Rick Bladt – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rick Bladt has one of baseball’s most unusual career stories. He played just 62 games in Major League Baseball, but those games stretched across two different decades.

The outfielder from Santa Cruz, California made his debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1969 at age 22. Then, he vanished from the majors for six years before popping back up with the New York Yankees in 1975.

Bladt’s career only lasted two seasons, and they were separated by a six-year gap. Not many players have ever had such a long break between big league appearances. His story involves being traded as a “player to be named later” and grinding in the minors for years before finally getting another shot at the majors.

He started his MLB journey as a pinch-runner for Hall of Famer Billy Williams. In his last season, he held down center field for the Yankees. Bladt’s path through pro baseball says a lot about the struggles fringe major leaguers face. His stats, team changes, and post-baseball life show the perseverance needed to stick around the sport in the late 1960s and mid-1970s.

Rick Bladt’s Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Rick Bladt was born in Santa Cruz, California on December 9, 1946. He sharpened his baseball skills at Foothill College before signing with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 1966.

Birthplace and Background

Rick Bladt grew up in Santa Cruz, California, a city known for its ocean views and mild weather. He came into the world on December 9, 1946, right in the post-World War II boom when baseball really was king in America.

Santa Cruz’s climate made it easy for young athletes to play outside most of the year. Bladt took advantage of the long playing seasons to work on his game.

He stood 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 160 pounds during his career. He hit left-handed but threw right-handed, which gave him some versatility in the outfield.

Foothill College and Early Development

Bladt went to Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. The school opened in 1958 and quickly built a reputation for strong athletics.

At Foothill, Bladt got structured training and plenty of chances to compete. He worked on his outfield skills and fine-tuned his batting stance with help from the coaching staff.

Community college baseball has always been a stepping stone for players hoping to go pro. Bladt used his time at Foothill to get noticed by MLB scouts. His performance there eventually landed him on the radar of professional teams.

Signing with Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed Bladt as an undrafted amateur free agent in 1966. Back then, teams often picked up promising players this way if they didn’t get drafted. The Cubs organization saw something in the young outfielder from California.

Bladt entered the Cubs’ minor league system at 19. He started working his way up through different levels, trying to prove himself as both an outfielder and a hitter.

Signing with Chicago kicked off Bladt’s professional baseball journey. He spent three years in the minors before making his MLB debut with the Cubs in 1969. It’s a pretty good example of how hard work and improvement can pay off, even if you start out undrafted.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Rick Bladt played in the majors during two separate stints, appearing in 62 total games for the Chicago Cubs in 1969 and the New York Yankees in 1975. He spent six years in the minors between those appearances.

MLB Debut with Chicago Cubs

Rick Bladt made his Major League debut on June 15, 1969, with the Chicago Cubs. He jumped into the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds as a pinch-runner for Billy Williams.

He started the second game that day. After lining into a double play in his first at-bat, Bladt got his first big league hit—a run-scoring single off pitcher Gerry Arrigo.

Billy Williams pinch-hit for him in the sixth inning. Bladt played in eight more games that June before the team sent him back to the minors.

The Cubs had signed him in 1966, and he’d worked his way up through their system to earn that call-up.

Transition to New York Yankees

Bladt became part of a trade between the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees in January 1970. He was the “player to be named later” in a deal that started back in September 1969.

The Cubs had sent a minor leaguer, cash, and a player to be named later to the Yankees for Jimmie Hall. Bladt’s move to New York finished off that trade.

He spent years in the Yankees minor league system after the trade. Bladt didn’t get back to the majors until 1975, which meant a six-year gap between his big league games.

Players in that era often spent a long time in the minors, hoping for another shot. Bladt’s patience finally paid off.

Final Season and Retirement in 1975

Rick Bladt debuted for the Yankees on July 19, 1975, and stayed with them through the end of the season. He played in 52 games during his last MLB run.

His biggest moment happened on August 23, 1975, when he hit his only major league home run off Andy Hassler of the California Angels. In September, Bladt took over as the Yankees’ everyday center fielder, filling in for Elliott Maddox.

Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 62
• Batting Average: .215
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 12
• Hits: 28 (3 doubles, 1 triple)

The Yankees traded Bladt and Elliott Maddox to the Baltimore Orioles for Paul Blair on January 20, 1977. He never made it back to the majors after 1975, so his MLB career ended at age 28.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Rick Bladt’s short time in the majors produced modest numbers. He played 62 games with the Cubs and Yankees, and he had his best year in 1975 with New York, collecting 26 hits and playing solid defense in center field.

Career Stats and Batting Performance

Bladt wrapped up his MLB career with a .215 batting average over two seasons. He tallied 28 hits in 130 at-bats, including three doubles, one triple, and a home run.

He drove in 12 runs, mostly during his 1975 season with the Yankees. That year, he hit .222 with 26 hits in 117 at-bats.

Key Offensive Numbers:

• OPS: .557 career
• Stolen bases: 6 out of 8 attempts
• Walks: 11 walks, 13 strikeouts

His 1969 season with Chicago was rough—just 2 hits in 13 at-bats for a .154 average.

His OPS+ of 58 shows his offense was below league average. The stats from Baseball Reference confirm his offensive production stayed limited both years.

Notable Games and Key Moments

Bladt’s MLB debut came on June 15, 1969, against Cincinnati. He played in 10 games for the 1969 Cubs team that led the NL East before their late-season collapse.

His last MLB game was on September 28, 1975, against Baltimore. He stole a base and went 1-for-2 in that game.

That six-year gap between his 1969 and 1975 seasons stands out. Most of his big league action came with the Yankees, where he started 33 games in center field.

1975 Season Highlights:

• Started 33 games for New York
• Swiped 6 bases
• Had a .292 on-base percentage

His only home run came in 1975. The Yankees mostly used him in center field or as a pinch runner.

Fielding and Defensive Impact

Bladt played solid defense in center field, finishing with a .976 fielding percentage and only 3 errors in 120 chances.

Defensive Breakdown:

• Putouts: 115
• Assists: 5
• Errors: 3
• Double plays: 1

He saw the most action in 1975, playing 326.2 innings in center and handling 109 chances. The Cubs used him less in 1969, just 36 innings in the outfield.

Bladt played all three outfield spots. His Range Factor of 2.98 per nine innings (per Baseball Reference) shows he covered decent ground. Teams plugged him in as a utility outfielder when needed.

MLB Career Summary

Bladt’s MLB career included 1969 with CHC and 1975 with NYY. He played 62 games, starting 37—most of them in center field.

Career Totals:

• Games: 62
• At-bats: 130
• Hits: 28
• Home runs: 1
• RBIs: 12

His .280 on-base percentage shows he didn’t walk much. The Yankees gave him far more chances than the Cubs—52 games versus just 10.

Retrosheet data links him to two iconic franchises. He played for the 1969 Cubs, a team that’s still talked about for their collapse.

His last big league season was with the Yankees in 1975. Bladt was 28 when he played his final MLB game, closing out a career that bridged two very different eras in baseball.

Minor League and International Career

Rick Bladt spent most of his baseball life in the minors, especially with the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League from 1970 to 1976. He played 846 games for the Chiefs, making him one of their all-time mainstays and a reliable Triple-A performer.

Progression through Minor Leagues

The Chicago Cubs signed Bladt as an undrafted free agent in 1966. He moved through their minor league system for three years before getting his MLB shot in 1969.

After that short stint with the Cubs, Bladt joined the Yankees organization through a trade. He spent years in the Yankees’ minor league system, waiting for another call-up.

The Yankees finally brought Bladt up in mid-July 1975 to fill in as their regular center fielder. Elliott Maddox had just suffered a season-ending injury, so the team needed someone to step up.

Performance in the International League

Bladt became one of the International League’s most productive hitters during his time with Syracuse. He piled up impressive stats, especially when it came to hitting doubles.

He racked up 113 doubles in International League play, which put him third all-time until Chad Mottola passed him in 2006. That kind of gap power made him a steady threat at the plate.

People still talk about the wild 1976 play where Art Gardner hit a ball into the ivy wall. Bladt searched for the missing ball while Gardner circled the bases—umpires eventually called it a ground-rule double.

