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

Ken Boyer really deserves more recognition. He built a stellar 15-year career that wrapped up when he retired from Major League Baseball in 1969.

The talented third baseman made his mark mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals. He became the face of the franchise during the ’50s and ’60s.

Boyer finished his career on August 9, 1969, as a Los Angeles Dodger. That capped off a run that included an MVP award, 11 All-Star nods, and a World Series title.

Boyer showed off serious versatility and consistency at third base. He grabbed five Gold Glove awards and became one of the top offensive third basemen of his time.

He started with the Cardinals and spent his first 11 seasons there. After that, he had short runs with the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and finally the Dodgers.

Boyer did more than just rack up stats. He led as team captain and brought leadership during some of the Cardinals’ most memorable years.

Let’s take a closer look at Boyer’s journey, his championship season in 1964, and the teams that benefited from his steady presence. We’ll dig into the key games that built his legacy, his many accolades, and how he shifted into coaching and management after retiring.

Boyer’s story is about individual greatness and how third base evolved during baseball’s golden age.

Career Overview and Achievements

Ken Boyer made his name as one of baseball’s best third basemen from 1955 to 1969. He shined with the St. Louis Cardinals, picking up a National League MVP, five Gold Gloves, and 11 All-Star appearances.

He kept a .287 career batting average and hit 282 home runs.

Early MLB Years and Rise to Stardom

Boyer debuted with the Cardinals in 1955. The team traded Ray Jablonski to make space for him.

His rookie season looked promising. He hit .264, smacked 18 home runs, and drove in 62 runs over 147 games.

The next year, Boyer took off. He batted .306, hit 26 home runs, and had 98 RBIs in 1956. That got him his first All-Star selection.

Boyer’s versatility showed in 1957. He offered to play center field so rookie Eddie Kasko could try third base.

That season, Boyer led all National League outfielders in fielding percentage.

When the Cardinals brought in Curt Flood in 1958, Boyer moved back to third base for good. He immediately won his first Gold Glove and hit .307 that year.

His defense at third base became a trademark.

Peak Seasons and Notable Records

Boyer hit his stride in the early ’60s. He regularly ranked among the National League’s top players.

In 1961, he batted .329, good for third in the league, while serving as team captain.

1964 MVP Season:

• Led NL with 119 RBIs
• .295 batting average
• 24 home runs
• Played all 162 games

The 1964 World Series against the Yankees really showed Boyer’s clutch side. He hit a grand slam off Al Downing in Game Four, giving the Cardinals a 4-3 win.

In Game Seven, Boyer collected three hits, including a home run and a double, and scored three runs.

Boyer’s brother Clete played third base for the Yankees in that series. They became the only brothers to homer in the same World Series game, and that happened in Game Seven.

During his Cardinals years, Boyer picked up five Gold Gloves and made 11 All-Star teams in seven seasons (1956, 1959-64).

He also turned 41 double plays in 1958, the second-most in National League history at the time.

Teams Played for and Positions

Ken Boyer played for four MLB teams over his 15-year career from 1955 to 1969. He mainly played third base, but he also filled in at first base, shortstop, center field, and as a pinch hitter when needed.

St. Louis Cardinals Legacy

Boyer spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1955 to 1965. He locked down the team’s third baseman spot for 11 seasons.

The Cardinals named Boyer captain from 1959 to 1965. That showed just how much they trusted him both on and off the field.

His best year came in 1964. He won the National League MVP, led the league in RBIs, and helped the Cardinals win the World Series.

Boyer built a reputation as one of the game’s best defensive third basemen. He won five Gold Gloves for his fielding.

He made seven All-Star teams as a Cardinal, becoming a fan favorite and a franchise pillar in the late ’50s and early ’60s.

New York Mets Contribution

The New York Mets traded for Boyer in 1966. He played with them during the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

Boyer kept playing third base as his main spot in New York. He also moved around when the Mets needed extra flexibility.

His experience meant a lot to the young Mets. Boyer brought some veteran leadership to a team still finding its way in the National League.

The Mets leaned on Boyer’s baseball knowledge to help develop younger guys. He proved he could still contribute at the big league level during his two years in New York.

Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers Period

Boyer joined the Chicago White Sox in 1968. That was his last season in the American League.

He played multiple positions, including third base, and also served as a pinch hitter.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed him for the 1969 season, his final year in pro baseball. He kept providing veteran leadership and could play several spots.

In those last two seasons, Boyer shifted from everyday starter to utility player. He played first base, third, and even worked in the outfield sometimes.

His ability to play different positions made him valuable for both teams. Boyer used his experience to help younger players, even as he wrapped up his own career.

Impactful Games and Career Milestones

Boyer’s career had plenty of big moments. He built a reputation for clutch hitting and postseason heroics.

His walk-off home runs and his 1964 World Series performance stand out as the high points of his 15 years in the majors.

Walk-Off Home Runs and Notable Moments

Boyer became known as one of the game’s most reliable clutch hitters. He delivered several walk-off homers during his career, including two memorable ones in 1958.

On May 31 and June 11, 1958, Boyer hit walk-off home runs in extra innings. Both came in the bottom of the 12th, making him just the fourth Cardinal to hit two extra-inning walk-off homers in a season.

His most famous walk-off came on September 14, 1961, against the Cubs. He hit for the cycle in the second game of a doubleheader, capping it with a walk-off homer in the 11th for a 6-5 win.

