Mickey McDermott – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mickey McDermott’s name might not show up in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but his story is one of baseball’s most interesting what-ifs. The lefty from Poughkeepsie, New York, exploded onto the major league scene in 1948 as an 18-year-old with a 98-mph fastball. People called him the next great Red Sox ace. McDermott’s 14-year baseball career wrapped up in 1961 when he retired after playing his final game on August 10 against the Baltimore Orioles.

What set McDermott apart wasn’t just that heater or his knack for striking guys out. He could hit, too, racking up 143 pinch-hit appearances, nine career home runs, and a .252 batting average. Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn said McDermott was one of the two best athletes he’d ever seen on a baseball field, right up there with Ted Williams.

McDermott’s baseball journey took him from the promise of stardom in Boston to stops with the Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and finally the St. Louis Cardinals. He had brilliant moments on the mound, got caught in some wild trades, and brought a colorful personality that spilled over into nightclub gigs and showbiz.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Mickey McDermott grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, where his dad’s dashed baseball dreams shaped his childhood. McDermott’s standout pitching in high school drew major league scouts, and the Boston Red Sox signed him at just 15.

Family Background and Upbringing

Mickey McDermott was born Maurice Joseph McDermott Jr. on April 29, 1929, in Poughkeepsie. His dad, Maurice Sr., worked as a police officer, but he once played minor league first base with the Hartford Senators in the Eastern League.

Lou Gehrig took his father’s roster spot, ending the elder McDermott’s baseball career. That stung, and he became determined that one of his three sons would make it in baseball.

Tragedy struck when McDermott’s oldest brother, Jimmy, died at age seven. His other brother, Billy, didn’t go for baseball either. That left Mickey as his dad’s last hope.

Mickey started out at first base, just like his dad. But at 12, while attending St. Mary’s Grammar School, Coach John Shannon noticed his arm and that wicked curve, so he moved him to the mound.

High School Achievements and Early Promise

At St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, McDermott dominated as a pitcher. He set Catholic Conference records, averaging an incredible 20 strikeouts per game. His fastball was already blowing away hitters.

His wildest high school game came against St. John’s Academy, where he struck out 27 batters in a seven-inning game. His catcher kept dropping third strikes and couldn’t throw to first in time, so McDermott had to face even more hitters.

Scouts started to notice. Red Sox scout Bill McCarren was especially impressed by McDermott’s velocity and strikeout stuff.

At just 13, McDermott went to his first pro tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers in Newburgh, New York. Dodgers scout Mule Haas wanted to sign him on the spot but realized he was too young, so he just bought him lunch.

Minor League Beginnings

In 1944, McDermott Sr. altered Mickey’s birth certificate to make his 15-year-old son seem a year older. That little trick let the Boston Red Sox sign him for $5,000 and two truckloads of Ballantine Ale for his dad. Manager Joe Cronin found out about the fake age but kept the deal anyway.

The Red Sox sent McDermott to their Eastern League farm club, the Scranton Miners. Under Elmer Yoter, the 1945 Scranton team finished fifth. McDermott went 2-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 69 innings, giving up 71 hits and striking out 42.

In 1946, McDermott broke out in Scranton. He threw his first pro no-hitter on July 14, 1946, against the Albany Senators, finishing it off by striking out player-manager Rip Collins. He wrapped the season with a 16-6 record and a 3.29 ERA.

Scranton ran away with the Eastern League title that year, finishing 96-43. They beat Wilkes-Barre in the semifinals and swept Hartford to win the Governors’ Cup.

Major League Baseball Career

Mickey McDermott pitched in the majors from 1948 to 1961, bouncing through six teams. He started as a promising young pitcher with the Red Sox, then ran into trouble with the Senators, and later had shorter stints with the Yankees, Athletics, Tigers, and Cardinals.

