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

Steve Busby’s name might not jump out like some other baseball legends, but his short, remarkable run with the Kansas City Royals really left a mark on the franchise. He spent all nine of his MLB seasons, from 1972 to 1980, with the Royals and pulled off feats that most players only dream about.

Busby was the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw no-hitters in each of his first two complete seasons, a record that still stands. His no-hitters in 1973 and 1974 put his talent on full display and helped him win American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1973. He racked up 70 wins and two All-Star nods, but a rotator cuff injury ended his promising career at just 31.

Busby’s story, from his early days in California to his work as a TV commentator after baseball, says a lot about both the brilliance and fragility of pro athletes’ lives. His journey really shows how talent, grit, and unlucky injuries can shape a player’s legacy, and honestly, he’s still one of the Royals’ most memorable pitchers.

Steve Busby’s Career Highlights and Retirement

Steve Busby’s time with the Kansas City Royals was packed with standout moments, including two historic no-hitters and a monster 1974 season with 22 wins. Rotator cuff injuries, though, ended his career early, forcing him to retire in 1980 at just 31.

Breakout Seasons With the Kansas City Royals

Busby didn’t waste any time after his September 1972 call-up. He posted a 3-1 record and a 1.58 ERA in just five starts. His rookie year in 1973 got off to a rough start—a 1-2 record and an 8.04 ERA through four games.

Manager Jack McKeon told Busby that one more bad outing meant a trip back to Triple-A Omaha. Busby responded by throwing the franchise’s first no-hitter on April 27, 1973, against the Detroit Tigers.

From July 2 on, Busby turned things around, going 12-6. He wrapped up 1973 with 16 wins and 15 losses, and he took home The Sporting News American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year award.

The 1974 season was Busby’s career high point. He won 22 games and grabbed the Royals Pitcher of the Year award. He helped the Royals fight for the American League West division title.

Busby made his first All-Star team in 1974 with a 13-9 record and a 3.31 ERA at the break. From 1973-1975, he averaged over 18 wins and 260 innings a year, solidifying himself as the Royals’ ace.

No-Hitter Achievements

Busby made history as the first MLB pitcher to throw no-hitters in each of his first two full seasons. His first came on April 27, 1973, in a 3-0 win over Detroit on a chilly night at Municipal Stadium.

He walked six that game but still finished the no-hitter. Busby gave first baseman John Mayberry credit for a clutch double play in the ninth. “It was blind luck. It had nothing to do with skill,” Busby joked about the milestone.

His second no-hitter happened on June 19, 1974, against Milwaukee in a 2-0 win. He walked George Scott in the second inning, then retired the next 24 batters in a row.

That outing set an American League record of 33 consecutive batters retired (carried into his next start). The record held until 1998, when someone finally broke it.

Busby’s back-to-back no-hitters put him in a league of his own. As of 2025, nobody else has matched that feat so early in their career.

Final Years and Retirement in 1980

After 1975, Busby’s career took a downturn because of recurring arm trouble, especially rotator cuff injuries that eventually ended his playing days. His win totals dropped as his shoulder problems got worse.

He went through rotator cuff surgery, which, in the 1970s, was still pretty experimental. Recovery wasn’t easy, and Busby couldn’t get back to his old form or velocity.

In his final seasons, he pitched less and just wasn’t as effective. By 1980, at 31, his arm simply wouldn’t let him pitch at the big-league level anymore.

Busby retired with a career record of 70-54 and 659 strikeouts over eight seasons. His 3.72 ERA speaks to how solid he was, even with a career cut short.

“I always said that it doesn’t bother me and that it was part of the game, and that was a bunch of garbage,” Busby later admitted, reflecting on his struggles with retirement. He made the jump to broadcasting, working as a TV commentator for the Texas Rangers and on CBS radio’s Saturday baseball broadcasts.

Pitching Performance and Achievements

Steve Busby finished his nine-year career with the Kansas City Royals with 70 wins and 54 losses. His best stretch came from 1973-1975, when he averaged over 18 wins and 260 innings per year, plus two All-Star appearances.

Statistical Overview

Busby’s most dominant years were his first three full seasons. In 1974, he notched a career-high 22 wins and picked up the Royals Pitcher of the Year award.

He threw no-hitters in back-to-back years—1973 and 1974. That’s a rare accomplishment, and only a handful of pitchers have ever done it.

Injuries, especially shoulder problems, changed the course of his career. Busby was actually the first baseball player to have rotator cuff surgery, which was a big deal for the sport back then.

He missed all of 1977 because of shoulder and knee injuries. These health setbacks limited his effectiveness in his last years, but he still contributed to the team through 1980.

Key Pitching Stats: ERA and WHIP

During his prime, Busby kept his ERA low, showing how effective he was as a starter. His rookie season in 1973 earned him the American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year award, as voted by his peers.

Busby’s command and control really stood out. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) proved he could keep hitters off base during his best years.

He put up impressive strikeout numbers for his era. From 1973-1975, he was one of the top strikeout pitchers in the American League.

After his injuries, his stats took a hit, but his early numbers still made him one of the most promising young pitchers of the 1970s.

All-Star Selections and Awards

Busby made the All-Star team in 1974 and 1975, a clear sign he was among the league’s best. These honors came during his peak years with the Royals.

He picked up the American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year award in 1973, which really put him on the map. That award, voted by his peers, showed just how much of an impact he made right away.

His 22-win season in 1974 was a career highlight and won him the Royals Pitcher of the Year award. That year really cemented his place as the team’s ace.