That made him the first player in MLB history to finish the cycle with a walk-off home run. Earlier in the game, he tied it with a clutch RBI double in the ninth.

1964 World Series Performance

Boyer’s biggest moment came in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees. His play helped the Cardinals win their first championship since 1946.

In Game 4, Boyer hit a grand slam off Al Downing, giving the Cardinals a crucial 4-3 win. The home run followed a misplay by Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson that could’ve ended the inning.

Game 7 saw Boyer at his best. He picked up three hits, including a double and a home run, and scored three runs in the Cardinals’ 7-5 win.

His brother Clete also homered for the Yankees in that game. That’s still the only time brothers have homered in the same World Series game.

Boyer wrapped up 1964 with a .295 batting average, 24 home runs, and an NL-best 119 RBIs. Those numbers earned him the NL MVP.

Awards and Honors

Ken Boyer earned his spot among baseball’s elite third basemen. He stood out for his defense and his steady bat.

His career included multiple Gold Glove Awards, a bunch of All-Star selections, and the league’s top individual honor.

Gold Glove and All-Star Selections

Boyer’s defense at third earned him five Gold Gloves. The league recognized him as the best defensive third baseman in the National League.

He became a regular in All-Star games, getting picked for 11 All-Star games over his 15-year career.

The Gold Gloves came during his best years with the Cardinals. Boyer built his reputation on quick reflexes, a strong arm, and a knack for tough plays.

His All-Star streak stretched over a decade. That kind of consistency showed Boyer could stay at the top for a long time.

MVP and Other Major Recognitions

Boyer won the 1964 National League MVP with the Cardinals. That was the peak of his individual achievements.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted him NL MVP after his stellar 1964 season. He played a big role in the Cardinals’ World Series run.

The Cardinals retired Boyer’s number 14 in 1984. That honor, given after his passing, showed just how much he meant to the team.

Boyer’s MVP came in a season where he hit well and kept up his defense. That combo made him a complete player and a deserving MVP.

Retirement, Coaching, and Managerial Career

After his playing days ended in 1969, Ken Boyer shifted into coaching and managing. He spent seven years building his managerial skills in the minors.

He later returned to manage the St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1980.

Transition to Coaching and Managing

Boyer started his post-playing career in the minor leagues. He spent seven years honing his coaching and managerial chops at the lower levels.

This long stint paid off. Boyer worked with younger players and learned the ins and outs of managing from the dugout.

He developed his leadership skills with the Arkansas Travelers and Rochester Red Wings. His time in the Texas League and other circuits gave him a solid background in player development.

Boyer’s earlier experience as Cardinals captain from 1959 to 1965 helped him in these new roles. He knew the game and connected with players, making him an effective coach.

Managerial Stints and Influence

In April 1978, Boyer finally got his shot to manage in Major League Baseball. He took over for Vern Rapp as the Cardinals’ skipper.

That move brought him back to the team where he’d spent most of his playing days.

Boyer ran the Cardinals for three seasons, from 1978 through 1980. During that time, he worked with young players who would later turn into key pieces for the club under Whitey Herzog.

The Cardinals improved with Boyer in charge, but the team hadn’t hit its stride as a championship contender yet. His win-loss record really reflected just how much rebuilding the organization needed back then.

Boyer focused on fundamentals and player development. He leaned heavily on his experience as both a player and a minor league manager.

His approach helped lay the groundwork for the Cardinals’ success in the 1980s.

Legacy, Hall of Fame Consideration, and Later Life

Ken Boyer’s retirement kicked off a complicated legacy, including several Hall of Fame debates and some tough personal struggles. The Cardinals honored him as their former star, even as Boyer fought cancer up until his death in 1982.

Hall of Fame Ballots and Cardinals Honors

Boyer showed up on a bunch of Hall of Fame ballots in the years after he retired. Various Veterans Committees considered him, but he never quite made it in.

The Classic Baseball Era Committee put Boyer on their ballot in 2025. That group looks at players who made their mark between 1871 and 1980.

Boyer sits at ninth all-time in WAR7 among third basemen. Only eight third basemen have managed eight or more 5-WAR seasons, and Boyer’s one of them.

From 1955 to 1975, Boyer collected more MVP votes than any other third baseman. He even outpaced Brooks Robinson and Ron Santo during those decades.

The St. Louis Cardinals retired Boyer’s number 14 in 1984, two years after he passed away. They later inducted him into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Boyer’s Hall of Fame case really comes down to his 1964 MVP award and his five Gold Gloves. He ranks 13th all-time in WAR among third basemen, with 62.9.

Personal Life, Illness, and Passing

After he retired from baseball, Boyer took on coaching roles with several teams. He worked in different coaching positions during the early 1970s.

Doctors diagnosed Boyer with lung cancer in the early 1980s. He tried various treatments, including laetrile treatments, which sparked plenty of debate as alternative cancer therapies.

Kenton Lloyd Boyer died on September 7, 1982, at age 51 in St. Louis, Missouri. The cancer kept spreading, no matter what he tried.

His family buried him at Friends Cemetery in Missouri. Just 13 years had passed since his final game in 1969.

The Cardinals organization and much of the baseball community felt his loss deeply. Boyer’s wife and children continued to push for his Hall of Fame induction.

His brothers, Clete and Cloyd, played pro baseball too. The Boyer family really made a name for themselves in the sport during the 1950s and 1960s.