Red Witt – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

George “Red” Witt’s baseball career feels like a classic story about a talented pitcher whose time in professional baseball wrapped up in 1962 after six seasons in the majors. Standing at 6-foot-3, the right-hander from Long Beach, California, pitched for three teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Colt .45s.

People called him “Red” because of his unmistakable hair, and he built a reputation as a pitcher who managed to fight through serious arm troubles and still find success at the highest level.

Witt’s most unforgettable season came in 1958 when he posted a ridiculous 1.61 ERA with a 9-2 record for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the best ERA in the National League that year. That year meant everything for him, especially after years spent battling elbow problems so bad he couldn’t even lift his right arm to comb his hair.

His performance helped keep the Pirates in the pennant race and got him recognized as the team’s top rookie by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Red Witt’s career moves from his early days developing in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, to finally breaking through with Pittsburgh, and then finishing up with short stints for the Angels and Colt .45s.

He started as a position player who only became a pitcher out of necessity, then turned into a big league starter who helped the Pirates reach the 1960 World Series. His story really shows the ups and downs that defined baseball in the late 1950s and early ’60s.

Early Life and Amateur Foundations

George Adrian “Red” Witt was born in Long Beach, California. His parents worked hard and gave him a strong set of values.

He went from Banning High School in Wilmington through junior college, and then to Long Beach State College, where he played multiple sports and kept sharpening his athletic skills.

Family Background and Upbringing

Red’s background is a blend of cultures. His father, George B. Witt, worked in the oil fields and came from Tennessee to California, hoping for a better life.

His mother, Jacalline Vangerdinge Witt, was a Dutch immigrant who brought her own European influence into the home.

The family settled in Wilmington, a working-class community, and Red grew up there with his sister Jacqueline.

Jacqueline was born on August 22, 1930, so she was just a bit older than Red. The Witt family fit right in with the mix of immigrants who helped build Southern California’s industrial base in the early 20th century.

Education and Athletic Beginnings

Red went to Banning High School in Wilmington, California, where he first started to show off his athletic abilities. He earned varsity letters in both baseball and basketball.

His baseball skills really showed during a wild game against Paul Pettit of Narbonne High School. Pettit struck out 27 batters, but Red still managed two hits, including a home run.

At first, Red liked playing in the outfield more than pitching. But his hitting wasn’t quite strong enough to keep him there, and that ended up pushing him to try pitching instead.

College Years and Baseball Pursuits

After high school, Red went to Harbor Junior College (now Los Angeles Harbor College). Later, he transferred to Long Beach State College, which is now California State University, Long Beach.

He studied both biology and physical education, thinking he might teach someday. That decision would come in handy later when he thought about leaving baseball for a different career.

During college, Red kept improving on the mound. His play caught the eyes of pro scouts, especially from the Brooklyn Dodgers, who saw something special in the tall righty from Southern California.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Red Witt’s professional baseball journey lasted twelve years, from 1950 to 1962. He started out in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, but he really made his mark with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He worked his way up through the minors, especially in the Pacific Coast League, and finally broke through with a memorable debut season in the majors.

Entry into Professional Baseball

Red Witt signed as an amateur free agent with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. He had just finished an impressive high school career at Banning High in Wilmington, California, where he earned varsity letters as a position player.

His early pro years didn’t go so smoothly. He wanted to play outfield but struggled at the plate, so he shifted to pitching. For his first four seasons, he only got as far as the Class A Western League with Pueblo.

By 1954, Red was getting frustrated. He thought about leaving baseball behind to use his biology and physical education degrees for teaching. After some injury-shortened seasons and clashes with minor league managers, things looked pretty bleak.

But in November 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him away from the Dodgers, thanks to scout Howie Haak. That move changed everything, and Witt jumped straight from Class A to the Pirates’ Pacific Coast League affiliate.

Notable Minor League Milestones

Witt’s biggest minor league season came in 1957 with the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League. After a few rough years, he dominated with an 18-7 record and a career-best 2.24 ERA.

That season, he piled up:

• 184⅔ innings pitched (his most ever)
• Six shutouts in 27 starts
• Good control: 58 walks and 114 strikeouts
• A league record: 58⅔ consecutive innings without an earned run

The year before, in New Orleans, he finished 8-8 with a 3.62 ERA. But he made key changes, like adopting a “no-windup” style similar to Don Larsen and mixing his curveball better with his fastball.

His manager at Hollywood, Clyde King, called Witt “the No. 1 prospect in the league” and praised his “supreme self-confidence.” Those successes got him a spot on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster.

