Sammy Taylor – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Sammy Taylor put together a solid six-season run in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1958 to 1963. He played for four teams during a time when baseball was changing fast.

Born Samuel Douglas Taylor in Woodruff, South Carolina, he served in the Korean War before chasing his baseball dreams with the Milwaukee Braves organization.

Taylor played in 473 games over his MLB career, suiting up for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians before he retired in 1963. His journey through pro baseball had a bit of everything—regular starting jobs, expansion teams, and a bunch of trades that really marked the early ’60s baseball scene.

If you look at Taylor’s career, you see the story of a dedicated player who experienced both the excitement of regular playing time and the reality of bouncing between teams. From his breakout with the Cubs to his stint with the brand-new Mets, Taylor’s career gives us a glimpse into the life of a journeyman catcher in one of baseball’s most interesting eras.

Sammy Taylor’s Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Samuel Douglas Taylor was born on February 27, 1933, in Woodruff, South Carolina. He took a unique path to pro baseball, including military service during the Korean War, before signing with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956.

Hometown and Early Years

Taylor grew up in Woodruff, a small textile town in South Carolina that he always considered home. Born in 1933, he learned the game as a kid in the Carolinas.

His baseball dreams paused for a while when he enlisted at 17 and served in the Korean War.

After his service, Taylor came back to baseball. He was already 23 when he returned to the game in 1956, older than most prospects just starting out.

At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, Taylor brought good size and solid defensive skills behind the plate. Scouts definitely noticed those traits.

Signing with the Milwaukee Braves

The Milwaukee Braves signed Taylor in 1956 after he wrapped up his military service. They saw potential in the tall, lefty-hitting catcher, even though he’d missed some prime development years.

Taylor had to work extra hard to catch up with guys who’d been playing all through their early twenties. Maybe his military background helped with the discipline and mental toughness he’d need.

The Braves were a strong club in the ’50s, so getting signed by them was a big deal for Taylor’s development. They had good coaches and a solid player development system.

Minor League Development

Taylor spent two seasons, 1956 and 1957, in the Braves’ minor league system. He worked on his catching and learned to handle pro pitching.

He did well enough in the minors to catch the eye of other teams. The Braves liked him, but eventually decided to include him in a trade.

On December 5, 1957, the Milwaukee Braves traded Taylor and Taylor Phillips to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs sent Eddie Haas, Don Kaiser, and Bob Rush the other way.

That deal opened the door for Taylor to reach the majors. The Cubs needed catching depth and were ready to give the 25-year-old a real shot.

Major League Debut and Chicago Cubs Tenure

Sammy Taylor started his major league career with the Chicago Cubs in 1958. He spent five of his six MLB seasons in Chicago, where he became a reliable NL catcher and provided steady offense and defensive stability behind the plate.

First MLB Season and Debut Performance

Taylor made his MLB debut on April 20, 1958, at age 25 for the Cubs. Chicago had just acquired him in a December 1957 trade with Milwaukee.

He made an immediate impact as a rookie. Taylor played in 96 games, racked up 329 plate appearances, and hit .259 with 78 hits.

He scored 30 runs, knocked in 36 RBIs, and chipped in 6 home runs and 12 doubles. Taylor proved he could handle the grind of regular catching duties in the National League.

At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, he looked the part of an everyday catcher. His rookie year earned him a regular spot in the Cubs’ lineup the next season.

Key Seasons and Statistics with the Cubs

Taylor’s best offensive year came in 1959. He played 110 games, got 390 plate appearances, and hit .269 with 95 hits—his career best.

That season, he drove in 43 RBIs, scored 41 runs, and smashed 13 home runs, which was his highest total for a season.

His .428 slugging percentage and .764 OPS in ’59 showed he could bring some power from behind the plate.

The Cubs counted on Taylor during his peak years. He kept getting steady playing time through 1961, appearing in 89 games that year with 56 hits and 23 RBIs.

Role as a Catcher in NL Play

Taylor served as the Cubs’ main catcher for most of his

Career Home Runs and RBIs

Taylor really hit his stride with the Chicago Cubs, especially in 1959 when he knocked 13 home runs and drove in 43 RBIs. That season marked his best showing in both categories.

