Todd Worrell – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Todd Worrell wrapped up his pitching career in 1997, having carved out a spot as one of the top closers of his era. The hard-throwing righty spent his last five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and somehow, even with the home crowd giving him a hard time, he still became the team’s all-time save leader. Worrell retired at 38, wanting to spend more time with his family, closing out a 12-year run in the majors that included stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Dodgers.

Worrell’s resume stands out: three All-Star nods, the 1986 National League Rookie of the Year, and a reputation as one of the most reliable closers of his generation. Baseball ran in the family—he’s the older brother of Tim Worrell, who also pitched for years in the majors. Todd’s presence on the mound and knack for handling pressure made him a go-to guy in the ninth, even if a World Series ring always eluded him in the big leagues.

Todd Worrell’s Early Career and Path to MLB

Worrell’s road to the big leagues started with his early days as a talented pitcher in high school and college. He worked his way up through the minors before making a name for himself as a relief pitcher in the majors.

Amateur Baseball and College Years

Todd Roland Worrell, born September 28, 1959, showed promise on the mound pretty early. In high school, he stood out as a pitcher with real potential.

After graduating, Worrell headed to Biola University in California, where he kept honing his skills and picking up valuable game experience. Those college years helped him sharpen his mechanics and build the mental toughness that would become his trademark.

With his strong arm and ability to throw strikes, Worrell quickly separated himself from other pitchers. Scouts took notice, seeing the potential for him to succeed at the next level.

Draft and Minor League Development

The St. Louis Cardinals grabbed Worrell in the 1982 amateur draft, kicking off his professional journey. He started out as a starter, showing flashes of promise in the 1980s baseball scene.

Worrell moved up the Cardinals’ farm system at a good clip. His minor league numbers—especially his strikeout totals—backed up his reputation as an effective pitcher.

The Cardinals organization made a big call and shifted Worrell from a starter to a reliever. That move fit his strengths, letting him unleash his fastball in shorter bursts.

By 1985, Worrell had worked his way up enough to get the call to the majors. He debuted for the Cardinals on August 28, 1985, and that kicked off a major league career that ran through 1997.

Major League Debut and Rookie of the Year Success

Todd Worrell made a splash in the big leagues right away, quickly earning a spot as an elite reliever. He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985, and it didn’t take long for him to pick up baseball’s top rookie honor.

Breakthrough with St. Louis Cardinals

Worrell took the mound for his MLB debut on August 28, 1985 with the Cardinals. Even though he came up late in the season, the 6’5″ righty made a strong impression. His fastball and presence helped the Cardinals during their playoff push.

The Cardinals had picked him in the first round (21st overall) of the 1982 MLB Draft out of Biola University. After some time as a starter in the minors, they moved him to the bullpen—a move that worked out pretty well for everyone.

Worrell wasted no time making an impact. He pitched in 17 regular season games in 1985, giving everyone a glimpse of what was coming.

Impact Season and Awards

In 1986, his first full season, Worrell established himself as one of baseball’s best closers. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, the first NL reliever to ever do it.

The numbers back it up: 36 saves that year. In 1987, he notched 33 more, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to rack up at least 30 saves in each of his first two full seasons.

That early run set the stage for a standout career featuring:

• Three All-Star selections
• 256 career saves (tied for 11th all-time when he retired)
• A reputation as one of the game’s most reliable closers

Career Highlights with the St. Louis Cardinals

Worrell made his mark as one of the dominant relief pitchers in Cardinals history through the mid-to-late ’80s. With his big frame and right arm, he was a force for St. Louis.

Role in the Bullpen

Worrell wasted no time making an impact on the Cardinals bullpen. In 1986, his first full year, he saved 36 games and took home Rookie of the Year. That set the tone for his run with the team.

He became the first relief pitcher in MLB history to notch 30 or more saves in each of his first three full seasons (1986-1988). That kind of consistency is rare for any closer.

Worrell earned All-Star honors with the Cardinals, representing them in the 1988 All-Star Game. He thrived in high-pressure spots and anchored the bullpen.

His arsenal? A fastball that could light up a radar gun and a sharp slider that fooled plenty of National League hitters during his Cardinals tenure.

Notable Playoff Performances

Worrell’s first taste of the majors actually came in the 1985 playoffs, right in the spotlight. He pitched in six games during the NLCS against the Dodgers, helping the Cardinals reach the World Series.

In the 1985 World Series against the Royals, Worrell appeared in four games. The Cardinals didn’t win it all, but his poise as a rookie on the game’s biggest stage was impressive.

Those early postseason appearances showed just how much pressure relievers face in October. They also helped Worrell grow into an elite closer.