Debut and Rise with the Boston Red Sox

McDermott made his major league debut on April 24, 1948, at Yankee Stadium as an 18-year-old reliever. He flashed promise but also struggled with control issues that stuck with him. In seven games, he struck out 17 but walked 35 in just over 23 innings.

In 1949, things started to click. He set an American Association record with 20 strikeouts in one game for Louisville, which got him called up to Boston. He made his first big league start on June 17, 1949, in a doubleheader at Fenway Park.

That season, he went 5-4 with two shutouts. Boston fans started calling him “the new Lefty Grove.” His pitching and personality made him a favorite in town.

Key Boston Stats (1948-1953):

• Record: 43-34
• ERA: 3.91
• Strikeouts: 450
• Complete games: 44

His best year came in 1953, going 18-10 with a 3.01 ERA. But run-ins with management and a few off-field incidents, including issues with team owner Tom Yawkey’s wife, led to his trade.

Tenure with the Washington Senators

On December 9, 1953, the Red Sox sent McDermott and Tom Umphlett to the Senators for Jackie Jensen. The trade surprised a lot of people who thought Boston gave up too soon on a talented arm.

McDermott didn’t make things easy in Washington. He held out for a better contract, dragging out the trade until right before spring training. When he finally signed, his salary jumped from $12,500 to $19,500.

The 1954 season turned into a rough one for McDermott. Pitching for a weak Senators team, he went 7-15. Even President Eisenhower reportedly asked, “What’s wrong with McDermott?”

He blamed his struggles on the team’s lack of offense. He often pitched in tight games or slugfests where his team just couldn’t keep up. His nightclub gigs dried up, too, since club owners weren’t keen to book a pitcher whose stats were tanking.

Season with the New York Yankees

The Yankees picked up McDermott in December 1955 in a big trade engineered by GM George Weiss. Manager Casey Stengel, who was traveling at the time, approved the deal over the phone from Paris.

McDermott’s time in pinstripes was short but memorable. The team hoped his left-handed pitching would help, and maybe the New York spotlight would get him back on track.

But playing for the Yankees didn’t revive his career. The pressure and media attention in New York didn’t help, and his control issues stuck around. He never quite found his groove as a starter or reliever.

Stints with Athletics, Tigers, and Cardinals

In his final years, McDermott bounced around with the Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He went from rising star to journeyman, just looking for chances.

With the Athletics, he got some stability but never really found his old form. They mostly used him out of the bullpen, though he started a few games. His fastball had lost some zip but could still fool hitters when he located it.

Detroit didn’t work out much better. The Tigers hoped his experience and lefty arm would help, but McDermott’s best days were clearly behind him. He couldn’t find the strike zone and struggled in relief.

He made his last big league appearance on August 10, 1961, pitching four innings for the Athletics against the Orioles. He gave up three earned runs, walked six, and threw two wild pitches in an 8-0 loss. The A’s released him five days later, ending his major league run.

Final Career Stats:

• Record: 69-69
• ERA: 3.91
• Strikeouts: 1,003
• Games: 443
• Batting average: .252 (as a pitcher)

Pitching Style and Career Highlights

Mickey McDermott threw a 98-mph fastball that made hitters nervous. He could strike out batters and pinch-hit with the best of them, but control problems with walks and wild pitches always seemed to get in his way.

Left-Handed Pitcher Characteristics

McDermott stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 170 pounds, giving him a lanky, intimidating look on the mound. His left-handed delivery gave him an edge against lefty hitters.

His mechanics let him throw hard, but they also made him wild. Control was always a problem, and it showed again in his last game, when he walked six and threw two wild pitches in just four innings.

Key Physical Attributes:

• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 170 lbs
• Throws: Left
• Bats: Left

Even with all the walks, McDermott didn’t post a losing season in his first five years with the Red Sox. His fastball was especially tough on lefty hitters.

Warren Spahn once said, “The two greatest athletes I ever saw play baseball were Ted Williams and Mickey McDermott.”

