Johnny Schmitz – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Johnny Schmitz wrapped up his 13-season Major League Baseball career on September 7, 1956. That marked the end of a pretty remarkable journey—he played for seven different teams and even had his career interrupted by World War II.

The left-handed pitcher, known as “Bear Tracks” because of his shuffling walk to the mound, put together a career record of 93 wins and 114 losses while wearing the uniforms of some of baseball’s most legendary teams.

He bounced around the major leagues from the Chicago Cubs, where he became a two-time All-Star, to the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, and finally the Baltimore Orioles.

Schmitz’s career had some wild highs—like leading the National League in strikeouts in 1946—and some tough stretches that really tested his grit.

If you look at Johnny Schmitz’s story, you see the kind of dedication it takes to stick around in baseball for so long, especially during a time when players switched teams a lot and the competition was absolutely fierce.

His last season with Baltimore closed out a career that really showed just how unpredictable baseball can be, and how much persistence you need to make it at the top.

Johnny Schmitz’s Baseball Journey and Career Overview

John Albert Schmitz built a 13-season career in Major League Baseball from 1941 to 1956. He played for seven different teams along the way.

He started out as a Wisconsin kid and worked his way up to the big leagues, with wartime service and some impressive achievements, like All-Star selections and a National League strikeout title.

Early Life and Background

Johnny Schmitz was born on November 27, 1920, in Wausau, Wisconsin. His parents, Otto and Marie Schmitz, raised him in a family where his dad worked at a paper mill, and all his grandparents had come over from Germany.

He grew to six feet tall and weighed about 170 pounds. Schmitz went to Wausau schools through ninth grade and quickly became a standout in American Legion baseball.

Back in 1937, he pulled off the rare feat of striking out four batters in one inning. That’s not something you see every day.

People started calling him “Bear Tracks” because of the way he shuffled to the mound. That slow, deliberate walk stuck with him his whole career.

At 17, the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association signed him in 1937. They sent him to the Hopkinsville Hoppers of the Class-D Kitty League for his first season in pro ball.

Path to Major League Baseball

Schmitz started his minor league career in 1938 with the Hopkinsville Hoppers. He pitched 110 innings in 21 games, finishing with an 11-2 record and a 3.44 ERA.

That team finished first in the league. The Chicago Cubs picked up his contract before the 1939 season.

He spent most of that year with the Bloomington Bloomers in the Class-B Three-I League. Schmitz posted a 14-12 record and a 4.02 ERA.

Brooklyn Dodgers scout Dan McGrew really liked what he saw, calling Schmitz “the best young left hander I’ve seen since I first watched the late Rube Benton.” McGrew said, “Schmitz has a great curve.”

Schmitz made his major league debut on September 6, 1941, in Pittsburgh. Cubs manager Jimmie Wilson put him in during the seventh inning.

Schmitz faced six batters and threw two hitless innings in his first big league game. He picked up his first win on September 10 at Wrigley Field.

He came in with runners on base and got Cookie Lavagetto to ground into a double play. The Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, giving Schmitz the win.

Military Service and Impact on Career

Schmitz joined the United States Navy on August 3, 1942, and served until early January 1946. That four-year military service hit pause on his baseball career just as things were heating up.

While in the Navy, he pitched for Mickey Cochrane’s Great Lakes Naval Training Center team. He even faced his old team, teaming up with Vern Olsen to beat the Cubs 5-1 in an exhibition game in Davenport, Iowa, on June 7, 1943.

The Navy sent him to the Pacific as a specialist 3rd class in the athletic department, so he didn’t get to play much baseball. Still, he kept his skills sharp enough to jump right back into the majors.

When he returned in 1946, Schmitz rejoined the Chicago Cubs for spring training on Catalina Island. He started 31 games and made the All-Star team that year.

Schmitz led the National League with 135 strikeouts and put up a strong 2.61 ERA, even though his record was 11-11.

Legacy in Baseball

Schmitz finished with a career record of 93 wins and 114 losses over 368 games. He played for seven teams: the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.

His best years came in the late 1940s with the Cubs. In 1948, he put together an 18-13 record with a 2.64 ERA and earned his second All-Star selection.

He finished 12th in MVP voting that year. Schmitz built a reputation as an excellent fielding pitcher, finishing with a .963 lifetime fielding percentage.

He led all pitchers in assists in 1948 and 1950. Schmitz went error-free in several seasons, including 1951, 1952, and 1955.

