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

Rich Wortham’s name probably won’t show up in the baseball Hall of Fame, but his journey from Texas high school standout to Major League pitcher is a fascinating story of talent, grit, and the wild unpredictability of pro sports. Richard Cooper Wortham managed to carve out a four-season career in the majors between 1978 and 1983, pitching for both the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics during a time when baseball was shifting into its modern era.

Wortham officially retired from professional baseball in 1983 after his last appearance with the Oakland Athletics. That wrapped up a career spanning eight years in pro baseball, including 84 major league games.

He started his journey to the majors with some pretty impressive amateur success. At the University of Texas, he helped lead the Longhorns to a College World Series championship in 1975.

Wortham’s story has plenty of highs and lows, kind of like a lot of baseball careers. He went from being a highly-touted prospect to dealing with control problems that eventually cut his big-league time short.

After baseball, he jumped into agricultural advocacy work. He ended up leading the Texas Beef Council for decades after hanging up his cleats.

Early Life and Amateur Success

Rich Wortham grew up in Odessa, Texas, where he quickly became one of the most sought-after pitchers in the country. He stood out at both the high school and college levels, and even got a taste of international competition that helped prepare him for the big leagues.

Odessa Roots and High School Achievements

Richard Cooper Wortham was born on October 22, 1953, in Odessa, Texas. He grew up in this West Texas oil town and went to Odessa High School, where he made a name for himself as a top baseball talent.

During high school, Wortham’s pitching really caught the eyes of scouts all over the country. His performances on the mound made him a hot prospect.

He graduated from Odessa High School in 1972. His high school success put him among the best amateur pitchers in Texas.

The Texas Rangers noticed his potential and picked him in the 5th round of the 1972 MLB draft. Even though he got drafted, Wortham decided to keep playing ball at the college level instead.

That choice turned out to be a good move for his development as a pitcher.

University of Texas and College World Series

Wortham went to the University of Texas at Austin instead of signing with the Rangers. He played for Coach Cliff Gustafson, who was known for turning out some of the best college baseball players.

His college career turned out to be pretty incredible. Wortham racked up a 50-7 record with the Texas Longhorns.

That kind of win-loss record made it clear just how dominant he was in college. The high point of his college run came in 1975.

He served as the ace pitcher for the Longhorns team that won the College World Series. That championship was the highlight of his amateur days.

His college success didn’t go unnoticed. In 2010, Wortham got inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, which is a pretty big deal.

Draft History and Team USA Involvement

Wortham’s draft history shows how much teams wanted him. After the Rangers drafted him in 1972, the New York Mets selected him again in the 14th round of the 1975 MLB draft.

He turned down both offers and waited for the right opportunity. The Chicago White Sox finally brought him in during the January secondary phase of the 1976 draft.

That move got him into professional baseball for good. In 1973, Wortham played for Team USA during the Amateur World Series.

This international event, run by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, saw Team USA win the gold medal for the first time. During that tournament, Wortham beat Dennis Martínez and Team Nicaragua in the final game.

That win, against a future Major League pitcher, showed Wortham could hang with the best at the amateur level.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Rich Wortham pitched in Major League Baseball for four seasons between 1978 and 1983. He put together a 21-23 record with a 4.89 ERA across 84 games.

He started off with early promise for the Chicago White Sox. Later, struggles on the mound led to his retirement after a short stint with the Oakland Athletics.

Major League Debut and Early Promise

Wortham made his big league debut on May 3, 1978, with the Chicago White Sox. He was the first former Odessa High School student to reach the majors.

His rookie season looked good. He posted a 3.05 ERA in eight starts, finished two games, and struck out 25 in 59 innings.

He showed solid control and effectiveness. He kept a 1.390 WHIP and gave up just one home run during his first season.

That performance earned him a regular spot in the White Sox rotation the next year. The team saw him as a key part of their future pitching staff.

Tenure with Chicago White Sox

Wortham spent three seasons with Chicago from 1978 to 1980. He did most of his work in 1979, making 34 appearances and starting 33 games.

That year turned out to be tough. He finished with a 14-14 record and a 4.90 ERA over 204 innings.

In 1980, his role and effectiveness took a hit. Wortham posted a rough 5.97 ERA in 41 appearances, starting only 10 games.