Major League Baseball Debut

Witt made his Major League Baseball debut on September 21, 1957, starting against the New York Giants at Forbes Field. It didn’t go well—he lasted just 1⅓ innings, gave up six earned runs on four hits, and walked five.

Still, the Pirates didn’t give up on him. He made Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster in 1958, though he didn’t see much action at first. After a short trip down to Columbus in May, he came back ready to prove himself.

His first major league start of 1958 changed everything. Witt threw a complete game and beat Sandy Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1. He held a no-hitter into the fifth before Norm Larker got a hit.

That game set the tone for Witt’s best year in the majors. He wrapped up 1958 with a 9-2 record and the best ERA in the National League at 1.61 (though he didn’t have enough innings to qualify officially). The Pittsburgh baseball writers named him the top Pirates rookie that season.

Major League Tenure and Peak Seasons

Red Witt’s major league career stretched from 1957 to 1962. He started strong, had a fantastic rookie year, then ran into elbow injuries. His best days came with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he posted that jaw-dropping 1.61 ERA in 1958, played in the World Series, and then had short runs with two expansion teams.

Breakout with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Witt debuted in the majors on September 21, 1957, starting against the New York Giants at Forbes Field. It was rough—just 1⅓ innings, six earned runs, four hits, five walks.

Things turned around in 1958. After a stint in Triple-A Columbus in May, Witt came back in June and made a splash with a complete-game win over Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers, 2-1.

1958 Season Highlights:

• Record: 9-2
• ERA: 1.61 (best in the National League, though he didn’t have enough innings to lead officially)
• Two complete-game shutouts against the Milwaukee Braves
• Named outstanding Pirates rookie by local writers

In his first big win, Witt held a no-hitter into the fifth before Norm Larker broke it up. That outing earned him a spot in the Pirates’ starting rotation for the rest of the year.

World Series and Postseason Performances

Witt pitched in the Pirates’ 1960 World Series championship run, though his appearances all came during Pittsburgh’s three losses to the New York Yankees.

World Series Appearances:

• Game Two: Came in for Clem Labine in the sixth, Pirates already down by nine
• Game Three: Entered with two outs in the fourth, Pirates trailing 8-0
• Game Six: Started the ninth in a 12-0 loss, retired all three batters he saw

His World Series outings showed how much he had slipped since his 1958 peak. Elbow problems that started in spring training 1959 really hurt his game, and he ended up 0-7 with a 6.93 ERA that year.

Witt had a few bright moments later. In his last start for Pittsburgh on May 7, 1961, he held the Dodgers hitless into the sixth before Charlie Neal homered.

Later Years with Los Angeles Angels and Houston Colt .45s

After a demotion to Class A Asheville in 1961, Witt got two last shots in the majors with expansion teams in 1962.

The Los Angeles Angels gave him five games in April 1962. It didn’t go well—he posted an 8.10 ERA and got sent back to Pittsburgh’s Asheville team.

The Houston Colt .45s picked up his contract for another try. He pitched in eight games for Houston, closing out his major league career on June 10, 1962, against the Dodgers.

Final Career Stats:

• Record: 11-16
• ERA: 4.32
• Strikeouts: 156
• 66 games pitched

His elbow troubles, which had been there since his early pro days, finally ended his major league run. He played a bit more in the minors through 1963, then hung up his glove for good.

Statistical Highlights and Playing Style

Red Witt’s stats tell the story of a pitcher with real promise, but elbow issues kept him from reaching his full potential. His best year was 1958, with a 1.61 ERA—the lowest in the National League, though he didn’t pitch enough innings to qualify officially.

Pitching Achievements and Notable Games

Witt’s standout season was 1958 with the Pirates. He went 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA. That year, he threw two complete-game shutouts against the Milwaukee Braves, who won the pennant.

The high point was his first major league win on June 20, 1958. Witt pitched a complete game against the Dodgers, beating Sandy Koufax 2-1. He kept a no-hitter going into the fifth.

Back in 1957 at Triple-A Hollywood, he set a Pacific Coast League record with 58⅔ consecutive innings without giving up an earned run. That season, he finished 18-7 with a 2.24 ERA and six shutouts.

His last big performance came on May 7, 1961, against the Dodgers. Witt held them hitless into the sixth, but Charlie Neal broke it up with a solo home run.