After hurting his arm in 1949, Schmitz started throwing more curveballs than fastballs. He managed to rack up 16 shutouts in his career.

After retiring, he worked as a groundskeeper at a Wausau golf course for 32 years. Schmitz passed away on October 1, 2011.

Major League Teams and Notable Transfers

Schmitz played for seven different major league teams during his 13-season run. His longest stay was with the Chicago Cubs from 1941 to 1951.

In June 1951, a big eight-player trade sent him to Brooklyn and kicked off a stretch where he played for five different teams in his last five seasons. That’s a lot of packing and unpacking.

Chicago Cubs Era

Schmitz started his major league career with the Chicago Cubs in September 1941. He made his debut on September 6 against Pittsburgh and threw two hitless innings in relief.

The young lefty showed promise right away. He grabbed his first win on September 10 against Brooklyn after getting a double play.

His first complete game came on September 14—a five-hit victory over Boston. World War II put his career on hold from 1942 to 1945, as Schmitz spent four years in the U.S. Navy.

He missed what could have been some of his best years. After returning in 1946, Schmitz became the Cubs’ ace pitcher.

He led the National League with 135 strikeouts and posted a 2.61 ERA. That performance earned him his first All-Star nod.

His best season was in 1948, when he went 18-13 with a 2.64 ERA. Schmitz made his second All-Star appearance and finished 12th in MVP voting.

The Cubs leaned on his left-handed arm during those years. By 1950, though, Schmitz started to slip.

His ERA jumped to 4.99, and he struggled with control. Arm problems that started in 1949 kept bothering him.

Brooklyn Dodgers and Trade Details

On June 15, 1951, the Cubs traded Schmitz in a big eight-player deal with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Andy Pafko, Wayne Terwilliger, Rube Walker, and Schmitz went to Brooklyn.

The Cubs got Bruce Edwards, Joe Hatten, Gene Hermanski, and Eddie Miksis in return. Cubs manager Frank Frisch said, “We had to do something” after losing eight of nine games.

Schmitz had a tough time with Brooklyn, going 1-4 with a 5.34 ERA. At the time of the trade, he already had an 8.00 ERA with Chicago.

The move to Brooklyn gave him a fresh start, but he couldn’t quite recapture his earlier form.

New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds Tenure

In July 1952, the New York Yankees picked up Schmitz on waivers for $10,000. No National League team wanted to pay the waiver price, so the Yankees got him.

Schmitz pitched in five games for New York, starting two. He won one and lost one during his short Yankees stint.

On August 28, 1952, the Yankees traded Schmitz to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a deal for pitcher Ewell Blackwell. That deal included four players and $35,000 going to Cincinnati.

The Reds barely used Schmitz, giving him just three appearances totaling five innings. Still, he finished 1952 with a combined 3.71 ERA across three teams.

Cincinnati sold Schmitz back to the Yankees on February 16, 1953. The Yankees needed a lefty after sending Joe Ostrowski to their Pacific Coast League affiliate.

Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, and Final Season with Baltimore Orioles

The Washington Senators picked up Schmitz during the 1954 season. He got more regular work with Washington, pitching in several games as both a starter and reliever.

Schmitz moved on to the Boston Red Sox, where he kept pitching effectively, even as he got older. He changed his approach, focusing more on location and changing speeds instead of pure velocity.

He wrapped up his career in 1956 with the Baltimore Orioles. Schmitz made his last major league appearance on September 7, 1956, capping a career that spanned 366 games.

Career Statistics Summary:

• Teams: 7 different organizations
• Games: 366 total appearances
• Seasons: 13 (1941-1942, 1946-1956)
• Final Game: September 7, 1956

All those team changes in his later years really showed how much of a journeyman he became at the end.

1956 Season and Retirement Highlights

Johnny Schmitz finished his Major League Baseball career in 1956 with the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched in 20 games during his last season.

The veteran pitcher got released by the Orioles in October, ending a 13-season career that ran from 1941 to 1956.

Performance in the 1956 Season

Schmitz pitched in 20 games for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1956 regular season. The Orioles had purchased his contract from the Boston Red Sox on May 14, 1956.

At age 35, Schmitz worked mostly out of the bullpen. That role fit where he was in his career—he had shifted from starting to relief work.

His 1956 season was the last stop in a career that took him to seven different teams. Before joining the Orioles, Schmitz had played for the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, and Boston Red Sox.

