Tex Clevenger – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Truman Eugene “Tex” Clevenger put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, pitching mostly out of the bullpen and sometimes starting, for four American League teams from 1954 to 1962. Even though he grew up in California, his Boston Red Sox teammate Johnny Pesky nicknamed him “Tex” because he thought Clevenger looked like former pitcher Tex Hughson. Clevenger wrapped up his career after the 1962 season, ending a journey that took him from an undersized high schooler to a reliable major league pitcher.

Clevenger got his start at Fresno State College. There, he grew from a 4-foot-11, 86-pound sophomore into a real prospect.

He threw two no-hitters against the College of the Pacific, including a wild 20-strikeout game where he also went 6-for-6 at the plate. The Boston Red Sox signed him for just $3,000 in 1953.

He bounced around with Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, and New York, making a name as a dependable bullpen guy.

Tex Clevenger’s story really shows the grit you needed to make it in pro baseball back in the ’50s and early ’60s. He led the American League in relief appearances, came through in big games, and kept reinventing himself after dealing with arm issues.

From his college heroics to his last season with the Yankees, Clevenger’s journey offers insight into the ups and downs of a journeyman pitcher during baseball’s golden era.

Tex Clevenger’s Baseball Career Overview

Truman Eugene “Tex” Clevenger went from a small high school kid to a reliable major league pitcher over his eight-season career from 1954 to 1962. He had some big moments as an amateur, made a strong debut with Boston, spent productive years in Washington, and finished up with two expansion-era teams.

Early Years and Amateur Achievements

Tex Clevenger started at Visalia High School in California. He had to overcome being just 4-feet-11 and 86 pounds as a freshman.

Everything shifted in his sophomore year when coach Hank Viden arrived. Viden told everyone, “anyone that wants to play baseball will play baseball.”

Clevenger began as an outfielder, but he soon found out he had a knack for pitching. After high school, he spent about three and a half years at California State University at Fresno.

On March 21, 1953, he tossed his second no-hitter against the College of the Pacific. In that wild game, he struck out 20 and went 6-for-6 at the plate, collecting three triples, two singles, and a double in a 21-0 blowout.

He’d already thrown a no-hitter against the same school in 1952. Red Sox scout Tom Downey signed him for $3,000 in June 1953.

Three other teams actually offered him more, but Clevenger picked Boston because he wanted to play for their San Jose farm team.

Major League Debut with the Boston Red Sox

Clevenger joined the San Jose Red Sox in the Class-C California League for 1953. He kicked off his pro career with a one-hitter in an 8-2 win over Ventura.

He dominated that league, going 16-2 with a 1.51 ERA. He finished 18 of his 19 starts and struck out 157 in 155 innings, helping San Jose finish miles ahead of second place.

He picked up Rookie of the Year honors. Boston Red Sox manager Lou Boudreau thought about keeping him in the majors for 1954.

But they worried about pushing him too fast and sent him to the Louisville Colonels on March 29. Just a week later, they brought him back up on April 6.

Clevenger made his big league debut on April 18, 1954, tossing a perfect ninth inning in relief against the Philadelphia Athletics. His first start came on May 7 against the Washington Senators.

He won that game 7-6, giving up just one hit through five innings before he ran out of gas in the sixth.

Washington Senators Era

The Boston Red Sox traded Clevenger to the Washington Senators in a massive nine-player deal on November 8, 1955. Calvin Griffith, the new team president, made this his first big move.

Clevenger’s arm got so bad at one point that he said he “couldn’t even raise my arm to comb my hair.” He bounced back with exercise and Novocain shots.

From 1957 to 1960, Clevenger became a workhorse for Washington. He averaged over 52 appearances a year and led the American League with 55 games in 1958.

Manager Cookie Lavagetto praised him in 1957, calling Clevenger “one of my own private heroes this year.” Lavagetto said Clevenger had been “our most useful pitcher,” which is wild considering he was “a discredited pitcher who didn’t seem to have any future in the game” just a year earlier.

Career Stats with Washington (1957-1960):

• Games: 209
• Wins: 29
• Losses: 31
• ERA: 4.16
• Strikeouts: 268

Final Years with the Angels and Yankees

The Los Angeles Angels picked Clevenger as their seventh choice in the December 1960 expansion draft. Washington left him unprotected, so the new team grabbed him.

Clevenger felt good about joining the Angels. In February 1961, he said they “are a better ball club right now than the Washington Senators team I played with in 1957, 1958, and 1959.”

His time with the Angels was short but solid. The team finished eighth in the new 10-team American League, nine games better than his old Washington squad.

The New York Yankees picked up Clevenger during the 1961 season. He spent parts of two seasons in pinstripes, mostly working out of their bullpen.

Clevenger pitched his last major league game during the 1962 season. He finished his eight-year career with a 36-37 record, a 4.18 ERA, and 361 strikeouts in 310 games.