Signature Fastball and Repertoire

McDermott’s 98-mph fastball was his main weapon. That kind of speed was rare in the 1940s and ’50s, and it earned him a reputation as a strikeout artist.

He paired the fastball with a sharp curveball. A grammar school coach first noticed his ability to throw curves across the diamond when he was just 12.

Career Strikeout Achievements:

• 757 total strikeouts in MLB career
• 20 strikeouts in a single game (American Association record)
• 93 strikeouts over five games
• Averaged 20 strikeouts per game in high school

When McDermott found the strike zone, his fastball and breaking ball combo made him nearly unhittable. But too often, wildness and walks wiped out his strikeout power.

No-Hitters and Standout Performances

McDermott tossed three no-hitters during his minor league career, which really showed off his potential at its peak.

He threw his first on July 14, 1946, beating the Albany Senators while pitching for Scranton.

On September 16, 1948, he fired his third no-hitter, leading his team to an 8-0 win over Utica in the Eastern League playoffs.

Strangely enough, he once lost a no-hitter after the winning run scored on a passed ball. That’s baseball, right?

Notable MLB Performances:

• 1953: 18-10 record with several shutouts
• Two-hitter against Cleveland Indians (May 16, 1953)
• Three-hit shutout vs. Detroit Tigers (April 28, 1953)
• 10-inning complete game victory

His 1953 season really stood out as the high point of his career.

McDermott picked up two shutouts and actually kept his walks and earned runs in check, which wasn’t always easy for him.

Role as Pinch-Hitter and Batting Success

McDermott could hit, and that set him apart from most pitchers back then.

He put together a .252 lifetime batting average, hit nine home runs, and made 143 pinch-hit appearances.

Arthur Daley from the New York Times once called him a “triple-threat, a man who can pitch, hit, or sing.” Not many pitchers could claim that kind of versatility.

Batting Statistics:

• Career average: .252
• Home runs: 9
• Pinch-hit appearances: 143
• Position flexibility: First base experience

On August 12, 1953, McDermott showed off his dual skills by winning his 12th game on the mound and going 2-for-4 at the plate.

He even scored the winning run from second base in the 10th inning that day.

His athleticism and early days at first base helped his hitting, and that flexibility made him more valuable, especially when his pitching got shaky.

Notable Trades and Team Relationships

McDermott bounced around a lot during his career, moving between teams and getting caught up in some big trades.

His relationships with teammates and key people in the game really shaped his journey through six different organizations.

Significant Transfers and Transactions

The biggest trade of McDermott’s career happened on November 20, 1957. The Kansas City Athletics sent him to the Detroit Tigers in a huge 13-player deal.

Honestly, that trade was one of the biggest baseball had ever seen.

The Athletics shipped six players to Detroit:

• Billy Martin (second baseman)
• Gus Zernial (outfielder)
• Tom Morgan (pitcher)
• Lou Skizas (outfielder)
• Mickey McDermott (pitcher)
• Tim Thompson (catcher)

This move changed the direction of McDermott’s career. He left Kansas City’s rebuilding phase for Detroit’s more competitive roster.

Back in the 1950s, teams often made big multi-player trades to fix several roster spots at once.

Teammates and Influential Figures

Throughout his career, McDermott played with some pretty notable guys.

During his Kansas City days, he teamed up with Billy Martin, and both ended up traded to Detroit together.

Gus Zernial brought power and veteran leadership, while Tom Morgan understood the challenges of constantly switching teams.

The Athletics’ roster also included Lou Skizas and Tim Thompson, who became familiar faces during McDermott’s stint there.

With six teams under his belt, McDermott had to keep adapting to new teammates and coaches.

That constant change gave him a unique perspective on baseball’s business side and what it meant to build relationships in the game.

Life After Major League Baseball

After he stepped away from pro baseball in 1961, Mickey McDermott moved into coaching and later got involved with the Arizona Lottery. He also faced some tough health challenges in his later years.

