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

Paul Schaal’s name might not be in the Hall of Fame, but his 11-year Major League Baseball career really tells a story about grit and sticking with it. He played third base from 1964 to 1974, splitting time between the Los Angeles/California Angels and Kansas City Royals. That was a wild era, honestly, when baseball itself was changing fast.

Schaal wrapped up his career in 1974. Kansas City traded him to California so they could bring up a young kid named George Brett, who, as everyone knows, ended up in the Hall of Fame. That move didn’t just end Schaal’s playing days, it showed how fast things can shift in pro sports.

The Angels sent him to Triple-A Omaha and then released him in October 1974. Just like that, his major league run was over.

From his days as a high school standout in California to his last season fighting for a roster spot, Schaal’s journey shows what dependable players go through when the spotlight shifts to rising stars. His story has some dramatic turns: a terrifying beaning, a key role in the Royals’ first seasons, and, oddly enough, later becoming the chiropractor for the guy who replaced him.

Early Life and Background

Paul Schaal was born March 3, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Paul Carl and Madeline J. Schaal. His family moved to California when he was still a kid, and that’s where he grew into a standout high school athlete and caught the eye of pro scouts.

Childhood and Education

Paul grew up as the oldest of two boys. His dad, Paul Carl Schaal, came from German-Austrian immigrant roots.

Sometime in the late 1940s, the family left Pittsburgh for Compton, California. That move put them about 15 miles south of LA, right in the heart of a strong baseball scene.

Paul went to Compton High School with his younger brother. The school already had a reputation for athletics—Duke Snider, a Hall of Famer, went there too.

During high school, Paul played several sports, but he really shined in baseball. He manned third base and earned all-Southern California honors for his play.

Path to Professional Baseball

Paul’s high school career peaked when he helped the Compton Tarbabes win a California State Championship. His play during that run made it clear he had the chops for pro ball.

After graduating in 1962, Paul took a pretty unusual route to chase his baseball dream. He actually biked about 18 miles to the Sawtelle area of Los Angeles to try out for the Los Angeles Angels.

That long ride left him looking a bit rough, and scouts at the tryout started calling him “Rag Doll.” Still, once he got on the field, his skills stood out.

Scout John H. “Pete” Peterson noticed Paul’s talent and signed him to a pro contract. The deal included a $4,000 signing bonus—his dad helped negotiate that. After signing, Paul got his first assignment with the Quad City Angels in Davenport, Iowa, playing Class-D ball.

Major League Baseball Career

Paul Schaal played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1964 to 1974. He spent most of his time as a third baseman for the Los Angeles/California Angels and Kansas City Royals. His career was really about defense, some struggles at the plate, and a scary beaning injury that changed his game.

Debut and Early Years with Angels

Schaal made his MLB debut on September 3, 1964, with the Angels at 21 years old. He quickly locked down the third base job as a rookie in 1965.

People started noticing his glove work right away. Schaal’s defense at third was top-notch. Some experts even said he would’ve won Gold Gloves if he hadn’t been up against Brooks Robinson, who pretty much owned the position back then.

But hitting? That was a different story. Schaal just couldn’t get it going at the plate with the Angels.

• 1965: .224 batting average
• 1966: .244 batting average
• 1967: .188 batting average
• 1968: .210 batting average

Those numbers, especially as they dropped, led the Angels to split third base duties between Schaal and Aurelio Rodríguez in 1967 and 1968. The team saw Rodríguez as the better hitter.

A turning point came on June 13, 1968, at Fenway Park. Red Sox pitcher José Santiago hit Schaal in the head, fracturing his skull and perforating his eardrum. Schaal stayed in the hospital until June 24 and lost some hearing and balance. That kept him out for the rest of the season.

Kansas City Royals Tenure

After a couple rough years, the Angels left Schaal unprotected, and the Kansas City Royals picked him in the 1968 expansion draft. That move changed everything.

Schaal took over as the Royals’ everyday third baseman in 1969. Suddenly, his bat came alive.

His best home run year came in 1971 with 11. He dipped in 1972 but bounced back with his highest average, .288, in 1973.

These Kansas City years were easily the high point of his career. The fresh start and bigger role let Schaal finally show what he could do with the bat, all while keeping up his glove work.

Return to Angels and Final Season

In 1974, things just didn’t click for Schaal in Kansas City. He hit only .176 in 12 games, and the team was ready to bring in George Brett for good.

The Royals traded Schaal back to the Angels for Richie Scheinblum. That cleared the way for Brett to become the starter at third.

Schaal finished out with 53 games for the Angels, batting .248. His last MLB appearance came on July 19, 1974.

His career totals: .244 average, 57 home runs, and 323 RBIs in 1,128 games. Schaal was never a big hitter, but his defense and his toughness after the beaning really defined his time in the majors.

Key Moments and Achievements

Paul Schaal’s career is mostly remembered for his glove work, especially during those Kansas City years from 1969 to 1974. Becoming the Royals’ regular third baseman after the expansion draft was probably his biggest achievement.

Statistical Highlights

Schaal finished with a .244 career average, 57 home runs, and 323 RBIs over 11 seasons. His numbers at the plate really picked up after he joined Kansas City in 1969.

With the Royals, he posted his best batting averages: .263 in 1969, .268 in 1970, and .274 in 1971. That .288 in 1973 was his peak, showing he could bounce back after tough stretches.

Career Statistical Summary:

• Games Played: 1,128
• Batting Average: .244
• Home Runs: 57 (career-high 11 in 1971)
• RBIs: 323

Defensively, Schaal was outstanding. A lot of people thought he would’ve grabbed Gold Gloves if Brooks Robinson hadn’t been around.

