Mike Proly – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Proly put together a respectable seven-year run in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher, playing from 1976 to 1983 for four different teams. Born December 15, 1950, in Jamaica, New York, Proly made his name as both a reliever and, at times, a starter during an era when baseball was really starting to shift its pitching strategies.

Proly posted a career record of 22 wins and 29 losses across 267 games, striking out 185 batters while wearing the uniforms of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. His journey through pro baseball gives us a look into the life of a journeyman pitcher who saw both the highs of playoff baseball and the grind of roster changes.

This look at Proly’s career covers his path from college ball at St. John’s University to the big leagues, his performance with different teams, and the impact he left behind. His story gives us a glimpse into the lives of players who really formed the backbone of baseball in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Michael James Proly was born on December 15, 1950, in Jamaica, New York. He found his love for baseball early on, and those early years really set the stage for everything that followed.

He started his path from a young athlete to a professional pitcher at St. John’s University. His skills there grabbed the attention of major league scouts.

Family Background

Mike Proly grew up in Jamaica, Queens, during the 1950s and 1960s. His family played a big role in supporting his sports ambitions.

The Proly household made sports a big part of daily life. Growing up in New York gave Mike access to some of the country’s best baseball programs.

His parents encouraged him from the start. That support really mattered as he started to show promise as a pitcher in his teens.

High School Years

During high school, Proly started making a name for himself as a pitcher. College recruiters began to take notice.

He worked on the fundamentals that would serve him well later. His fastball and command got better during these years.

New York high school baseball was no joke—competition was tough. That experience definitely helped him get ready for the next level.

St. John’s University Collegiate Career

Proly attended St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where he kept developing as a pitcher. The school’s baseball program offered strong coaching and tough competition.

He did well enough at St. John’s to catch the eye of MLB scouts. Being in New York probably made it easier for teams to keep tabs on him.

During his college years, Proly honed his mechanics and learned how to face different hitters. That experience set him up for the pros.

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the 9th round of the 1972 MLB June Amateur Draft. That moment kicked off his professional career and showed his college years had paid off.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Mike Proly pitched for four teams during his seven-season MLB career from 1976 to 1983. He finished with a 22-29 record, a 3.23 ERA, and 185 strikeouts in 267 games.

MLB Debut and First Seasons

Michael James Proly made his MLB debut on April 10, 1976, with the St. Louis Cardinals at 25. He’d worked his way through the minors to get there.

In his first season with the Cardinals, he pitched in 14 relief games. He went 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 innings.

After that short run in St. Louis, Proly headed to the Chicago White Sox. He spent three seasons with Chicago from 1978 to 1980, which turned out to be the biggest chunk of his career.

With the White Sox, Proly appeared in 114 games and put up a 13-20 record. His best year was 1980, when he pitched 146.2 innings and had a 3.07 ERA.

Role as a Pitcher

Proly mainly worked out of the bullpen during his career, though he got the occasional start. He pitched in 267 games but only started 18 times in seven seasons.

His best years came with the Chicago White Sox, where he notched 18 of his 22 career saves. In 1980, he made 62 appearances, picked up eight saves, and kept his ERA at a solid 3.07.

After his time in Chicago, Proly spent a season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981. He pitched in 35 games, went 2-1, and had a 3.86 ERA.

He wrapped up his career with the Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1983. In those two years, he went 6-8 with a 2.95 ERA over 104 games.

Retirement After 1983

Mike Proly’s last MLB season was in 1983 with the Chicago Cubs. He pitched in 60 games that year, finishing 1-5 with a 3.58 ERA.

At 32, Proly decided to call it a career after the 1983 season. He pitched 545.2 innings in the majors and left with a respectable 3.23 ERA.

Over seven years, Proly showed he could handle a heavy workload as a reliever. He averaged 38 games a season and kept his numbers steady across four teams.

Teams Played For in Major League Baseball

Mike Proly pitched for four teams during his seven-year MLB career from 1976 to 1983. He started with the St. Louis Cardinals, spent three seasons with the Chicago White Sox, had a short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, and finished up with the Chicago Cubs.

