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

Ken Suarez’s baseball career didn’t end with a celebration. Instead, a contract dispute forced him out, foreshadowing the labor fights that would transform Major League Baseball in the 1970s.

The Tampa-born catcher walked away from the game at 30 in 1974. He became one of the early players who challenged the system through arbitration with the Major League Baseball Players Association.

His exit came just as the sport stood on the verge of the free agency revolution that would erupt two years later.

Suarez put together a .227 batting average with 5 home runs and 60 RBIs in 295 games over seven MLB seasons from 1966 to 1973. He played for three teams: the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers.

He built a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher, even though he struggled to hit consistently at the big-league level. His career path took him from “can’t-miss” prospect in the 1960s to being part of the Rangers’ first-ever roster in 1972.

Ken Suarez’s story really shows the challenges players faced before modern free agency. Teams had huge control over player movement and pay.

He went from Florida State University standout to major league veteran, living through both the promise and the pitfalls of pro baseball at a time when the sport was changing fast. After his playing days, he stayed involved in scouting and youth baseball development in Texas, keeping his connection to the game alive.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Kenneth Raymond Suarez was born April 12, 1943, in Tampa, Florida. He learned the game at Tampa Jesuit High School and later starred at Florida State University.

In 1964, his outstanding college season earned him All-America honors and a spot on the US Olympic baseball team.

Childhood and Family Background

Ken Suarez came into the world in Tampa on April 12, 1943. His parents, Joseph R. and Gladys M. (Wadsworth) Suarez, married in 1941 while Joseph was on Army leave.

Ken’s younger brother James was born in 1945. During Ken’s early years, his mom and the kids lived with relatives in Tampa while his dad served in World War II.

After the war, Joseph ran Suarez Electric Company, wiring commercial and industrial buildings around Tampa. Ken’s late wife, Irene Lopez, was the niece of Hall of Fame player and manager Alfonso “Al” Lopez.

At Tampa Jesuit High School, Ken’s baseball talent stood out. He played American Legion summer ball with future major leaguers Tony La Russa and Lou Piniella, sharpening his skills as a right-handed hitting catcher.

Florida State University Baseball Career

Ken attended Florida State University and played for the Seminoles baseball team. He won a starting spot as a sophomore in 1963 under coach Danny Litwhiler.

His breakout came in 1964 with new head coach Fred Hatfield, a former major leaguer. Suarez had a fantastic season for the nationally ranked FSU squad.

1964 Season Stats:

• Batting Average: .404 in 44 games
• Home Runs: 6
• RBIs: 30
• Runs Scored: 25
• Walks: 21

He led the team in every major offensive category that year. His performance brought him consensus first-team All-America honors.

Florida State made its third NCAA World Series appearance in 1963 under Litwhiler. Ken’s play helped cement the Seminoles as a top college program.

1964 US Olympic Baseball Team Experience

Ken’s stellar 1964 season led to his selection for the US Olympic baseball team. Baseball was only a demonstration sport at the Tokyo Olympics that year.

The Olympic nod came right after his .404 All-America season. Back then, making the Olympic team was about as high as an amateur player could go.

Shortly after the Olympics, Suarez signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Athletics in spring 1965. He signed just before the first MLB free-agent draft in June 1965.

While playing pro ball, Ken went back to Florida State during the 1966-67 offseason to finish his finance degree. He clearly valued education, even as his baseball career took off.

Professional MLB Career Overview

Ken Suarez spent seven seasons in the majors as a catcher from 1966 to 1973, appearing in 295 games across three teams. He hit .227 with 5 home runs and 60 RBIs, carving out a role as a defensive specialist.

Kansas City Athletics Debut and Tenure

Suarez debuted in the majors on April 14, 1966, with the Kansas City Athletics at age 23. He picked up his first hit on April 19 and drove in his first run on April 24, though the team lost that day.

His biggest early moment happened at Yankee Stadium. In the first game of a doubleheader, he faced Whitey Ford and came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to center, driving in the game’s only run.

