Ron Bryant – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ron Bryant’s baseball journey is a wild ride full of incredible highs and tough lows—honestly, not many players have experienced such a dramatic swing. This left-handed pitcher went from leading the National League with 24 wins in 1973 to being cut by the St. Louis Cardinals just two years later. That was the end of what looked like a promising, if bumpy, nine-year run.

Bryant retired in 1975 after a steep decline that started with personal struggles and a freak pool accident, which completely derailed his momentum from his spectacular 1973 season. The former San Francisco Giants star finished with a 57-56 record and a 4.02 ERA. But that last season with the Cardinals—well, it really hammered home how fast things can change in pro baseball.

Bryant’s story began with an unexpected debut as a 19-year-old in 1967. He later struggled with alcohol and weight, which played a big part in his early exit from the game.

His journey sheds light on the pressures of professional sports and the grit it takes to hang on at the top. You see everything here—from breakthrough moments to personal battles that ended what could’ve been a much longer, more successful MLB career.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Ronald Raymond Bryant was born November 12, 1947, in Redlands, California. His family moved to Davis, California, where he’d really start to hone his baseball skills.

Bryant attended Davis High School. Scouts quickly noticed his pitching, and the San Francisco Giants picked him up in the 1965 amateur draft.

Family Background

Ronald Raymond Bryant was born in Redlands, California, on November 12, 1947. His family moved to Davis, where he spent most of his childhood.

The Bryants settled in Davis while Ron was still young. That central California town became the backdrop for his early baseball days.

Davis gave Bryant year-round opportunities to play ball. California’s mild weather meant he could practice almost any time.

His family got behind his athletic ambitions in high school. That support turned out to be crucial as he started showing real promise as a pitcher.

High School Achievements

Bryant went to Davis High School in Davis, California. There, he started to develop as a left-handed pitcher.

His performance on the mound drew the attention of professional scouts. He had a lefty delivery and could throw with both power and control.

We don’t have a lot of official stats from his high school days. Still, he clearly did enough to get the attention of Major League scouts.

Those high school years set him up for the pros. His left-handed arm and improving skills made him a prospect worth watching.

Signing with the San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants picked Bryant in the 22nd round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft. He came straight out of Davis High, skipping college entirely.

Bryant was only 17 when the Giants signed him. The team saw something in his left-handed pitching and offered him a contract.

The Giants’ scouts liked his lefty arm, which was always in demand. Bryant had the physical tools to make it in pro baseball.

Signing with San Francisco started a relationship that would define his career. He spent most of his MLB years in the Giants’ system.

Jumping from high school to pro ball was a huge leap. Bryant would need to sharpen his skills in the minors before he could make it in the majors.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Ron Bryant reached the majors at 19 with the San Francisco Giants in 1967. His career would last eight seasons.

Those early years were all about steady growth and finding his place in the Giants’ pitching rotation.

MLB Debut with the San Francisco Giants

Bryant made his Major League debut on September 29, 1967. He was just 19.

He pitched against the Phillies in his only game that year. In 4 innings, he gave up 3 hits, 2 earned runs, and struck out 2 without walking anyone.

The Giants had picked him 430th overall in the 22nd round of the 1965 draft. Sometimes, great careers really do start late in the draft.

San Francisco liked what they saw in Bryant’s left-handed delivery. That debut was the start of a long run with the Giants.

Initial Seasons Performance

Bryant didn’t pitch in the majors during the 1968 season. He probably spent that year working on his stuff in the minors.

He came back to the Giants in 1969, pitching in 16 games and starting 8. That year, he posted a 4-3 record and a 4.37 ERA over 57.2 innings, with 30 strikeouts and 25 walks.

In 1970, Bryant got more chances. He appeared in 34 games, starting 11, and ended up with a 5-8 record and a 4.78 ERA over 96 innings.

His strikeout numbers improved in 1970. He struck out 66 and walked 38, giving him a 1.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That showed he was getting better at controlling his pitches.

Development as a Pitcher

Bryant really started to break through in 1971. He was more of a regular starter, making 22 starts in 27 appearances and pitching 140 innings.

That year, he went 7-10 with a 3.79 ERA. He finished 3 games and tossed 2 shutouts, showing off his stamina.