Key Seasons and Career Milestones

Clevenger’s eight-year big league career had a few seasons that really stand out. He set a personal best with 55 appearances in 1958, and his 1960 season led to a big move in the expansion draft.

1953: Breakout Season in the California League

Clevenger’s pro baseball journey really took off in the California League in 1953. With the Richmond Virginians, he sharpened the skills that would get him to the Boston Red Sox.

Scouts took notice of his minor league numbers. He showed he could handle both starting and relief roles.

That season set him up for his big league debut with Boston in 1954. At just 21, he broke into the majors on April 18, 1954.

1958: Leading the American League in Appearances

The 1958 season was Clevenger’s busiest ever. He pitched in 55 games for the Washington Senators, the most he’d ever do in a year.

He made four starts and finished 29 games, going 9-9 with a 4.35 ERA over 124 innings. That kind of workload showed the manager trusted him.

He struck out 70 and walked 50. His durability became a big asset for the Senators’ bullpen.

They leaned on him to be available all season.

1960: Notable Transactions and Performances

Clevenger’s 1960 season with Washington changed his career path. He finished 5-11 with a 4.20 ERA over 53 games.

After the season, the Los Angeles Angels picked him in the expansion draft. That gave him a fresh opportunity with a brand-new team.

He made 11 starts and finished 24 games for Washington, pitching 128.2 innings and striking out 49. The expansion draft pick showed teams still valued his experience and versatility.

1961–1962: Yankees Tenure and Retirement

The Angels traded Clevenger and Bob Cerv to the New York Yankees for Ryne Duren. That deal brought him to a team with championship ambitions.

He split his 1961 season between Los Angeles and New York, going 3-2 with a 3.78 ERA. 1962 marked his final season, and he went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 21 games for the Yankees.

He retired after the 1962 season at 30. His career totals show 36 wins, 37 losses, and a 4.18 ERA in 307 games.

The Yankees gave him a strong finish to his playing days. Clevenger’s steady work made him a valuable bullpen contributor at the end.

Notable Games and Memorable Moments

Tex Clevenger had some moments that really showed off his versatility as a pitcher. He threw two shutouts in 1959 and pulled off a wild defensive play with Yankees star Elston Howard.

No-Hitters and Strikeout Feats

Clevenger never actually threw a no-hitter in his big league career. His style was more about quick outs than piling up strikeouts.

He ended up with 361 strikeouts in 310 games. That’s not a huge number, but it fits for a guy who worked mostly in relief and as a spot starter.

His best strikeout seasons came with the Senators. Between 1957 and 1960, he became a steady bullpen arm who could eat innings.

Shutouts and Winning Streaks

Clevenger’s top performance came on August 5, 1959. He blanked the Cleveland Indians 9-0 in the second game of a doubleheader.

That shutout snapped an 18-game losing streak for the Senators. The team had been in a bad way before Clevenger stepped up with a dominant outing.

He threw both of his career shutouts in 1959, both for the Senators, who weren’t exactly known for winning much back then.

Unique Plays and On-Field Incidents

On May 11, 1958, Clevenger found himself in one of baseball’s strangest plays. Yankees batter Elston Howard hit a liner that drilled Clevenger.

The ball bounced off his leg and rolled into foul ground by first base. Clevenger hustled over and covered first.

He took the throw from Norm Zauchin and got the out. The official scorer called it a 1-3-1 play, with Clevenger getting both the assist and the putout.

It was a heads-up play and showed his quick reactions under pressure.

Trades, Teams, and Teammates

Tex Clevenger spent eight years in the majors, moving through four organizations thanks to trades and drafts. He played under several managers and shared clubhouses with some pretty notable teammates.

Major League Transactions and Trades

Clevenger started his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox in 1954 after a 16-2 season in the minors. Boston gave him his first shot as a reliever and spot starter.

His biggest stretch came with the Washington Senators from 1956 to 1960. That’s where he found his most consistent role.

The Los Angeles Angels picked him in the 1960 expansion draft, giving him a chance to help build a new team from scratch.

His last big move happened when the Angels traded him and outfielder Bob Cerv to the New York Yankees for reliever Ryne Duren. That deal sent Clevenger to a team with its eyes on the World Series.

With the Yankees from 1961-1962, Clevenger finished strong. He went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his last season, helping out on a championship squad.

Influential Managers and Coaches

Calvin Griffith really shaped Clevenger’s career as the owner of the Washington Senators. Clevenger had his best seasons while playing for Griffith’s team.

Cookie Lavagetto managed Clevenger during his years with the Senators. Lavagetto helped Clevenger develop into a reliable relief pitcher in the late 1950s.

Ralph Houk took over as Clevenger’s manager when he joined the Yankees. Houk led the team to World Series wins and used Clevenger well in the bullpen.

These baseball figures had a big impact on Clevenger’s growth. They spotted his talent as a dependable relief pitcher who could also step in for spot starts.

Key Teammates and Opponents

Johnny Pesky played a huge part in Clevenger’s baseball identity. Pesky, the Red Sox infielder, started calling him “Tex” because his pitching style reminded him of Tex Hughson.

