Ted Beard – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ted Beard’s name might not echo through baseball’s halls of fame, but his story really captures the dreams and realities of so many pros who poured their lives into America’s pastime. Born Cramer Theodore Beard on January 7, 1921, in Woodsboro, Maryland, this left-handed outfielder carved out a respectable career that spanned parts of seven major league seasons before he finally hung up his cleats in 1958.

Beard wrapped up his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1958, closing out a journey that included military service as a World War II medic, minor league stardom, and some memorable moments in the big leagues. His career batting average of .198 might not turn heads today, but honestly, there’s a lot more to his story than just numbers.

From his early days playing Maryland high school ball to his final at-bat on May 13, 1958, Beard’s path through the game included championship seasons, wartime service, and the kind of perseverance that defined his generation. His time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox gives a fascinating peek into mid-20th century baseball, filled with statistical highlights, historic home runs, and the lasting impact of a guy who gave everything to the sport he loved.

Ted Beard’s Baseball Career Overview

Ted Beard played seven seasons in the majors from 1948 to 1958, suiting up for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. He traveled from a small Maryland farm to major league outfielder, finding success in the minors, serving in World War II, and making a big-league debut that hinted at promise, even if the bat cooled off later.

Early Years and Path to the Major Leagues

Farm Life to Professional Baseball

Ted Beard grew up on a family farm in Woodsboro, Maryland, where he honed his baseball skills in sandlot games and local leagues. In 1941, at age 20, he batted cleanup for Woodsboro in the Maryland State League and helped lead the team to a championship, playing both outfield and pitching.

Pittsburgh Pirates Signing

In April 1942, Beard went to a Pittsburgh Pirates tryout camp in Frederick, Maryland, after his cousin pushed him to go. Manager “Poke” Whalen offered him a $75 monthly contract, bumping it up to $80 later. Beard quit as Woodsboro’s player-manager right away and jumped into pro ball.

Military Service Interruption

The Army drafted Beard on September 1, 1942, pausing his baseball career. He served as a medic in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, stationed at Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii. While in service, he played ball with and against major league stars like Johnny Mize, Joe DiMaggio, and Red Ruffing.

Time with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Minor League Excellence

After his discharge in 1946, Beard joined the Pirates’ Class B team in York, Pennsylvania. He hit .320 two years in a row, walking over 100 times each season and showing power with slugging averages above .540.

1948 Indianapolis Indians Success

Beard’s big break came with the 1948 Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. That team finished 100-54 and clinched the pennant by 11 games. Fans called him “The Arm” because of his defense—he racked up 31 outfield assists and led the league in triples (17), runs scored (131), and walks (128).

Major League Debut

On September 5, 1948, Beard debuted in the majors against the Chicago Cubs in a doubleheader. He tripled in both games, drew two walks, and stole a base, handling seven chances in center field without a hitch. The Associated Press even said he “looked like Lloyd Waner” and “raced around the base paths like a grayhound.”

Pirates Career Statistics

Though his debut was promising, Beard couldn’t find consistency at the plate in the majors. He played parts of six seasons with Pittsburgh from 1948 to 1953, appearing in 157 games and batting .207 with 6 home runs and 32 RBIs.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

Final Major League Season

Beard’s major league career ended with the Chicago White Sox in 1958. He got into 37 games that final season, batting just .091 with 3 RBIs. After that, he kept playing in the minors for a bit.

Career Totals

In total, Beard played 194 major league games across seven seasons, hitting .198 with 6 home runs and 35 RBIs. His defense, especially his strong and accurate arm, stayed his best trait throughout.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Forbes Field Home Run

Beard pulled off a legendary feat when he hit one of just 19 home runs ever to clear the 86-foot-high right field roof at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. He joined Babe Ruth and Willie Stargell in that exclusive club—pretty wild for a guy listed at 5’8″, 165 pounds.

Indianapolis Indians Legacy

In November 1979, readers of the Indianapolis News picked Beard as right fielder on the All-Time Indianapolis Indians All-Star team, even over future MLB stars Rocky Colavito and Roger Maris. That honor really speaks to his impact in the minors.

Career Longevity

Beard played only 194 major league games, but he appeared in 1,915 minor league games over 19 seasons. His minor league numbers proved he had real baseball skills, even if he couldn’t quite bring all of it to the big leagues.

1958 Retirement and Final Playing Season

Ted Beard’s final season in the majors came in 1958 with the Chicago White Sox. He played just 19 games that year before ending his professional career.

Role with Chicago White Sox in 1958

Ted Beard served as a reserve outfielder for the White Sox during the 1958 season. At 37, he was nearing the end of his playing days and had a pretty minor role.

The White Sox didn’t use Beard much that season. He got into only 19 games, which made sense for a veteran winding down.

He mostly filled in as a backup outfielder. The team leaned on younger players for regular spots, keeping Beard around for depth.

