Tim Cullen – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Timothy Leo Cullen made his mark with a solid seven-year career in Major League Baseball, suiting up for three teams from 1966 to 1972. Born in San Francisco in 1942, Cullen grew into a versatile infielder who handled second base, shortstop, and third base with confidence.

His journey took him from the Washington Senators to the Chicago White Sox, and finally to the Oakland Athletics. There, he wrapped up his playing days.

Cullen hit his career high point in 1972 when he contributed to the Oakland Athletics’ World Series championship. He didn’t play in the World Series itself, but he appeared in 72 regular season games that year. The Bay Area native had come full circle, ending up with the team closest to his hometown after his Santa Clara University days.

He helped the A’s during a crucial midseason stretch when injuries opened the door for a veteran utility player like him.

Cullen finished his career with a .220 batting average, playing in 700 games over six seasons. His story feels like the classic journey of a steady pro who got the most out of his abilities, from high school stardom at Junipero Serra to his final season with a championship team.

His path shows the dedication it takes to stick around in the big leagues and the kind of challenges players faced as baseball changed in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Tim Cullen’s journey from San Francisco to pro baseball started with a strong family and a lot of athletic talent. In high school at Junipero Serra, he stood out in both baseball and basketball.

His time at Santa Clara University helped establish him as a top college player.

Family Background in San Francisco

Timothy Leo Cullen was born on February 16, 1942, in San Francisco, California. He was the third of four sons in the Cullen family.

His dad, Joseph, worked for the Internal Revenue Service and later became district director of the IRS’s San Francisco office. In 1954, Joseph’s job took the family to Reno, Nevada, and that’s where Tim discovered Little League baseball.

The sport wasn’t available in their old Bay Area neighborhood. When the family moved back to California the next year, Tim decided to stay in Reno for a year through a Knights of Columbus program because he wanted to keep playing baseball.

After reuniting with his family, the Cullens lived in Palo Alto for a bit and then settled in Burlingame, near San Francisco International Airport. Tim attended Catholic schools all the way through, which shaped his disciplined approach to both school and sports.

Junipero Serra High School Achievements

At Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, Cullen became a two-sport star in baseball and basketball. He earned all-Catholic Athletic League honors twice in baseball and once in basketball before graduating in 1960.

Cullen started out at third base, with future big leaguer Jim Fregosi at shortstop. After Fregosi graduated in 1959, Cullen slid over to shortstop for his senior year.

The team also had Gary Hughes in left field, who later became a longtime scout and executive for several MLB teams. Junipero Serra High would eventually produce other big names like Barry Bonds and Tom Brady.

Cullen played football until his senior year. His dad told him, “Tim, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to afford to put you through college. You’ve got a chance to get a scholarship, but it ain’t going to be in football.”

That turned out to be good advice. Focusing on baseball and basketball led to college scholarship offers.

Santa Clara University Career

Cullen chose a combined basketball-baseball scholarship from Santa Clara University over a full basketball scholarship from Loyola. That kept him close to home and let him keep playing both sports.

At Santa Clara, he joined Ernie Fazio from St. Elizabeth High in Oakland and John Boccabella from Marin Catholic. All three eventually made it to the majors.

His freshman roommate, Bob Garibaldi, became his teammate in both baseball and basketball. As a sophomore in 1962, Cullen helped turn Santa Clara’s baseball program around, taking them from last place to a number-one national ranking.

The Broncos reached the College World Series championship game and lost to Michigan in 15 innings. Cullen had two hits and drove in three runs in that title game, capping a season where he led the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association with a .365 batting average.

He made both the all-CIBA and all-NCAA District 8 teams. During his junior year, Cullen averaged 10 points per game as a starting guard for the basketball team.

For his senior year, Cullen focused just on baseball and earned second-team All-America at third base from the American Association of College Baseball Coaches.

Professional Baseball Career Beginnings

Tim Cullen’s move from college star to pro ballplayer started with a smart decision to begin at Triple-A, setting him up for his big league debut with the Washington Senators in 1966.

