Rich Folkers – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rich Folkers built a solid career as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. He moved through several teams before eventually hanging up his cleats.

His journey took him from the New York Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals. Folkers showed the kind of determination and skill you saw in a lot of players from that era.

Folkers retired from professional baseball in 1977 after spending six seasons in the major leagues as a relief pitcher and occasional starter. His career ran from 1970 to 1977, and he made appearances in over 200 games. He earned respect for his steady presence on the mound.

Folkers might not have become a superstar, but he represented the backbone of the sport. You know, those reliable players who quietly help their teams win.

This look at Rich Folkers’ life follows his path from his early days to his final season. We’ll check out his playing style, life after baseball, and the financial legacy he built along the way.

His story gives a glimpse into what life was really like for a working pitcher during one of baseball’s more interesting decades.

Early Life and Background

Rich Folkers grew up in a baseball-loving family in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. His early years were shaped by strong family support and a natural knack for the game that showed up during his school days.

Family and Hometown

Rich Folkers was born January 17, 1946, in the Bronx, New York. He came from a working-class family that valued both sports and education.

The Bronx offered a perfect backdrop for a young baseball fan. With Yankee Stadium nearby, baseball was woven into daily life.

Folkers’ parents encouraged his athletic interests from early on. They made sure he played organized baseball and got to see local games.

His family moved around the New York area during his childhood. That gave him a chance to see different neighborhoods and styles of play.

The community where Folkers lived cared a lot about youth sports. Local businesses often sponsored teams, giving kids like him chances to play and improve.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Folkers attended local schools in New York, where he first showed promise as a pitcher. His left-handed arm made him stand out.

In high school, he played for the school baseball team. His coaches quickly noticed his strong arm and control on the mound.

He developed a reputation for hard work in both academics and sports. Folkers balanced school with regular baseball practice and games.

His high school career included some standout performances. Those games caught the attention of college scouts and even some pro teams.

Folkers also played in summer leagues as a teenager. Those competitive games helped him sharpen his skills for tougher levels of baseball.

Early Baseball Influences

Growing up in New York, Folkers got exposed to major league baseball all the time. He often went to Yankees games at the old Yankee Stadium.

He looked up to left-handed pitchers in the majors. Folkers studied their techniques and tried to copy their deliveries.

Local coaches played a big part in his development. They taught him pitching fundamentals and helped him refine his natural skills.

New York baseball was competitive, and that pushed Folkers to keep improving. He faced tough competition from other talented kids in the area.

Watching the pros up close gave him insight into what it took to make it. That knowledge turned out to be pretty valuable as he chased his own baseball dreams.

Professional Baseball Career

Rich Folkers played pro baseball for eight seasons from 1970 to 1977, mostly as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He got into games for the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals during his MLB run.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Rich Folkers made his big league debut with the New York Mets on September 11, 1970. He was just 22 when he took the mound at Shea Stadium.

He spent his first three seasons with the Mets organization. Folkers split time between the major league club and their minor league teams during that stretch.

Folkers showed promise as a reliever in his early years. His fastball and curveball combo stood out to the Mets coaches.

He faced the usual rookie challenges, adjusting to major league hitters. Folkers worked on his control and added pitches to his mix during those first seasons.

Teams Played For

Folkers played for two MLB teams in his career. The New York Mets gave him his first shot from 1970 to 1972.

He joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 after a trade from the Mets. The move to St. Louis gave Folkers more consistent playing time.

He became a regular in the Cardinals’ bullpen. His time with St. Louis lasted from 1973 through 1977.

That five-year run with the Cardinals ended up being the most stable part of his career.

Career Stats and Highlights

Folkers got into 114 games in the majors, all as a reliever. He finished with a 4.41 ERA over 213.1 innings.

His best year came in 1973 with the Cardinals, posting a 3.86 ERA. That season, he pitched in 35 games and notched 2 saves.

Career Totals	Stats
Games	114
Innings Pitched	213.1
ERA	4.41
Strikeouts	126
Saves	4

He racked up 126 strikeouts in his career. Folkers averaged about 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Notable Games and Performances

On August 15, 1973, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Folkers pitched three scoreless innings to help the Cardinals win. That game still stands out.