The rookie catcher struggled that first season. By July 9, 1966, he was hitting just .145 with 2 RBIs in 35 games.

The Athletics sent him down to Mobile, Alabama, where Phil Roof took over at catcher. Then, disaster struck—he got hit by a pitch on July 28, breaking his cheekbone and losing two teeth. In nine games with the Double-A team before the injury, he hit only .125.

Suarez returned in 1967 when Roof got hurt. He started eight games, batting .235 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs. He hit his first major league home run off Mickey Lolich of the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland Indians Years

After the 1967 season, the Athletics left Suarez unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. The Cleveland Indians grabbed him, reuniting him with manager Al Dark.

Suarez barely played in 1968, appearing in just 17 games and collecting one single and a walk in 10 at-bats. The team didn’t use him after August 30.

That winter, Suarez worked for the Tampa sheriff’s office in the juvenile division. “It’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done,” he said. “My job is to counsel kids, try to get ’em out of trouble and keep ’em out of trouble.”

In 1969, he saw his most action yet with the Indians, playing 36 games and hitting .294 with a homer and nine RBIs. He split time between Cleveland and the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League.

He spent all of 1970 with Triple-A Wichita and enjoyed his best minor league season, batting .301 in 84 games. Suarez returned to Cleveland in 1971 as Ray Fosse’s backup, playing 50 games and hitting .203 with a homer and nine RBIs.

Texas Rangers Highlights

The Indians traded the 28-year-old Suarez to the Texas Rangers in December 1971 in a multi-player deal. Cleveland got Roy Foster, Rich Hand, Mike Paul, and Suarez for Del Unser, Denny Riddleberger, Terry Ley, and Gary Jones.

Suarez joined the Rangers’ first-ever squad in 1972 under manager Ted Williams. The team’s offense struggled, and Williams would actually step into the cage during batting practice to show players how to hit.

As the fourth catcher on the roster, Suarez played 25 games and got 33 at-bats, hitting .152 with 4 RBIs. Despite the limited time, fans liked him, and he made friends in Arlington.

His strong defense earned him a key backup role in 1973 behind Rich Billings. That year became his best in the majors—he played in 93 games, got 278 at-bats, and hit .248.

On June 16, 1973, Suarez had his most memorable big-league moment. He broke up Jim Palmer’s perfect game bid for the Orioles with a single in the ninth inning, ending Palmer’s shot at history.

Retirement in 1973

Suarez’s career ended suddenly after a salary dispute with the Rangers. He made $20,000 in 1973 but felt he deserved more for 1974.

He became the first Ranger to file for salary arbitration, which led to a trade back to the Cleveland Indians on February 12, 1974, for Leon Cardenas. Disappointed, Suarez filed a grievance with the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Instead of reporting to spring training in Arizona, Suarez walked away from the game at 30. The grievance was never resolved, and that ended his pro baseball career.

The Indians later traded his rights to the California Angels with Rusty Torres on September 12, 1974, for Frank Robinson. Suarez never played a game for the Angels and left baseball for good.

His career stats: .227 average, 5 home runs, 60 RBIs in 295 games over seven seasons with Kansas City, Cleveland, and Texas.

Playing Position, Skills, and Fielding Abilities

Ken Suarez built his pro career around his defensive skills as a catcher. His solid defense and strong arm kept him in the majors even when his bat went quiet.

Primary Position: Catcher

Suarez played catcher for all seven of his major league seasons from 1966 to 1973. Scouts once called him a “can’t-miss” catching prospect in the 1960s.

His defense was his calling card. Suarez had a “rifle arm,” and he used it to control the running game and throw out would-be base stealers.

The Kansas City Athletics expected him to be their everyday catcher under manager Al Dark. Even when his offense lagged, his defense kept him around.

Suarez mostly worked as a backup catcher, serving behind Phil Roof in Kansas City and Ray Fosse in Cleveland.

