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

Tom Underwood wrapped up his eleven-year Major League Baseball career in 1984. That marked the end of a journey that took the left-handed pitcher through six different organizations. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on December 22, 1953, and made his mark as a versatile hurler. He could both start and relieve for teams in the National and American Leagues.

Underwood finished with a career record of 86 wins and 87 losses across 380 games. He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Baltimore Orioles from 1974 to 1984. The Phillies picked him with the 27th pick in the 1972 amateur draft. That set the stage for a decade-plus career with playoff appearances and some memorable moments.

Underwood’s story covers his quick rise through the minors, an impressive rookie season that landed him on the Topps all-rookie team, and a handful of trades that shaped his path. He had a tough debut against the Cincinnati Reds, and his last big league appearances came in 1984. Underwood’s career really reflects what it’s like for a journeyman pitcher who still managed to find success at baseball’s top level.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Tom Underwood was born December 22, 1953, in Kokomo, Indiana. He became a standout multi-sport athlete at Kokomo High School.

His performance in both baseball and football drew attention from college scouts and pro teams, leading to his selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1972 MLB draft.

Childhood and Family Background

Thomas Gerald Underwood grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, a mid-sized industrial city with a strong manufacturing history. Born in 1953, he was part of a family that produced more than one professional athlete.

His family had deep athletic roots. Tom’s brother, Pat Underwood, also became a professional baseball player, so talent really did run in the Underwood family.

The Underwoods supported Tom’s early love for sports. Growing up in Indiana, a state with a serious baseball tradition, Tom had access to good youth programs and coaching. That helped him develop his skills early.

Tom became a father later in life, and his son J.D. Underwood carried on the family’s athletic legacy. With several generations involved in pro sports, you get the sense that the Underwoods valued competition and achievement.

High School Athletics Achievements

At Kokomo High School, Tom Underwood excelled as a two-sport athlete. He played both baseball and football.

As quarterback for the football team, Underwood showed leadership and competitive drive—two traits that would serve him well in pro baseball. That position really demands quick decisions and the ability to handle pressure.

His baseball stats were especially impressive. In his junior and senior years, Underwood posted a 17-3 record with a stunning 0.40 earned run average. Those numbers showed his dominance as a left-handed pitcher in high school.

Tom also played American Legion Baseball for Post 6. He went 25-1 and helped his team win the 1972 Indiana state championship. That kind of success against top competition in the state made it clear he had pro potential.

Entry into Professional Baseball

Tom Underwood’s strong performances in high school and American Legion Baseball caught the eyes of both college recruiters and pro scouts. He signed a letter of intent to play college ball at Western Michigan University.

But professional baseball came knocking in the 1972 MLB June Amateur Draft. The Philadelphia Phillies picked Underwood in the second round as the 27th overall pick. That high selection showed real confidence in his potential as a lefty.

Choosing to turn pro meant giving up his college opportunity at Western Michigan. At just 18, Underwood decided to chase his dream of playing Major League Baseball.

The Phillies’ investment paid off. Underwood made his major league debut for Philadelphia on August 19, 1974, at just 20 years old.

Major League Debut and Philadelphia Phillies Years

Tom Underwood’s journey to the majors began when the Phillies picked him in the second round of the 1972 draft. He debuted on August 19, 1974, at age 20, and quickly looked like a promising young pitcher. He notched 14 wins as a rookie in 1975.

Draft Selection and Minor League Development

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Thomas Gerald Underwood with the 27th overall pick in the second round of the 1972 MLB Amateur Draft. Phillies scout Tony Lucadello had watched Underwood strike out 25 batters in a tournament game and called farm director Dallas Green, saying he’d never seen anything like it.

Lucadello’s glowing review convinced the Phillies to draft Underwood right away, without waiting for a second scout’s opinion.

Underwood moved quickly through the farm system. In 1973, he dominated Class A Spartanburg, posting a 13-6 record and leading the Western Carolinas League in ERA (2.10) and strikeouts (187).

The next season, Underwood won 14 games for Class AA Reading in the Eastern League. That performance earned him a call-up to the majors in August 1974.

Rookie Season Highlights

Underwood made his major league debut against the Cincinnati Reds on August 19, 1974. It was a rough start—he came straight from the airport, struck out his first batter (Dan Driessen), but then six Reds reached base in a row, capped by a Joe Morgan grand slam.

After that first outing, his ERA sat at 162.00. But he bounced back over his next six relief appearances, allowing just one earned run in 12⅔ innings.

Jim Bunning, the future Hall of Fame pitcher, called Underwood “the best lefthanded pitching prospect I’ve ever seen.” Manager Danny Ozark said, “He’s little but mighty, and he’s got the guts of a burglar.”

Underwood got his first major league start on April 13, 1975, and threw a 2-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals. That rookie season, he finished with a career-high 14 wins in 35 starts and 219 innings.

Performance with the Philadelphia Phillies

From 1974 to 1977, Underwood became a reliable starter for the Philadelphia Phillies. His best year was 1976, when he went 10-5 with a 3.53 ERA for the National League East champs.