His experience helped him mentor some of the younger guys, but he didn’t contribute much on the field due to age and fading skills.

The White Sox were his second and last major league team. He’d played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1948 to 1957 before joining Chicago.

Game-by-Game Performance in 1958

Beard’s 1958 numbers were rough—he hit just .091 in those 19 games. He managed only 2 hits in 22 at-bats, a big drop from even his modest career stats.

He had 28 plate appearances that season. Beard drew a few walks, which brought his on-base percentage up to .227.

Key 1958 Statistics:

• Games Played: 19
• Batting Average: .091
• Hits: 2
• At-Bats: 22
• On-Base Percentage: .227

Beard played his last game on May 13, 1958, at age 37. That game marked the end of his pro baseball journey after parts of seven seasons in the majors.

He just couldn’t get his bat going that year. The low average showed how tough it was to face major league pitching in his late thirties.

Retirement Announcement and Legacy

Ted Beard retired quietly after the 1958 season. There wasn’t any big announcement, which was pretty normal for reserve players back then.

His career ran from 1948 to 1958 with both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. He finished with a .198 batting average, 6 home runs, and 35 RBIs in 194 games.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Beard as an amateur free agent in 1942. He spent six years in the minors before making his major league debut on September 5, 1948.

After retiring, Beard stepped away from baseball and returned to regular life. He lived until December 30, 2011, passing away in Fishers, Indiana, at age 90.

His career really reflects the path of so many players who had short stints in the majors. Even with modest stats, he reached the top level of professional baseball—a feat most can only dream about.

Statistical Highlights and Player Profile

Ted Beard ended up with a career batting average of .198 across seven major league seasons, tallying 94 hits, 6 home runs, and 35 RBIs in 474 at-bats. In the minors, he put up a .284 batting average with 128 home runs and 688 RBIs over 1,834 games.

Major League Batting Statistics

Beard’s major league numbers really show how losing key development years to military service hurt his progress. His best season came in 1950, when he batted .232 with a .333 on-base percentage in 61 games.

He flashed some brilliance at times. In late June 1950, he scored 7 runs in just two games. That year, he finished with 32 runs scored in only 177 at-bats.

His last big league stint was with the Chicago White Sox in 1958. Over 38 games, he posted a .354 on-base percentage but only managed a .218 slugging percentage.

Season	Team	Games	Avg	OBP	Hits	Runs
1948	Pirates	22	.198	–	12	8
1950	Pirates	61	.232	.333	41	32
1958	White Sox	38	–	.354	–	–

Fielding and Defensive Contributions

Beard earned a reputation as an excellent center fielder with great defensive skills. In 1948, he led the American Association with 32 outfield assists for Indianapolis.

His defense became his calling card. Scouts always praised his range and arm strength in center.

At 5’8″ and 165 pounds, he made up for his size with smart positioning and quick reactions. His glove kept him in pro ball for over two decades.

Runs, Hits, and Power Numbers

Beard’s biggest power moment came on July 16, 1950, when he homered over Forbes Field’s 86-foot right field grandstand roof. Only Babe Ruth had done it before, back in 1935.

He managed to score runs at a solid clip, even with limited at-bats. Beard crossed the plate 80 times in 474 major league at-bats, which is pretty impressive.

Triples were another specialty. He led the American Association in triples during that standout 1948 season with Indianapolis.

Minor League Achievements

Beard’s minor league career showed off his real potential. Playing for the Hollywood Stars in 1952-1953, he helped the team go 109-71 and win a pennant.

On April 4, 1953, he had his most spectacular minor league game—four home runs against San Diego, driving in all six runs in a 6-5 win.

He once rattled off 12 hits in 12 straight at-bats over four games in 1953. That season, he hit 17 home runs and stole 21 bases for the Stars.

Even at 36, he showed he could still play. In 1957, he batted .347 with a .457 on-base percentage for Indianapolis.

Impactful Moments and Historical Significance

Ted Beard made his mark at Forbes Field with one of baseball’s most surprising power displays. He joined a rare club of sluggers who cleared that right field wall, and he had plenty of memorable moments in his long minor league career too.

Notable Home Runs and Records

Beard’s most famous achievement? It came from an unexpected source of power. He stood just 5’8″ and weighed 160 pounds, so most people saw him as a contact hitter, not a home run slugger.

He set his biggest record by clearing Forbes Field’s massive right field roof. That 86-foot high barrier looked nearly impossible to conquer during the stadium’s run from 1925 to 1970.

Players only managed to clear that roof 19 times in 45 years. Just 10 different guys pulled it off, so it was one of baseball’s rarest feats.

Beard’s name on that list surprised just about everyone. He even called himself “mostly a line drive hitter” and admitted he was “more or less a contact hitter.”

Famous Players and Comparisons

Some of baseball’s greatest power hitters made up the Forbes Field roof-clearing club. Babe Ruth hit his 714th and final career homer over that roof, probably the most famous one.

