Ken Aspromonte – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ken Aspromonte wrapped up his seven-year major league career on June 21, 1963, pinch-hitting for the Chicago Cubs in his last game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Brooklyn, he spent his entire pro career fighting for playing time and recognition, bouncing around six different teams in the majors.

Aspromonte had his best year in 1960 with the Cleveland Indians. That season, he finally played regularly and responded with a .290 batting average, 10 home runs, and 48 RBIs. That breakthrough really showed he belonged in the big leagues, though he still struggled to find consistent opportunities after that.

But there’s more to Aspromonte than just stats. His story includes interesting family ties, a few memorable trades, and even a return to the Cleveland Indians as a manager after he stopped playing. He went from Brooklyn sandlots to the major leagues, living out the classic American baseball dream. He even served in the military during the Korean War and just kept pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.

Ken Aspromonte’s MLB Career Overview

Kenneth Joseph Aspromonte played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1957 to 1963. He appeared in 401 games for six different teams. He mostly worked as a utility infielder, but his most productive season came in 1960 with the Cleveland Indians, where he hit .290.

Debut and Final Season

Ken Aspromonte made his MLB debut on September 2, 1957, at Fenway Park. He came in as a defensive replacement at second base in the ninth inning during the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.

Two days later, on September 4 at Yankee Stadium, he picked up his first career hit. Aspromonte collected three singles in that game against the New York Yankees and got his first RBI with a sacrifice fly.

He played his final MLB game on June 21, 1963, at age 31. He suited up for the Chicago Cubs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, finishing 0-for-0 at the plate.

His rookie season in 1957 looked promising. He played 24 games for Boston and batted .269 with a .396 on-base percentage after getting called up from the Pacific Coast League, where he had just won the batting title.

Major League Teams Played For

Aspromonte suited up for six different teams during his seven-year career. He started out with the Boston Red Sox in 1957-1958, but limited playing time led to a trade.

The Washington Senators picked him up in May 1958 for catcher Lou Berberet. He spent parts of three seasons with Washington from 1958-1960, fighting for a regular spot at second base.

He really found his groove with the Cleveland Indians after a trade in May 1960. Manager Joe Gordon gave him steady chances, and Aspromonte responded with his best numbers in 1960.

After the 1960 season, the expansion draft landed him with the new Washington Senators, but they immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Angels. He played briefly for the Milwaukee Braves in 1962 and wrapped up his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1963.

Positional Roles and Defensive Abilities

Aspromonte spent most of his career at second base, playing 342 games at that spot. He posted a .969 fielding percentage, turned 229 double plays, and made 53 errors in 1,691 chances.

Managers liked his versatility as a utility infielder. He played shortstop and third base when needed, which gave his managers extra flexibility.

At 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, Aspromonte earned a rep as a skilled defender with good instincts. George Kell once said, “he always seems to be with the play, in the right place at the right time.”

He backed up his glove with base-running ability and plenty of hustle. Former pitcher Larry Jansen called him “a pepper-pot” who earned a shot in the majors just on his energy.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Ken Aspromonte’s seven years in the big leagues included some standout moments, especially his 1960 breakthrough with Cleveland and his part in baseball’s first expansion draft. His path through six different teams showed off his versatility as a utility infielder and the tough reality of trying to stick as a regular player in the 1950s and 1960s.

Notable Seasons and Milestones

Aspromonte peaked in 1960 with the Cleveland Indians. After a trade from Washington in May, he thrived under manager Joe Gordon.

He played in 117 games and posted a .290 batting average, his best full-season mark. He also set career highs with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs.

That year, he scored 65 runs, which was a personal best. This breakout came after years of limited chances with Boston and Washington.

Before his Cleveland success, he impressed in the minors by winning the Pacific Coast League batting title in 1957 with a .334 average for the San Francisco Seals.

He debuted in the majors that September with Boston, where he hit .269 in 24 games. Even with that solid start, he couldn’t quite lock down regular playing time early on.

Key Trades and Transactions

Trades shaped Aspromonte’s career. Boston traded him to Washington on May 1, 1958, for catcher Lou Berberet.

That move came after Aspromonte managed just one hit in 18 plate appearances to start the season. Boston had brought in Pete Runnels and moved forward without Aspromonte at second.

His biggest trade happened on May 15, 1960. Washington sent him to Cleveland for outfielder Pete Whisenant.

That deal was crucial for Aspromonte. Manager Joe Gordon had worked with him before in San Francisco and believed in his potential.