His control and durability looked better. He struck out 79 and walked 49, keeping a solid 1.61 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Bryant’s early years proved he could hold down a spot in the Giants’ rotation. Going from teenage rookie to reliable starter set him up for his best seasons.

By 1971, the Giants knew their late-round pick was paying off.

Breakout Seasons and Peak Performance

Ron Bryant hit his stride in 1972 and 1973 with the Giants. He became one of the National League’s most effective pitchers.

His 1973 season was especially wild—he led the NL with 24 wins and logged a ton of innings.

1972 Season Highlights

Bryant’s 1972 season was his first big breakout. He went 14-7 with a 2.90 ERA over 214 innings.

He only gave up 176 hits that year. His command and control were on point.

That year marked a huge jump in his performance. Bryant became a reliable presence in the Giants’ starting rotation.

1973 NL Wins Leader Season

1973 was Bryant’s best year by far. He led the National League with 24 wins and 12 losses, making him one of the game’s top pitchers.

His ERA was 3.53, and he pitched a whopping 270 innings. He struck out 143 and walked 115.

That 24-win season put him in elite company. He anchored the Giants’ staff in 1973.

Innings Pitched and Statistical Achievements

Bryant threw over 200 innings in both 1972 and 1973. He pitched 214 innings in 1972 and 270 in 1973, showing he could go deep into games.

Those innings were huge for the Giants. Bryant’s ability to pitch long outings made him a real asset.

Key Statistical Milestones:

• 200+ innings pitched: 2 seasons (1972, 1973)
• 15+ wins: 1 season (1973)
• 20+ wins: 1 season (1973)

Those peak years were easily his best. Not many pitchers matched his workload during that time.

Notable Awards and MVP Voting

Bryant led the National League in wins in 1973. That was the biggest honor of his career.

He probably got some MVP votes that year, though the exact numbers aren’t easy to find. Leading the league in wins usually gets you noticed.

His performances in those years made his reputation in the league. Bryant proved he could compete with the best.

Career Challenges and Decline

After his amazing 24-win season in 1973, Ron Bryant’s career fell apart fast. Personal struggles, weight issues, and slipping performance took over.

His last two MLB seasons were rough, with poor records, a short retirement, and failed comebacks.

Performance in Later Giants Years

Bryant’s problems started during his peak in 1973. He struggled with alcohol and went through a divorce, which really messed with his focus and conditioning.

The 1974 season was a nightmare. He showed up to spring training overweight and kept battling drinking problems.

During a team trip to Palm Springs, Bryant hurt himself sliding into a hotel pool and needed 30 stitches near his ribs.

That pool accident kept him out for six weeks. When he came back, he just couldn’t get it together.

He finished 1974 with a 3-15 record, a huge fall from his 24 wins the year before.

“That pool accident threw everything out of whack,” Bryant told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It preyed on my mind. What happened was my own fault, nobody else’s.”

Manager Charlie Fox and the Giants’ staff noticed Bryant’s velocity and control slipping. His weight climbed to around 220 pounds, and people started questioning his dedication.

Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

Bryant announced he was retiring just before the 1975 season. He told the Oakland Tribune, “I don’t think there’s any chance I’ll change my mind, I’m not really enjoying playing.”

Two weeks later, he changed his mind and wanted back in. But MLB rules forced him to wait 60 days before pitching in regular games.

The Giants wanted to move on from Bryant, and the St. Louis Cardinals were willing to take a chance. On May 9, 1975, the Cardinals traded prospects Tony Gonzalez and Larry Herndon for him.

The Cardinals needed help in their rotation, especially with questions about John Denny and an aging Bob Gibson. They hoped Bryant could get back to his 1973 form.

The Cardinals sent him to extended spring training in Florida to get ready. He did well against minor league rookies, giving up just one hit in six innings.

Final MLB Season in 1975

Bryant’s debut with the Cardinals did not go well. In a June 5 exhibition against their AAA Tulsa team, he gave up nine runs and 12 hits in 4.1 innings.

“Lots of the time, I didn’t have much of an idea of what I was doing out there,” Bryant admitted to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

His regular season was even rougher. In his first relief outing, he faced three batters and gave up three hits. His only start against Pittsburgh was a disaster—he allowed home runs to Willie Stargell and Rennie Stennett and got pulled after just three batters.