Post-Retirement Activities

McDermott didn’t stray far from baseball after retiring. In 1968, he joined the California Angels as a coach, sharing his pitching knowledge with younger players.

He also chased his passion for entertainment, performing as a singer in nightclubs. That hobby had competed with baseball for his attention during his playing days.

McDermott wrote his autobiography, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cooperstown,” with Howard Eisenberg. The book dove into his colorful career and some of the choices that might’ve kept him out of the Hall of Fame.

He tried his hand at various business ventures too. Fans still remembered him for his talent and lively personality long after he left the field.

Involvement with the Arizona Lottery

After moving to Arizona, McDermott got involved with the Arizona Lottery.

He took on promotional roles, using his baseball fame to help market lottery games.

The lottery gig gave him steady income in retirement. His name and background made him a natural spokesman for their promotions.

Thanks to this work, McDermott stayed in the public eye long after his baseball days were over.

His charm and personality, which had won over fans during his career, served him well in this new role.

Later Health and Passing

McDermott’s health took a serious downturn in his final years.

He fought colon cancer, which really affected his quality of life and meant a lot of medical treatment.

He also developed congestive heart failure, making things even tougher for the former pitcher.

Mickey McDermott passed away on August 7, 2003, in Phoenix, Arizona.

He left behind memories of a talented pitcher whose career, for all its bright spots, never quite reached its full potential.

Legacy and Recognition

Mickey McDermott’s baseball legacy revolves around his reputation as one of the most talented but unrealized pitchers of his era.

People remember him for his blazing fastball and his larger-than-life personality, both on and off the field.

He left a mark that went beyond stats, mixing athletic talent with entertainment skills. His story lives on in baseball books and old media accounts.

Overall Impact on Baseball

McDermott made his mark on baseball with his natural talent and the way people recognized his potential.

Hall of Famer Warren Spahn once said, “The two greatest athletes I ever saw play baseball were Ted Williams and Mickey McDermott.” That’s pretty high praise.

McDermott’s fastball hit 98 mph, making him one of the hardest throwers around.

He could rack up strikeouts at an eye-popping rate, like the time he set the American Association record with 20 in one game.

His left-handedness and ability to hit set him apart. McDermott finished with a .252 batting average, nine home runs, and 143 pinch-hit appearances.

His dual-threat capability as both pitcher and hitter made him more valuable than most pitchers.

He played for six teams—Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Despite control problems, teams kept finding a place for him. His 69-69 career record sums up both his promise and his struggles with consistency.

Influence on Future Players and the Sport

McDermott’s career became both an inspiration and a warning for future ballplayers.

His story showed that discipline and focus matter just as much as raw ability.

Young pitchers could learn from his strikeout skills and his willingness to hit.

He took on multiple roles, including pinch-hitting, showing that versatility matters in pro baseball.

McDermott’s struggles with control—on and off the field—became lessons for player development programs.

His experience proved that what happens off the field can affect your performance on it.

His mix of baseball talent and entertainment skills, especially his singing, influenced how players thought about their public image.

McDermott’s nightclub gigs and time in the Catskills showed players could have interests outside baseball, though his story also showed the need for balance.

Mentions in Literature and Media

McDermott’s colorful personality and career drew plenty of attention from baseball writers and the media. He co-authored his autobiography, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cooperstown,” with Howard Eisenberg, and Triumph Books published it in 2003.

The book dives into his career experiences and personal struggles. McDermott openly talks about his battles with control and his adventures in entertainment, giving readers a pretty honest glimpse into professional baseball life.

Sports writers back then loved to cover McDermott’s exploits. Arthur Daley from the New York Times once called him a “triple-threat, a man who can pitch, hit, or sing,” which really sums up how unusual McDermott was.

His story pops up in all sorts of baseball publications and retrospectives about players who had a lot of promise but ran into career challenges. McDermott’s story feels like part of baseball folklore now, one of those talented guys whose potential never quite got realized for all kinds of reasons.