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

Ted Savage spent nine years navigating Major League Baseball through the 1960s and early ’70s, suiting up for eight different teams before retiring in 1971. Born Theodore Savage Jr. on February 21, 1937, in Venice, Illinois, he faced the ups and downs of pro baseball during a time when the sport was changing fast.

Savage wrapped up his career in 1971 with the Kansas City Royals, ending a journey that included stops with the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers. He bounced around, adapting to new teams and roles as he went.

But there’s more to Ted Savage than stats and uniforms. His story covers early promise, tough breaks, and the meaningful work he did after baseball. He left a mark both on the field and later in community relations, which really shaped his legacy.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Ted Savage started his baseball journey in Venice, Illinois, where he was born on February 21, 1937. He showed off his athletic skills early in high school in East St. Louis, then kept it going at Lincoln University in Missouri before spending time in the military.

Childhood and Background

Theodore Savage Jr. entered the world in Venice, Illinois, a small town just across the river from St. Louis. He grew up in East St. Louis, where he started to hone his athletic talents.

From a young age, he stood out in several sports. Folks in the East St. Louis area noticed his natural ability pretty quickly.

His family and early experiences in this Mississippi River community influenced the kind of person he became. The region had a reputation for turning out athletes who’d go on to professional careers.

Growing up there gave Savage the base he’d need for his baseball future. The area’s strong sports culture definitely played a role in his development.

High School Achievements

Ted Savage attended Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, where he became a standout in three sports. He didn’t just play—he excelled in baseball, basketball, and track.

That multi-sport experience built his athleticism and competitive spirit. Scouts started to notice his baseball skills, especially as an outfielder.

His high school success set him apart as one of the area’s top athletes. Those achievements opened doors for college and, eventually, pro ball.

Lincoln University Athletics

After high school, Savage went to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. The historically Black university offered him a place to grow, both academically and athletically.

He kept showing off his baseball talents at Lincoln. College ball sharpened his skills for tougher competition.

His college days got interrupted when he served three years in the U.S. Army. That military stint happened before he signed his first pro contract.

Once he finished his service, he set his sights on pro baseball. In 1960, at 23, he signed as an amateur free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies, kicking off his professional career.

Professional Debut and Notable Seasons

Ted Savage kicked off his Major League career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962, right after grabbing the International League MVP. His best season came later, in 1970 with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he put up his strongest numbers.

Major League Debut with the Philadelphia Phillies

Savage debuted in the majors on April 9, 1962, with the Phillies at age 26. He faced the Cincinnati Reds and went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs—a solid start.

The Phillies had picked him up as a free agent in 1960, after his college days at Lincoln. He’d spent three years in the Army before chasing pro baseball.

He didn’t waste time getting to the big leagues, making it up in just his second pro season. That first game hinted at the promise he brought.

He played enough in 1962 to lose rookie status, marking the start of a nine-year run across eight teams.

Outstanding Rookie Year and International League MVP

Before joining the majors, Savage tore up the International League with the Buffalo Bisons in 1961. He won the batting title, hitting .325 over 149 games.

That year, he snagged the International League MVP award. He became the last MVP in Buffalo Bisons history.

His .325 average that season showed he could hit for contact. The MVP award came fast—just his second pro season after signing with Philly.

That quick rise from college athlete to minor league standout really highlighted his natural baseball ability.

Best Season with Milwaukee Brewers

Savage’s top season came in 1970 with the Milwaukee Brewers at age 33. He batted .279, posted a .402 on-base percentage, and slugged .482.

Those numbers were big jumps in every offensive category. The .402 OBP showed he had a good eye and got on base a lot.

That .482 slugging percentage meant he could hit for power, too. He did all this in 276 at-bats during the 1970 season.

His work with the Brewers really stands out in his career. Even in his mid-30s, he proved he could still produce at the plate.

Teams and Career Transitions

Ted Savage played for eight teams during his nine-year MLB career from 1962 to 1971. All those moves let him play alongside some of the biggest names in baseball—Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Lou Brock, Ernie Banks, and Pete Rose.

Time with Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals

Savage joined the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played with future Hall of Famers like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. The Pirates gave him a chance to learn from some of the game’s best.

Later, he moved to the St. Louis Cardinals, which turned out to be important for his career and future. With the Cardinals, he played 55 games and shared the field with stars like Lou Brock and Orlando Cepeda.

During the off-season, he worked as a substitute teacher in St. Louis. He’d graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in education. In 1965, he went to spring training with the Cardinals’ minor leaguers.

That Cardinals connection paid off after his playing days. In 1987, he joined their front office and spent 25 years in community relations.

Stint with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers

Savage’s time with the Chicago Cubs let him play with legends like Ernie Banks and Billy Williams. The Cubs gave him chances to grow as an outfielder.

He then headed west to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he became teammates with Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale. The Dodgers were a tough team in those years, so Savage got to see top-level baseball up close.

Switching teams was common for players like Savage. His utility outfielder skills made him useful to different clubs. Each move meant new challenges and a chance to learn from different coaches and teammates.

Final Years: Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals

With the Cincinnati Reds, Savage played alongside Pete Rose and Johnny Bench. The Reds were building their “Big Red Machine” around then.

His most productive year came in 1970 with the Milwaukee Brewers, posting a .279/.402/.482 line in 276 at-bats. The Brewers had just settled in Milwaukee after moving from Seattle.