Final Appearance and Career End

The Baltimore Orioles released Johnny Schmitz on October 18, 1956. That move officially ended his Major League Baseball playing days.

Schmitz wrapped up his career with a 93-114 record over 366 games in 13 seasons. His career ERA landed at 3.55, and he allowed 8.8 hits per nine innings.

He lost three years of his career to military service during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Without that gap, who knows how his stats might have looked?

His best years came in the late 1940s with the Chicago Cubs, when he made the All-Star team in 1946 and 1948.

Transition After Retirement

After the Baltimore Orioles let him go, Schmitz stepped away from professional baseball. He was 35 when his Major League career wrapped up in 1956.

Schmitz spent many years living a quieter life after baseball. He passed away on October 1, 2011, at 90, outliving a lot of his old teammates from the 1940s and 1950s.

His life after baseball stayed mostly private compared to his time on the mound. As a former pitcher, he’d seen both the excitement of All-Star nods and the tough reality of bouncing between teams.

The 1956 season really did mark the end of an era. Schmitz had played through some of baseball’s biggest changes, like the integration of Major League Baseball and the sport’s post-war surge in popularity.

Pitching Style and Career Achievements

Johnny Schmitz built his 13-season career around a killer curveball and a smart, strategic approach. He was especially tough on power hitters.

He won 93 games and threw 16 shutouts. When his breaking ball was on, he could absolutely shut down a lineup.

Signature Pitching Techniques

Schmitz was a curveball specialist. He threw more curves than fastballs, which isn’t something you see much today.

He actually taught himself his signature pitch as a kid, throwing against a barn wall with his brother.

Primary Pitches:

• Slow curveball, thrown from a three-quarters arm slot, with tons of wrist action
• Fast curveball, tighter and quicker
• Fastball, used more as a setup to make the breaking stuff even nastier

Schmitz kept hitters guessing by mixing two different curveballs. His slow curve broke huge and took a lot of wrist snap. Brooklyn’s Carl Furillo once said Schmitz’s curveball “broke twice,” which must’ve been a nightmare to hit.

He played mind games with batters too. He’d shake off his catcher over and over, but still end up throwing the pitch he wanted. That kept hitters totally off-balance.

Against big power hitters, Schmitz loved to pitch up and in. “Big guys can’t get the bat up there, but they kill you with lower pitches,” he once said. Sometimes he’d even walk Stan Musial on purpose just to face someone easier.

All-Star Selections and Awards

Schmitz never got any All-Star selections or major awards. His teams usually finished in the bottom half, so he didn’t get much attention even though he pitched well.

His best year was 1948, when he won 18 games for the Cubs. That stood out because the Cubs were getting old and didn’t score much. Those 18 wins were the most he ever had in a season.

He came closest to the postseason with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951. He watched from the dugout when Bobby Thomson hit that legendary home run. “There goes my one chance at a World Series,” Schmitz remembered thinking.

Brooklyn traded for Schmitz in 1951 partly to stop him from beating them. He’d dominated the Dodgers, winning nine games before finally losing one.

Statistical Milestones

Schmitz finished his career with a 93-114 record in 368 games and a 3.55 ERA. He struck out 746 batters and allowed 8.8 hits per nine innings.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 368
• Wins: 93
• Losses: 114
• ERA: 3.55
• Strikeouts: 746
• Shutouts: 16

Those 16 shutouts really stand out. He could go the distance and keep teams off the board all day.

Schmitz played for seven different teams. He started with the Cubs for eight years, then moved to Brooklyn, New York, Cincinnati, Washington, Boston, and Baltimore.

His career lasted from 1941 to 1956, but he missed three years from 1943-1945 because he served in World War II. That break probably cost him some extra wins and stats.

Notable Games and Memorable Moments

Johnny Schmitz had plenty of standout games in his 13 seasons, including several shutouts and a pretty memorable debut. His journey through seven teams led to some wild matchups and challenges that shaped his baseball story.

Standout Performances

Schmitz made a strong major league debut on September 6, 1941, against Pittsburgh. He came in during the seventh with the Cubs down 6-2 and pitched two hitless innings.

Just four days later, he picked up his first win at Wrigley Field. With runners on first and second and only one out, Schmitz got Cookie Lavagetto to hit into a double play. The Cubs rallied for three runs in the ninth to win it.

Complete Game Victory: On September 14, 1941, Schmitz threw his first complete game win. He held the Boston Braves to five hits and just one earned run, winning 10-3.

