Early on, DeMerit grabbed headlines as a bonus baby, signing with the Milwaukee Braves for $100,000 in 1957—a huge sum back then.

His journey through baseball gives us a glimpse into the life of a player who got to experience the thrill of winning a World Series with Milwaukee and the struggles of joining the expansion New York Mets in their first season. From growing up in Wisconsin to his post-baseball life, DeMerit’s story feels pretty familiar to a lot of players from that transformative period in baseball history.

John DeMerit’s Baseball Career Overview

John DeMerit spent five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1957 to 1962, splitting time between the Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets. The Wisconsin native signed a $100,000 bonus contract and picked up a World Series ring with the Braves in 1957.

Early Days and MLB Debut

John Stephen DeMerit was born January 8, 1936, in West Bend, Wisconsin. At Port Washington High School, he became a standout athlete, racking up 16 letters across four sports.

He headed to the University of Wisconsin on a basketball scholarship. After struggling with engineering classes, he switched to physical education. His baseball skills really started to shine during his sophomore year in 1956.

That year, he set a school record with 12 home runs and hit .349. Scouts from all over Major League Baseball started to take notice. During his junior year, 24 scouts showed up to watch him play at Northwestern.

On May 26, 1957, DeMerit signed with the Milwaukee Braves for a $100,000 bonus paid over five years. The bonus baby rule meant the Braves had to keep him on their active roster for two seasons.

He made his MLB debut on June 18, 1957, at 21 years old. DeMerit came in as a ninth-inning defensive replacement against the New York Giants at Milwaukee County Stadium.

Teams Played for: Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets

DeMerit spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Braves from 1957 to 1959, then again in 1961. Because of the bonus baby rule, he couldn’t develop in the minors during his first two seasons.

He got into the 1957 World Series against the New York Yankees as a pinch-runner. The Braves won it all that year, and DeMerit got his only World Series ring.

After struggling to find regular playing time, DeMerit spent time in the Braves’ minor league system. In 1960, he found some satisfaction with the Louisville Colonels, helping them win the Junior World Series.

DeMerit earned the starting center field spot on Opening Day 1961 after Bill Bruton left for Detroit. He was in the lineup for Warren Spahn’s no-hitter against San Francisco on April 28, 1961.

The Braves later traded DeMerit to the New York Mets. He wrapped up his career with 14 games for the 1962 Mets, a team that lost a staggering 120 games in their first season.

Major League Statistics

DeMerit put up modest stats during his five years in the majors. He played 93 games in total for both teams.

Career Statistics:

  • Batting Average: .174
  • Home Runs: 3
  • RBIs: 7
  • Hits: 23
  • Runs Scored: 21

His best season was 1957, when he collected 5 hits in 34 at-bats as a rookie. He struck out 8 times that year while adjusting to major league pitching.

The bonus baby rule really set him back. “You aren’t really working your skills,” DeMerit said later. “I should have been on my way up through the minors and working toward a major-league career.”

DeMerit played his last game on May 20, 1962, with the New York Mets. He retired from professional baseball at 26 after not being able to lock down a regular spot.

Key Years and Milestones

John DeMerit’s baseball career stretched from 1957 to 1962, with big moments like his $100,000 signing bonus with Milwaukee and his spot in the 1957 World Series. His final season with the expansion New York Mets in 1962 closed out his five-year run in the majors.

Notable Seasons

DeMerit’s most important season was 1961 when he finally got regular playing time with the Milwaukee Braves. After years of limited appearances, he started in center field on Opening Day, April 11, 1961, against the Cardinals.

His breakthrough moment came April 28, 1961, playing right field during Warren Spahn’s historic no-hitter against San Francisco at County Stadium. “He knew his craft,” DeMerit recalled about Spahn. “He really was a pitcher. He could put the ball where he wanted it.”

But DeMerit struggled at the plate during this stretch. By May 2, his batting average had dropped to .178, and the Braves brought in Frank Thomas from the Cubs, cutting into his playing time.

The 1960 season stood out as DeMerit’s most satisfying, though it happened in the minors. With the Louisville Colonels, he helped win the Junior World Series against Toronto. He led the Colonels with a .313 postseason average and hit two homers in the championship series.