The Kansas City Royals inducted Busby into their Hall of Fame in 1986. He went in alongside Amos Otis, both recognized for their huge roles in the team’s early success.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Steve Busby was born on September 29, 1949, in Burbank, California. His road to pro baseball started in high school and continued with a standout college career at the University of Southern California, before the Royals drafted him in 1971.

College Career at University of Southern California

Busby attended USC in the late 1960s and early 1970s, right when the baseball program was at its best.

USC had a reputation for producing top talent. Busby sharpened his pitching skills by facing some of the best college players around.

His time at USC got him ready for pro ball. The strong baseball program there gave him valuable experience against tough competition.

USC’s coaches worked with Busby to fine-tune his pitching. The school’s reputation for developing major leaguers made it a perfect fit for him.

MLB Draft and Signing Details

The Kansas City Royals picked Busby in the second round of the 1971 MLB Draft. They saw big potential in him after his college success at USC.

Busby joined the Royals in 1971 after graduating from USC. The team brought him up quickly, believing in his arm.

He made his big-league debut on September 8, 1972, at 22 years old. That’s just a year after getting drafted.

Jumping from college to the majors so fast showed how much faith the Royals had in him. Busby’s college experience definitely helped him adjust to pro baseball faster than most.

Impact on the Kansas City Royals

Steve Busby became a key figure in Kansas City Royals history, even though his career was pretty short. His performance during the team’s early years helped build their reputation and secured his place in Royals lore.

Role as a Franchise Pitcher

Busby took on the ace role for the Royals during their formative seasons. He won 22 games in 1974 and picked up the team’s Pitcher of the Year award. That season helped make the Royals a real contender in the American League.

Between 1973 and 1975, Busby averaged over 18 wins each year. He struck out more than 260 batters in that stretch. That kind of consistency gave the team a starter they could trust in big moments.

He earned American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors in 1973, thanks to a vote by his peers. He also made two All-Star teams during his career.

Busby’s stats—70-54 record, 659 strikeouts, and a 3.72 ERA over 1,060.2 innings—are impressive, especially considering he only played eight seasons. His impact on the franchise was big enough to earn him lasting recognition.

Royals Hall of Fame Induction

The Kansas City Royals inducted Steve Busby into their Hall of Fame in 1986. He was one of the first two players to get that honor from the team. Amos Otis was the other inaugural inductee that year.

Just six years after retiring, Busby received this recognition. The quick induction showed how much the Royals valued his contributions. His selection really demonstrated how much of an impact he made, even with a relatively short career.

The Hall of Fame nod recognized both his achievements on the field and his role in shaping the team’s early identity. Busby’s fire and pitching ability helped define what it meant to be a Royal in those first years.

Legacy and Post-Retirement Life

Steve Busby left a unique legacy as the only pitcher to throw no-hitters in his first two major league seasons. When he switched from playing to broadcasting, he stayed close to the game and built a new career in media.

Influence on Future Pitchers

Busby’s pitching style and approach influenced plenty of young players who watched his mechanics. Throwing two no-hitters so early made him a model for rookie pitchers coming into the majors.

The Kansas City Royals honored him as an inaugural member of their Hall of Fame in 1986, right alongside Amos Otis.

Coaches often pointed to Busby’s competitive fire and mental approach as teaching tools. He liked to stress that focus and preparation matter more than just raw talent.

Young Royals pitchers studied his game film. His slider and his ability to hit spots under pressure were things they tried to learn from.

Life After Professional Baseball

After hanging up his glove in 1980, Busby moved into broadcasting. He became a TV commentator for the Texas Rangers and called games for CBS radio’s Saturday baseball broadcasts.

Broadcasting let him stay close to baseball. Busby used his playing experience to break down pitching strategy and game situations for fans.

The transition from player to broadcaster came pretty naturally for him. He knew the game and could communicate it well, which made him a solid fit in the booth.

He didn’t seem to have too many regrets about retiring at 31 because of injuries. Busby found satisfaction in sharing his baseball knowledge with fans all over the country.

His post-baseball career showed how former players can still contribute a lot to the sport. Broadcasting gave him a new way to connect with and educate baseball fans.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Steve Busby has kept his personal life mostly private since leaving baseball. His estimated net worth comes from his playing days and his work in broadcasting.

Personal Background

Steve Busby was born Steven Lee Busby on September 29, 1949, in California.

He stands 6’2″ tall and, back when he played, weighed in at 205 pounds.

Busby went to Fullerton High School in California. After that, he moved on to the University of Southern California.

At USC, he really found his stride as a pitcher and helped the team win back-to-back College World Series titles in 1970 and 1971.

His college teammate, Fred Lynn, shared that 1971 College World Series win with him. Lynn later became a nine-time MLB All-Star, which is pretty impressive if you ask me.

The Kansas City Royals picked Busby in the second round of the 1971 MLB Draft.

Busby retired from baseball in 1980 at just 31, mostly because of shoulder and knee injuries.

After hanging up his glove, he jumped into broadcasting. He worked as a television commentator for the Texas Rangers, and for a while, he was the voice of CBS radio’s Saturday baseball broadcasts.

Estimated Net Worth and Public Appearances

Most celebrity wealth trackers peg Steve Busby’s net worth somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million as of 2025. He mainly earned his income from his baseball career.

Some sources toss out higher numbers, even suggesting he could be worth around $7 million. Honestly, it’s tough to pin down the real figure since personal finances usually stay private.

Busby made most of his money during his nine years in MLB with the Kansas City Royals. He picked up two All-Star selections along the way. After baseball, he also boosted his income by working in broadcasting.

The Royals recognized Busby’s impact by inducting him into their Hall of Fame in 1986. He joined Amos Otis as one of the very first members.