Tom Poquette – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tom Poquette built a solid seven-year run in Major League Baseball before he called it quits in 1982. The Wisconsin native spent time with three different teams—Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers.

His path from a multi-sport high school standout to a pro ballplayer says a lot about the grit it takes to compete at the top level.

Poquette wrapped up his MLB career with a .268 batting average, 10 home runs, and 136 RBIs in 452 games. He played his last season in 1982 with the Kansas City Royals.

But his story isn’t just about stats. He managed to push through some brutal injuries and setbacks along the way.

His rookie year in 1976 with Kansas City put him on the map. He picked up Royals Rookie of the Year honors and helped the team snag their first playoff spot.

The outfielder’s career journey shows the real struggles players face in pro baseball. He battled injuries and fought for roster spots as younger players came up.

His experience stretched across different eras, giving us a peek at how players handled career changes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Poquette’s story really captures both the highs and lows of chasing a pro sports dream.

Early Life and Background

Tom Poquette was born on October 30, 1951, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He grew up as one of six kids in a family that loved baseball.

He showed his athletic side early on in high school, excelling in three sports before zeroing in on baseball as his ticket to the big leagues.

Childhood and Hometown

Thomas Arthur Poquette grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with five brothers and one sister. His parents, Gordon and Jeanette Poquette, always encouraged their kids’ athletic interests.

Gordon Poquette played a big part in Tom’s early days. Gordon had played baseball at Medford High and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

He later taught social studies at Eau Claire Memorial High School from 1946 to 1980. Gordon covered subjects like geography, Wisconsin history, and psychology.

He also worked as an assistant coach for the school’s baseball, basketball, and football teams, which gave Tom an early taste of organized sports.

Jeanette Poquette took care of the home and supported her kids’ athletic pursuits. The family’s focus on both education and sports definitely helped shape Tom’s work ethic.

High School Baseball Achievements

Tom Poquette became a standout in three sports at Eau Claire Memorial High School. People still talk about him as one of the school’s all-time great athletes.

His baseball accomplishments really stood out, even alongside his football and basketball success.

In 1968, as a sophomore, Poquette helped Memorial win the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association baseball state championship. That early win showed he could handle pressure in big moments.

He kept up his strong play through his senior year in 1970. On June 5, 1970, during the sectional championship, Poquette struck out 11 batters and came within one strike of a no-hitter.

His American Legion baseball days were just as impressive. In 1969, he helped his team win the American Legion state championship.

Playing in the Legion tournament in Bowling Green, Ohio, became what he later called “the greatest thrill of his pre-professional career.”

Those high school and Legion moments really put him on the radar for pro scouts. They started following his progress closely.

Path to Professional Baseball

Scouts started noticing Poquette while he was still in high school. That attention set the stage for his shot at Major League Baseball.

Art Stewart, a scout who had just joined the Kansas City Royals in their first season in 1969, heard about Poquette from Lois Brandenburg, an American Legion scorekeeper.

Brandenburg told Stewart, “He’s only a sophomore, but he’s impressive.” Stewart went to see Poquette play during his junior year and then invited him to a Royals tryout.

The Kansas City Royals picked Poquette in the fourth round of the June 1970 amateur draft, 80th overall. His skills—speed, quickness, and arm strength—matched exactly what the Royals liked.

Poquette had a tough choice between college and pro ball. The University of Wisconsin offered him a full ride to play both baseball and football, but he decided to chase his pro dreams.

On June 13, 1970, just a day after his last high school game, Poquette signed his first pro contract with the Royals. He became Art Stewart’s first signing with the organization, kicking off his climb through the minors.

MLB Career Overview

Tom Poquette played seven seasons in the majors from 1973 to 1982, mostly as an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals. He also spent short stints with the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.

Debut and First Years

Tom Poquette made his MLB debut on September 1, 1973, with the Kansas City Royals at Royals Stadium. At just 21, he became the first Memorial High School grad to reach the majors.

The Royals had drafted him in the fourth round in 1970, 80th overall. After working his way through the minors, he finally got his first big-league call-up.

He didn’t get much playing time early on, as he worked on his game against major league pitching. Poquette batted left and threw right, which made him a valuable platoon player.

He spent most of 1974 and 1975 back in the minors before returning to Kansas City in 1976. That back-and-forth was pretty normal for young players still figuring things out.

Kansas City Royals Highlights

Poquette hit his stride with the Royals from 1976 to 1979. He started as a platoon outfielder on three straight American League West championship teams in 1976, 1977, and 1978.

During those years, he played in the League Championship Series every season. That gave him some real postseason experience on teams that wanted to win.