In 1946, he tossed two amazing 1-0 shutouts against the Dodgers and Cardinals. That season, he led the National League with 135 strikeouts and made the All-Star team.

One of his most memorable games came on August 4, 1949, against the New York Giants. Schmitz took a no-hitter into the eighth before finishing with a three-hit, 1-0 shutout.

Unique Matchups and Challenges

Schmitz ran into some unusual situations that made his career interesting. His military service interrupted his career from 1942 to 1945, and he played for Mickey Cochrane’s Great Lakes Naval Training Center team during that time.

In a funny twist, Schmitz actually beat his old team while serving in the Navy. He pitched for Great Lakes and defeated the Cubs 5-1 in an exhibition game in Davenport, Iowa, on June 7, 1943.

The 1952 season was a whirlwind. He played for three teams—starting with Brooklyn, then moving to the Yankees in July, and finishing up with Cincinnati after a rare trade involving Ewell Blackwell.

He suffered some tough losses, too. In 1950, Schmitz pitched into the 13th inning against St. Louis on April 30, allowing just four hits but losing 1-0 on a solo homer by catcher Del Rice.

In 1947, even with a solid 3.22 ERA, Schmitz led the league in losses with an 18-13 record. In eight of those games, the Cubs barely scored for him.

Testimonials and Quotes from Contemporaries

Brooklyn Dodgers scout Dan McGrew once raved about Schmitz’s talent. He called him “the best young left hander I’ve seen since I first watched the late Rube Benton. Schmitz has a great curve.”

People called him “Bear Tracks” because of the way he shuffled out to the mound. Fans and players always noticed his slow, deliberate walk to the rubber.

After arm problems in 1949, Schmitz had to reinvent his pitching style. Baseball writers said he “learned to pitch all over again” since he couldn’t rely on his old velocity.

His fielding got plenty of respect, too. Schmitz handled 50 chances for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1941 without a single error. He finished with a .963 lifetime fielding percentage, which says a lot about his defense.

Teammates admired his durability. Even though he missed four seasons for military service, Schmitz still pitched in 366 games over 13 years. That’s real staying power.

Personal Life and Legacy

Johnny Schmitz built a meaningful life after baseball, working as a groundskeeper for 32 years. He left behind a legacy of resilience and adaptability, inspiring future players who had to deal with career interruptions.

Life Beyond Baseball

After retiring in 1956, John Albert Schmitz headed back to Wisconsin. He took a job as a golf course groundskeeper in Wausau, his hometown.

Schmitz spent 32 years keeping the golf course in top shape. That job kept him connected to sports, just in a different way. He took a lot of pride in making sure golfers had great conditions.

He lived a quiet life out of the spotlight. Schmitz had two kids—a son and a daughter—who survived him when he died in 2011. Family always mattered to him, even during his post-baseball years.

He stayed involved with his hometown community. Schmitz went to Wausau schools through ninth grade before baseball took over. Coming back to work in the same city showed just how much he loved the area.

Influence on Future Generations

Schmitz’s career path became a model for players who lost time to military service. He gave up four prime years (1943-1945) to serve in the Navy during World War II, but still managed to come back strong.

He learned to reinvent himself after hurting his arm in 1949. Schmitz leaned on his curveball more than his fastball and found a way to keep pitching.

Young pitchers paid attention to how Schmitz adapted. He threw more curveballs than fastballs, proving that changing your style could help you stick around. That approach let him pitch until he was 35.

He also set a standard for fielding. Schmitz finished with a .963 fielding percentage and led National League pitchers in assists twice. He showed that pitchers should be complete players, not just guys who throw strikes.

Remembering Johnny Schmitz

Johnny Schmitz died on October 1, 2011, at age 90. Fans always remembered his nickname, “Bear Tracks,” thanks to that unique shuffling walk he had on his way to the mound.

He racked up 93 career wins and managed 16 shutouts, which really shows how he could take over a game. Schmitz had a standout year in 1946, leading the National League with 135 strikeouts and earning a spot on the All-Star team.

Baseball writers often reached out to Schmitz, even when he got older, to talk about his playing days. He loved sharing stories about playing for seven different teams and dealing with the ups and downs of wartime baseball.

Schmitz grew up in Wisconsin, and honestly, his story feels like it represents so many players from that era. His military service, career adaptability, and the way he approached life after baseball all seemed to echo the values of his generation.