Time with Syracuse Chiefs and Other Minor Teams

From 1970 to 1976, Bladt played for the Syracuse Chiefs and took the field in 846 games, the second-most in team history. That kind of longevity says a lot about his consistency and durability.

The Chiefs were his main team during his long minor league career. Bladt became a fixture in their lineup and one of their most dependable outfielders.

His years with Syracuse let him build strong relationships with teammates and become a veteran leader. He played alongside future major leaguers like Ron Guidry and Tippy Martinez as they worked their way up.

Trades, Transactions, and Team Changes

Rick Bladt’s professional career saw two trades that really shaped his path through Major League Baseball. He moved from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees, and later ended up in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

Cubs to Yankees Trade Details

The biggest trade in Bladt’s career happened during a pretty complicated deal between the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. On September 11, 1969, the Cubs sent Terry Bongiovanni, some cash, and a player to be named later to the Yankees for outfielder Jimmie Hall.

Bladt turned out to be that player to be named later. The Cubs officially sent him to New York on January 6, 1970, finalizing the deal.

Baseball teams used to do trades like this a lot. They liked having “player to be named later” options when they needed more time to look at their rosters or figure out which players to move.

After the trade, Bladt spent a few years working his way through the Yankees’ minor league system. He didn’t make it to the majors with New York until 1975, finally making his Yankees debut on July 19 that year.

Later Move to Baltimore Orioles

Bladt’s final major league transaction came after the 1976 season. On January 20, 1977, the New York Yankees traded him and Elliott Maddox to the Baltimore Orioles for center fielder Paul Blair.

This trade happened after Bladt had already wrapped up his big league playing days in 1975. He didn’t play any games for Baltimore, so that deal basically marked the end of his time in pro baseball.

The Yankees made this move to get Blair and strengthen their outfield. For Bladt, it closed the book on his journey through three organizations during his career.

Legacy, Recognition, and Life After Baseball

Rick Bladt’s short MLB career left a modest mark on two legendary franchises. His stats are still there in baseball’s official archives, but honestly, not much is out there about what he did after baseball.

Lasting Impact on Teams

Bladt’s time with the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees didn’t last long, but he had a few memorable moments. He made his MLB debut on June 15, 1969, pinch-running for Hall of Famer Billy Williams in a doubleheader against Cincinnati.

He picked up his first major league hit in that same doubleheader. Bladt singled in a run off pitcher Gerry Arrigo during the second game.

With the Yankees in 1975, Bladt took over as the everyday center fielder in September. He stepped in for Elliott Maddox that last month of the season.

He hit his only career home run on August 23, 1975, off California Angels pitcher Andy Hassler. That homer really stands out as the highlight of his 62-game MLB career.

Career Statistics:

• Games played: 62
• Batting average: .215
• Home runs: 1
• RBIs: 12
• Hits: 28 (including 3 doubles, 1 triple)

Mentions in Baseball Reference and Retrosheet

Baseball Reference and Retrosheet both keep Bladt’s career stats and game logs on file. You can find every detail of his 62 MLB appearances with both teams.

Baseball Reference lists all his stats, like his .215 batting average and game-by-game performance. You can see how he moved from the Cubs’ minor leagues to his trade to the Yankees.

Retrosheet keeps detailed play-by-play records of his games. That includes his debut and his home run against the Angels in 1975.

These online archives make sure Bladt’s part in baseball history sticks around for anyone curious enough to look. His stats sit right alongside thousands of other players from baseball’s long, winding story.

Post-Retirement Life and Career

There’s not a lot out there about what Bladt did after the Yankees traded him to Baltimore in 1977. On January 20, 1977, the Yankees sent him and Elliott Maddox to the Orioles for Paul Blair.

Bladt didn’t make it back to the major leagues after that move. He wrapped up his baseball career with one last season in the minors, then called it quits.

No one really knows much about his life after baseball, whether he started a business or what his family life looked like. Honestly, a lot of guys from his time just faded into new careers outside baseball and never looked back.

One thing that does pop up is his connection to Foothill College. He played there before the Cubs signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1966.