Highlights of the 1962 Season

The 1962 season ended up being DeMerit’s last in pro baseball, playing for the expansion New York Mets. He appeared in 14 games for the Mets, who set a modern record by losing 120 games.

DeMerit played his first game with the Mets on April 13, 1962. His time with the team was short—he was done by May 20, 1962, which turned out to be his last big league game.

The Mets’ 1962 season was memorable for all the wrong reasons, and DeMerit found himself on a roster full of aging veterans and untested players. The team’s struggles really showed how tough things can be for expansion franchises in their first years.

With New York, DeMerit mostly came off the bench and started occasionally. The Mets kept tinkering with their lineup as they tried to find something that worked.

Transition to Retirement

Once his playing days ended in 1962, DeMerit moved into a career in recreation and athletics administration. He headed back to Wisconsin and took a job running recreational programs.

From 1969 to 1995, DeMerit worked for 26 years in municipal recreation. During that time, his department upgraded facilities and managed a growing slow-pitch softball scene. He also helped run summer playground sites that offered everything from tennis and swimming to baseball.

DeMerit stayed committed to sports and community service after baseball. His work in recreation let him keep a connection to athletics while giving back locally.

He followed a path taken by a lot of players from his era, who often needed new careers after leaving the game. DeMerit found success using his athletic experience in recreational programming and facility management.

Personal Background and Early Life

John Stephen DeMerit was born January 8, 1936, in West Bend, Wisconsin, into a family that loved sports. His athletic talents showed up early in Port Washington, where he shined in several sports before heading to the University of Wisconsin on a basketball scholarship.

Childhood and Hometown

DeMerit grew up in Port Washington, Wisconsin, about 27 miles north of Milwaukee. He was the youngest in a family of four—brothers Samuel Jr. and James, plus sister Nancy.

His athletic ability popped up early. In fifth grade, he ran the 100-yard dash in 12.1 seconds at the Port Relays, setting a local record.

High school athletic highlights:

  • Earned 16 letters in four sports (track, football, basketball, baseball)
  • Led his football team in rushing, passing, kicking, and punting
  • Averaged 24 points per game in basketball, topping the Braveland conference
  • Pitched in the 1953 state tournament baseball semifinals

His dad, Sam DeMerit, worked as the school’s athletic director and track coach from 1926 to 1962. During high school summers, John played American Legion baseball for the Land O’ Lakes team, showing off as a five-tool player.

Education and College Baseball

After high school, DeMerit turned down a Class D contract in the Northern League. He chose to enroll at the University of Wisconsin in fall 1954 on a basketball scholarship.

At first, he planned to study engineering because his father suggested it. But the math was tough, so he switched to physical education and recreation.

College baseball highlights:

  • Played freshman baseball for coach Gene Calhoun
  • Almost got cut as a sophomore, but coach Arthur “Dynie” Mansfield flipped a coin to decide his fate
  • Set a school record with 12 homers in 1956 while batting .349
  • Led the team with 14 RBIs during a key nine-game Florida trip

Wayne “Knobby” Kelliher, his teammate, said, “The ball just hopped off his bat. He also had an absolute cannon for an arm.”

By 1957, DeMerit had become a “sure-fire prospect” to scouts after hitting three triples against Arizona State during a spring trip.

Life After Baseball

John DeMerit shifted from professional baseball to regular life after the Mets released him in May 1962. He built a career in insurance and public service while staying close to his Wisconsin roots.

Post-Retirement Career

DeMerit got into the insurance business not long after leaving baseball. That job gave him a steady income and room to grow outside of sports.

He later became the director of parks and recreation in Port Washington, Wisconsin. That role kept him close to athletics and community service. It fit his background as a former multi-sport athlete who knew the value of recreation.

Port Washington was DeMerit’s hometown, just north of Milwaukee. Working in parks and recreation let him give back to the place where he first developed his athletic skills. His dad, Sam, had been the school’s athletic director and track coach for decades.

Switching from professional athlete to public servant wasn’t easy for many former players, but DeMerit found meaningful work in his home community.

Personal Life and Activities

DeMerit settled back in Wisconsin after baseball. During the 1961 season with the Braves, he was actually waiting for his second daughter to be born.