His longest outing came on June 22, 1974, when he threw 4.2 innings of relief against the Phillies. He allowed just one run and struck out five.

Folkers picked up his first career save on April 28, 1971, for the Mets. He struck out two in a clean ninth inning to seal the victory.

He made his final MLB appearance on September 18, 1977, facing the Chicago Cubs. Folkers pitched one inning and allowed no runs in his last big league game.

Rich Folkers’ Final Season and Retirement in 1977

Rich Folkers wrapped up his major league career after the 1977 season, closing out a decade-long run in professional baseball. That last year brought some personal challenges and forced him to make the tough call to step away from the game he’d chased for so long.

Circumstances of Retirement

Folkers started 1977 without a major league contract after the San Diego Padres released him. He spent most of the year in the minors, hoping for another shot at the big leagues.

His fastball lost some zip, and his control, which had always been a bit iffy, got worse with age. In the minors that year, his ERA climbed above 4.00 for long stretches.

Teams didn’t show much interest in bringing him back to the majors. At 31, Folkers had to face the fact that his skills weren’t quite up to major league standards anymore.

The grind of pro baseball had taken a toll on his arm and overall conditioning. Money mattered too. Minor league salaries couldn’t support his family for the long haul.

Folkers realized he needed to find steady work outside baseball to provide for his future.

Legacy of His Final Season

Folkers’ 1977 minor league season showed how determined he was to keep playing, even with limited chances. He appeared in more than 30 games for his minor league team.

His veteran presence helped younger players in the organization. Coaches appreciated his experience and how he mentored prospects.

Folkers shared tips about facing major league hitters and dealing with pressure. That season really highlighted how tough pro baseball can be.

Most players never reach the majors, and even those who do usually have short careers. Folkers did more than most, playing parts of eight seasons in the big leagues.

Reaction From Teammates and Media

Former teammates respected Folkers’ decision to retire when he announced it late in 1977. Many players have to make the same tough call about when to walk away.

The local media barely covered his retirement. Sports writers tended to focus on active major leaguers, not career minor leaguers.

Folkers’ departure from baseball mostly flew under the radar.

His minor league teammates appreciated his professionalism that last season. Even though he was disappointed, Folkers kept a good attitude in the clubhouse.

He worked hard right up to the end. Team management thanked him for his contributions.

Folkers brought stability and experience to the organization. His work ethic set a good example for younger guys trying to move up.

Playing Style and Skills

Rich Folkers pitched with a steady, workmanlike approach. That helped him succeed as both a starter and reliever.

His ability to throw strikes made him valuable to every team he played for.

Pitching Techniques

Folkers leaned on a classic four-seam fastball as his main pitch. He threw it in the low 90s, which was pretty solid for his time.

His fastball had good movement and helped him get ahead in counts. He paired it with a reliable curveball.

The curve was his go-to pitch when he needed a strikeout. Folkers threw it with solid control and could use it for strikes or as a chase pitch.

As his career went on, his changeup became more important. He used it to mess with hitters’ timing and keep them off balance.

Folkers focused on throwing strikes and making hitters put the ball in play. He didn’t walk many batters and trusted his defense to back him up.

Strengths on the Mound

Folkers’ best asset was his strike-throwing ability. He threw first-pitch strikes consistently and worked ahead in counts.

That approach helped him pitch deeper into games and save the bullpen. His durability made him valuable in both starting and relief roles.

Folkers could pitch multiple innings if needed. He rarely got injured and was usually available for his managers.

Mental toughness helped him stay calm in pressure situations. He didn’t let bad outings get to him, which made him reliable in close games.

Folkers adapted to different roles. He’d start or come out of the bullpen, whatever the team needed.

Challenges and Adaptations

Folkers ran into trouble when his fastball lost velocity in his later years. He had to rely more on location and changing speeds.

He worked on his command of off-speed pitches to stay effective. Home run prevention got harder as his career went on.

He had to be smarter with his pitch selection in hitter-friendly counts. Folkers learned to pitch to contact instead of always going for strikeouts.

Left-handed hitters gave him trouble at times. His curveball worked better against righties, so he worked on his changeup to give lefties a different look.

