Paul Moskau – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Paul Moskau’s name probably doesn’t ring out in the halls of baseball fame, but his six-year run in Major League Baseball is a story of grit and sticking with it. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1953, this right-handed pitcher put together a solid career during a time when baseball was shifting into its modern era.

Moskau retired from professional baseball on May 31, 1983, after his final appearance with the Chicago Cubs against the Houston Astros. He played for three National League teams: the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs. Over 153 games, he racked up 32 wins, 27 losses, and 374 strikeouts.

Sure, those numbers might not blow you away today, but they capture years of hard work in a tough stretch of baseball history.

From his debut home run in 1977 to his last season in 1983, Moskau’s path shows what it’s like to be a journeyman pitcher. He navigated drafts, trades, and all the business moves that shaped baseball careers in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Paul Moskau’s Early Life and Education

Paul Richard Moskau was born December 20, 1953, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He started building his baseball chops at Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona.

After high school, he attended Arizona State University, then transferred to Azusa Pacific University, where he earned All-American honors.

Childhood and Birthplace

Paul Richard Moskau came into the world on December 20, 1953, in St. Joseph, Missouri. His family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he grew up.

In Tucson, Moskau’s baseball skills showed up early. He earned all-star recognition in Little League, showing off his pitching prowess even as a kid.

He kept impressing people as he moved up through the youth leagues. Moskau grabbed all-star status in both Pony League and Colt League.

These early wins set him up for success in high school and college ball.

High School Achievements

At Rincon High School in Tucson, Moskau played from 1968 to 1971. He got noticed for his work on the mound across Arizona.

His pitching made him an all-city selection during high school. That honor put him among the best in Tucson.

He also earned All-State honors, which put him in the top tier of high school players statewide.

These achievements drew the attention of college scouts and set up his next steps.

Collegiate Baseball at Arizona State University

Moskau started his college baseball career at Arizona State University in 1971. The Sun Devils gave him a chance to play top-level college ball.

While at Arizona State, Moskau kept working on his pitching. The tough competition there helped get him ready for the pros.

He didn’t stay at Arizona State for long. After the 1973 season, Moskau transferred to finish his college career elsewhere.

That experience still gave him important training and exposure for what came next.

Transfer and Accomplishments at Azusa Pacific University

After Arizona State, Moskau moved to Azusa Pacific University. That switch really paid off for his growth and recognition.

At Azusa Pacific, Moskau earned All-Conference honors, showing he could dominate in his league. He didn’t stop there.

His performance landed him first team All-American recognition, putting him among the very best college players in the country.

The Cincinnati Reds picked Moskau in the third round of the 1975 MLB Draft, 70th overall. His college success played a big role in opening that door.

Path to the Major Leagues

Paul Moskau’s journey to the big leagues started in Tucson, Arizona, where he sharpened his pitching in youth leagues before attracting MLB scouts. He worked his way up through the minor league system with the Cincinnati Reds, laying the groundwork for a seven-year major league run.

MLB Draft and Signing

Paul Richard Moskau was born December 20, 1953, in Tucson, Arizona. At Rincon High from 1968 to 1971, his pitching earned him all-city and All-State honors.

His early baseball days were packed with promise. Moskau picked up all-star honors in Little League, Pony League, and Colt League. Local scouts took notice.

The Cincinnati Reds drafted Moskau, though the exact round and year aren’t clear in the records. Signing with the Reds kicked off his pro career.

Minor League Development

After signing, Moskau joined the Reds’ minor league system to hone his skills. The organization saw him as part of the next wave to keep the Big Red Machine rolling.

In the minors, Moskau focused on his pitching mechanics and logged valuable experience. The Reds’ coaches worked with him to get him ready for the majors.

He showed enough potential in the minors that the Reds kept investing in his development.

Transition to the Cincinnati Reds Organization

Moskau’s grind in the minors paid off when he made his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. At just 23, he joined a franchise known for winning and developing pitchers.

The Reds counted on Moskau, along with guys like Mario Soto and Paul Householder, to help keep the Big Red Machine alive. His call-up showed the team’s faith in homegrown talent.

Moskau passed rookie limits during his first season in 1977, officially becoming a major leaguer. That milestone capped off his journey from Arizona high school ball to the pros.

Major League Career Overview

Paul Moskau pitched in the majors from 1977 to 1983, finishing with a 32-27 record and a 4.22 ERA in 148 games. He spent most of his time with the Cincinnati Reds and had shorter runs with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.

