Tommie Agee – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tommie Agee made his mark on baseball history during a 12-year Major League career from 1962 to 1973. The Alabama native became a household name as the center fielder for the legendary 1969 “Miracle Mets,” the team that shocked everyone by winning the World Series.

His journey took him from a promising rookie with the Cleveland Indians to one of the most celebrated players in New York Mets history. Agee’s story is full of both challenges and triumphs, showing just how unpredictable professional baseball can be.

Agee retired from Major League Baseball in 1973 after splitting his final season between the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. He wrapped up a career with 130 home runs and a .255 batting average across five teams. He made the decision to retire at 31, after a short stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization that ended during spring training in 1974.

From his early struggles in Cleveland to his breakout Rookie of the Year season with the Chicago White Sox, Agee’s career shows what perseverance and clutch performance look like. His legendary catches and timely hitting during the 1969 World Series locked in his place in baseball lore.

His overall statistics and achievements tell the story of a solid all-around player who rose to greatness when his team needed him.

Early Life and Background

Tommie Lee Agee was born on August 9, 1942, in Alabama. He grew up as one of eleven children in a big family.

He developed his athletic talents at Grambling State University. The Cleveland Indians signed him in 1961.

Family and Childhood

Agee grew up in Alabama in a household with ten siblings. That kind of environment made things pretty competitive and helped shape his athletic skills.

During his childhood, Agee looked up to Black baseball players breaking barriers in Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson really sparked his interest in the sport.

Willie Mays—another Alabama native—also influenced him. Mays became a role model, showing Agee what was possible for a Black athlete from Alabama.

The mix of a large family and inspirational figures helped develop Agee’s competitive spirit. That early foundation played a big part in his later success.

High School and College

Agee attended high school in Alabama, where he played both football and baseball. He showed off his athletic versatility early on.

He formed a close friendship with Cleon Jones during high school. The two later became teammates on the New York Mets.

After high school, Agee enrolled at Grambling State University. He posted an impressive .533 batting average during his college career.

That kind of season caught the attention of pro scouts. His hitting ability made him a hot prospect for Major League Baseball teams.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Cleveland Indians signed Agee in 1961 after his standout college career. His performance at Grambling State made him a top prospect.

Just a year later, Agee made his Major League debut in 1962. That quick jump from college to the big leagues showed his talent and readiness.

Moving from Alabama college ball to the major leagues was a huge step. Agee adapted quickly, thanks to the solid foundation he built early on.

That early success set up his notable 12-year career in Major League Baseball.

MLB Debut and Early Career

Tommie Agee’s rise to major league stardom started with struggles in Cleveland before he found his footing with the Chicago White Sox. His breakout 1966 season put him on the map as one of baseball’s most exciting young players.

Cleveland Indians: Rookie Years

Agee signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1961 for a $65,000 bonus. He spent time in the minors at Dubuque and Burlington before reaching the majors.

He debuted on September 14, 1962, at Metropolitan Stadium against the Minnesota Twins. At 20, he flew out in his first at-bat during an 11-1 Minnesota win.

Agee’s early years with Cleveland were rough. He struggled at the plate, batting just .214 in his first call-up in 1962.

Over three seasons with the Indians, he bounced between the majors and minors. He hit only .170 with one home run in 53 at-bats.

After the 1964 season, the Indians decided to move on from him.

Chicago White Sox: Breakout Season

The White Sox picked up Agee in a three-team trade on January 20, 1965. He came to Chicago with Tommy John and John Romano.

Agee spent most of 1965 at Triple-A Indianapolis, hitting .226 with 15 stolen bases. His short stint with the White Sox that year didn’t go well—he batted just .158.

Things changed in 1966 when manager Eddie Stanky gave Agee the starting center field job. He kicked off the season with a two-run homer on Opening Day that tied the game in the seventh.

Agee moved all over the batting order that year. He started seventh, then led off, hit second, and eventually settled at third and cleanup.

His 1966 numbers were impressive: .273 batting average, 22 home runs, and 88 RBIs. He also stole 44 bases and scored 98 runs in 160 games.

Rookie of the Year Award

Agee’s outstanding 1966 season earned him the American League Rookie of the Year Award. He beat out a pretty strong rookie class for the honor.

He also made his first All-Star team and won a Gold Glove for his defense in center field. That’s not bad for a first full season.

He finished eighth in MVP voting, behind Frank Robinson, who won the Triple Crown. That put Agee among the American League’s top players right away.