Across six years, Taylor hit 33 home runs and tallied 147 RBIs in 473 games. He kept his home run numbers steady, but never hit more than 13 in a single year.

Most of his offense came in the NL. He played 469 games there, compared to just 4 in the AL with Cleveland. He drove in 120 RBIs with the Cubs, 26 with the Mets, and picked up a few more during short stints with Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Taylor balanced his power with 47 doubles and 9 triples over his career. Those 1958 and 1959 seasons in Chicago brought him the most extra-base hits.

Batting Averages and Offensive Stats

Taylor finished with a career batting average of .245, collecting 309 hits in 1,263 at-bats. In 1959, he hit .269 with a .764 OPS for the Cubs, which turned out to be his best year at the plate.

He posted an on-base percentage of .313, drawing 122 walks and showing pretty solid plate discipline. His slugging percentage landed at .375, giving him a career OPS of .688.

He scored 127 runs but stole only 3 bases. In 1959, he crossed the plate 41 times in 110 games, which was his highest run total.

Taylor’s numbers dropped in his later years. In 1960, he managed just a .207 average. During his time with the Mets in 1962 and 1963, he hit .228 over 90 games.

Team Contributions and Notable Teammates

Taylor spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs from 1958 to 1962, appearing in 376 games as a regular catcher. He worked alongside some notable teammates and contributed to the catching crew.

With the New York Mets in 1962 and 1963, Taylor played 90 games and hit .228. The Mets were just starting out, and Taylor brought some much-needed veteran experience behind the plate.

He had a short run with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963, playing only 3 games, then wrapped up his MLB career with 4 games for the Cleveland Indians. Teams valued his defensive skills as a catcher.

Across his career, Taylor posted a .986 fielding percentage and threw out 28% of base stealers in 387 games behind the plate. His defense stood out, especially during his peak years in Chicago.

Retirement, Legacy, and Life After Baseball

Sammy Taylor wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1963 after a rocky final season, bouncing between five different teams. After retiring, he headed back to his hometown of Woodruff, South Carolina. There, he built a career in the textile industry and stayed connected to the local baseball scene.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1963

Taylor’s last MLB season really was a whirlwind. He started 1963 with the Mets’ Buffalo affiliate, then got called back up to the majors in late May.

He hit .257 in 22 games with New York, but the Mets traded him to the Cincinnati Reds on July 1 for catcher Jesse Gonder. His stint in Cincinnati was short and tough—he played three games and went hitless in six at-bats.

The Reds then sent him to the Cleveland Indians after a month, trading him for Gene Green. In Cleveland, Taylor managed 3 hits in 10 at-bats before heading to their AAA Jacksonville Suns team.

He spent two more seasons in the minors with the Reds and Cubs organizations through 1965. After that, he never made it back to the majors and officially ended his pro career.

Legacy as a 1960s Catcher

Taylor’s six MLB seasons resulted in a .245/.313/.375 slash line over 473 games. He picked up 309 hits, including 47 doubles, 9 triples, and 33 home runs, driving in 147 runs.

His standout year was 1959 with the Cubs, when he played 110 games and hit .269 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. That year, he posted a career-best OPS+ of 104.

Taylor even found himself in one of baseball’s oddest plays on June 30, 1959. During a Cubs-Cardinals game, two baseballs somehow ended up in play after a pitch bounced off Taylor and umpire Vic Delmore. The chaos ended with Stan Musial getting tagged out at third with the real ball, while a second ball was tossed into the outfield.

Impact on Teams and Recognition

Taylor spent most of his career as a reliable backup catcher, especially in his early days with the Chicago Cubs.

He chipped in with solid offensive numbers from the catching spot, which was pretty rare back then.

His best stretch happened when he shared time with Cal Neeman in Chicago.

Neeman had the edge defensively, but Taylor brought more pop with his bat.

After hanging up his gear, Taylor moved back to Woodruff, South Carolina.

He worked in the textile industry until he retired for good.

The folks at Woodruff High School later inducted him into their Hall of Fame, a nod to everything he did for local sports.

Taylor died on October 8, 2019, at age 86, right there in his hometown.

They laid him to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery, a tribute to his service during the Korean War.