Steve Boros – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Boros made his mark in Major League Baseball in the late 1950s and early 1960s, mostly playing third base for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds. He grew up in Flint, Michigan, born in 1936, and really embodied the journeyman player of his era. Boros bounced around between the majors and minors before he found his footing as a reliable utility infielder.

Boros finished his playing days in 1965 after eight seasons in the big leagues. He put together a .245 batting average, hit 26 home runs, and drove in 149 runs over 422 games. By today’s standards, those numbers might not jump off the page, but his time as a player set the stage for a long run in baseball as a coach, manager, and front office guy.

People noticed Boros for his analytical approach to baseball. He earned a reputation as one of the most thoughtful baseball minds around. His shift from an average player to an innovative teacher and strategist really shaped how people remember him, long after he hung up his cleats in the mid-1960s.

Early Life and Amateur Achievements

Stephen Boros Jr. came from a Hungarian-American family in Flint, Michigan, born on September 3, 1936. His athleticism showed up early in high school, where he excelled in several sports and led his American Legion team to a state championship in 1952.

Family Background and Heritage

Boros grew up as the oldest of five kids in a tight-knit Hungarian-American family. His dad, Stephen Boros Sr., immigrated to the U.S. alone as a teenager in 1926. That determination really shaped Steve’s outlook on baseball.

His mom, Helen Boka, was also the daughter of Hungarian immigrants. The family worked hard every day. Stephen Sr. started out in an auto-body plant, but he and Helen later opened a small grocery store in 1946.

The Boros family lived above their store, which made for a pretty close household that valued education and achievement. That foundation mattered, especially when money troubles later played a role in Steve leaving college for pro baseball.

All five Boros kids eventually graduated from college. One became a pharmacist, another went into landscape architecture, and two became teachers. The family’s commitment to education really stood out.

High School and Athletic Development

Steve Boros attended Flint North High School and quickly became a versatile athlete. At six feet and 185 pounds, he played football, basketball, and baseball, and he did well in all of them.

His baseball skills really came through during his American Legion years. Boros starred as shortstop for a team that won the state title in 1952. That was his first big moment as a baseball player.

In 1954, Boros played in an all-star game featuring under-18 players from Detroit and Buffalo. That kind of competition gave him a taste of what was ahead in college baseball.

Despite his athletic success, Boros later admitted he didn’t feel confident in his baseball abilities during high school. “I wasn’t much in high school,” he said years later. “I just had no confidence that I would ever make the grade as a ball player.”

University of Michigan Baseball Career

Boros started college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, first thinking about pharmacy before switching to liberal arts. College really boosted his confidence.

“I entered the University of Michigan and going to college seemed to build up my confidence,” Boros said about his growth as a player.

He hit .324 and .381 in his two varsity seasons. Michigan went 36-16 while he was there, and the team became a force in college baseball.

In 1957, Boros earned All-Big Ten honors at third base and got elected team captain for the next season. But he never played that final year because he signed a pro contract.

The Detroit Tigers offered Boros $25,000 to go pro, so he left Michigan. Coach Ray Fisher wasn’t happy, saying Boros’s power reminded him of former Michigan star Dick Wakefield.

Boros later finished his bachelor’s in English by studying during odd hours while playing pro baseball. He managed to keep his promise to finish school, even after leaving early.

Professional Playing Career Overview

Steve Boros hit .245 with 26 home runs and 149 RBIs in 422 games over seven seasons from 1957 to 1965. His pro career kicked off with that big bonus from Detroit, and he spent time in both the American and National Leagues.

Signing with the Detroit Tigers

Boros took the Tigers’ $25,000 bonus in 1957 and left Michigan after his junior year. His decision frustrated Michigan coach Ray Fisher, who said, “Major league baseball is a cut-throat game, and they are cutting their own throats as well. Boros told me he didn’t intend to sign.”