Family became a bigger focus after he retired from sports. The $100,000 bonus from the Braves in 1957 helped provide for his loved ones. He gave his dad $25,000 from that bonus to buy a house.

DeMerit stayed connected to his athletic past through his parks and recreation work. That let him keep involved with sports and physical activity in his community. His experience as a five-tool player—someone who could hit for average and power, run, throw, and field—made him a great fit for promoting rec programs.

He remained in Wisconsin, where he had starred in high school sports and earned 16 letters in four different sports.

Legacy and Recognition

John DeMerit’s baseball career left a mark on those who knew him, even though his time in the majors was short. He played a part in some big moments and showed what it was like for bonus baby players in the late 1950s.

Reputation Among Teammates and Fans

DeMerit really earned respect from his teammates and coaches, mostly thanks to his natural athletic ability and strong work ethic.

His University of Wisconsin teammate, Wayne “Knobby” Kelliher, remembered him fondly. He said, “the ball just hopped off his bat” and raved about his “absolute cannon for an arm.”

Braves coach Connie Ryan didn’t hold back on praise either. He compared DeMerit to future Hall of Famer Al Kaline, saying, “He’s loose and takes a good cut at the ball.”

That comparison really set the bar high for the young outfielder.

Key Physical Attributes:

  • Height: 6’1″, Weight: 195 lbs
  • Threw and batted right-handed
  • Nickname: “Thumper”

DeMerit’s reputation stretched beyond his on-field skills. Teammates genuinely appreciated his professionalism during tough times, especially when the bonus rule kept him from getting experience in the minors.

Contributions to Baseball History

DeMerit played a unique role in baseball history as a bonus baby during that era’s strict roster rules.

The Milwaukee Braves handed him a $100,000 signing bonus in 1957—a significant investment and a clear sign the team believed in his potential.

He got to be part of some historic moments too, like Warren Spahn’s no-hitter on April 28, 1961. DeMerit started in right field during that icy game at County Stadium.

Later, he praised Spahn, saying, “He knew his craft. He really was a pitcher.”

Notable Career Moments:

  • Appeared in 1957 World Series as pinch-runner
  • Started Opening Day 1961 in center field
  • Selected by New York Mets in 1961 expansion draft

DeMerit’s experience really showed how tough the bonus baby system could be for young players. He struggled without minor league development, and his story nudged baseball toward changing those rules.

Net Worth and Financial Information

John DeMerit’s financial situation reflects what pro baseball looked like in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

His estimated net worth sits around $5 million, mostly because of that $100,000 bonus contract with the Milwaukee Braves, which was a huge deal back then.

Estimated Net Worth

Recent financial analyses estimate John DeMerit’s net worth at $5 million. That’s accumulated wealth over decades, stretching back to his retirement in 1962.

Most of his money came from his initial bonus contract. In 1957, $100,000 was about $1 million in today’s dollars, which made DeMerit one of the highest-paid rookies of his era.

Key Financial Factors:

  • Initial $100,000 bonus contract in 1957
  • Regular season salaries from 1957-1962
  • Potential investments and savings growth over 60+ years
  • World Series earnings from 1957 championship team

His five-season career gave him steady income during his playing years. Still, baseball salaries in the 1950s and early 1960s were pretty modest compared to what players make now.

Earnings During and After Baseball

DeMerit pulled in his baseball earnings from two main sources while he played. That $100,000 bonus contract with Milwaukee? It was easily his biggest payday.

He also got regular season salaries from 1957 through 1962, which padded his income a bit.

When the Milwaukee Braves won the 1957 World Series, DeMerit picked up some extra playoff money. Every player on the winning team got a championship bonus, but, honestly, nobody ever shared the exact amounts.

Career Earnings Breakdown:

  • Bonus Contract: $100,000 (1957)
  • Regular Salaries: Estimated $50,000-75,000 total
  • World Series Bonus: Undisclosed amount

There’s not much out there about his finances after retirement. Most guys from DeMerit’s era had to find other jobs once their baseball days ended.

Back then, there weren’t pension systems or endorsement deals, so players usually needed to earn a living some other way after leaving the game.

His current net worth hints at some pretty sharp financial management and maybe even a few business ventures since baseball.

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