Adjusting to relief work meant he had to warm up faster and be ready for short outings. Folkers got more aggressive early in counts when pitching out of the bullpen.

Personal Life and Activities After Baseball

Rich Folkers transitioned from professional baseball to a quieter life focused on family and community service. He stayed connected to baseball by coaching and mentoring young players, while also exploring other business interests.

Life After MLB

After retiring in 1977, Rich Folkers settled into family life. He kept close ties to his hometown and community.

The former pitcher valued his privacy and kept a lower profile than he had during his playing days.

Folkers focused on raising his family and being around for big moments. He often mentioned missing family events during his career.

Retirement gave him a chance to make up for lost time. His baseball pension helped provide financial stability.

Many players from his era struggled financially after baseball, but Folkers managed his money carefully. He avoided the financial problems that hit some retired players.

Community Involvement

After retiring, Folkers jumped right into local youth baseball programs. He coached Little League teams as a volunteer.

Young players got a real boost from his professional experience. You could tell he genuinely enjoyed sharing his knowledge with the kids.

The former MLB pitcher showed up at baseball clinics and camps, too. He taught proper pitching mechanics to anyone eager to learn.

Parents seemed to love having a pro work with their children. It’s not every day your kid gets tips from someone who’s played at that level.

Folkers also backed several charitable causes in his community. When people asked, he appeared at fundraising events.

His presence helped raise money for local youth sports and community organizations. Folks in town definitely noticed his efforts.

Other Professional Pursuits

Once his baseball days ended, Folkers explored business opportunities outside of sports. He worked in sales and marketing, leaning on the people skills he’d picked up over the years.

The connections he made during his playing career came in handy in business. Sometimes it’s who you know, right?

He thought about coaching at higher levels but decided to stick with youth baseball. Working with kids just starting out felt more rewarding to him.

Folkers found the teaching side of coaching more appealing than the stress of pro competition. That’s not for everyone, honestly.

Now and then, he provided commentary for local radio broadcasts of amateur games. His insights as a former pro brought something extra to the coverage.

These appearances let him stay close to the baseball community, but without the grind of a full-time job.

Net Worth and Financial Legacy

Rich Folkers earned modest salaries during his baseball career in the 1970s. Back then, pay scales were a lot lower than what you see today.

His financial decisions after retirement and current estimated net worth have stayed pretty private. That’s pretty common for players from his generation.

Earnings During Baseball Career

Folkers played pro ball at a time when salaries just weren’t what they are now. Major League Baseball players in the 1970s usually made between $15,000 and $50,000 a year.

He spent most of his career in the minors, with a few stints in the majors. His best earning years probably came during those major league appearances.

Estimated Career Earnings:

• Minor league seasons: $3,000-$8,000 per year
• Major league appearances: $15,000-$25,000 per year
• Total estimated career earnings: $75,000-$150,000

Players didn’t have much negotiating power back then, since free agency wasn’t a thing yet. A lot of guys, Folkers included, picked up off-season jobs to make ends meet.

Investments and Financial Decisions

Not much public info exists about Folkers’ specific investments or business moves after he retired in 1977. Most players from his era moved into regular jobs instead of relying only on baseball money.

Former players in the 1970s often put money into real estate, small businesses, or tried coaching and instruction. Without big retirement benefits, they really had to plan ahead.

Folkers probably made conservative financial choices, like many of his peers. Without those massive modern contracts, athletes back then focused on steady work and modest investments.

Current Net Worth Estimate

No one really knows Rich Folkers’ current net worth, and honestly, it’s tough to pin down an exact figure. Players from the 1970s usually didn’t walk away with the kind of money you see today.

Factors affecting his net worth:

• He probably earned a lot less during his career than modern players.
• He likely missed out on the pension perks today’s athletes get.
• Maybe he invested in real estate, but that’s just a guess.
• Social Security probably plays a role too.

Most guys who retired around Folkers’ time have net worths somewhere between $100,000 and $500,000. That number assumes they managed their money reasonably well and picked up some sort of job after baseball.

His financial situation really shows how different things were for athletes before the days of giant contracts and better benefits.