Notable moment: On June 22, 1976, Poquette chased a deep line drive from Kevin Bell of the White Sox. His spikes got caught in the AstroTurf, and he slammed face-first into the outfield wall.

He got knocked out cold and broke his left cheekbone in four places. The team put him on the disabled list, but he made it back in less than a month.

That scary injury led the stadium to add protective cushions to the outfield wall to help keep players safer.

Boston Red Sox Stint

Poquette landed with the Boston Red Sox during the 1979 season after a mid-season trade. He played parts of two seasons with Boston in 1979 and 1981.

His time with the Red Sox didn’t last long, but it gave him a shot in the American League East. The new team gave him a chance to keep his big-league career going.

Between his time in Boston, Poquette also spent a little while with the Texas Rangers in 1981. That made him a bit of a journeyman during his last years in the majors.

He made his way back to Kansas City for his final MLB season in 1982. Poquette played his last major league game on July 9, 1982, with the Royals—the same team where it all started.

Career Stats:

• Batting average: .268
• Home runs: 10
• RBIs: 136
• Games: 452

Key Seasons and Performance

Tom Poquette’s seven-year MLB run had a few seasons that really showed what he could do as a dependable outfielder. His breakout in 1976 made him a key part of Kansas City’s division-winning teams, and his 1977 season showed he could keep it going in the postseason era.

1976 Breakout Season

Poquette broke through in 1976 with the Royals. He became a platoon starter on the club’s American League West championship team. That year matched up with the Royals’ first division title ever.

But the season took a wild turn on June 22, 1976, in a game against the White Sox. While chasing a deep line drive, his spikes got stuck in the turf and he smashed into the outfield wall. He was knocked out and broke his cheekbone in four spots.

Even after all that, Poquette came back in less than a month. The injury led the team to add padding to the outfield wall, making things safer for everyone.

His toughness that season helped cement his spot on the team. The Royals made their first League Championship Series appearance, and Poquette played a part in that.

1977 Consistency

Poquette followed up 1976 with another strong year as the Royals won their second straight AL West title. He kept his spot as a platoon starter in the Royals’ loaded lineup.

The 1977 season showed that Poquette could keep contributing for a winning team. His steady glove and reliable bat helped the Royals keep their edge in the American League.

Kansas City made it to the League Championship Series again, and Poquette got more playoff experience. That year really locked in his reputation as a solid role player.

1979 Comeback with the Red Sox

After he lost regular playing time with the Royals, Poquette got a fresh start with the Boston Red Sox in 1979. The trade gave him more at-bats and a chance to prove himself.

His time with the Red Sox showed he could adapt to new teams and situations. Playing in the tough American League East let him show off his skills to a different crowd.

Poquette’s experience from Kansas City’s playoff runs helped the Red Sox, who were hoping to get back to the postseason.

That 1979 season in Boston marked a successful transition for him. He showed he could step in as a veteran and help out wherever he landed.

Challenges and Injuries

Tom Poquette’s baseball career had some rough patches, mostly thanks to injuries that cut his time in the majors short. A terrible facial injury in 1976 and a bad shoulder injury in 1980 were especially tough.

Setbacks During the Late 1970s

The worst injury Poquette dealt with happened in June 1976. He crashed into the outfield wall chasing a fly ball and broke his cheekbone.

“I remember seeing the pool of blood on the ground,” Poquette said years later. “I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. I saw the blood and went back down. Then I drifted in and out.”

While he was down, the ball rolled for an inside-the-park grand slam. Even with all that, Poquette got back on the field within a month and finished the 1976 season hitting .302.

His numbers started to drop in 1978, with his average falling to .216. That slump led to his trade from Kansas City to Boston in 1979.

Impact of Injuries on Career Longevity

A separated rotator cuff in 1980 turned out to be the most career-threatening injury he faced. The shoulder injury happened while he was with the Red Sox and pretty much ended his 1980 season.

Team doctor Dr. Frank Jobe found the separation during spring training. “Dr. Jobe said I have a 90 percent chance of recovery,” Poquette told reporters. “He felt that way because I’m an outfielder and I’m young. If I was a pitcher, it wouldn’t look so promising.”

The injury really cut into his playing time in his last years. He played only 33 games in 1981 and 24 games in 1982 before he retired. The shoulder problem kept him from building on his hot .331 average in 63 games with Boston in 1979.

Those injuries ended what could have been a longer career for the Royals’ 1976 Rookie of the Year.

Retirement and Post-Playing Career

Tom Poquette wrapped up his pro baseball career after the 1982 season. He’d battled through injuries and less playing time in those last years.

After stepping away as an active player, he moved into coaching roles and stayed involved in baseball, helping develop talent at the minor league level.

