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

John Felske’s baseball career is one of those classic stories in pro sports, where big dreams run up against the tough world of major league competition. Born in Chicago, Felske spent just parts of three seasons in the majors with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers before he called it quits in 1973.

Felske retired in 1973 after struggling at the plate for most of his brief major league stint. He finished with a .135 batting average, one home run, and nine RBIs in 52 games. His exit as a player capped a 12-year journey through the minors, where he spent most of his career sharpening his skills behind the plate.

Sure, Felske’s stats as a player might not jump off the page, but honestly, there’s more to his story than just numbers. He moved from player to coach and then to manager, which really says a lot about his persistence in baseball. He went on to guide teams at all sorts of levels and eventually managed a major league club. His climb through baseball’s coaching ranks and the impact he had on the game show that success in baseball isn’t just about what you do as a player.

Early Life and Education

John Frederick Felske was born on May 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his early years there before heading to the University of Illinois for college.

His path took him from Chicago’s Lane Technical High School to collegiate baseball at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Childhood in Chicago, Illinois

John Frederick Felske came into the world on May 30, 1942, right in Chicago. Growing up in the Windy City during the 1940s and 1950s, he was surrounded by a rich baseball culture.

Chicago’s baseball scene probably sparked his early love for the sport. The Cubs and White Sox both called the city home, so local kids had plenty of big-league heroes to look up to.

His childhood in Chicago set the stage for his future in baseball. Youth programs in the city helped him develop as a catcher.

Felske’s upbringing gave him a solid foundation for his journey into pro baseball. The city offered lots of chances to play and watch the game at different levels.

Lane Technical High School Background

Felske went to Lane Technical High School in Chicago, where he kept working on his baseball game. Lane Tech had a reputation for strong sports programs and solid academics.

During his high school years, he played baseball and really started to hone those catching skills that would define his career. The competitive vibe at Lane Tech prepared him for college athletics.

The school gave Felske both an academic boost and a place to grow as an athlete. Looking back, his time there was key to getting him ready for what came next.

His performance at Lane Tech probably helped him get noticed by college scouts. It set him up nicely for the University of Illinois.

Collegiate Years at the University of Illinois

Felske took his education and baseball ambitions to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The baseball program there gave him a shot at tougher competition and better coaching.

Those college years played a big part in shaping the skills that eventually took him to the pros. Illinois offered him a chance to learn from experienced coaches and face higher-level opponents.

Playing college ball at Illinois helped Felske sharpen his catching and deepen his baseball smarts. That experience got him ready for the grind of professional baseball.

He managed to balance academics with athletics, still chasing his baseball dreams. Illinois turned out to be the stepping stone he needed before signing with the Chicago Cubs in the late 1960s.

Professional Playing Career

John Frederick Felske’s pro career as a player stretched from 1968 to 1973. He played catcher for two Major League Baseball teams.

He started out with the Chicago Cubs in 1968 and wrapped up with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973. He didn’t have much success at the plate, finishing with a .135 career batting average.

Signing with the Chicago Cubs

John Felske kicked off his pro baseball journey when he signed with the Chicago Cubs. Born and raised in Chicago, he’d gone from Lane Technical High School to the University of Illinois.

The Cubs liked what they saw in the 6’3″, 195-pound right-handed catcher. Felske worked his way up through their minor league system before finally getting a shot at the majors.

Landing with his hometown team made the signing extra special. The Cubs put effort into developing Felske’s skills, betting on his size and baseball IQ.

MLB Debut and Brief Chicago Cubs Stint

Felske made his MLB debut on July 26, 1968, with the Cubs at age 26. That day marked the payoff for all the years he’d spent grinding in the minors.

He served as a backup catcher during his time with the Cubs. Playing time was scarce, and he found it tough to break through as a regular.

Eventually, the Cubs moved on from Felske after his short stint. He just didn’t do enough at the plate to stick around for the long haul.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

Felske got another shot with the Milwaukee Brewers, playing there from 1972 to 1973. That stretch was probably the most significant part of his big-league career.

Notable Achievement: Felske hit his only career home run on June 1, 1972, off Yankees pitcher Lindy McDaniel. The Brewers won 9-8, making that homer even sweeter for him.

He filled a similar role in Milwaukee, mainly backing up and getting limited playing time.

