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

Rick Bosetti isn’t really a name you’ll hear tossed around by most baseball fans these days, but the outfielder managed to put together a solid seven-year run in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1982.

He was born Richard Alan Bosetti on August 5, 1953, in Redding, California. This defense-first player left his mark with four different teams at a time when baseball was starting to look a lot more like the game we know today.

Bosetti played his last MLB game on May 26, 1982, with the Oakland Athletics. That wrapped up a career spanning from 1976 to 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. Sure, his .250 career batting average doesn’t exactly jump off the stat sheet, but his glove and work ethic kept him in the lineup, especially when he played for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays.

From his early days in Northern California to his pro career, where he once played all 162 games in a season, Bosetti’s journey says a lot about what it’s like to be a journeyman player during baseball’s changing years.

He racked up some impressive defensive numbers, bounced between teams, and faced the grind that comes with trying to stick around in a sport that just kept getting tougher.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Richard Alan Bosetti entered the world on August 5, 1953, in Redding, California. He started building his baseball skills right there.

His road to professional baseball took him through Anderson Union High School in Anderson, California. He kept things close to home by heading to Shasta College in Redding.

Childhood and Family Background

Bosetti grew up in Redding, a small city tucked up in Northern California. Born in 1953, he came of age during the 1960s, back when baseball was everywhere in America.

His family stayed rooted in the Redding area, and that connection ended up meaning a lot to him later on.

Northern California’s mild weather let Bosetti work on his game all year. He could get outside and play almost anytime.

As a kid, he showed real promise as an athlete. By his teenage years, it was pretty clear he had a knack for baseball and put in the work.

Anderson Union High School Achievements

Bosetti went to Anderson Union High School in Anderson, California, where he started to get noticed as a legit baseball prospect.

The school gave him his first taste of high-level, organized baseball. He played all over the field, showing off that versatility that would help him later.

His performance drew the attention of college scouts. Coaches at Anderson saw his potential and pushed him to take his game to the next level.

Those high school years taught him discipline and teamwork—skills he’d need as he moved up.

College Career at Shasta College

After high school, Bosetti chose Shasta College in Redding, sticking close to his roots. The community college gave him a chance to keep playing ball while getting his education.

At Shasta, he really started catching the eyes of pro scouts. His play on the field made it clear he was ready for the next step.

The Philadelphia Phillies saw his potential and took him in the 7th round of the 1973 MLB January Draft, while he was still at Shasta. That was a big turning point.

Getting picked as the 114th overall selection felt like a payoff for all his hard work. It opened the door to professional baseball for him.

Major League Debut and Early Professional Years

Bosetti’s pro baseball adventure kicked off in the mid-1970s. He made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 9, 1976, at just 23 years old.

His early years included short stints with Philadelphia and St. Louis before he finally found his footing as a regular.

Draft and Minor League Development

Bosetti played at Anderson Union High School and then at Shasta College in Redding. The Philadelphia Phillies noticed his outfield talent and signed him to a pro contract.

He worked his way up through the Phillies’ minor league system, showing off his steady approach and strong work ethic. During those years, he sharpened his defensive skills and figured out how to handle the bat.

By 1976, he’d impressed enough to get a call-up to the big leagues. The time in the minors helped him get ready for the jump to the National League.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

Bosetti made his big league debut on September 9, 1976, and played in 13 games for the Phillies that month.

He got 18 at-bats and came up with 5 hits, good for a .278 average. Not a bad start.

He also managed a .316 on-base percentage and showed some patience at the plate. Even with limited chances, he swiped 3 bases.

Despite that, the Phillies already had a crowded outfield, so Bosetti didn’t get much of a shot at regular playing time. After just one season, he was headed elsewhere.

St. Louis Cardinals Transition

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Bosetti for the 1977 season, and he got a bit more playing time in the National League.

He played 41 games, had 69 at-bats, and picked up 16 hits for a .232 average.

Offensively, it was a tough stretch. His on-base percentage slipped to .303, and he only drove in 3 runs.

He still showed speed with 4 steals, though he got caught 4 times. The Cardinals mostly used him as a backup outfielder and pinch-runner.

His defense kept him on the roster, but his bat just wasn’t there. After one season in St. Louis, things were about to change for him again.

Toronto Blue Jays Career Highlights

Bosetti found his stride with the Toronto Blue Jays, becoming a key outfielder during the team’s early days.

He played center field regularly and led American League outfielders in several defensive stats. His best years came in a Blue Jays uniform, and he set some personal records along the way.

Becoming the Regular Center Fielder

Bosetti joined the Toronto Blue Jays and quickly locked down the starting center fielder job.

He spent most of his big league career with Toronto, making center field his own. That regular role brought some much-needed stability to the young franchise.

The AL club leaned on his experience and solid glove. Taking over as the everyday center fielder was a big moment for both him and the team.

Notable Seasons and Records

Bosetti’s best season with the Jays came in 1979. He led the club with 35 doubles that year and became one of their top offensive contributors.

He played all 162 games in a season for Toronto, which is no small feat. That kind of durability made him a valuable piece for the team.

His numbers during his Blue Jays years really padded his career stats. He gave them steady production from the outfield.