Money really drove the choice. “I can’t afford to keep him in school any longer,” his father said back then.

The 1957 bonus rules forced anyone who took $4,000 or more to stay with the big league club for two years. That rule put Boros right into the majors, ready or not.

The Tigers later set up a college scholarship fund for players in similar spots. Boros eventually earned his English degree by studying during off-seasons and between games.

Major League Debut and Performance

Boros debuted in the majors on June 19, 1957, with the Tigers at age 20. He picked up his first hit three days later, a single in a 13-inning game at Baltimore.

His rookie year was tough—he hit just .146 in 24 games. The bonus rule kept him with Detroit through 1958, but once the rule changed, he spent most of that year in the minors.

His best big league season came in 1961. He hit .270 with 62 RBIs in 116 games. “Everything was coming pretty easily,” he recalled about his hot start, “And then we went around the league the second time.”

On August 6, 1962, Boros hit three home runs in a single game against Cleveland, joining a select group of Tigers. Even with his big day, Detroit lost. “Every time I hit one, we lose,” he said after the game.

Stints with National League Teams

The Tigers traded Boros to the Cubs in December 1962 for pitcher Bob Anderson. With Ron Santo holding down third base, the Cubs moved Boros around as a utility guy.

In 1963, Boros played 41 games—14 at first base behind Ernie Banks, 11 in right field behind Lou Brock, and he pinch-hit 18 times. The Cubs sent him to Cincinnati’s AAA team in December 1963.

Cincinnati brought Boros back up in May 1964, and he did well at third base. He set a club record with 50 straight errorless games, breaking Heinie Groh’s old mark of 47.

“I used to try to be a graceful third baseman,” Boros said about his defense. “But now I’m a scrambler, more aggressive than I was before.” He credited Ron Santo’s style for pushing him to play that way.

After a few games in 1965, Cincinnati sent him back to the minors, and that was it for his big league career. “I was the average major league player,” he said years later, noting his .245 average matched the league’s.

Peak Years and Career Highlights

Boros hit his stride in the early 1960s, especially with his MVP season in Denver and his solid year as Detroit’s third baseman. He had some unforgettable moments, like a three-homer game and a long defensive streak with Cincinnati.

Breakout Season with Denver Bears

The 1960 season was Boros’s best. Playing for the Denver Bears, Detroit’s AAA team, he put up career numbers across the board.

Boros hit .317 with 30 home runs and 119 RBIs for the pennant-winning Bears. He took home the American Association MVP award.

His success in Denver earned him a promotion to the Tigers. “On his way to the Tigers, Steve did everything but climb Pikes Peak for Denver,” Parade magazine joked.

That season really capped off Boros’s development in the Tigers’ farm system. After some early struggles in the majors, he finally found his groove at the AAA level.

Notable Games and Accomplishments

Boros had a few big moments in the majors. His most famous game came on August 6, 1962, when he hit three home runs against Cleveland.

Sam McDowell gave up two of those homers, and Frank Funk allowed the third. Even though Boros had a huge night, Detroit lost in the ninth inning. “Every time I hit one, we lose,” he said afterward.

With Cincinnati in 1964, Boros set a team record with 50 straight errorless games at third base. That broke Heinie Groh’s old record from 1920.

He credited his defensive improvement to watching Ron Santo. “I used to try to be a graceful third baseman,” Boros said. “But now I’m a scrambler, more aggressive than I was before.”

Transition Toward Retirement

Boros’s big league career started winding down after 1964 with Cincinnati. The Reds sent him to their AAA club in San Diego for the 1965 season, where he only played two games.

His final major league stats matched his own assessment. Boros finished with a .245 average, 26 home runs, and 149 RBIs in 422 games.

“They say the average big-league career lasts four and three-quarter years, that’s exactly what mine totaled,” Boros said years later. “I can honestly say I was the average major league player.”

After leaving the majors, Boros kept playing in AAA through 1969. He spent time with Buffalo, Indianapolis, Vancouver, and Omaha before he moved into coaching and managing.