Underwood’s pitching arsenal included what Pete Rose called a “sneaky” fastball and a curveball that scouts loved. His smooth delivery and quick work on the mound made him tough to hit.

In 1976, Underwood helped the Phillies in the playoffs. He pitched in relief during the National League Championship Series against Cincinnati. With the Phillies up 6-4 in the ninth inning of Game Three, Underwood came in after the Reds tied it with back-to-back homers.

Ken Griffey eventually singled home the winning run, ending the series. Underwood’s ERA in Philadelphia stayed consistently strong, and he became a valuable part of the rotation.

The Phillies traded him in June 1977 to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Bake McBride.

Trades and Transitions: Cardinals and Blue Jays

In 1977, Tom Underwood’s career took a big turn. He became the centerpiece of a controversial trade to the St. Louis Cardinals. His time with the Cardinals was short but eventful, and soon he moved to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he found a more stable role.

Move to St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals got Underwood on June 15, 1977, in a trade that sent fan-favorite Bake McBride and pitcher Steve Waterbury to the Phillies. The Cardinals also picked up outfielders Dane Iorg and Rick Bosetti.

That trade stirred up Cardinals fans. McBride was popular, but he’d clashed with manager Vern Rapp over things like hair length and his mutton chop sideburns.

The Cardinals needed left-handed pitching. Pete Falcone, their only lefty starter, was struggling, and Larry Dierker and John Denny were both hurt.

At just 23, Underwood was coming off two winning seasons with the Phillies. The Cardinals hoped he’d be a long-term answer on the mound.

Underwood’s results were mixed in St. Louis. He went 6-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 19 games, starting 17 of them. He walked 57 and struck out 66.

Toronto Blue Jays Career

On December 6, 1977, the Cardinals traded Underwood and pitcher Victor Cruz to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Pete Vuckovich and outfielder John Scott. Both teams benefited in their own ways.

Underwood spent three seasons with the Blue Jays, from 1978 to 1980. Those were tough years for the Blue Jays, but Underwood became one of their more reliable starters.

His best year in Toronto was 1979. He lost 16 games but put up a solid 3.69 ERA. Even with the losses, he led the team in strikeouts and was one of their top pitchers.

The Blue Jays saw Underwood as a valuable trade chip. After the 1979 season, they traded him to the New York Yankees, where he’d have one of his best years in 1980.

Pitching Highlights and Notable Games

Underwood’s top game as a Cardinal came against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 6, 1977. He threw a complete game, allowed just six hits and one run, and struck out eight in a 3-1 win.

Catcher Ted Simmons backed him up with a home run, a single, and a walk, scoring once and driving in two.

During his Cardinals stint, Underwood was tough on left-handed hitters, holding them to a .186 batting average and no home runs.

Right-handed batters were a different story—they hit .299 off him and tagged him for seven home runs.

In his nine losses with the Cardinals, Underwood really struggled. His ERA ballooned to 7.82 in those games, and opponents hit .363 against him.

Later Career: Yankees, Athletics, and Orioles

After his time with the Blue Jays, Underwood found new life with the New York Yankees from 1980 to 1981. He went 13-9 with a 3.66 ERA in his best season. Later, he became a valuable reliever for the Oakland Athletics, picking up seven saves in 1982. He finished his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1984.

New York Yankees Tenure

The Yankees picked up Underwood in November 1979, trading Chris Chambliss and Dámaso García to Toronto. Underwood signed a four-year deal and looked forward to joining a contender after some tough years with the Blue Jays.

He started out in the bullpen, putting up a 1-2 record with a save and a 3.10 ERA. Soon, he earned a spot in the starting rotation. His first start was a little rough—he struggled in the second inning against Baltimore on April 30—but then he found his groove with six straight wins.

The 1980 season was his best for wins. Underwood finished 13-9 with a 3.66 ERA, plus two saves and two shutouts. The Yankees went 103-59 that year and made it back to the postseason.

In the 1980 American League Championship Series against Kansas City, Underwood pitched in relief. In game one, a two-out error by first baseman Bob Watson led to two Kansas City runs in what should’ve been a clean inning. The Yankees ended up losing the series in a three-game sweep.

Oakland Athletics Contributions

Underwood’s time with the Yankees ended suddenly on May 20, 1981, when the team traded him and Jim Spencer to the Oakland Athletics. In return, New York got Dave Revering, Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty.

At the time, Underwood had a 1-4 record and a 4.41 ERA. Manager Billy Martin, always a bit unpredictable, decided to move Underwood to the bullpen after the players’ strike paused the 1981 season.

That move worked out well. Underwood thrived in relief, finishing with a 2-2 record and a 3.48 ERA. He also started two games late in the season, including a strong four-hit win over Toronto where he struck out a personal-best ten batters.

In 1982, Underwood had his best run as a reliever. He pitched in 56 games, split time between starting and relieving, and ended up with a 10-6 record.