Manager Red Schoendienst quickly took Bryant out of the rotation and put Bob Gibson back in. The Cardinals asked Bryant to go down to their Tulsa affiliate, but he refused.

On July 31, 1975, the Cardinals released him. He made 10 appearances, pitched 8.2 innings, and finished with an 0-1 record and a 16.62 ERA.

At just 27, Bryant’s MLB career was over—only two years after he led the National League in wins.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Ron Bryant’s baseball career ended suddenly in 1975 after personal struggles and poor performance led to his release from the Cardinals.

Not much is known about his life after baseball; he’s kept things pretty private since leaving the game.

Reasons for Retirement in 1975

Several things pushed Bryant to retire during the 1975 season. Before the season even started, he put himself on baseball’s voluntarily retired list.

He told the Oakland Tribune, “I don’t think there’s any chance I’ll change my mind, I’m not really enjoying playing.” That kind of honesty, you don’t always hear from athletes.

After his 24-win season in 1973, his performance really dropped off. In 1974, he went 3-15, and a pool accident during spring training didn’t help—he needed 30 stitches.

Bryant also dealt with some tough personal issues. He filed for bankruptcy in November 1972 and struggled with alcohol abuse.

“Drinking had been one of my problems,” he admitted to The Sporting News. Not everyone would be that upfront.

When Bryant tried a comeback with the Cardinals in 1975, it was clear he just didn’t have it anymore. Manager Red Schoendienst and pitching coach Don McMahon both said Bryant had “no velocity” on his pitches.

He only lasted 10 games with St. Louis, posting a brutal 16.62 ERA. The Cardinals released him on July 31, 1975.

Personal Life Post-MLB

There’s not much out there about Bryant’s life after baseball ended in 1975. He remarried his wife in December 1974 and reportedly quit drinking around then, but his attempt to return to baseball didn’t pan out.

Bryant passed away on November 17, 2023, at age 76. Details about his death and what he did after baseball are still mostly unknown.

Most people remember Bryant for his incredible 1973 season with the San Francisco Giants, when he won 24 games. That made him the most successful lefty for the Giants since Carl Hubbell’s 26 wins back in 1936.

During his best season, the Sacramento Zoo named a 10-month-old sloth bear after him, honoring his nickname “Bear.” Even though his career ended on a rough note, that 1973 performance still stands out in Giants history.

Legacy and Contributions to Baseball

Ron Bryant made his biggest impact during his top years with the San Francisco Giants. His 1973 season, when he tied for the National League wins lead with 24 victories, really stands out.

He gave the Giants’ pitching staff a boost and, for a brief time, left a real mark on the franchise.

Impact on the San Francisco Giants

Bryant anchored the Giants’ pitching rotation in the early 1970s. His 24-12 record in 1973 tied him with Wilbur Wood for the most wins in the National League that year.

He ate up innings for San Francisco, tossing 270 in 1973 and 214 in 1972. The Giants could count on him to start games and go deep.

In 1972, Bryant posted a 2.90 ERA and gave up just 176 hits in 214 innings. That really showed he belonged as a key player in the Giants’ rotation.

Fans knew him as “Bear,” and his presence on the mound brought some stability to the Giants during those years.

Recognition and Honors

Bryant led the National League in wins in 1973 with 24 victories. That was the highlight of his career and put him among the best pitchers that season.

He struck out 519 batters in 917 innings. Bryant could rack up strikeouts and still keep runs off the board, which made him valuable to the Giants.

In 1973, he finished with 143 strikeouts and a 3.53 ERA. Those numbers show he could get hitters out in different ways.

Bryant notched one 20-win season and one 15-win season, both in 1973. That year really was the peak of his time in the majors.

Influence on Future Players

Bryant came up through the Giants’ farm system, and honestly, he kind of proved the organization could actually develop pitching talent. The team picked him in the 22nd round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft, right out of Davis High School in California.

He could switch-hit as a pitcher, which was pretty rare back then. Bryant batted both left and right-handed, but always threw left, so he brought a kind of versatility you just didn’t see often in pitchers.

He started out as a high school draftee and ended up leading in MLB wins, which really showed that late-round picks could make it big. I think that gave hope to a lot of players who didn’t go early in the draft.

Bryant made his MLB debut at just 19 in 1967, and his quick rise probably made a lot of young pitchers believe that, with real dedication and skill, early success wasn’t just a pipe dream.