Final Playing Years and Retirement in 1965

Steve Boros wrapped up his Major League career in 1965 after just two games with the Cincinnati Reds. At 28, his last season closed out an eight-year pro run that started with the Tigers in 1957.

1965 Season Summary

Boros played only two MLB games in 1965 with the Reds. That short stint showed how his role had shrunk in the team’s plans.

He didn’t get a single at-bat in either game. Boros played one game at home and one on the road, mostly serving as a bench guy.

His last game happened on May 8, 1965, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. At 28, Boros was still pretty young to be calling it quits, at least by today’s standards.

The 1965 stats show him with a .000 average, but that just reflects his tiny amount of playing time. He didn’t record any hits, runs, or RBIs in those final games.

Contributing Factors to Retirement

Several things probably pushed Boros to retire in 1965. His playing time with Cincinnati had dropped off, so the team didn’t see him as a regular anymore.

Competition for roster spots kept getting tougher. Younger players were coming up and taking over from veterans like Boros.

Boros finished with a .245 career batting average, 26 home runs, and 149 RBIs in 422 games. Those are respectable numbers, but they weren’t quite enough to keep a regular job.

He moved through three organizations—the Tigers, Cubs, and Reds—which showed he struggled to find a permanent spot. Teams saw him more as a utility man than a starter.

Legacy as a Player

Boros played from 1957 to 1965, with a break from 1959 to 1960. He made a name for himself as a reliable defensive third baseman, even if his offense didn’t stand out.

His scientific approach to the game set him apart. That mindset would later help him as a coach and manager.

He broke in with the Tigers in 1957 at age 20. His early years looked promising, but he never quite became a star.

Boros’s playing days set the stage for his later success in coaching and managing. His understanding of baseball fundamentals made him a valuable asset in other roles.

Coaching, Managing, and Player Development Career

After stepping away as a player in 1965, Steve Boros jumped into coaching and managing. He spent almost four decades in those roles, gaining a reputation for his innovative approach to player development and his early use of technology in baseball instruction.

Kansas City Royals and Early Coaching Years

Boros started his coaching career with the Kansas City Royals organization in 1969. He took on the role of player-coach with the Omaha Royals, working under Jack McKeon.

McKeon spotted Boros’s talent as an instructor and invited him to coach in the Florida instructional league. The Royals then promoted Boros in 1970, making him manager of the Waterloo Royals.

He led the Class A Midwest League team for three seasons. In 1972, his work earned him the Ewing M. Kauffman Award as the organization’s top minor-league manager.

From 1973 to 1974, Boros managed the San Jose Bees, the Royals’ Class A California League affiliate. The 1974 Bees earned a reputation as the “track show” because of their aggressive base-running.

That year, they swiped 372 bases in 140 games, the highest total in organized baseball since 1906. The Royals brought Boros up to the majors in 1975, where he served as third base coach under Whitey Herzog.

After that, he moved to first base coach for the next four seasons. During this time, he started using stopwatches and statistics to help players improve, especially with base-running.

Oakland Athletics Managerial Tenure

Boros landed his first major league managerial job with the Oakland Athletics in 1983. He replaced Billy Martin, which was a bit ironic since Martin had taught him double-play techniques back when Boros played for Detroit.

The Athletics hired Boros after he managed in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He made it clear he wanted a big-league managing job, using that winter league stint to show his interest.

His time with Oakland only lasted one season. The team struggled with his quieter, more intellectual style, which stood in stark contrast to Martin’s fiery approach.

Boros brought scientific methods and a calm demeanor, but not everyone on the team responded well to that. Despite the short run, Boros picked up valuable experience managing at the highest level.

This role showed off his knowledge of the game and the challenges of bringing an analytical mindset into a major league clubhouse.