The Brewers gave Felske his last chance to make it in the majors. Even though the numbers weren’t great, the experience would help him down the road as a coach and manager.

MLB Career Summary and Retirement in 1973

Felske’s playing days ended in 1973, with his final game coming on September 8. His stats summed up the challenges he faced as a hitter.

Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 54
• Batting Average: .135
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 9
• Teams: Chicago Cubs (1968), Milwaukee Brewers (1972-1973)

That .135 batting average really tells the story of his struggles at the plate. Even though he had some defensive chops as a catcher, he just couldn’t get it going with the bat.

After stepping away as a player, Felske jumped right into managing in the Brewers’ farm system in 1974. That move turned out to be a lot more successful, eventually putting him in charge of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Career Highlights and Player Profile

John Frederick Felske’s brief MLB career covered three seasons from 1968 to 1973. He put up a .135 average in 54 games with the Cubs and Brewers.

He was known for his defense as a catcher, and that lone home run in 1972 stands out as a highlight from his time in the majors.

Catching Style and Defensive Abilities

Felske mostly played as a catcher, logging 33 games behind the plate in the big leagues. He handled pitchers pretty well for the Brewers.

During his time in Milwaukee, Felske threw out 8 runners trying to steal and allowed 3 steals. That worked out to a 27.3% caught stealing rate, which was below the league average of 38.6% back then.

His fielding percentage as a catcher was .969 over three seasons. That’s a bit below the league average of .985, but it’s hard to judge with such limited playing time.

Felske also filled in at first base for 14 games. He posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage there, showing he could handle more than one position when the team needed it.

Batting Performance and Notable Statistics

Felske’s offense wasn’t really his calling card. He picked up 14 hits in 104 at-bats during his MLB career.

He hit just .135, with not much pop. Over his whole big-league run, he managed one home run, one triple, and three doubles.

Career Offensive Statistics:

• Batting Average: .135
• On-Base Percentage: .202
• Slugging Percentage: .212
• RBI: 9
• Runs Scored: 7

His best year with the bat came in 1972 for Milwaukee, when he hit .138 with 11 hits in 80 at-bats. That was also the year he hit his only home run.

Memorable Home Run and Key Games

Felske’s one and only big-league home run came on June 1, 1972, against the Yankees. He took Lindy McDaniel deep in a 9-8 Brewers win.

That homer was easily the high point of his short MLB career. It happened during his busiest season, when he played 37 games for Milwaukee.

His last MLB game came in 1973 with the Brewers. He played 13 games that season, picking up 3 hits in 22 at-bats before calling it a career.

Right after his playing days ended, Felske switched gears and started managing in the Brewers’ farm system. He led the Newark Co-Pilots in 1974, kicking off what would become a pretty solid run as a manager and coach.

Transition to Coaching and Managing

After he hung up his cleats in 1973, John Frederick Felske jumped straight into baseball management and coaching. He spent nearly a decade learning the ropes in the minors before landing major league coaching and managing gigs with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies.

Minor League Managing Roles

Felske started his post-playing career in 1974 as manager of the Newark Co-Pilots in the New York-Penn League. That first year, his team went 30-36 and finished fifth.

He spent the next couple of years in the Eastern League. In 1975, he managed the Thetford Mines Miners to a 59-80 record and a seventh-place finish. The next year, things picked up with the Berkshire Brewers, who finished at .500 with a 68-68 record.

Felske’s minor league run peaked during three years in the Pacific Coast League. He managed the Spokane Indians in 1977 and 1978, with records of 75-69 and 64-75.

His best minor league season came in 1979 with the Vancouver Canadians. That team went 79-68 and made the playoffs, but they lost in the first round.

After a short stint back in the majors, Felske returned to the minors with the Phillies. He managed the Reading Phillies in 1982 (63-75) and the Portland Beavers in 1983 (75-67), winning the League Championship with Portland.

Toronto Blue Jays Coaching Experience

In 1980, Felske left the Brewers organization to join the Toronto Blue Jays as a coach. That was his first time back in the majors since his playing days ended.

He worked as the Blue Jays’ bullpen coach for the 1980 and 1981 seasons. That job gave him valuable experience working with big-league pitchers and learning how MLB teams operate.

