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

John Verhoeven made his mark in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher for four seasons in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Born July 3, 1952, in Long Beach, California, he threw right-handed for three teams before hanging up his cleats after the 1981 season.

Verhoeven finished his MLB career with a 3-8 record, a 3.79 ERA, and 90 strikeouts in 99 games for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Minnesota Twins. The Angels picked him in the 12th round of the 1974 draft out of the University of La Verne. He made his debut on July 6, 1976, at Anaheim Stadium against Cleveland.

After his playing days ended in 1981, Verhoeven’s story didn’t stop with baseball stats. He moved from the mound to coaching, shaping younger players. His journey from California to his last pitch in Minnesota is worth a closer look.

Early Life and Education

John Verhoeven entered the world on July 3, 1952, in Long Beach, California. He honed his baseball skills during his time at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, then kept playing in college.

Birth and Family Background

John C. Verhoeven was born in Long Beach, California. Growing up in Southern California meant he could play baseball all year thanks to the great weather.

The Long Beach area produced a lot of baseball talent in the 1950s and 1960s. Verhoeven jumped into competitive youth baseball early, which definitely shaped his future.

His family supported his athletic development. That encouragement in Long Beach let him focus on pitching from a young age.

High School Experiences

He attended Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, California. That region was a hotbed for baseball, and plenty of future pros played there.

At Valley Christian, he pitched and kept refining his skills. Standing 6’5” and weighing 200 pounds, he definitely stood out on the mound.

The high school program gave him a tough schedule against other talented players. His performance caught the eyes of college scouts.

College Baseball at University of La Verne and Westmont College

After high school, Verhoeven played college baseball at both the University of La Verne and Westmont College. His college years helped him develop into a pro prospect.

At La Verne, he worked on his pitching and game management. The competition was a step up from high school.

Both colleges gave him the foundation he needed for pro baseball. The California Angels drafted him in the 12th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft while he was at La Verne.

Scouts had noticed his college performances. Those years were crucial for his future in the majors.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

John Verhoeven pitched in the majors from 1976 to 1981, appearing in 99 games for three teams. He worked mostly as a relief pitcher, ending up with a 3-8 record, a 3.79 ERA, and four saves.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Verhoeven made his Major League debut on July 6, 1976, at Anaheim Stadium against Cleveland. He entered with two outs in the sixth and finished the game for the Angels, giving up three hits and one run over 3.1 innings.

He spent his first two seasons with the California Angels (1976-1977). In Anaheim, he pitched in 24 games, posted a 3.43 ERA, and notched four saves.

In 1977, the Chicago White Sox traded for Verhoeven mid-season. He made six appearances for Chicago, putting up a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings.

The Minnesota Twins picked him up for the 1980 season after he missed 1978 and 1979. He pitched his last two MLB seasons in Minnesota, appearing in 69 games from 1980-1981. With the Twins, he got all three of his career wins and posted a 3.98 ERA.

Notable Games and Performances

Verhoeven’s best season came in 1980 with Minnesota, when he appeared in 44 games and pitched 99.2 innings. That was the most he ever pitched in one season. He finished the year with three wins, four losses, and a 3.97 ERA.

He actually put up his best stats with Chicago in 1977. In those six games, he managed a 2.61 ERA and gave up just nine hits in 10.1 innings.

Throughout his career, Verhoeven worked only as a reliever—never started a game in those 99 MLB appearances. He finished 46 games and logged four saves, mostly working as a middle reliever and sometimes as a closer.

His last MLB game came with Minnesota in 1981. He pitched in 25 games that year, then landed in the minors in 1982 before retiring.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Verhoeven, at 6’5” and 200 pounds, cut an imposing figure on the mound. His height helped him throw with a good downward angle, which probably made hitters uncomfortable.

As a reliever, he averaged 4.0 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. His WHIP was 1.358, showing decent control, but he sometimes struggled with walks, averaging 2.8 per nine.