He got the most playing time of his career in 1973 with Texas, appearing in 93 games as the main backup to Rich Billings.

Fielding Statistics

Suarez played 295 major league games, almost all as a catcher. His defensive numbers backed up his reputation as a steady glove behind the plate.

During his peak in 1973, he juggled 278 at-bats and his usual defensive duties. That season showed coaches trusted him on both sides of the ball.

Teams valued his defense, which helped him land jobs with multiple clubs. The Cleveland Indians picked him in the Rule 5 draft just for his catching abilities.

Managers and coaches regularly recognized Suarez’s fielding. He earned opportunities with the Athletics, Indians, and Rangers because of his work behind the plate.

Versatility and Other Positions

Suarez stuck to catching throughout his career. He didn’t play other positions in the majors.

That focus made him a valuable backup for teams needing depth at catcher. He filled that role for three different organizations.

Sticking to one position also helped him build relationships with pitching staffs. His defense behind the plate was always his main contribution.

Batting Performance and Career Statistics

Ken Suarez put up modest offensive numbers during his seven-year MLB career. He hit .227 with 150 hits in 295 games.

His best season with the bat came in 1973 for Texas, when he played 93 games and drove in 27 runs.

Batting Averages and On-Base Percentages

Suarez kept a career batting average of .227 during his MLB run from 1966 to 1973. He posted a .330 on-base percentage, showing he could draw walks, with 99 walks and 97 strikeouts over his career.

He had his best batting season in 1969 with Cleveland. That year, he hit .294 and had a .400 on-base percentage in 36 games.

That season marked the only time he finished above .250 at the plate.

During his rookie year with Kansas City in 1966, the catcher struggled quite a bit. He managed only a .145 batting average and a .298 on-base percentage in 35 games.

His second season went better, and he improved to .238 with Kansas City.

In his final season in 1973, he hit .248 in 93 games for Texas. That was his second-best batting average, even though he went through a long slump in the last month.

Runs, Home Runs, and RBI Accumulation

Suarez scored 57 runs over his seven-year career and drove in 60 RBIs. Power numbers? Not really his thing—he hit just 5 home runs in 295 games.

He put up his best RBI numbers in 1973, driving in 27 runs for Texas. That same year, he scored 25 runs, both career highs for him.

Home run totals stayed low every season. In 1967 with Kansas City, he hit 2 home runs, which was his top single-season mark.

Four of his five career home runs came while he played for Kansas City and Cleveland.

In 1969 with Cleveland, he picked up 9 RBIs and scored 7 runs, even though he didn’t play much that year.

He didn’t play at all the next season, so his stats have a gap there.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Suarez hit several career milestones while he played in the majors. In 1973, he made his biggest impact, playing 93 games and setting career highs in several offensive stats.

He reached his best fielding percentage of 1.000 during a short stint in 1968 with Cleveland. He threw out 40% of base stealers as a rookie, which is honestly pretty impressive.

His most productive stretch came with Cleveland from 1968 to 1971. Over those three seasons, he posted a .234 batting average with the Indians, just above his career average.

He played his final game on September 22, 1973, against Kansas City. In that last MLB appearance, he went 1-for-6 and ended up with exactly 150 hits in 661 at-bats.

Legacy, Recognition, and Life After Baseball

Ken Suarez left a real mark through his mentorship of younger players and his commitment to baseball development, even after he stopped playing. After retiring, he worked in scouting and got involved in the community, helping shape future players and keeping close ties with the teams he loved.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Suarez earned respect from his teammates and others in the baseball world. When he joined the Texas Rangers in their first season in 1972, he became part of the franchise’s early history.

He built lasting friendships in Arlington and became a bit of a fan favorite, even though he didn’t play every day.

Managers like Ted Williams and Al Dark respected his defense and professional attitude. Former Rangers pitcher Jack Lazorko said Suarez “laid the groundwork for many great teams over the next 45 years and was proud of his association with Ted Williams and that first team in Arlington.”