He hit a major bump in the road when he injured his elbow on September 4, 1989, needing Tommy John surgery. That put him out for the 1990 and 1991 seasons, and he only made a short comeback with St. Louis in 1992.

Transition to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Once his run with the Cardinals ended, Worrell headed to Los Angeles for the final act of his career. The move to the Dodgers gave him a fresh start and a chance to finish things out on his terms.

Acquisition and Expectations

The Dodgers, led by GM Fred Claire, signed Worrell as a free agent before the 1993 season. He’d missed a lot of time with injuries, including Tommy John surgery in St. Louis.

The Dodgers needed a reliable closer and hoped Worrell could get back to his old form. At first, he worked as a setup man before eventually taking over as closer. The team wanted to be careful with his arm after all those injuries.

Significant Games and Achievements

Worrell eventually settled in and became one of the National League’s steadiest closers. From 1995 to 1997, he racked up 30 or more saves three years running—no small feat for a reliever.

His best Dodgers season came in 1996, when he saved 44 games and reestablished himself as an elite reliever. That year really showed the Dodgers’ gamble paid off.

Even with all that, Worrell took some heat from fans, especially in 1997 when he blew nine save chances. The pressure ramped up as younger arms like Darren Dreifort started getting attention in the bullpen.

By the time he retired after the ’97 season, Worrell had become the Dodgers’ all-time save leader—a pretty good way to wrap things up, even if it wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Pitching Style and Performance

Todd Worrell built his reputation as a dominant reliever with a big fastball and sharp breaking stuff. Over 11 seasons with the Cardinals and Dodgers, he earned a name as a reliable closer, even when things didn’t always go smoothly.

Pitch Selection and Strengths

Worrell’s bread and butter was his fastball, regularly hitting the mid-90s. That pitch was his main weapon late in games. He paired it with a slider that gave right-handed hitters all sorts of trouble.

At 6’5″ and 215 pounds, Worrell used his size to get great downward movement on his pitches, making it tough for hitters to elevate the ball. That physical edge helped him induce ground balls when it mattered.

Mentally, Worrell stayed cool under fire—a must for any closer. He worked with his pitching coaches to fine-tune his mechanics, but he didn’t try to reinvent himself every season.

Evolution Over His Career

Worrell’s career tells a story of adaptation. After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 1986, he looked like a top-tier closer before a major elbow injury forced him to have Tommy John surgery.

When he returned to the bullpen, he couldn’t rely on pure velocity like before. Instead, he focused more on movement and location. That shift showed just how adaptable he was.

His later Dodgers years were a mixed bag. He still set the franchise save record, but in his last season, 1997, age caught up with him. Even though he logged 35 saves, he posted a 5.28 ERA before deciding to retire.

Worrell’s journey showed how great relievers have to keep evolving as their bodies—and the game—change.

Notable Challenges and Injuries

Todd Worrell ran into some serious physical setbacks during his career that could’ve derailed everything. His determination and grit helped him push through those tough stretches and keep pitching at a high level.

Injury Setbacks

Worrell’s career hit a rough patch in September 1989 when he suffered a serious elbow injury while pitching. In the middle of a game, he felt a ligament snap, and that single moment kept him off the mound way longer than anyone expected. By December, he went in for elbow surgery to repair the damage, but things didn’t exactly get easier after that.

During rehab, Worrell started dealing with shoulder pain, which just made the whole recovery process a nightmare. These setbacks forced him to miss not just the rest of the 1989 season, but also all of 1990 and 1991.

That long absence totally stalled his career trajectory, and he lost the momentum he’d built as one of baseball’s top closers.

Recovery and Return to Form

After nearly three years away from Major League Baseball, Worrell came back with the Cardinals in 1992. He fought his way back and showed remarkable perseverance, though he couldn’t quite reach his old level of dominance in St. Louis.

His real comeback started after he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1993. Even with all those injuries behind him, he rebuilt his game and became a reliable closer again, enjoying a career resurgence in Los Angeles.

With the Dodgers, Worrell grabbed the closer role and put together some impressively consistent seasons. In his last year (1997), he stayed effective, racking up 35 saves despite blowing nine save opportunities.

He retired after the 1997 season, finishing with 256 career saves—good enough for a tie at 11th all-time back then.

Final MLB Seasons and Retirement

Worrell wrapped up his career with the Dodgers after several successful seasons as their closer. In his last years, he kept working as a reliable reliever before calling it quits in 1997.

Last Appearances with the Dodgers

He finished up with the Dodgers, joining them as a free agent after leaving the Cardinals. In his final season in 1997, at 37, Worrell still handled closing duties.

Worrell made his last MLB appearance on September 25, 1997. The stats weren’t his best, but he closed out a solid 11-year run in the majors that started back in 1985.