The White Sox mostly used him out of the bullpen that year. He got one save but walked 58 batters in just 92 innings, which shows how much he struggled with control.

Oakland Athletics and Final MLB Season

The Oakland Athletics brought Wortham in for the 1983 season. His time with them was very short and marked the end of his big league days.

Wortham pitched in just one game for Oakland. He faced four batters, gave up three hits and a run, and didn’t record an out.

That last appearance lasted less than an inning. The rough outing pretty much ended his MLB career at age 29.

The Athletics released him soon after. No other major league team picked him up that season.

Notable Trades and Team Movements

Wortham’s road to pro baseball included several draft selections. The Texas Rangers picked him first in 1972, then the New York Mets in 1975.

The Chicago White Sox eventually signed him in the 2nd round of the 1976 January Draft-Secondary Phase. That came after his college career at Texas.

He moved from Chicago to Oakland between 1980 and 1983, but there was a gap in his major league service. The details of how he landed with the Athletics aren’t totally clear from the records out there.

That three-year break from the majors probably included minor league assignments. He might have been rehabbing or pitching in other teams’ farm systems during that time.

Minor League Experience and Development

Rich Wortham spent a lot of time working on his pitching in the minors from 1976 to 1983. He made key stops at Double-A Knoxville and Triple-A Iowa Oaks, plus several other teams that helped shape his career.

Double-A Knoxville and Early Progression

Wortham started his minor league career with the Knoxville Sox in 1976. This Double-A team gave him his first real taste of higher-level competition.

The experience in Knoxville helped him face more advanced hitters. He worked on his mechanics with pro coaches.

While there, Wortham focused on becoming a reliable starting pitcher. That Double-A level was crucial for proving he could handle tougher competition.

Triple-A Iowa Oaks and Performance

The Iowa Oaks were another big step in Wortham’s minor league journey. This Triple-A club was just below the majors.

At Iowa, Wortham faced his toughest minor league competition. The pitching staff worked with him to get ready for the majors.

His time with the Oaks showed he was ready for a shot at the big leagues. Triple-A was the last stop before he finally made his MLB debut.

Stints with Additional Minor League Teams

Wortham also pitched for the Memphis Chicks, Denver Bears, Reading Phillies, Modesto A’s, and Albany-Colonie A’s.

Career Minor League Statistics:

• Record: 28 wins, 37 losses
• ERA: 5.12
• Games: 127 total appearances

He got another Double-A experience with the Reading Phillies. That gave him a look at different coaching styles and approaches.

His last minor league season was in 1983 with Albany-Colonie. That year marked the end of his professional baseball career.

Pitching Style and Career Statistics

Rich Wortham finished his Major League career with a 21-23 record and a 4.89 ERA over 355 innings. He started out mostly as a starter, then moved into more relief work, keeping up decent strikeout numbers even while battling control issues.

Starting Pitcher Versus Bullpen Roles

Wortham kicked off his MLB career as a starting pitcher with the White Sox in 1978. He made 8 starts as a rookie, completed 2 games, and tossed 59 innings.

His biggest year as a starter came in 1979. Wortham made 33 starts out of 34 appearances, pitched 204 innings, and finished 5 complete games.

By 1980, his role shifted more to the bullpen. He started just 10 games out of 41 appearances.

That move put him in a long reliever spot, where he’d pitch multiple innings as needed. The White Sox adjusted his role based on his performance.

They used his experience in longer relief situations instead of giving him regular starts.

Career ERA, Win-Loss Record, and Innings Pitched

Wortham’s career ERA of 4.89 was below league average for his time. His best season was 1978, when he put up a 3.05 ERA over 59 innings and earned a 126 ERA+.

In 1979, he threw 204 innings but had a 4.90 ERA and a 14-14 record. That was his busiest season by far.

The 1980 season was a struggle, with a 5.97 ERA in 92 innings and a 4-7 record. That year really showed why he shifted from starting to relieving.

His win-loss record of 21-23 tells you he pitched for teams that didn’t always give him much run support. His .477 winning percentage reflects both his own performance and the teams he played for.

Strikeouts, Walks, and Fielding Performance

Wortham struck out 189 batters in his career, averaging 4.8 strikeouts per nine innings. His best year for strikeouts was 1979, with 119 in 204 innings.