As a reliever, he posted a 2.74 ERA and notched seven saves, which was the best mark of his career. Oakland really leaned on his flexibility over those three seasons.

He liked starting more, but he knew he could get the job done out of the bullpen. That ability to handle both roles made him a big part of the Athletics’ pitching staff in the early 1980s.

Final Season with the Baltimore Orioles

After his time in Oakland, Underwood signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent on February 6, 1984. The Orioles, fresh off a World Series win, offered him a one-year deal.

He took it, turning down a longer three-year contract from Cleveland. Underwood wanted a shot at another championship more than long-term security.

During the 1984 season, he pitched in 37 games for Baltimore. His last major league appearance came on September 23, 1984, capping an 11-year career.

He finished with an 86-87 record, a 3.89 ERA, and 948 strikeouts across 380 games. After Baltimore, Underwood had a short stint in the Yankees’ minor league system in 1985 before calling it a career for good.

Even in his last season, he still brought value as a veteran arm, even if his best days were behind him.

Career Statistics and Notable Achievements

Tom Underwood ended his career with an 86-87 win-loss record, a 3.89 ERA, and 948 strikeouts over 11 seasons from 1974 to 1984. He grabbed Topps All-Star Rookie Team honors in 1975 as a lefty and made postseason appearances with three different teams.

Career Stats Overview

Underwood pitched for six teams over 11 years, starting out with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1974 and wrapping up with the Baltimore Orioles in 1984. He appeared in 380 games during his career.

His best season probably came in 1980 with the Yankees. That year, he went 13-9 with a 3.66 ERA, threw two shutouts, and picked up two saves.

Key Career Numbers:

• Win-Loss Record: 86-87
• ERA: 3.89
• Strikeouts: 948
• Games Pitched: 380
• Career Span: 1974-1984

Underwood played both as a starter and a reliever, and he threw left-handed while batting right-handed. His top strikeout game came in 1981 against Toronto, where he fanned ten batters for Oakland.

Awards and Honors

Underwood’s main individual honor came in 1975, when he made the Topps All-Star Rookie Team as a left-handed pitcher. That was after he went 14-13 with a 4.14 ERA and 123 strikeouts in his first full season.

Philadelphia fans probably remember that rookie year, especially since he bounced back after a rough debut against Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” in 1974, where he gave up six runs without an out.

He also hit a few pitching milestones, tossing multiple shutouts during his career. His first career shutout came against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

He threw his second shutout against Cincinnati on May 13, 1975.

Postseason Performances

Underwood got to pitch in the playoffs with three different teams. His first postseason came with Philadelphia in 1976, the team’s first playoff appearance since 1950.

In that series against Cincinnati, he took the mound in Game 3 with a 6-4 lead in the ninth. Unfortunately, he gave up the tying runs and then the winning hit to Ken Griffey with the bases loaded.

With the Yankees in 1980, Underwood helped them reach the playoffs with a 103-59 record. He mainly worked out of the bullpen that postseason.

In the ALCS against Kansas City, he pitched in Games 1 and 3, but the Yankees got swept. His last playoff appearance came with Oakland in 1981.

The A’s won the first half of the split season. Underwood faced just one batter in the Division Series, striking out Willie Aikens. Oakland swept Kansas City but then lost to New York in the ALCS.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Tom Underwood wrapped up his 11-year major league career after the 1984 season at just 30 years old. He moved into a successful second act as a financial advisor and stayed connected to baseball through his kids.

Retirement in 1984

Underwood’s last major league game happened on September 23, 1984, pitching for Baltimore against Boston. He threw 1.2 innings, allowed two hits, and didn’t walk anyone or give up a run.

He finished his career with 86 wins, 87 losses, and a 3.89 ERA over 380 games. That kind of steady performance across six teams is nothing to sneeze at.

His career spanned from 1974 to 1984. He played for the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Yankees, Athletics, and Orioles.

He retired at 30, which feels young after more than a decade in the majors.

Coaching and Other Baseball Involvement

There’s not much info out there about Underwood coaching or working in baseball after he retired. Mostly, he stayed connected to the game through his family’s baseball activities.

His son J.D. Underwood stood out at Palm Beach Gardens High School, batting .390 and making the coaches’ all-conference team at first base. That family tie kept Underwood close to the baseball world.

Personal Life and Legacy

Not long after he retired in 1984, Tom Underwood met Christine. He started a new chapter as a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors.

They got married and had a daughter, Dani, who played softball for Suncoast. That always seemed to make Tom proud.

People in Indiana recognized Tom for his baseball achievements. They inducted him into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Just two years after that, folks named him Howard County’s Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century. That’s quite a title, right?

Tom and his family made their home in West Palm Beach. They stayed there for 17 years.

Christine once joked, “Tommy says he has two careers. His first career was playing baseball, and we’re the other.” It’s a sweet way to put it.

Tom Underwood died on November 22, 2010, at 56, after a tough fight with pancreatic cancer. His kids carried on his legacy through their own athletic achievements, and he left a mark on his Florida community.