Debut With Cincinnati Reds

Paul Moskau made his MLB debut on June 21, 1977, for the Cincinnati Reds at age 23. He faced the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching 4.2 innings and giving up 8 hits and 4 earned runs.

He quickly settled into Cincinnati’s rotation that rookie year. Moskau appeared in 20 games, starting 19, and posted a 6-6 record with a 4.00 ERA over 108 innings.

He passed rookie limits in 1977 and became a regular piece of the Reds’ pitching staff. That debut kicked off a five-year stretch in Cincinnati that shaped his MLB career.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Moskau stood 6’2″ and weighed 210 pounds, throwing right-handed. He leaned on control and durability throughout his career.

He struck out 374 batters and walked 243 over 633.2 innings, keeping a 1.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

His best year came in 1980, when he really dialed in his control. That season, he posted a 2.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio, with 94 strikeouts and just 41 walks in 152.2 innings.

Moskau pitched both as a starter and a reliever. He completed 7 games and threw 4 shutouts with Cincinnati, showing he could go deep when needed.

Career Milestones and Notable Performances

Moskau’s best years ran from 1978 to 1980 with Cincinnati. The 1980 season stood out, when he went 9-7 with a 4.01 ERA in 33 games.

He threw 2 complete game shutouts as a rookie in 1977, flashing early potential. His peak came with the Reds, where he went 28-22 with a 4.07 ERA.

After Cincinnati, Moskau struggled with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982 and the Chicago Cubs in 1983. In his last game on May 31, 1983, against the Astros, he pitched 3.1 innings and gave up 5 earned runs, closing out his seven-year MLB career.

Key Seasons and Team Changes

Paul Moskau’s MLB journey took him through three National League teams, with his best years coming early with the Cincinnati Reds. He shifted from starter to reliever and wrapped up his career with short stints in Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Cincinnati Reds Highlights (1977–1981)

Moskau spent five seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, building a reputation as a steady pitcher early on. His rookie year in 1977 brought a 6-6 record and 4.00 ERA in 20 games.

In 1978, he got his longest look as a starter. Moskau made 25 starts, going 6-4 with a 3.97 ERA over 145 innings, his highest total.

1980 ended up being his best year with Cincinnati. He went 9-7 with a 4.01 ERA, appeared in 33 games (19 starts), and pitched 152.2 innings with 94 strikeouts and improved control.

By 1981, Moskau moved more into relief work. He pitched in 27 games but started only once, finishing 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA. The role change fit what the team needed and showed his flexibility.

Role With Pittsburgh Pirates (1982)

In 1982, Moskau joined the Pittsburgh Pirates for a short run. He appeared in just 13 games, starting five.

He faced some tough times statistically. Moskau ended up 1-3 with a 4.37 ERA over 35 innings, and his strikeout rate dipped.

The Pirates used him mainly as a spot starter and long reliever, which fit their needs but limited his chances to make a big impact.

Final MLB Season With Chicago Cubs (1983)

The Chicago Cubs gave Moskau his last MLB shot in 1983. He started all eight games he pitched but had trouble with control and effectiveness.

His final numbers with the Cubs: a 6.75 ERA and a 3-2 record over 32 innings. May 31, 1983, was his last MLB game against Houston, where he lasted just 3.1 innings.

The Cubs released him soon after, and that marked the end of his pro baseball days. At 29, Moskau finished his career with 32 wins, 27 losses, and a 4.22 ERA in 148 games.

Statistical Career Analysis

Paul Moskau wrapped up his MLB career with a 32-27 record and a 4.22 ERA over seven seasons from 1977 to 1983. His best years came with the Cincinnati Reds, where he notched 28 wins and 22 losses, mostly as a starting pitcher.

Pitching Statistics and Records

Paul Moskau’s career stats show he was a solid middle-rotation pitcher. Over 148 games, he threw 633.2 innings.

He struck out 374 batters and walked 243, giving him a 1.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Not exactly overpowering, but pretty steady for his time.

In 1978, Moskau had his best season by the numbers. He went 6-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 145 innings.

That year, he started 25 games, finished two of them, and even picked up a save out of the bullpen.

Moskau hit his peak for wins in 1980, posting a 9-7 record with a 4.01 ERA. He fanned 94 hitters in 152.2 innings and tightened up his control, walking just 41.

His last two seasons didn’t go as well. In 1982 with Pittsburgh, he managed a 1-3 record and a 4.37 ERA in limited time.