St. Louis Cardinals Years

Proly began his big league career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976. The Cardinals picked him in the 9th round of the 1972 MLB June Amateur Draft out of St. John’s University.

He debuted on April 10, 1976, at 25. Proly pitched and batted right-handed.

The Cardinals gave Proly his first shot at the majors. He spent time in their farm system before finally getting called up.

His time with St. Louis was short but important for his development. The Cardinals helped lay the groundwork for his career.

Chicago White Sox Stint

Proly joined the Chicago White Sox in 1978 and stayed through 1980. That was his longest stretch with any one team.

During his White Sox years, Proly made a name for himself as a reliable arm. He appeared in over 60 games twice, including one season with Chicago.

The White Sox mostly used him out of the bullpen. He got comfortable coming in as a reliever during those three years.

His time in Chicago really helped build his reputation. The White Sox years were big for his career and his stats.

Philadelphia Phillies Period

Proly spent the 1981 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. That was his shortest run with any team in the majors.

The Phillies used him as both a reliever and a spot starter. He pitched when and where they needed him.

His time in Philly was brief but gave him another shot in the big leagues. The Phillies let him show off his versatility on the mound.

The 1981 season with Philadelphia was a bit of a transition for him. He kept proving he could handle different roles.

Chicago Cubs Final Seasons

Proly finished his MLB run with the Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1983. Those were his last two seasons in pro baseball.

He made his last MLB appearance on October 2, 1983, in a Cubs uniform. He was 32 when he retired.

The Cubs gave Proly a good place to finish out his career. He kept pitching well even in his final seasons.

While in Chicago, Proly stuck with his role as a steady pitcher. He helped the Cubs out of the bullpen and made the occasional start when they needed him.

Performance Statistics and Career Achievements

Mike Proly put together a solid seven-year career from 1976 to 1983, playing in 267 games for four major league teams. His 3.23 ERA and ability to pitch in different roles made him a valuable guy to have around.

Games Played and Key MLB Rankings

Proly pitched in 267 MLB games, mostly as a reliever. He started only 18 times but became a reliable bullpen option.

His busiest season was 1983 with the Cubs, when he pitched in 60 games. The year before, he appeared in 44 games and posted a career-best 2.30 ERA.

He showed real durability during his three years with the White Sox from 1978-1980. He pitched in 114 games during that stretch, including a career-high 62 games in 1980.

Proly racked up 545.2 innings in his career. Managers could count on him to be available across different teams.

Career ERA and Pitching Analysis

Proly kept his career ERA at 3.23 over seven seasons. That’s not bad at all for a middle-relief guy in that era.

His best single season came in 1982 with the Cubs—he had a 2.30 ERA in 44 games. That year, he gave up just 77 hits in 82 innings.

ERA by Team:

• Chicago White Sox: 3.23 (3 seasons)
• Chicago Cubs: 2.95 (2 seasons)
• Philadelphia Phillies: 3.86 (1 season)
• St. Louis Cardinals: 3.71 (1 season)

Proly struck out 185 batters and walked 195 in his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 0.95 shows he focused more on control than overpowering hitters.

Saves, Wins, and Notable Stats

Proly picked up 22 saves in his career, with 18 coming during his time with the White Sox. His best year for saves was 1979, when he had nine.

He finished with a 22-29 win-loss record over seven seasons. In 1978, he had his best year for wins, going 5-2 with a 2.74 ERA for Chicago.

Key Career Totals:

• Wins: 22
• Losses: 29
• Saves: 22
• Strikeouts: 185
• Games: 267

Proly completed two games in his career, both in 1978 with the White Sox. He never threw a shutout, but he was effective in a variety of roles.

Significant Moments and Legacy

Mike Proly’s seven-year MLB career had its share of strong performances across four teams. He really made his mark as a reliable reliever, making over 60 appearances twice with the White Sox and later with the Cubs.

Memorable Performances

Proly’s best season came in 1980 with the Chicago White Sox under manager Tony LaRussa. He pitched in 62 games, becoming a key bullpen piece.