Notable Games and Contributions

Schaal’s scariest moment came on June 13, 1968, at Fenway Park. José Santiago hit him in the head, causing a one-inch skull fracture and a perforated eardrum.

He stayed in the hospital until June 24, 1968, and never fully regained his hearing or balance. That injury lingered for the rest of his career.

Still, he bounced back with Kansas City. The Royals picked him in the October 1968 expansion draft, and he became their everyday third baseman until 1974.

His last season, 1974, closed the book on his MLB days. George Brett arrived, Kansas City traded Schaal back to California, and he played his final 53 games before hanging it up.

Transition and Replacement by George Brett

Paul Schaal’s exit from the Royals in 1974 was a big moment for the team. That trade gave a young George Brett the chance to step in, and it changed the Royals’ future.

Emergence of George Brett

George Brett first showed up in the majors with the Royals in 1973, while Schaal still had the third base job. Brett didn’t play much at first, but he got his feet wet while the team planned for the future.

The Royals saw something special in Brett. They knew he could be the main guy in their infield. Brett had a better bat and solid defense, so he was the clear choice over the aging Schaal.

By early 1974, Brett was ready to take over full-time. Schaal, now 31, was hitting just .176 in 12 games.

This wasn’t just a roster move. It was the Royals betting on youth and looking to build for the long haul.

Trade and Impact on Royals

On April 30, 1974, the Royals traded Paul Schaal to the Angels for Richie Scheinblum. That ended Schaal’s six years in Kansas City and let Brett step in for good.

Brett didn’t waste the chance. He finished his career with a .305 average, 3,154 hits, and 665 doubles. Looking back, this trade was huge for the Royals.

Schaal talked about the switch later with a smile. “I tell everybody it took a Hall of Famer to take my job from me,” he joked in a 2013 interview. He didn’t seem bitter about how things ended.

The trade meant more than just new faces. Brett’s arrival helped make the Royals a real contender in the late ’70s and ’80s. He became the cornerstone at third base.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Paul Schaal’s baseball days ended in 1974 when the Angels released him after the trade that let George Brett take over. After that, he left pro baseball behind and started a new career in healthcare as a chiropractor.

Reasons for Retiring in 1974

Schaal didn’t exactly choose to retire in 1974. The Royals traded him to the Angels on April 30, 1974, to clear the way for George Brett at third base.

Brett had already debuted in 1973 and was ready for a full-time role in 1974. That left the Royals with no choice but to move their veteran third baseman.

The Angels sent Schaal to the Triple-A Omaha Royals just four months after picking him up. By October 1974, they released him, closing out his 11-year major league career.

Schaal always seemed to know how fragile a baseball career could be. “I know how fast it can go,” he said a couple years before he retired. “One day you’re on top of it and the next day it’s gone. I can handle it.”

His final season stats showed a player whose skills had faded. At 31, Schaal finished with a .244 average and 57 home runs over 11 seasons.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After he retired from baseball, Schaal decided to become a chiropractor in Overland Park, Kansas. That career change set the stage for one of baseball’s more memorable post-retirement stories.

Years later, George Brett walked into Schaal’s chiropractic office with back problems. Brett lay face down on the table, and Schaal joked, “George Brett, I don’t like you. I’d still be playing if not for you.”

Schaal kept up the banter with some mock threats about getting even. Later, he admitted he made it sound more menacing than he meant, but he got a good laugh out of it.

That whole encounter really showed Schaal’s knack for finding humor in his place in baseball history. He never seemed to take himself too seriously.

Fans from his Royals days kept him connected to the game. One fan even called him “my favorite player in the early years of the Royals franchise” and described him as “a very underrated third baseman.”

Schaal lived until September 1, 2017. He passed away at age 74.

People still remember him as the player George Brett replaced, but he handled that with a lot of grace and a pretty sharp sense of humor.

Legacy and Influence

Paul Schaal’s career left marks on both the Angels and Kansas City Royals. He played a big part in the Royals’ early development and had a direct link to George Brett’s rise.

His story really shows the challenges of expansion baseball. It also highlights the human side of moving on from professional sports.

Role in Franchise Histories

The Kansas City Royals picked Schaal in the 1968 expansion draft, and he played a crucial role in their first years. He served as the team’s main third baseman from 1969 to 1974.

His steady defense helped the Royals build a solid foundation during those early seasons.

The Angels signed Schaal as a local prospect out of Compton High School for a $4,000 bonus in 1962. He represented the team’s investment in Southern California talent.

He moved up through their minor league system, which really matched the franchise’s approach of building from within at the time.

Schaal’s biggest impact, though, came when the Royals traded him to California on April 30, 1974, to make room for George Brett. That move directly opened the door for Brett’s legendary run with the Royals.

The transition created a connection between the two players that stuck around for years. Brett would later show up at Schaal’s chiropractic office, and Schaal, never missing a beat, joked, “You took my job from me at third base.”

Recognition and Remembrance

People recognized Schaal for his defensive skills throughout his career. Scouts even compared how he fielded to Brooks Robinson, which is saying something.

After Jose Santiago beaned him in 1968, Schaal showed a lot of grit. He kept playing, even though he lost his hearing for good.

Players and fans both saw Schaal as an underrated third baseman. He kept things steady for both franchises, and that’s not nothing.

One fan once said he was “a very underrated third baseman” during those early Royals years. That nickname “Rag Doll” from his Angels tryout? It stuck and became a quirky bit of his baseball story.

He finished with a .244 batting average and 57 home runs in 11 seasons. Sure, those numbers look modest, but they really show his role as a defensive guy back when pitchers ruled the game in the late ’60s.

Schaal died on September 1, 2017, at his home in Hawaii. Baseball fans paid tribute, remembering what he brought to the Angels and Royals, especially in their early days.