While with the Yankees, Clevenger pitched alongside Luis Arroyo. Arroyo closed games, while Clevenger handled middle relief for those championship teams.

Mickey Vernon played first base for the Senators during Clevenger’s stint there. Vernon was a seasoned veteran who helped guide younger players like Clevenger.

Dick Brodowski and Neil Chrisley pitched with him on the staff, too. These relationships helped Clevenger pick up the finer points of major league pitching.

In 1958, Clevenger had his busiest season with Washington. He led the league with 55 appearances and finished with a 9-9 record.

Personal Life and Legacy

Tex Clevenger’s life reached far beyond the baseball field. He built a family and a business career in California’s Central Valley, which always felt like home.

His later years brought the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, and he faced those with the same grit he showed on the mound.

Life in California and Family Background

Clevenger was born Truman Eugene Clevenger on July 9, 1932, in Visalia, California. His parents, Jess and Golden Clevenger, worked hard—his dad drove a tractor and his mom worked with fruit during harvests.

The family had deep Missouri roots, but Clevenger wasn’t actually named after President Harry Truman. He grew up with an older sister, Frances, and a younger brother, Bill, who later caught for him at Fresno State.

He went through a big physical change during high school at Visalia High. As a freshman, he was just 4-foot-11 and 86 pounds—couldn’t even make the team. By graduation, though, he shot up to 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds.

Clevenger married Margaret E. Renner in September 1952 while still in college. They had two kids: Janet, born in late 1953, and Martin, born July 1958. He actually named Martin after his teammate Marty Keough.

Business Ventures After Baseball

After retiring from baseball in 1962, Clevenger went back to California and jumped into the automotive business. He started and ran Clevenger Ford, a car dealership in Porterville, California.

That dealership became his main focus for years after baseball. It gave him a way to stay active in the local community and build some financial security for his family.

Settling in Porterville kept him close to his roots in Visalia and the Central Valley. He stayed connected to the region where he grew up and learned the game.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Later Years

Clevenger spent his last years fighting Alzheimer’s disease. The illness slowly took away his memory and independence.

He died on August 24, 2019, at 87, in Visalia—the same city where he was born. He passed away after a long struggle with the disease.

He lived in Porterville during his final years, but died in Visalia, bringing his life full circle. His story stretches from baseball’s golden era right up to the modern game.

Alzheimer’s was one of the toughest battles he ever faced. It was a different kind of fight than the physical injuries he dealt with as a player, like the time he couldn’t even lift his arm to comb his hair.

Honors, Impact, and Lasting Influence

Tex Clevenger’s legacy in baseball includes early recognition as a top rookie and two World Series championships with the Yankees. His influence went beyond stats—he became known as a reliable relief pitcher and kept close ties with Fresno State baseball.

Awards and Recognitions

Clevenger picked up his first major honor in 1953 as Rookie of the Year in the California League. Playing for the San Jose Red Sox, he went 16-2 with a 1.51 ERA and led the league in both categories.

He also won the Win Clark Trophy at a banquet in Los Angeles that February. That award named him the top California rookie in Organized Baseball for the year.

The high point of Clevenger’s career definitely came with the Yankees. He won World Series championships in 1961 and 1962, earning his place in the history of those legendary Yankees teams.

In 2007, Fresno State retired his number to honor their former star. That recognition highlighted his lasting impact on the school’s baseball program.

Contributions to Baseball

Clevenger made his mark as a versatile relief pitcher and spot starter. While pitching for the Washington Senators from 1957 to 1960, he averaged more than 52 games a season.

He led the American League with 55 appearances in 1958, showing off his toughness and value to the team. Manager Cookie Lavagetto called him “our most useful pitcher” and even said he was “one of my own private heroes.”

His career showed how perseverance matters in pro sports. After arm problems nearly ended his playing days, Clevenger worked his way back and became a steady contributor for several teams.

He pitched for four different franchises, including the new Los Angeles Angels in their first season in 1961. His experience gave those teams some much-needed veteran leadership during a time when baseball was really growing.

Remembering Tex Clevenger

Tex Clevenger kept close ties to baseball after hanging up his glove. He joined old-timers’ games and Yankees and Angels reunions, staying in touch with fans and teammates.

These gatherings let new generations see what he brought to the sport. It’s nice to think some kids learned his name that way.

After leaving the field, he ran the Clevenger Ford dealership in Porterville, California. Switching from pro sports to running a business isn’t easy, but he seemed to handle it pretty well.

In 2008, doctors told him he had Alzheimer’s disease. His struggle helped bring attention to what aging athletes can go through.

He passed away on August 24, 2019, at 87, after fighting the disease for 11 years.

Honestly, Clevenger’s story feels like a reminder that grit and hard work matter more than size or early expectations. He started high school at just 4-foot-11 and 86 pounds, then made it all the way to the majors.

That kind of journey? It has to give hope to any young athlete staring down their own obstacles.