He showed real durability, especially with Minnesota. In 1980, he pitched nearly 100 innings over 44 games, proving he could handle a heavy workload.

His career ERA+ of 108 means he was slightly above league average as a pitcher. He also did a good job limiting home runs—just 0.7 per nine innings.

Key Moments and Achievements in the 1981 Season

John Verhoeven’s 1981 season with the Minnesota Twins turned out to be his last in the majors. He pitched in 25 games and showed solid control on the mound. At Metropolitan Stadium, he stood out for his command of the strike zone.

Role with the Minnesota Twins

Verhoeven served as a reliever for the Twins in 1981. He pitched in 25 games, all out of the bullpen.

He filled a key spot in the Twins’ pitching staff. Of his appearances, 17 were at Metropolitan Stadium and 8 were on the road.

His final major league outing came on October 4, 1981, against the Chicago White Sox. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits and two runs, struck out one, and didn’t walk anyone.

That game closed out his four-season big league career, which started in 1976. He finished up with the Twins at age 29.

Statistical Highlights from 1981

In 1981, Verhoeven’s strikeout-to-walk ratio was his most impressive stat. He posted 2.8 strikeouts per nine innings, which was the 5th-lowest among the 309 pitchers who played at Metropolitan Stadium.

His control really stood out among Twins pitchers. Only four other Twins—Paul Hartzell, Fernando Arroyo, and Eddie Bane—had better strikeout rates.

By the end of 1981, Verhoeven had racked up 3 wins and 8 losses in 99 career games. He played for the Angels, White Sox, and Twins during his time in the majors.

Impact at Metropolitan Stadium

At Metropolitan Stadium, Verhoeven proved to be a reliable pitcher. He took the mound there 17 times—more than twice as often as on the road.

His 2.8 strikeouts per nine innings put him among the best control pitchers in the stadium’s history. He knew how to throw strikes and avoid walks.

The Twins’ bullpen leaned on his experience and command that year. He brought some stability to relief situations at the downtown Minneapolis ballpark.

Metropolitan Stadium was the site of his final MLB moments. That October 4th game against Chicago was his last professional appearance, ending his career where he’d found some success.

Playing Statistics and Career Records

John Verhoeven’s big league career ran from 1976 to 1981, and he pitched in 99 games, finishing with a 3-8 record and a 3.79 ERA. His best season came in 1980 with the Twins, when he won all his big league games and threw nearly 100 innings.

Overall MLB Pitching Stats

Verhoeven finished his career with 3 wins, 8 losses, and 99 relief appearances. He never started a game in the majors. His ERA was 3.79, and he struck out 90 in 204 innings.

The Angels gave him his debut on July 6, 1976. That year, he pitched in 21 games, put up a 3.38 ERA, and collected four saves. His best season was 1980 with Minnesota, where he went 3-4 in 44 games.

Career Totals:

• Games: 99
• Wins: 3
• Losses: 8
• ERA: 3.79
• Strikeouts: 90
• Innings Pitched: 204.0
• WHIP: 1.358

He posted his best ERA—2.61—during a short stint with the White Sox in 1977. He split his career among three teams, but the Twins used him the most in his final two years.

Minor League Performance

Before reaching the majors, Verhoeven worked his way through the Angels’ minor league system after they drafted him in 1974. Coming out of the University of La Verne, he had to adjust to the grind of pro baseball.

His minor league numbers looked promising for a reliever, which led to his big league call-up in 1976. Moving up from college to pro ball took some time, but he focused on refining his pitching and building stamina.

Those minor league years helped him succeed later with the Twins. He learned to handle pressure and pitch multiple innings as a relief specialist.

Comparisons with Peers

Relievers in the late 1970s usually posted ERAs between 3.00 and 4.00, so Verhoeven’s 3.79 fit right in. His 1.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio showed he had decent control for the era. Lots of relievers back then struggled to stay consistent year to year.