Key Metrics: Innings Pitched, Strikeouts, Shutouts

Witt put together modest numbers over his six-year major league run from 1957 to 1962. He wrapped up his career with an 11-16 record and a 4.32 ERA in 66 games.

He struck out 156 batters in total. In 1958, his best year, he really showed off his control and posted a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Witt tossed multiple shutouts too. His most impressive shutout season happened in 1957 at Triple-A Hollywood, where he threw six complete-game shutouts. In the majors, he notched at least two shutouts against Milwaukee in 1958.

He pitched a career-high 184⅔ innings in 1957 at Hollywood. Elbow issues kept him from logging big inning totals in the majors.

Batting and Fielding Contributions

Witt, like most pitchers of his era, didn’t offer much at the plate. Almost all his value came from his pitching.

Before he switched to pitching, he played outfield at Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, California. He hit well enough back then to earn varsity letters as a position player.

In a memorable high school game, Witt picked up two hits, including a home run, off future bonus baby Paul Pettit, who struck out 27 batters that day. Still, his hitting just wasn’t strong enough for a pro career as a position player.

On defense, Witt fielded his position capably but nothing flashy. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound righty decided to focus on pitching after realizing his bat wouldn’t carry him forward.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Involvement

Witt retired in 1963 and didn’t waste any time moving into education and community service. He spent over two decades teaching and coaching at Tustin High School in Orange County, California. Along the way, he found time for fitness and construction too.

Teaching and Coaching Career

Witt started his second career at Tustin High School in Orange County, first taking on coaching jobs in baseball and tennis. He also became the school’s athletic director for a few years.

In 1969, he switched gears and joined the science department. He began teaching biology and found real satisfaction in the classroom.

“I haven’t had a morning yet when I’ve gotten up and haven’t loved the thought of going to work,” Witt said in a 1987 interview. That’s something you don’t hear every day.

Witt felt a bit conflicted about coaching after his pro days. He once said the jump from the majors to high school sports was “like a sailor retiring getting a rowboat.”

He spent more than 20 years teaching. Witt enjoyed helping students grasp science concepts and found the classroom environment rewarding.

Community Work and Personal Interests

Outside of school, Witt got into construction and worked as a small-time homebuilder. He did pretty well financially and liked putting his practical skills to use.

He kept himself in great shape well into his 50s. Witt even said he was “in better shape than when [he] played baseball” and stuck to a tough fitness routine.

Personal fitness activities included:

• Teaching aerobics classes
• Competitive running
• Working out for hours every day

Witt built a house in Laguna Beach, California, and lived there with his second wife, Ellen. The place overlooked the ocean and really showed off his success in construction.

He’d show up now and then at old-timer’s games in Pittsburgh and signed autographs at trading card shows. Still, he mostly kept his distance from baseball, saying it was just something he “could do well enough to make a living.”

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Red Witt’s baseball journey left a quiet but genuine mark on the game. He earned respect for his resilience and the way he connected with teammates and coaches.

People in baseball circles remember him for his standout 1958 rookie season and his part in the Pirates’ 1960 World Series team.

Influence on Teams and Teammates

Witt made his biggest impact with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His determination through arm injuries inspired a lot of people around him.

His 1958 rookie year—he posted a 1.61 ERA and a 9-2 record—really highlighted how grit can overcome setbacks.

Manager Bill Burwell played a big part in Witt’s growth when they worked together with the Lincoln Chiefs. Burwell taught him “about the art of pitching” and helped build up his confidence. Witt later valued this approach when he moved into teaching.

Teammates saw how Witt changed his pitching style to deal with elbow problems. He switched to a no-windup delivery, a bit like Don Larsen, and leaned more on his curveball when his fastball faded.

The Pirates used Witt as a reliable relief option during their 1960 World Series run. Even though his appearances came in losing games, he still gave them much-needed depth.

Enduring Recognition in Baseball Circles

The Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America picked Witt as the year’s outstanding Pirate rookie in 1958. They really noticed his impressive debut season against National League hitters.

Back in 1957, Witt set a Pacific Coast League record by pitching 58 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run. That streak definitely helped people see him as a pitcher who could really dominate at Triple-A.

He often faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and those matchups turned into some of the most memorable moments of his career. Witt grabbed his first major league win against Sandy Koufax in 1958.

In 1961, he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Dodgers in what became his last big start. That must have been a wild game to watch.

Baseball historians often point to Witt as an example of how players handled chronic injuries back when medical support was pretty limited. He kept competing through constant elbow problems, showing the kind of determination you saw a lot in his generation.