He finished his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1971. His last big league game was July 3, 1971. Over nine seasons, he played 642 games, hit .233, belted 34 home runs, and drove in 163 runs.

Career Statistics and Performance

Ted Savage finished his MLB career with a .233 batting average, 34 home runs, and 163 RBI over 642 games from 1962 to 1971. His numbers shifted a lot between the National and American Leagues, with 1970 in Milwaukee being his peak season.

Career Batting Statistics

Savage’s stats show a player who had trouble finding consistency at the plate. In 1,375 at-bats, he picked up 321 hits for a .233 average.

He didn’t put up huge power numbers. Savage hit 34 homers and drove in 163 runs over nine years. He also scored 202 runs and stole 49 bases.

That 1970 season with Milwaukee was his best. He hit .279 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 114 games. His .402 OBP and .482 slugging were career highs.

He did better in the AL with Milwaukee in 1970-1971, compared to his NL years from 1962-1969, where he hit .224.

Fielding and Position Analysis

Savage brought versatility to the field. He mainly played outfield but also got some time at first, second, and third base.

That defensive flexibility made him valuable as a utility guy. Teams used him wherever they needed, which probably helped him stick around even with average offensive numbers.

He played all three outfield spots—center, right, and left. Managers liked having that kind of flexibility.

Defensive stats from his era are pretty limited, so it’s hard to judge by today’s standards. Still, the fact that eight different teams kept him around says a lot.

Accolades and Records

Savage didn’t rack up the big awards or make All-Star teams during his career. His achievements were more about longevity and adaptability.

His best year, 1970 with Milwaukee, earned him a 1.8 WAR—his highest single-season mark by advanced stats.

Playing for eight teams became a defining part of his story. He suited up for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, the Cubs, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Kansas City.

His rookie year with Philadelphia in 1962 showed promise—a .266 average and 1.3 WAR. He just never quite kept up that level year after year.

The 1971 Retirement and Legacy

Ted Savage’s last season in the majors wrapped up a career that spanned eight teams and nine years. He retired during a time of change in baseball, and what he did after playing turned out to be just as important.

Final Major League Season

Savage started 1971 with the Milwaukee Brewers, then got traded midseason to the Kansas City Royals. On May 13, 1971, he made a little history as the first player in Royals history to wear uniform number 5 in a regular season game.

That moment came in his final months in the big leagues. The trade from Milwaukee to Kansas City gave him another shot, but at 34, Savage was nearing the end.

His numbers that year showed the wear and tear of a long career. Like a lot of aging players, his production dipped.

He finished out his journey through eight MLB organizations in a Royals uniform. Those last games closed the book on a career that started back in 1962 with the Phillies.

Milestones and Recognitions

Savage’s career achievements went way beyond just traditional stats. Sure, his .233 career batting average and 34 home runs are in the record books, but that barely scratches the surface of his baseball journey.

People really noticed his versatility and professionalism. He played first base, second base, third base, and covered all three outfield spots during his nine-year run.

He kept adapting to new teams and roles, and that flexibility made him valuable throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Eight different franchises decided they wanted Savage’s skills on their rosters, which says a lot.

After he retired, Savage picked up the Mannie Jackson Award, which recognized not just his playing but also his work off the field. The St. Louis Cardinals, one of his old teams, made sure to honor his legacy through their Community Relations department.

Influence on the Game

Savage’s impact on baseball really went way past just the numbers. While he played, he even worked as a substitute teacher in St. Louis, showing his commitment to education and giving back.

After hanging up his cleats, he became even more influential. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in urban studies from St. Louis University, which shows just how much he valued personal growth and learning.

Savage then spent nine years as athletic director at Harris-Stowe State University. That role let him shape young athletes and promote educational opportunities through sports.

The St. Louis Cardinals brought him on for 25 years in their Community Relations department. He helped connect professional baseball with local communities, creating positive impacts that lasted well beyond the ballpark.

Life Beyond Baseball and Personal Accomplishments

Ted Savage really built a remarkable second career in education and community service after his days on the field. He earned a Ph.D. in urban studies and spent decades helping others through both academic leadership and baseball outreach programs.

Post-Retirement Ventures

Ted Savage made a big shift from professional athlete to educator and administrator. Even while he played, he worked as a substitute teacher around St. Louis, and that early experience in education influenced his future.

After retiring from baseball in 1971, he went back to school. He earned a Ph.D. in urban studies from St. Louis University, which opened doors to leadership roles in higher education.

Savage spent nine years as athletic director at Harris-Stowe State University. He oversaw sports programs and helped student-athletes juggle their academics with athletics. Coming from a pro sports background, he understood the challenges young athletes face.

His move from baseball to education really showed his commitment to personal growth. Savage knew that life after sports meant learning new skills and staying dedicated to growth.

Community Involvement and Honors

Back in 1987, the St. Louis Cardinals brought Savage on board as assistant director of community relations. He also took on a role as a minor-league instructor.

This job let him stay close to the game he loved while giving back to his community. Savage stuck with the Cardinals for 25 years.

He moved up to director of target marketing in the Cardinals Care and community relations department. He decided to retire from that spot in 2012.

One of the things he really cared about was launching the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. This program brought baseball to communities that didn’t have much access.

In 2013, the Cardinals renamed their annual golf tournament the Ted Savage RBI Golf Classic to honor him. The tournament raised money just for the RBI program that Savage started.

That recognition showed just how much he shaped youth baseball in St. Louis and even further.