Throughout his Dodgers tenure, Worrell kept his reputation as a hard-throwing reliever. He pitched in 614 games during his career, almost always as a reliever or closer.

Retirement Announcement in 1997

After more than a decade in the big leagues, Worrell decided 1997 would be his last. He retired at 37, ending a career spent entirely in the National League, split between the Cardinals and Dodgers.

His career included:

• 11 MLB seasons
• 3 All-Star selections
• National League Rookie of the Year in 1986
• 256 career saves

He retired after the 1997 season without a World Series ring, but he’d built a reputation as one of the more reliable relievers of his era.

Worrell’s retirement marked the end of a journey that started with the Cardinals and finished with five years in Los Angeles.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Todd Worrell transitioned smoothly from his playing days to a meaningful life after retiring in 1997. His impact on relief pitching still pops up in baseball discussions today.

Coaching and Involvement in Baseball

After stepping away from the game, Worrell stayed involved through coaching at different levels. He’s worked with young pitchers, focusing on the mental side and the technical details of relief pitching.

He shows up at Cardinals alumni events now and then, and fans always seem happy to see him and remember those late-‘80s teams. He’s also helped out at the Cardinals’ fantasy camps, getting hands-on with fans who loved his fastball-slider combo.

Worrell never chased the spotlight like some ex-players. He’s kept things low-key, putting his family first—a priority he talked about a lot during his last season with the Dodgers.

Impact on Future Relief Pitchers

Worrell’s approach to closing games really shaped how teams use relievers today. He handled high-pressure situations with a calm that set the standard for future ninth-inning specialists.

A lot of closers since then have studied how he paired a power fastball with that sharp slider. That combo pretty much became the blueprint for late-inning relievers in both leagues.

Analysts often credit Worrell as a key part of the bridge from early closers to the modern, specialized role. His 256 career saves, tied for 11th in baseball history at retirement, really showed the value of a dependable closer.

Even now, young pitchers watch old footage of Worrell to pick up tips on mechanics and the mental game. His influence lingers in how teams build bullpens and handle those tense, late-game moments.

Influence and Recognition in Baseball

Todd Worrell left a real mark on Major League Baseball with his dominant closing abilities and the way he helped change the reliever’s job. His career brought him plenty of individual honors and a lot of respect around the league.

All-Star Nominations

Worrell picked up three All-Star selections during his 11 years in the majors. He got his first nod in his rookie season with the Cardinals in 1986, the same year he became the first reliever to win National League Rookie of the Year.

That early recognition put him on the map fast. He followed up with All-Star appearances in 1987 and 1988, locking in his status as one of the top relievers of the era.

During those peak years, he saved 30 or more games in each of his first three full seasons, which was just about unheard of at the time.

Role in the Evolution of the Modern Bullpen

Worrell helped define the specialized closer role that’s now a key part of baseball strategy. His career overlapped with the period when relief pitching shifted from a backup gig to a crucial job.

By the time he retired after the 1997 season, Worrell had 256 saves, tying him for 11th all-time at the moment he stepped away. That’s a number that puts him among the best.

With the Dodgers in the mid-‘90s, he kept saving at least 30 games a year, even after coming back from Tommy John surgery. That ability to adapt his pitching after a major injury influenced how teams thought about pitcher longevity.

Worrell’s success helped make the ninth-inning specialist a must-have, and his influence is still felt in how managers set up their bullpens.

Connections and Notable People

Todd Worrell’s career was shaped by the people around him—executives, managers, and teammates. Those relationships, on and off the field, played a big part in his baseball story.

Collaboration with Managers and Executives

Key baseball executives, especially with the Dodgers, influenced Worrell’s career path. Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ GM during Worrell’s time in LA, signed him as a free agent after his Cardinals days, betting that Worrell could boost the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The move paid off. Worrell became the Dodgers’ all-time save leader for a while. Even when fans got critical, Claire stood by him and recognized his value to the team.

Later on, Worrell mentored younger pitchers in the Dodgers organization, including up-and-comer Darren Dreifort, helping shape the next wave of relievers.

Relationships with Teammates

Worrell built strong, professional relationships with teammates throughout his 11-year MLB run from 1985 to 1997. His time with the Cardinals and Dodgers made him a respected presence in the clubhouse.

As a closer, Worrell formed tight bonds with starting pitchers, working together to lock down wins. These relationships relied on trust and respect. When he retired at 38, plenty of teammates spoke up about his leadership and dependability.

He played alongside all sorts of players—Hall of Famers, veterans, rookies. Some of those connections turned into real friendships that lasted long after their playing days ended.

Statistics and Career Records

Todd Worrell put up some impressive numbers as a closer in both the National and American Leagues. His stats definitely stack up among the best relievers of his era.