Willie Stargell topped the list with seven roof-clearing shots. Eddie Mathews did it twice during his career.

These legendary sluggers made Beard’s accomplishment stand out even more. The fact that someone like him joined such a powerful group really shows how unpredictable baseball can be.

While the others relied on raw power, Beard’s homer happened thanks to perfect timing and maybe a bit of luck.

Forbes Field Feat

Forbes Field’s right field might have been one of the toughest home run targets in baseball. Clearing that 86-foot roof took serious force and just the right angle.

They started building the roof in 1925, and it instantly became a huge challenge for hitters. The barrier stayed put until the stadium’s final game in June 1970.

Beard’s homer over that roof turned into his defining moment. It proved that even smaller players could pull off legendary feats if the stars lined up.

He earned permanent recognition in Pittsburgh baseball lore. His unlikely power display showed how baseball can still surprise even the most seasoned fans.

Hollywood Stars Brawl Incident

Beard’s minor league career had its share of drama beyond his own records. His time in the Pacific Coast League brought some unforgettable confrontations and intense competition.

One of the most memorable incidents came against the Hollywood Stars during his West Coast days. Those clashes really highlighted the fierce rivalries that popped up in high-level minor league baseball.

Players battled for major league opportunities, and Beard didn’t back down from standing up for his teammates. He played with a real edge.

These moments added some color to his long minor league run. They revealed a different side of a guy mostly known for his defense and that famous home run.

Military Service During World War II

Ted Beard put his baseball dreams on hold to serve as an Army medic in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His military service set back his professional baseball career by four years, which really changed his path to the majors.

Army Medic Role in the Pacific

Beard worked as an Army medic in the Pacific Theater during World War II. That job placed him right on the front lines, delivering medical care during one of the toughest conflicts in American history.

As a medic, he treated wounded soldiers and provided critical assistance. The Pacific Theater was notorious for its harsh conditions and brutal combat.

He showed the same determination and dedication in the Army that he later brought to baseball. Plenty of players from his generation made similar sacrifices during the war.

The skills he picked up as a medic—working under pressure, staying focused in chaos—helped him later in baseball. His military experience definitely shaped his character and how he handled challenges on and off the field.

Return to Baseball After Service

After finishing his military service, Beard had to figure out how to pick up his baseball career again. That four-year gap really changed his professional trajectory.

He spent a lot of time in the minors after coming back from the war. He played for the Hollywood Stars and then in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

In 1950, he pulled off a big achievement with the Pirates. Beard became just the second player to hit a ball over the 86-foot-high right-field roof at Forbes Field, joining Babe Ruth in that exclusive club.

Even with the setback from his military service, Beard eventually made it to the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox from 1957 to 1958. His ability to rebuild his career after the war says a lot about the resilience of his generation.

Life After Baseball and Lasting Influence

When Ted Beard retired from professional baseball in 1958, he started a new chapter focused on helping future players and staying close to the game. His long minor league career and defensive expertise made him a respected mentor and coach in the baseball world.

Minor League Coaching and Management

After his playing days, Beard moved into coaching and player development roles in the minor leagues. With nineteen seasons as a pro—especially with the Indianapolis Indians—he brought a ton of knowledge about developing players at every level.

His coaching philosophy stuck to the fundamentals that worked for him. He paid special attention to outfield defense and base running. People called him “The Arm” back in his day, so young players listened when he taught throwing mechanics and positioning.

He worked with several minor league affiliates throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Beard’s patient approach to instruction reflected his own climb from a small-town Maryland farm to the majors. He really understood the challenges players faced as they moved up.

Contribution to Player Development

Beard’s impact on player development went beyond just coaching. Playing in both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox systems gave him a unique view of how different organizations developed talent.

He specialized in teaching outfielders about positioning and tracking fly balls. Many players credited Beard with helping them boost their throwing accuracy and arm strength. He once racked up 31 outfield assists in a single season at Indianapolis, so he definitely knew what he was talking about.

He also mentored players on the mental side of baseball. Since he struggled himself with the jump from Triple-A to the majors, he understood how tough that transition could be. Beard focused on building confidence and helping players stay sharp during rough patches.

Recognition and Legacy

The Indianapolis Indians honored Beard’s contributions in 1979 and put him on their All-Time team. Readers of the Indianapolis News picked him as the right fielder, even ahead of future stars like Rocky Colavito and Roger Maris.

Everyone kept talking about his most famous achievement—hitting a home run over the 86-foot right field roof at Forbes Field. Only 18 other home runs ever cleared that roof in the stadium’s history, which is wild if you think about it.

That feat put him in the same conversation as legends like Babe Ruth and Willie Stargell.

Beard stayed involved with baseball alumni events. He kept up friendships with old teammates well into his later years.

His story really captures what a lot of players went through—finding success in the minors, but only getting modest results in the majors.