Things got rough in 1983 with Chicago. He finished 3-2 but put up a career-high 6.75 ERA in just 32 innings.

Comparative Performance in the MLB

Moskau’s career 4.22 ERA landed him just a bit below league average for his era. His ERA+ sat at 88, so he pitched about 12% worse than the average big leaguer after adjusting for ballparks and league trends.

During his Cincinnati years (1977-1981), he looked a bit better with a 4.07 ERA and a 91 ERA+. His 1.384 WHIP during that time was actually pretty close to league norms.

By advanced stats, Moskau’s best year was 1980. He put up a 90 ERA+ and a 3.45 FIP, which hinted at some solid underlying performance.

His strikeout rate—5.3 per nine innings—fell below average for that stretch of baseball. Still, he made up for it with decent control, especially in 1980 when he walked only 2.4 batters per nine.

Fielding and Batting Contributions

Moskau kept a steady .958 career fielding percentage as a pitcher. On average, he handled 25 total chances per season.

Defensively, he showed good hands with 59 putouts and 101 assists in his career. The right-hander made just six errors in seven seasons, which really shows his fielding fundamentals.

His range factor of 1.95 per nine innings lined up pretty closely with other pitchers from his era. Moskau also had a knack for picking off runners, nabbing seven baserunners during his career.

That ability helped him keep the running game in check, which mattered since he didn’t strike out a lot of hitters. At the plate, Moskau didn’t really contribute—just like most pitchers back then.

His job was to pitch, and that’s what he focused on. National League pitchers weren’t expected to hit before the DH era, anyway.

Legacy and Impact After Retirement

After his playing days, Paul Moskau moved into meaningful community work in Tucson, Arizona. He focused on youth development and helped out with local baseball programs.

Coaching and Community Involvement

Moskau took on a job as assistant baseball coach at Sabino High School for three years. He got to share his pro experience with young players.

From 1985 to 1988, he worked as general manager for the Tucson Toros. During that time, he started the Tucson Toros Youth Winter Baseball program, giving local kids a chance to play during the off-season.

He also spent a lot of time working with Little League organizations around Tucson. Moskau’s involvement helped build youth baseball in the area.

He brought his Major League experience to the grassroots, bridging the gap between the pros and the local kids.

Honors and Awards

In 1998, the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame inducted Moskau. They recognized both his playing career and his work in Tucson sports.

The Hall of Fame even mentioned his efforts with Tucson Little Leagues. That honor really reflected how much the community appreciated what he did for youth baseball.

Influence on Youth and Local Baseball

Moskau’s impact reached beyond coaching. He joined the board of directors for the March of Dimes.

For seven years, he hosted celebrity golf tournaments to raise money for charity. His work in youth baseball programs left a mark on Tucson.

Young players got to learn from someone who actually pitched in the big leagues. Moskau’s teaching helped kids develop their skills and understand the game better.

The Tucson Toros Youth Winter Baseball program set an example for off-season youth development. His leadership there showed how retired players can still make a difference in their communities.

Local baseball programs gained real credibility thanks to his involvement.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Paul Moskau has kept a pretty private life since leaving pro baseball in 1983. Details about his post-baseball career are limited, but his estimated net worth likely reflects his MLB earnings and whatever he’s done since.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1983, Moskau stepped away from the spotlight. He didn’t go into broadcasting or big-time coaching like some former players.

Moskau was born on December 20, 1953, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was just 29 when he threw his last pitch in the majors.

He moved on from pro baseball at an age when most athletes are still in their prime earning years. Information about his family, marriage, or kids hasn’t really surfaced in public records.

Moskau seems to prefer keeping his personal life quiet, so the media hasn’t covered much about his current residence or relationships.

He attended Azusa Pacific College before the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in 1975. That education probably helped him adjust to life after baseball.

Estimated Net Worth and Public Engagements

Paul Moskau’s estimated net worth sits around $3 million, at least according to recent sources. Most of that comes from what he earned during his seven years in Major League Baseball, from 1977 to 1983.

He got paid by three teams over the course of his career. The Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs all cut him checks as his main sources of income.

His 374 strikeouts and several seasons as a starting pitcher probably helped him get better contracts. Still, MLB salaries back in the late ’70s and early ’80s weren’t even close to what players pull in today.

Since retiring, Moskau hasn’t really shown up much in public. He doesn’t make many appearances at memorabilia shows or alumni events, which a lot of other former players use to bring in extra cash.