Later, he moved to the Milwaukee Braves in 1962 and then to the Chicago Cubs in 1963. He finished with a career .249 batting average.

Role in the Expansion Draft

The 1961 expansion draft marked a big turning point for Aspromonte. When the American League added the Los Angeles Angels and new Washington Senators, each team could select 28 players from existing rosters.

Cleveland left Aspromonte unprotected, even after his strong 1960 season. He felt frustrated, saying he had “outhit every second baseman in the league both in average and home runs.”

The new Washington franchise picked him as the 26th overall choice on December 14, 1960. But he didn’t stay long.

Washington immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for Coot Veal that same day. That quick shuffle really showed the business side of baseball expansion.

The expansion draft ended up limiting his chances, and he struggled to get regular playing time with the Angels in 1961. Still, his part in baseball’s first modern expansion draft remains a quirky note in the sport’s history.

Detailed Statistical Breakdown

Ken Aspromonte played in the majors from 1957 to 1963, finishing with a .249 batting average, 19 home runs, and 124 RBIs over 475 games. He racked up 369 career hits and scored 171 runs, making steady contributions at multiple positions for six teams.

Batting Performance by Season

Aspromonte’s offensive numbers stayed pretty steady, though he never really became a regular starter. His best years came with the Washington Senators from 1958-1960, when he saw the most playing time.

In 1963 with the Chicago Cubs, Aspromonte played just 20 games. He got 5 hits in 34 at-bats for a .147 average. That year, he hit 3 doubles but no home runs or triples.

1963 Home vs. Road Performance:

• Home: 12 games, .153 average, 2 hits, 3 RBIs
• Road: 8 games, .142 average, 3 hits (all doubles), 1 RBI

His top seasons usually saw him batting in the .240-.260 range. He hit 19 home runs over his career, most of them coming with Cleveland and Washington.

Fielding and Positional Stats

Aspromonte’s versatility kept him in the game. He mainly played second base, but he also filled in at shortstop, third base, first base, and even outfield when teams needed him.

At second base, he was a solid defender for his era. He stood 6 feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed, which made him a natural fit for the middle infield.

Primary Positions:

• Second Base (most often)
• Shortstop
• Third Base
• First Base (occasionally)
• Outfield (utility role)

Teams liked his ability to cover multiple spots. This flexibility probably helped him stick around even though his bat wasn’t always loud.

Year-by-Year Team Contributions

Aspromonte bounced between six organizations, which kind of shows how teams managed rosters back then and how he fit as a utility player. He started with Boston in 1957, then moved to Washington the next year.

He spent the most time with the Cleveland Indians, playing parts of three seasons (1960, 1961-1962). The Indians used him as both a starter and a bench guy during that stretch.

Career Team Breakdown:

• Boston Red Sox (1957-1958)
• Washington Senators (1958-1960)
• Cleveland Indians (1960, 1961-1962)
• Los Angeles Angels (1961)
• Milwaukee Braves (1962)
• Chicago Cubs (1963)

His final game was on June 21, 1963, against Pittsburgh at age 31. He didn’t get an at-bat that day, and that was it for his playing days before he moved into managing.

Memorable Transactions and Trades

Ken Aspromonte’s seven years in MLB included several key moves from team to team. His journey from the Boston Red Sox to the Washington Senators, then to Cleveland, and finally through the National League with Milwaukee and Chicago, really shaped his career.

Boston Red Sox to Washington Senators

Ken Aspromonte started his big league career with the Boston Red Sox in 1957 after signing with them back in 1950. Boston brought in the Brooklyn-born infielder after he finished his military service during the Korean War.

The Red Sox then traded Aspromonte to the Washington Senators as part of their roster shakeup. That gave him a fresh shot with another American League club.

Washington brought him in hoping he could steady their infield. The Senators needed reliable players who could help both in the field and at the plate during their rebuilding phase.

Washington Senators to Cleveland Indians

The Senators later shipped Aspromonte to the Cleveland Indians in another American League deal. That trade marked a new chapter in his career.

Cleveland saw value in his ability to play multiple infield spots. The Indians had a good reputation for developing players and giving them a real shot in the majors.

His stint with Cleveland gave him experience with a more competitive team. The Indians had a stronger organizational setup and better player development than Washington.

Milwaukee Braves and Chicago Cubs Moves

Aspromonte then headed to the National League, joining the Milwaukee Braves and later the Chicago Cubs. These moves marked his switch between leagues as his career wound down.