He struggled with control, issuing 182 walks in total. That 4.6 walks per nine innings led to a high 1.524 WHIP.

The 1980 season was especially tough, with 58 walks in just 92 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio sat at 1.04 for his career, which isn’t great.

That number peaked at 1.19 in 1979 but dropped to 0.78 in 1980, showing how inconsistent things got.

Fielding-wise, Wortham had mixed results. He made 10 errors in 84 games, which gave him a .872 fielding percentage.

His range factor of 1.72 per nine innings was below league average. Still, he managed 16 pickoffs, so he definitely kept an eye on baserunners.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Rich Wortham wrapped up his baseball career in 1983 with the Oakland Athletics. After hanging up his glove, he moved into agricultural leadership roles and got recognition from his alma mater for his baseball achievements.

Retirement in 1983

Wortham played his last Major League Baseball season in 1983 with the Oakland Athletics. Over his four-year MLB run from 1978 to 1983, he struck out 189 hitters with two teams.

The 1983 season marked the end of Wortham’s pro baseball days. He’d spent most of his career with the White Sox from 1978 to 1980 before joining Oakland for one final shot.

At 29, Wortham stepped away from baseball. He left behind a career that included major college success and a solid run in the big leagues during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

University of Texas Hall of Honor

The University of Texas honored Wortham’s standout college baseball career long after he left the pros. In 2010, he joined the College Baseball Hall of Fame, which really speaks to how well he performed as a Longhorn pitcher.

While at Texas, Wortham put together a remarkable 50-7 record with legendary coach Cliff Gustafson. He led the 1975 Longhorns as their ace, and they took home the College World Series title that year.

Wortham also played for Team USA during the 1973 Amateur World Series. In that tournament, he beat Dennis Martinez and Team Nicaragua in the final, helping the U.S. secure its first gold medal in the event.

Post-Baseball Activities and Contributions

After he retired from pro baseball, Wortham started a new chapter in agricultural leadership. He now works as the executive director of the Texas Beef Council, which shows how much he cares about Texas agriculture and industry.

Wortham put down roots in Leander, Texas. His job with the Texas Beef Council marks a big shift from sports to advocating for agriculture.

He spends his days promoting Texas cattle ranching and beef production. This role lets him support his home state’s agricultural economy and put his baseball-honed leadership skills to good use.

Switching from baseball to agricultural leadership really highlights Wortham’s drive and knack for organization in a totally different field.

Net Worth and Legacy

Rich Wortham’s finances reflect the pretty modest paychecks baseball players got back in the 1970s and 1980s. His career didn’t last long—just four seasons—but he still made a mark with the Chicago White Sox during his best years.

Estimated Net Worth and Financial Highlights

Nobody really knows Rich Wortham’s net worth, which is pretty common for players from his time. Baseball salaries back then were nowhere near what they are now.

Between 1978 and 1983, Wortham played four seasons and earned what was standard for that era. His best year was in 1979, when he pitched in 34 games for the White Sox.

Pitchers like Wortham didn’t rake in big money. Most guys from that period picked up extra work or started businesses during the off-season.

Career earnings factors:

• Four seasons in the Majors
• Main income from the Chicago White Sox (1978-1980)
• Short time with the Oakland Athletics (1983)

Players from Wortham’s generation didn’t really get endorsement deals. His financial legacy comes from his baseball salary, not from commercials or investments.

Recognition and Impact on Baseball

Rich Wortham made his mark on the Chicago White Sox pitching staff in the late 1970s. He racked up 189 career strikeouts and picked up 21 wins, which feels pretty solid for a guy who didn’t always get a ton of chances.

If you look back, 1979 really stands out as his peak. That year, he notched 14 wins and struck out 119 batters over 204 innings for Chicago.

His career 4.89 ERA and 1.524 WHIP show the rough patches he hit as a major league pitcher. Still, Wortham managed to finish seven games, proving he could stick it out.

Coming from Texas, he took a path from the University of Texas all the way to the majors. That journey inspired plenty of players from his home state.

Three different organizations picked him in the draft, which says a lot about how much people noticed his talent.

Notable career highlights:

• 34 appearances in the 1979 season
• Seven complete games across four seasons
• Played for both the White Sox and Athletics

His impact might seem modest, but it’s definitely got its place in the story of 1970s baseball.