The Toronto stint was a big step for Felske. It helped bridge the gap between his minor league managing days and his future as a major league manager.

Philadelphia Phillies Managerial Career

Felske joined the Phillies organization in 1982, starting out managing in the minors. After two years working with prospects, he moved up to the major league coaching staff in 1984.

On September 30, 1984, the Phillies promoted Felske to manager. His first full season in 1985 ended with a 75-87 record and a fifth-place finish in the National League.

The Phillies had their best year under Felske in 1986, finishing 86-75 and taking second place behind the Mets. That turnaround showed he could get the most out of his players.

But the 1987 season got off to a rough start. After a 29-32 record, the Phillies replaced Felske with Lee Elia on June 18, 1987. His final MLB managerial record was 190 wins and 194 losses over two and a half seasons.

Legacy and Influence in Baseball

John Frederick Felske’s baseball legacy goes way beyond his short time as a player. Honestly, his biggest mark came from how he developed young talent and moved from playing to managing in big league organizations.

He shaped several franchises with his coaching philosophy and player development style.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Felske really made a difference by helping players grow in several organizations. When he retired in 1973, he jumped right into managing the Milwaukee Brewers’ farm system in 1974.

He showed his knack for developing talent with the 1979 Vancouver Canadians. They grabbed the Pacific Coast League division title with him leading the way.

With the 1983 Portland Beavers, he pulled off another big win. That team took home a PCL divisional championship, and it just proved he could build winning teams at Triple-A.

During his time with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1980 to 1981, Felske worked as bullpen coach for Bobby Mattick. Since he’d been a catcher, he really helped pitchers grow and understood game strategy.

He always emphasized the basics and player development. I’ve heard players and teammates mention how much he focused on details and the technical side of the game.

Recognition and Career Retrospective

Felske’s managerial record of 190-194 with the Philadelphia Phillies stands out as his most visible MLB accomplishment. He managed the Phillies from September 30, 1984, to June 18, 1987.

The 1986 season was his high point as manager. That year, the Phillies jumped to 86 wins and finished second in the NL East, which was a pretty big leap from the previous season’s 75 wins.

His playing days may have been short, but he still had some highlights, like his single career home run on June 1, 1972, off Lindy McDaniel. The Brewers actually beat the Yankees 9-8 in that one.

Baseball historians see Felske as part of that group of players who made the jump to managing. His path from minor league player to MLB manager is pretty much the classic baseball story.

He played 52 games in the majors, and that gave him some credibility with players he managed later. Even though he only hit .135, he understood what struggling players went through.

Personal Life and Net Worth

John Frederick Felske lived a quiet life after baseball. He settled in Blue Eye, Missouri, and spent his last years there until he passed away in November 2024 at age 82.

Later Years After Baseball

After leaving the Phillies in 1987, Felske walked away from pro baseball for good. He didn’t go after more coaching or front office jobs in the majors.

He just wanted to focus on his family and personal life. During retirement, he kept a really low profile.

He hardly ever did interviews or showed up at baseball events. Felske preferred to stay out of the media spotlight that followed him during his career.

He kept in touch with a few old teammates and colleagues. Felske never wrote a memoir or joined in on baseball documentaries about his era.

Life in Blue Eye, Missouri

Felske chose Blue Eye, Missouri, a quiet little town near the Arkansas border, as his home. It’s close to Table Rock Lake, which gave him a peaceful place to enjoy his retirement.

With fewer than 200 people living there, Blue Eye offered the privacy he wanted. He lived there with his family and sometimes took part in local community activities.

The rural setting let Felske enjoy fishing and hunting. The slow pace and natural beauty of the area matched his wish to stay out of the public eye.

Estimated Net Worth and Legacy

Felske’s financial situation really showed his modest baseball career earnings. Back in the late 1960s and 1970s, he took home what backup catchers usually made, which wasn’t much compared to today’s numbers.

When he managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1985 to 1987, he finally earned a bit more. Still, his short time as manager meant he didn’t rack up a huge total.

Career Earnings Factors:

• He only played 52 games in the majors.
• Managed for just about 2.5 seasons.
• He played before free agency changed salaries.

People remember Felske more for his grit than his bank account. His .135 career batting average is pretty rough for someone with real MLB time, but he still found a way to move into coaching and managing.