The Milwaukee Braves picked up Aspromonte looking for more infield depth. Milwaukee was a solid team at the time and needed experienced players who could step in when needed.

He finished up with the Chicago Cubs before retiring in 1963. The Cubs gave him one last shot at extending his career, but he wrapped things up with a .249 lifetime batting average across all those teams.

Family Connections and Personal Background

Kenneth Joseph Aspromonte grew up in a baseball family in Brooklyn, with three brothers who all chased pro baseball careers. His relationship with his younger brother Bob Aspromonte led to some unique moments in Major League Baseball history, especially when they faced off as opponents.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Kenneth Joseph Aspromonte was born on September 22, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Laura and Angelo Aspromonte, raised him in a home where baseball was always in the air.

Angelo, Ken’s father, spent 50 years as a bricklayer and even played sandlot baseball back in the day. The Aspromonte house buzzed with baseball talk, but it wasn’t always peaceful.

Ken’s dad cheered for the Brooklyn Dodgers, which led to some heated debates when Ken decided to support the New York Yankees instead. That must’ve made for some interesting dinner conversations.

“I grew up in Brooklyn,” Ken wrote in 1959. “I wanted to be a baseball player, but I didn’t want to be a Dodger. The other kids all wanted to be Dodgers. Not me. I wanted to be a Yankee.”

Ken went to P.S. 248 in Brooklyn and later graduated from Lafayette High School. He spent a year at St. John’s University, but baseball pulled him away soon after.

The Aspromonte Brothers in Professional Baseball:

• Charles (oldest): Played Class-B ball in 1950, hitting .230
• Ken: Seven-year MLB career (1957-1963)
• Bob: Longer MLB career, primarily in National League

Relationship with Brother Bob Aspromonte

Bob Aspromonte, almost seven years younger than Ken, actually reached the majors before his older brother. Bob debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, getting just one at-bat.

Ken made his own debut with the Boston Red Sox a year later, in 1957. The brothers rarely faced each other since Bob played in the National League and Ken mostly stuck to the American League.

They only went head-to-head in 1962 and 1963 when Ken joined the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago Cubs. Bob definitely got the better of those matchups.

Ken went 0-for-7 with one walk, while Bob managed an impressive 11-for-23 and drove in nine runs. Their most unforgettable game happened on June 11, 1963.

That day, Bob blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning, winning the game. After that, Cubs manager Bob Kennedy stopped putting Ken in against his brother.

Both Ken and Bob attended Lafayette High School in Brooklyn. They even played alongside Sandy Koufax, who, believe it or not, played first base before switching to pitching.

Legacy and Life After Retirement

Ken Aspromonte retired as a player in 1963 and started a new chapter that eventually brought him back to Major League Baseball as a manager. He made his biggest impact after playing, spending three years managing the Cleveland Indians from 1972 to 1974.

Transition from Player to Manager

Ken wrapped up his playing days with the Chicago Cubs in 1963. Nearly a decade later, the Cleveland Indians brought him back as manager in 1972.

He took charge of a team he once played for as a utility infielder. His managerial career with Cleveland lasted three seasons.

Ken faced plenty of challenges, like limited resources and a roster in transition. One wild moment came during the infamous Ten Cent Beer Night.

He told his players to grab bats and help the Texas Rangers safely off the field when fans stormed in. The Indians struggled during his tenure, finishing with losing records each year.

Impact on Major League Baseball

Ken Aspromonte’s legacy goes beyond numbers. His career covered a significant period in baseball history, stretching from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s.

He played as the kind of utility infielder teams always needed. Ken filled in at different positions and added depth for six teams over seven seasons.

His managerial run ended when the Cleveland Indians hired Frank Robinson in 1975. Robinson made history as Major League Baseball’s first African American manager.

Ken’s connection to this historic moment puts him right in the middle of baseball’s evolution during the civil rights era.

Net Worth and Public Recognition

Aspromonte’s net worth? Well, nobody’s really sure. Like a lot of players from his era, he didn’t make the kind of money you see in today’s contracts.

Most people recognize him for his place in baseball history, not so much for flashy personal stats. He’s part of a baseball family—his brother, Bob Aspromonte, played in the majors too.

Both brothers built solid careers after leaving baseball and eventually settled down in Houston. Ken mostly kept his post-baseball life under wraps, which honestly seems pretty normal for guys from his generation who just moved on to regular jobs after hanging up their cleats.