Fielding Leadership and Accolades

In 1979, Bosetti put up some eye-popping defensive numbers in center field for Toronto.

He led all American League outfielders with 446 putouts and 15 assists. That’s impressive range and a strong arm.

His defense put him among the best AL outfielders that year. Covering ground and making accurate throws turned him into a real asset.

That 1979 season stands out as one of the best defensive years by a Blue Jays outfielder in the early years of the franchise.

Oakland Athletics and Retirement in 1982

Bosetti wrapped up his MLB career with the Oakland Athletics in 1982. After the A’s released him on September 6, 1982, he decided to retire right away.

Joining the Oakland Athletics

Rick Bosetti joined the Oakland Athletics for his final season in the majors. Oakland became his fourth team after stops in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Toronto.

Funny enough, on every team he played for, he ended up as a teammate of pitcher Tom Underwood. The A’s gave Bosetti one last shot to play at the highest level.

The 1982 season marked Oakland’s 82nd overall and their 15th in the city. Bosetti joined a team still trying to find its place in the American League during the early ‘80s.

Final MLB Games and Retirement Decision

The Oakland Athletics let Rick Bosetti go on September 6, 1982. That was late in the season, just before things wrapped up.

After that, Bosetti decided he was done with baseball. At 29, he didn’t chase after other teams or try to stick around in the minors.

He finished his career with a .250 average over seven seasons in the majors.

With his release and quick retirement, 1982 became both his last season and the end of his pro playing days.

He moved back to Redding, California, and later got involved in local business and politics.

Statistical Overview and Playing Style

Rick Bosetti put together a .250 career batting average over seven big league seasons. He didn’t hit for much power, but he showed plenty of defensive versatility.

His best years came with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he proved to be a steady center fielder and could fill in elsewhere when needed.

Batting Average and Hitting Metrics

Bosetti stayed pretty consistent at the plate during his peak with Toronto. In 1978 and 1979, he batted .259 and .260, playing in 136 and 162 games.

His top season was 1979, when he played every game and racked up 161 hits. That year, he hit 35 doubles and drove in 65 runs with his contact-focused approach.

His career batting average of .250 shows he was more of a steady contributor than a star. With a .288 on-base percentage and .338 slugging, he made regular contact but didn’t have much pop.

He struck out 188 times in 1,656 plate appearances, which isn’t bad for his era. Bosetti focused on putting the ball in play instead of swinging for the fences.

Home Runs and RBI Production

Bosetti never really hit for power, finishing with just 17 home runs in seven seasons.

His best power year was 1979, when he hit 8 homers and played every game for Toronto.

His RBI totals peaked during his Blue Jays years, especially in 1979 with 65 runs driven in. Over his career, he notched 133 RBIs in 445 games, averaging about 48 RBIs per 162 games.

Most of his extra-base hits came from doubles, not home runs. He finished with 70 doubles, with half of those coming in that standout 1979 season.

He never really threatened for a high slugging percentage, topping out at .362 for a season. Bosetti was a contact guy, not a big run producer.

Defensive Contribution and Utility Roles

Bosetti really made his mark with his defensive versatility, moving around to different outfield positions throughout his career. He usually played center field, but sometimes you’d see him in left or right when the team needed it.

In 1979, he led all American League outfielders in putouts and assists. That defensive work helped make up for his lighter bat at the plate.

The CF spot fit him well, letting him use his range and arm strength. Later in his career with Oakland, he even took on pinch-hitting (PH) and pinch-running (PR) duties.

His range factor (RF) stats showed he brought above-average defense to center field. Managers valued that kind of reliability when they needed someone to lock down the outfield.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After he left Major League Baseball in 1982, Rick Bosetti jumped into coaching and baseball management. He became the most successful baseball coach in Simpson University history, then took on the general manager job with the Redding Colt 45s.

Business and Political Involvement

Bosetti stuck close to the Northern California sports scene after his MLB days. His leadership and deep baseball knowledge opened up a lot of opportunities outside the game.

In April 2012, the Northern California Sports Association’s Hall of Fame inducted him for his contributions to sports. He’d already made it into both the Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame and the Shasta College Hall of Fame.

These honors really show how much Bosetti has meant to Northern California baseball. People have recognized him for everything from his college playing days to his pro career and coaching.

Coaching at Simpson University

Bosetti found his biggest post-playing success while coaching at Simpson University. He took over the Red Hawks baseball program and changed its direction.

He built his coaching reputation on recruiting and developing players. Bosetti had a real knack for spotting talent at the college level.

The program thrived under his leadership, and he earned the title of most successful baseball coach in Simpson history. His recruiting and player development set the tone for a winning culture with the Red Hawks.

Leadership at Redding Colt 45s

Bosetti jumped in as general manager for the Redding Colt 45s baseball team. This move kept him close to competitive baseball and let him put his management skills to good use.

“I’m eager and honestly pretty excited to get back into managing a baseball program,” Bosetti said about his new role. He mentioned how much the team relies on community support if they’re going to keep having success.

His coaching philosophy followed him into management with the Colt 45s. Bosetti still puts a big emphasis on developing quality players, and that’s really at the core of how he runs the team.