Final Years in Major League Baseball

Poquette spent his last years in the majors battling shoulder problems that started in 1979. He hurt his rotator cuff diving back to second base on a pickoff attempt that August, and that injury just wouldn’t go away.

He missed the entire 1980 season because of it. In May 1980, he had surgery to remove cartilage behind his shoulder. Dr. Frank Jobe found the separated rotator cuff and told Poquette he had “a 90 percent chance of recovery,” which gave him some hope.

Coming back to baseball wasn’t easy. Poquette played only 33 games with the Boston Red Sox in 1981 before the Texas Rangers claimed him off waivers that August.

Manager Don Zimmer, who had also managed him in Boston, gave Poquette 40 games with Texas. The Kansas City Royals brought him back for his final season in 1982.

He played just 24 games that year, finishing his career with a .268 batting average, 10 home runs, and 136 RBIs across 452 games. After the 1982 season, Poquette’s playing days officially ended.

Transition Out of MLB

When Poquette retired as a player, he faced the tough transition from pro sports into regular life. He knew the game inside and out, and his reputation as a hard worker made coaching an obvious next move.

His shoulder injury had already started to slow him down in those last few seasons. Even with the physical setbacks, Poquette kept his love for baseball and wanted to help younger players.

His agent, Eddie Kleven, who had worked with him in Boston, started conversations about coaching and baseball instruction jobs. Poquette began learning how to turn his playing experience into teaching and mentoring.

Minor League Coaching and Managerial Roles

After he stopped playing, Poquette jumped into coaching and instructing in minor league baseball. As a versatile outfielder with a solid grasp of hitting mechanics, especially what he learned from hitting coach Charlie Lau, he proved valuable as a teacher.

He worked with developing players in different roles throughout the minors. People knew him as a “popular and hard-working player and coach,” and he brought that same energy to teaching young talent.

Poquette’s coaching style focused on the basics that kept him in the majors for seven years. He learned from respected hitting coaches like Charlie Lau and Walt Hriniak, and he passed those lessons on to the next generation.

The details of his coaching and managerial jobs might not get headlines, but they shaped his impact on baseball development. His minor league instruction kept him close to the game he loved.

Personal Life and Legacy

Tom Poquette’s influence reached far beyond his seven years as a player. He left a lasting mark on his hometown and the baseball world. His dedication to coaching and mentoring helped shape Wisconsin’s next wave of baseball talent.

Influence on Baseball Community

After he retired in 1982, Poquette went back to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he grew up. He got involved in local youth baseball programs and spent countless hours coaching and working with young players.

His father, Gordon, taught and coached at Eau Claire Memorial High School. Tom followed his dad’s example, giving back to local athletics and working with high school and American Legion teams.

Young players benefited from Poquette’s professional experience. He taught hitting techniques he’d learned from Charlie Lau and other major league coaches. He also shared tips about the mental side of the game, which helped kids build confidence at the plate.

The Wisconsin baseball community appreciated what he brought. Local coaches often asked him for advice on player development. His presence at youth games and tournaments inspired a lot of kids to chase their baseball dreams.

Hallmarks of His Legacy

People remember Poquette as a hometown hero who made it to the major leagues. After his playing days, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him, honoring both his pro career and his work in the community.

In 2005, he became one of the first 25 inductees in the Eau Claire Memorial High School Hall of Fame. They recognized him for starring in football, basketball, and baseball before he went pro.

His rookie season in 1976 still stands out. He hit .302 and made both Topps’ and Baseball Digest’s Rookie All-Star Teams. Manager Whitey Herzog praised his attitude and hustle, calling them team-sparking qualities.

Poquette finished with 18 career triples, more than his 10 home runs, which says a lot about his speed and ability to hit into the gaps. His 10 triples in 1976 set a Royals rookie record that still stands today.

Net Worth and Public Recognition

Poquette hasn’t shared specific details about his current net worth. He spent seven years in the major leagues, which gave him some financial security, though baseball salaries back then were a lot lower than what players get today.

In 1977, he signed a three-year contract with Kansas City, which brought him some career stability. The team never made the contract details public. A lot of players from his era picked up extra work in the off-season just to make ends meet.

People mostly recognize Poquette for what he did on the baseball field, not for his bank account. In 1978, he joined ABC-TV’s SuperTeams competition, and that brought him a bit of national attention. The legendary 75-minute tug-of-war draw against the Dallas Cowboys? That’s still a wild story in TV history.

Local Wisconsin media still likes to run stories about his career now and then. Folks in his hometown take pride in the fact that he was the first Memorial High School graduate to make it to the major leagues.