Path to the Major Leagues

After his standout run at Santa Clara, Cullen drew interest from nearly every big league team. His father acted as his agent during negotiations at their Burlingame home.

The Houston Astros offered the most money, doubling what Boston put on the table. But Cullen cared more about his path to the majors than a bigger check.

Boston was the only team willing to let him start at Triple-A. That made all the difference, since Cullen didn’t want to get stuck in the lower minors.

“I decided I wanted to start at Triple-A; I didn’t want to go to the lower minors and get lost,” Cullen said. “Boston was the only team that would agree to that.”

He signed with the Boston Red Sox for a $15,000 bonus in 1964. Scouts Bobby Doerr and Glenn Wright handled the signing.

Boston Red Sox and Minor League Journey

Cullen joined the Seattle Rainiers, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, right away, skipping the lower minors entirely. He roomed with future big league pitcher Jim Lonborg at a downtown hotel.

He hit .254 in his first pro season as the team’s third baseman. Adjusting to pro ball wasn’t easy, but he managed.

MLB’s first-year player draft rules suddenly changed Cullen’s path. Teams now had to protect rookies on their 40-man roster or lose them for $8,000.

The Red Sox didn’t protect Cullen. The Washington Senators swooped in and claimed him in the draft.

“I was unhappy, but Lindy was ecstatic, because their Triple-A team was in Hawaii,” Cullen remembered about the move.

He spent 1965 and 1966 with the Hawaii Islanders, Washington’s Triple-A squad. In his second season there, his batting average shot up to .295.

Debut With Washington Senators

Cullen got his call-up to the majors in August 1966. He debuted on August 8, striking out as a pinch-hitter against Detroit’s Johnny Podres.

His first start came on August 14 at third base. Two days later, he picked up his first major league hit off Cleveland’s Gary Bell.

Manager Gil Hodges moved Cullen to second base on September 4, 1966. Cullen had never played the position before, but he adapted fast.

“Gil Hodges was the manager. When I joined the team he called me into his office and said, ‘You ever played second base?’ Of course I said, ‘Heck, yeah, all my life!’” Cullen recalled.

The highlight of his 1966 season came on September 25. Cullen collected four hits and scored four runs in a doubleheader sweep of the White Sox, all on the day his daughter Anna was born.

He got the nickname “The Worm” in the minors for his fearless fielding style that left his uniform covered in dirt.

Major League Highlights and Teams

Tim Cullen played six seasons in the majors from 1966 to 1972, mostly as a utility infielder for three teams. He showed his value at multiple spots and made the 1967 Topps All-Star Rookie Team as a shortstop.

Washington Senators Years

Cullen started his big league career with the Washington Senators in August 1966 after the first-year player draft. He made his debut on August 8, striking out as a pinch-hitter against Detroit’s Johnny Podres.

His first start came on August 14 at third base. Two days later, he notched his first major league hit off Cleveland’s Gary Bell.

Manager Gil Hodges moved Cullen to second base on September 4, despite Cullen never having played there before. “Gil Hodges was the manager. When I joined the team he called me into his office and said, ‘You ever played second base?’ Of course I said, ‘Heck, yeah, all my life!’ I wound up playing most of my career at second base, but I learned in the big leagues,” Cullen said.

His best moment in 1966 came on September 25, when he had four hits and scored four runs in a doubleheader sweep of the White Sox—the same day his first child was born.

In 1967, Cullen earned a spot on the Topps All-Star Rookie Team as a shortstop. He started 64 games at short, 34 at second, and 12 at third, batting .236.

Chicago White Sox Stint

The Senators traded Cullen to the Chicago White Sox in February 1968 in a deal for shortstop Ron Hansen. The White Sox had just picked up Luis Aparicio for shortstop, so Hansen became expendable and Cullen got his shot at second base.