He kept mentoring younger players long after his playing days. With experience on multiple teams, including the Cleveland Indians and Rangers, he shared what he learned with the next generation.

Accolades and Community Involvement

Suarez joined the Dallas-Fort Worth Ex-Pros Baseball Association and stayed active there. The group raises money for inner-city baseball parks and helps out former major leaguers in need.

Jack Lazorko, now the DFW Ex-Pros president, praised Suarez: “Ken has been an active participant in the DFW Ex-Pros for many, many years after Eddie Robinson and Dr. Bobby Brown began the original chapter in the 1990s.”

Suarez didn’t just focus on ex-players. He helped with youth baseball park projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

He also worked as a pregame guest on WBAP radio broadcasts, sharing his baseball knowledge with fans.

Life and Career After Retirement

When Suarez retired from baseball in 1974, he started scouting for the Texas Rangers in Tarrant County. His biggest scouting moment happened in 1985, when he was part of a group evaluating Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro at Mississippi State.

Mississippi State coach Ron Polk remembered: “Ken Suarez was one of the most professional people I have met in scouting players. Ken did the usual charts, spoke to the players’ parents, our coaching staff and teammates and gathered as much information as anyone on the two players.”

Both Clark and Palmeiro eventually played for the Rangers, combining for 853 home runs and 3,040 RBIs over 35 seasons.

Suarez also got into aviation, working with experimental aircraft, and grew his own vegetables at home. He kept close to baseball through scouting and community work until he passed away in 2023.

Personal Life, Death, and Remembrance

Ken Suarez stayed connected to his family throughout his life in Texas. He married twice and built a successful business career after his baseball days.

He died in July 2023 at age 80 after battling Alzheimer’s disease, leaving behind a legacy that went far beyond just playing ball.

Personal Details and Family

Ken Suarez was born Kenneth Raymond Suarez on April 12, 1943, in Tampa, Florida. His dad, Joe, ran Suarez Electric Company, doing commercial and industrial wiring for local factories.

Suarez first married Irene, whose uncle was Al Lopez, a well-known Tampa resident and Chicago White Sox manager.

They had two daughters, Denise and Kendra. The marriage lasted many years until Irene died from cancer in 2012.

He married Kay Suarez in 2014, two years after Irene’s passing. With Kay, he became stepfather to Tammie, Chad, and Abbie. The family stayed close throughout his later years.

After baseball, Suarez built a business career in Arlington, Texas. He worked as a national sales manager for Robintech Inc., a pipe company started by former Rangers owner Brad Corbett.

Later, he moved into aerospace and agriculture work.

Passing and Tributes

Ken Suarez died on July 28, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, at 80. He had fought Alzheimer’s disease for three years before his death.

The baseball community mourned his passing. Friends and former teammates remembered his defensive skills and work ethic during his seven seasons in the majors from 1966 to 1973.

His wife Kay, daughters Denise and Kendra, and stepchildren Tammie, Chad, and Abbie survive him, along with a large extended family.

His parents, Joe and Gladys Suarez, and his first wife Irene, passed away before him.

People in baseball recognized him as a dedicated backup catcher who played for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers during his career.

Lasting Influence in Baseball Communities

Ken Suarez’s impact went way beyond just his stats on the field. In 2001, Tampa named a softball complex after him, which really shows how much he meant to the local baseball scene.

His younger brother Jim actually led the push to name the facility for Ken. “I think this is a fitting honor for Kenny,” Jim Suarez told the City Council. “He’s a local hero made good, part of the pipeline from Tampa to the majors.”

After retiring, Suarez jumped into media work. He gave color commentary on TV and radio broadcasts for the Texas Rangers.

He brought a catcher’s perspective and made the game more accessible for fans.

The Ken Suarez legacy stands for the dedication of journeyman players who kept Major League Baseball going strong during the 1960s and 1970s.

His defensive skills and leadership behind the plate shaped the careers of teammates and pitchers alike.