San Diego Padres and Other Coaching Roles

After Oakland, Boros kept coaching with several organizations. He worked as first base coach for the Montreal Expos from 1981 to 1982.

During that time, he played a big part in helping Tim Raines become the National League’s top base stealer. Raines once said, “Steve is constantly coming up with things that I didn’t notice or realize, he changed my start and taught me how much goes into base stealing.”

Later, Boros coached for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles. His base-running expertise made him a valuable asset for multiple teams.

He worked with plenty of speedy players throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His coaching philosophy focused on teaching fundamentals through careful analysis.

Boros believed in treating players as smart adults who could handle technical instruction if it was explained well.

Innovations in Player Development

Boros was ahead of his time when it came to using technology in baseball instruction. He used stopwatches to time base-runners and break down their techniques, long before it became standard practice.

He didn’t stop at base-running. Boros leaned on statistical analysis to spot patterns in player performance.

He believed that data helped players better understand their strengths and weaknesses. The Detroit Tigers brought him on as minor league field coordinator from 1996 to 2002.

He then served as director of player development in 2003. After that, he worked as special assistant to the general manager through 2004.

While with the Tigers, Boros put systematic player development into action. He pushed for consistent instruction at every minor league level.

His approach influenced how the organization evaluated and developed young talent.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Later Years

Steve Boros stayed deeply involved in baseball throughout his life. He balanced his professional work with a love of literature and family commitments.

His biggest contribution may have come as a scout, when he identified the weakness that led to one of baseball’s most memorable World Series moments, before he faced multiple myeloma in his later years.

Literary Pursuits and Family

Boros kept his intellectual curiosity alive long after his playing days. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English, squeezing in study time whenever he could during his baseball career.

Teammates called him “bookworm” and often teased him about his scholarly habits. In 1973, Boros married Sharla Sisson, a flight attendant and daughter of a Royals minor league employee.

They built a steady life together as Boros took on different coaching and management jobs. His creative writing came into the spotlight in 1964, when he talked about a play he wrote for a college course.

The play explored controversial social themes, showing he wasn’t afraid to take on tough subjects outside baseball. Boros grew up in a close Hungarian-American family in Flint, Michigan.

All five siblings went to college, becoming pharmacists, teachers, and landscape architects. Their parents, both immigrants, placed a strong value on education.

Scouting and the 1988 World Series

Boros played a key role behind the scenes in one of baseball’s most dramatic moments. As a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he provided crucial intelligence that shaped the team’s strategy during the 1988 World Series.

His scouting report pointed out a major weakness in Dennis Eckersley’s approach to certain hitters. This insight became vital when Kirk Gibson stepped up in Game 1 against the dominant Oakland Athletics closer.

Boros had noticed Eckersley’s tendencies and shared this with the Dodgers’ coaching staff. His analytical mindset, built up over years of observing the game, played a part in Gibson’s legendary walk-off home run.

That moment really captured Boros’s scientific approach to baseball. His knack for breaking down opponents’ patterns and weaknesses had grown from his playing days into a skill that impacted championship-level games.

Boros kept influencing baseball’s biggest moments long after he retired as a player in 1965.

Illness, Passing, and Enduring Impact

Boros learned he had multiple myeloma, a cancer that attacks blood plasma cells. He fought the illness with the same grit he’d always shown on the baseball field.

He died on December 29, 2010, at 74. That day, his incredible 50-year run in professional baseball, which started at the University of Michigan back in 1956, finally came to a close.

Broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who remained close friends with Boros for decades, once said he was “one of the most cerebral baseball men I’ve ever known.” That really sums up how Boros approached the game.

His legacy goes way beyond stats or wins. Boros started using computers and scientific analysis in baseball long before most folks even thought about analytics.

The Detroit Tigers organization, where he wrapped up his career as an executive in 2004, always appreciated his work in player development and management. Plus, his knack for teaching, especially when it came to base-stealing techniques with guys like Tim Raines, left a real mark.