He showed his versatility during the strike-shortened 1981 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Proly appeared in 35 games and started twice. In both starts, he threw six solid innings against the Pirates and Cardinals.

He finished 1981 with a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA for Philadelphia. Over 63 innings, he struck out 19 and walked 19.

His career spanned 267 games from 1976 to 1983. Proly tallied 185 strikeouts in the majors.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Proly served as a dependable middle reliever for the Chicago White Sox from 1978-1980. He pitched in 114 games during those seasons, giving the team solid innings out of the bullpen.

The Phillies traded for him on April 1, 1981, sending Jay Loviglio the other way. Philadelphia liked his ability to fill different roles, using him as both a reliever and spot starter.

After Philly let him go, the Chicago Cubs picked him up for his last two seasons. He pitched in 104 games for the Cubs in 1982 and 1983, finishing out his MLB career with them.

Managers always seemed to appreciate his steady presence in the bullpen. Proly’s reliability made him a useful piece for every team he joined.

Career Summary and Legacy

Proly wrapped up his MLB career with a 22-29 record over 267 games. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the ninth round of the 1972 MLB Amateur Draft, which kicked off his professional journey.

He grew up in Jamaica, New York, and made his MLB debut on April 10, 1976, when he was 25. His last appearance came in 1983 with the Chicago White Sox.

St. John’s University recognized his college career years later. They inducted him into the St. John’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.

Teams back in the late ’70s and early ’80s counted on pitchers like him, those steady bullpen arms who just got the job done. Over seven seasons, he showed how important consistent middle relief pitching could be.

Life After Baseball and Personal Insights

After baseball, Michael James Proly moved into the insurance world. He worked for big names like Prudential Financial for 15 years before retiring in 2017.

He spent a lot more time with his family after baseball, especially his grandkids and their sports. St. John’s University kept honoring him, too.

Transition to Retirement

By June 1984, while struggling in the minors with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Proly realized his baseball days were winding down. He decided to retire and finally put that St. John’s marketing degree to use.

The switch wasn’t instant. During off-seasons, he worked for Coca-Cola as a management trainee and even drove trucks, which he said was surprisingly “fun.”

Once he left baseball, he jumped into insurance. He stayed with Prudential Financial, Inc. for 15 years, climbing up to run an office in Clearwater, Florida.

He later worked for The Guardian Life Insurance of America and Metropolitan Life Insurance. Proly retired in 2017 as an agent emeritus, though he still keeps about 50 clients.

Personal Life and Interests

These days, Proly spends most of his time with family, especially his grandkids who all play sports—baseball included. Staying involved in their games helps him keep a connection to baseball.

Not long ago, one of his grandsons asked if he’d ever faced any Hall of Famers. Proly sat down and made a list—28 Hall of Fame players he played for, with, or against. Looking it over, he felt pretty proud of how he’d matched up with some of the best.

His family has strong ties to St. John’s University. His late brother Peter A. Proly was an All-American swimmer there and later became a respected lawyer. His parents, Peter and Ruth, actually met at St. John’s, though his dad left school during the Great Depression to help support the family.

He still feels grateful for his baseball career. “I have no regrets. I lead a charmed life,” he said. “I was grateful to play professional baseball, being paid to do something that I loved.”

Recognition and Influence

In 1991, St. John’s University Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed Proly. They wanted to honor everything he did for the university’s baseball program, especially under the legendary coach John “Jack” Kaiser.

Proly kept in touch with Coach Kaiser for years. He even spoke with him about six months before Kaiser passed away in 2022.

He says Kaiser taught him to stay humble and work hard, lessons he never forgot.

Proly’s influence goes way beyond stats. Back in spring training in 1982, he met fellow St. John’s player Frank Viola. Viola told him that guys at St. John’s were always chasing Proly’s ERA records.

Those baseball lessons shaped how he approaches life and business. “My life has evolved around nice people and great teammates,” Proly said. “I never thought I was above anybody, and a lot of that was instilled in me by Coach Kaiser.”

He still sticks to the same philosophy he had as a player. “You never took yourself too seriously. You had fun, but when it came time to work, you worked.”