His 99 career games weren’t a huge total compared to the top relief specialists. He mostly worked as a middle reliever, which was pretty typical before closers became a big deal. Four years in the majors was about average for guys in that role.

In 1980, his numbers stacked up well with other American League relievers. The 44 appearances and nearly 100 innings showed that Minnesota counted on him as a durable relief option.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

John Verhoeven wrapped up his MLB career after the 1981 season and spent one last year in the minors before moving into coaching. He found real success in college coaching, especially during his 16 years at Biola University.

Reasons for Retiring in 1981

Verhoeven decided to retire from professional baseball after his performance dropped off in 1981. He pitched in 25 games for the Minnesota Twins that year but just couldn’t recapture his earlier form.

He tried to stick with it in 1982, spending the entire season in the minors. He never managed to make it back to the majors.

At 30, Verhoeven realized his playing days were winding down. Getting sent down to the minors made it pretty clear that his five-year major league run was over.

Instead of chasing another shot, Verhoeven chose to retire from playing. That move let him jump into coaching while his baseball instincts were still fresh.

Post-Baseball Career

After stepping away from playing in 1982, Verhoeven jumped into coaching without much delay. He spent 22 years working at different Southern California schools, picking up experience at all sorts of levels.

He coached at Cal State San Dominguez, Pepperdine University, and Loyola Marymount University. Each stop helped him shape his coaching style and find talented local players.

In 1998, Verhoeven took over as head baseball coach at Biola University. That job turned into the most significant chapter of his post-playing career, lasting 16 seasons up to 2013.

At Biola, Verhoeven put together a .656 winning percentage and racked up 546 total wins. He became the program’s all-time wins leader and got named GSAC Coach of the Year five times.

Community Involvement and Legacy

Verhoeven’s influence stretched far beyond the scoreboard while he coached. He helped 20 players land MLB contracts, with 13 of them getting drafted.

His teams reached the NAIA postseason 10 times. The Eagles even made it to the NAIA World Series three times, turning Biola into a real contender.

“Playing under coach Verhoeven has been an absolute blessing,” said senior co-captain Nick Turner. “This guy understands a lot about the game of baseball and it is an honor being a part of his prestigious coaching career.”

Verhoeven brought real-world credibility to his coaching, thanks to his experience as a player. Players appreciated his stories and advice from his days at the top.

The university celebrated Verhoeven with a retirement ceremony during his last home series on April 12, 2013. His legacy lives on through the players he mentored and the program he built at Biola.

Personal Life and Net Worth

John Verhoeven kept his personal life pretty quiet during and after his Major League days. His estimated net worth reflects the modest paychecks he earned from both playing and coaching.

Family and Personal Interests

John Verhoeven was born July 3, 1953, in Long Beach, California. He grew up in Southern California and went to Valley Christian High School in Cerritos before heading off to college.

He attended both La Verne College and Westmont College. That educational background definitely helped him later on as a coach.

After stepping away from pro baseball in 1981, Verhoeven stayed close to the game. From 1984 to 1990, he ran the Grand Slam USA Baseball Academy in Anaheim, California.

His passion for developing young talent led him to several coaching positions. He worked as pitching coach at California State University, Dominguez Hills from 1991 to 1994.

Verhoeven also coached at Pepperdine University in 1996 and Loyola Marymount University in 1997. His biggest coaching run came at Biola University, where he led the team from 1998 to 2013.

Estimated Net Worth and Financial Overview

John Verhoeven has an estimated net worth of about $2 million as of the latest reports. Most of that comes from his four seasons in MLB and the coaching jobs he took on afterward.

He mainly earned his income as a professional baseball player with the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Minnesota Twins. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, player salaries just weren’t what they are today.

After his playing days, Verhoeven added to his wealth through coaching. He ran a baseball academy and held several coaching positions that brought in steady paychecks.

The Grand Slam USA Baseball Academy, which he ran for six years, seemed to really help set up his finances. Later, he spent many years as head coach at Biola University, and that job gave him reliable earnings well into his career.