Career Saves and ERA

Worrell finished with 256 saves, tying him for 11th place in MLB history at the time he retired in 1997. He went 50-52 over his 11 seasons.

As a rookie with the Cardinals in 1986, Worrell made an instant impact, winning Rookie of the Year. Even early on, you could see his potential as an elite closer.

Worrell’s career ERA stayed solid, especially considering he pitched in so many high-pressure situations. He played from 1985 to 1997, splitting his time between the Cardinals and Dodgers.

He managed at least 30 saves in his final seasons, proving he stayed effective right up to the end in the 1990s.

Comparisons with Peers

Among his contemporaries, Worrell really stood out as one of the top closers of the late 1980s and 1990s. He showed off his versatility and steady performance no matter which team he played for, or what league he pitched in.

Worrell racked up enough saves to put himself in pretty elite company during his era. Sure, he didn’t reach the save totals of Lee Smith or Dennis Eckersley, but he consistently performed at a high level and kept his name among the top closers in the game.

In the National League, Worrell made three All-Star teams (1988, 1995, 1996). That says a lot about how his peers and fans viewed him. He managed to stay effective across several teams, which really highlights his adaptability and skill.

Worrell’s longevity was nothing to sneeze at, either. Born in 1959 in Arcadia, California, he kept getting outs well into his late 30s and finally called it a career at age 37 after the 1997 season.

Todd Worrell’s Impact Beyond the MLB

Todd Worrell’s influence definitely reached beyond his impressive run as a relief pitcher. After he retired in 1997, he poured his energy and baseball smarts into giving back to communities and helping the next wave of players.

Philanthropy and Community Work

Once he stepped away from the mound, Worrell jumped right into charitable work. He took part in all kinds of Cardinals alumni charity events, helping raise money for children’s hospitals and youth baseball programs around St. Louis.

Family mattered a lot to him, so he supported organizations that helped underprivileged families. The Worrell Family even started a few initiatives focused on youth development and community projects.

When he wrapped up his playing days with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Worrell kept up his efforts. He often showed up at baseball camps for kids from tough backgrounds, donating his time, gear, and sometimes money.

He never made a big show of his charity work—he just quietly tried to make a difference, usually behind the scenes instead of in the spotlight.

Influence on Youth Players

Worrell’s unique three-quarter delivery and his cool head on the mound inspired a lot of young pitchers. After his playing career, he spent time coaching at youth clinics in both California and Missouri.

Young relievers especially picked up a lot from him about handling pressure. Worrell liked to talk about the mental side of closing games—teaching mental fortitude and how to keep your emotions in check when the game’s on the line.

A handful of current MLB relievers have even said Worrell influenced how they approach the game. His mix of power pitching and smart strategy gave plenty of young pitchers a blueprint to follow.

He sometimes dropped by spring training camps as a guest instructor, working with prospects on both pitching mechanics and mindset. What he really tried to get across wasn’t just how to throw, but how to keep going when things get rough—something he definitely lived out in his own career.

Rivalries and Memorable Matchups

Worrell faced some tough opponents, and a few matchups really stand out for their intensity. You could see his competitive streak most clearly when he went up against rivals in big moments.

Games Against the Pittsburgh Pirates

Worrell had some of his tensest moments pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the late 1980s, as the Pirates got stronger in the National League East, he often found himself trying to lock down close games against them.

The Pirates’ lineup wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, with guys like Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla. Worrell usually attacked these hitters with his fastball, but he mixed in off-speed stuff to keep them guessing.

One game in 1989 really sticks out—Worrell struck out the side in the ninth to save a one-run Cardinals win at Three Rivers Stadium. That outing pretty much summed up his dominance as a closer, even against tough lineups.

The Pirates-Cardinals rivalry heated up during Worrell’s years, and every save chance against Pittsburgh felt like a real test of his nerves and pitching skill.

Other Noteworthy Opponents

Inside the National League, Worrell tangled with plenty of other memorable rivalries. The New York Mets always seemed to show up as a thorn in his side during the mid-to-late 1980s, especially when both teams chased the top of the division.

Worrell often stared down hitters like Darryl Strawberry and Howard Johnson, leaning into his intimidating presence and a fastball that really made people take notice. Those battles? They often tipped the balance in some pretty tense pennant races.

He also built a fierce rivalry with the Chicago Cubs. At Wrigley Field, he had to close out games in a ballpark that seemed to favor hitters—plus, the wind there could change everything in a heartbeat.

Later on, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned into key opponents too. Funny enough, after all those years facing off, Worrell actually joined the Dodgers in 1992 and wrapped up his career there in 1997.

When he squared off against Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” veterans in their final years, Worrell showed he could handle the pressure and go toe-to-toe with some of the game’s legends.