Cullen felt excited to join a team that had been in the pennant race until the end of 1967. Manager Eddie Stanky, a former second baseman himself, liked Cullen’s spark-plug style.

On May 26, 1968, Cullen made a little baseball history at Yankee Stadium. He started at second and batted ninth, while pitcher Gary Peters hit sixth. That made Cullen the last non-pitcher to bat ninth in an American League game before the designated hitter era.

But the season didn’t go as planned for Chicago. The White Sox lost their first ten games, and Stanky was fired just before the All-Star break. Cullen was hitting only .200 when the team traded him back to Washington on August 2 for Ron Hansen—neither player had really clicked with his new team.

Oakland Athletics and Final Season

Cullen signed with the Oakland Athletics in spring training 1972, bringing him back to the Bay Area. He’d been a two-sport star at Junipero Serra High and helped Santa Clara University reach the top of college baseball.

The A’s used Cullen as a backup infielder after he began the year with their Triple-A team, the Iowa Oaks. He stepped up during a tough midseason stretch when two regular second basemen went down with injuries.

Cullen’s last big league appearance came in the postseason. He went 0-for-1 in the 1972 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers. The A’s moved on to the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, but Cullen didn’t appear in those games.

He retired after the 1972 season, ending his six-year career with a .220 batting average, nine home runs, and 134 RBIs in 700 games. His final regular season game was October 1, 1972, against the Kansas City Royals, and he went 2-for-3.

Notable Achievements and Career Milestones

Tim Cullen’s six-season career included rookie honors, trades involving star players, and some memorable moments when it mattered. His final season finished with a World Series championship as part of the Oakland Athletics.

Topps All-Star Rookie Team Honor

Cullen picked up his biggest individual honor in 1967 when the Topps All-Star Rookie Team named him their shortstop. He’d just come off a solid sophomore season, starting 64 games at short, 34 at second, and 12 at third.

That year, he hit .236, which landed right at the league average. Scouts and managers around the league noticed how he handled so many infield spots.

Topps’ recognition felt like the high point of Cullen’s personal achievements. It really confirmed he’d made the jump from college standout to reliable big leaguer.

Famous Trades and Managerial Relationships

Trades and managers played a huge part in shaping Cullen’s career. In February 1968, Washington sent him to the Chicago White Sox as part of a deal for shortstop Ron Hansen.

White Sox manager Eddie Stanky, who had played second base himself, immediately took a shine to Cullen. “Eddie Stanky really liked me,” Cullen once said. “I was a spark-plug type of guy.”

The White Sox stumbled out of the gate in 1968 and lost their first ten games. Management fired Stanky just before the All-Star break.

On August 2, 1968, Chicago shipped Cullen back to Washington for Hansen. Neither guy had found much success with their new teams; Cullen was hitting just .200 at the time.

Cullen’s most memorable manager was probably Gil Hodges in Washington. When Cullen arrived, Hodges asked if he’d ever played second base. “Of course I said, ‘Heck, yeah, all my life!'” Cullen laughed, even though he hadn’t played there before the majors.

Significant Games and Performances

Cullen’s standout game came on September 25, 1966. He racked up four hits and scored four runs in a doubleheader sweep over the White Sox.

That day already meant a lot—his first child, Anna, was born then too.

Another big moment happened on September 3, 1968, when his son Tim was born. Cullen stayed up until 3:30 a.m. for the delivery, but still played that night and hit a pinch-hit two-run single that gave Washington a 2-1 win over the White Sox.

On May 26, 1968, Cullen made baseball history at Yankee Stadium. He became the last non-pitcher to bat ninth in an American League game before the designated hitter rule arrived.

1972 World Series Experience

Cullen’s last season brought him to the Oakland Athletics, who signed him during spring training in 1972. The Bay Area native returned home after helping Santa Clara University’s baseball program get national attention.

He didn’t play in the 1972 World Series, but he did help the A’s during a rough patch when both regular second basemen went down with injuries.

After the Athletics beat the Cincinnati Reds for the championship, Cullen retired from pro baseball.

His spot on that title team really capped off a journey that started in San Francisco and finished with the game’s top prize.

Statistical Overview and Playing Style

Tim Cullen’s seven-year career really stood out for his defensive versatility and steady contact hitting, even if his offensive stats were modest. He played all over the infield, which made him a valuable utility player. His .220 career batting average was pretty typical for middle infielders who focused on defense back then.

Fielding Positions and Versatility

Cullen showed off his adaptability by playing shortstop, second, and third base in the majors. He started his pro career at third and short, but manager Gil Hodges moved him to second base with the Senators.

He’d never played second base in high school, college, or the minors. Still, Cullen learned it on the fly in the big leagues. When Hodges asked if he’d played there, Cullen just said, “Heck, yeah, all my life!” In reality, he ended up spending most of his career at second.

Managers really respected his defense. Eddie Stanky, who managed Cullen in Chicago, especially liked his “spark-plug” energy and hustle.

Batting Statistics

Over 700 games, Cullen posted a .220 average with 387 hits, 9 homers, and 134 RBIs. He also scored 155 runs from 1966 to 1972.

His best season was 1967, when he made the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. That year, he hit .236—right at league average—and started at three infield spots.

He had some memorable moments at the plate, like the four-hit, four-run doubleheader against the White Sox in 1966. He also came through in the clutch, such as the pinch-hit two-run single that beat Chicago in 1968.

Offensive and Defensive Skills

Teams mostly valued Cullen for his defensive flexibility and hustle. His batting stats fit the typical mold for a utility infielder in the 1960s and early ’70s, when teams cared more about defense from their middle infielders.

He focused on contact hitting, not power, which you can see in his career total of just 9 home runs. Still, he showed he could deliver in big moments.

On defense, Cullen’s willingness to learn new spots and his steady glove made him a real asset. He gave managers options, especially when teams had smaller benches than they do now.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

After his playing days, Tim Cullen shifted his focus to business but kept close ties to the baseball world. He helped develop young players and contributed to college baseball, especially at Santa Clara University, where he left a lasting mark.

Post-Retirement Career

When Cullen retired from the A’s in 1972, he put his Santa Clara business degree to use. He moved back to the Bay Area, where he’d grown up and gone to school.

His dad had always stressed the value of education and convinced him to go to college instead of signing with the Giants right away. That call paid off after baseball. The business skills he picked up at Santa Clara set him up for life after sports.

His time as a pro athlete, plus his education, opened doors for him in business. Cullen stayed in the Bay Area, staying connected to the place where his baseball journey started.

Contribution to Baseball Community

Cullen stayed involved in baseball through community programs and youth development work. Playing at every level—from Little League to the majors—gave him a unique perspective on what it takes to grow as a player.

His college years at Santa Clara still stand out in his baseball legacy. The 1962 Broncos team that made it to the College World Series final remains a huge part of the school’s history.

Cullen’s knowledge and experience made him a great resource for young players. He really understood how tough it can be to move up through the ranks, since he’d done it himself.

He also stayed connected through the Western Canada League and summer baseball programs, helping strengthen the game’s development network.

Recognition and Influence

Santa Clara University inducted Cullen into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976. They wanted to recognize his outstanding contributions to the baseball program.

His .365 batting average in conference play during the 1962 season still stands out as a big achievement in the school’s history.

The university pointed out several of his key accomplishments:

• He led the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association in batting average in 1962,
• Earned All-America second-team honors at third base,
• Played a crucial role in Santa Clara’s rise to national prominence.

Cullen influenced more than just the stat sheets. He helped Santa Clara become a real contender in college baseball.

The 1962 team’s success definitely pushed the university’s name into the national spotlight.

Cullen’s professional career didn’t rack up huge numbers, but it still showed what Santa Clara’s baseball program could do. He went from college star to major league player, proving the program could actually prepare athletes for pro competition.