His 44 stolen bases showed off his speed and versatility. After barely attempting steals before, he became a real threat on the bases.

That rookie year established Agee as one of baseball’s rising stars. His mix of power, speed, and defense made him a player every team wanted in center field.

New York Mets Era and 1969 World Series

Tommie Agee’s trade to the New York Mets in December 1967 changed everything for both him and the franchise. His performance in the 1969 regular season and World Series helped deliver the Mets their first championship ever.

Key Regular-Season Performances

Agee struggled in his first season with the Mets in 1968, batting just .217. But in 1969, he bounced back and became the team’s offensive leader.

He hit .271 with 26 home runs and 76 RBIs in 1969, leading the Mets in all three categories. He also scored 97 runs.

His performance helped the Mets go from perennial losers to National League champs. That turnaround earned them the nickname “Miracle Mets.”

Agee kept it going in 1970, hitting a career-best .286 with 24 home runs and 75 RBIs. He set franchise records for 107 runs scored, 182 hits, and 31 stolen bases.

Historic 1969 Home Run and Fielding Feats

Early in the 1969 season, Agee made history against the Montreal Expos. He hit two home runs in that game, including one that landed in section 48 of the upper deck at Shea Stadium.

That shot made him the first and only player to hit a home run into Shea’s upper deck. The blast showed off his power and cemented his place in Mets history.

His defense was just as impressive. Agee won his first Gold Glove Award in 1970 for his work in center field.

He combined offense and defense to become a complete player. His speed and range in the outfield saved plenty of runs for Mets pitchers.

World Series Impact

Agee’s World Series performance against the Baltimore Orioles became the highlight of his career. After hitting .357 with two home runs in the National League Championship Series against Atlanta, he kept the momentum going.

In Game 3 of the World Series, Agee led off with a home run against Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. That gave the Mets an early 1-0 lead.

His defense in that same game was even more spectacular. Agee made two incredible catches in center field that saved at least five runs.

The Mets won Game 3 by a score of 5-0. They never looked back, beating the heavily favored Orioles in five games for their first championship.

Legacy at Shea Stadium

Agee’s impact at Shea Stadium went beyond his stats. Fans loved him during the Mets’ golden era from 1969-1970.

In five seasons with the Mets, he hit .262 with 82 home runs and 265 RBIs in 661 games. He added 3 home runs and 5 RBIs in 8 postseason games.

The Mets inducted Agee into their Hall of Fame in 2002. Sadly, he passed away in January 2001 and didn’t get to see the honor.

He wore number 20 with the Mets. His role in the 1969 championship team remains one of the most celebrated stories in team history.

Later Career and Retirement in 1973

Tommie Agee’s final season in Major League Baseball had him play for two teams in 1973. He finished his career with the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals after 12 seasons in the majors.

Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals

Agee started the 1973 season with the Houston Astros after leaving the Mets. The veteran outfielder couldn’t quite recapture his old form in Houston.

His batting average dipped as he adjusted to a new team late in his career. Things just didn’t click the way they once had.

On August 18, 1973, the Astros traded Agee to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dave Campbell and cash. This move added another twist to his final MLB season.

The Cardinals brought him in hoping for veteran leadership and outfield depth. Agee’s offense stayed quiet during his time in St. Louis.

Final MLB Season

Agee’s 1973 season turned out to be his last in the majors. He played in 109 games between Houston and St. Louis, posting a .222 batting average.

That average was a drop from his career mark of .255. At 31, Agee still contributed, but his best days were behind him.

He finished the season with limited home run production. Agee wrapped up his career with 130 home runs and 433 RBI over 12 years.

The Cardinals traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 1973 for pitcher Pete Richert. Agee didn’t end up playing a regular season game for the Dodgers.

Transition to Post-Playing Life

After spring training with the Dodgers in 1974, Agee got his release on March 26. He appeared in eight exhibition games, going 3-for-20 with one RBI and two stolen bases.

The Dodgers decided they didn’t need another outfielder. That move effectively ended Agee’s professional baseball career at 31.

Agee finished with 999 hits, just one shy of the 1,000-hit milestone. His final stats included a .255 career batting average and 167 stolen bases.

He never returned to Major League Baseball as a player. Agee’s playing days ended with the 1973 season, closing out a journey that started with the Cleveland Indians in 1962.

Career Achievements and Stats

Tommie Agee put up impressive numbers during his 12-season career. He earned a reputation as one of baseball’s top center fielders.

His mix of power, speed, and defense made him stand out, and he captured major awards while delivering memorable performances on baseball’s biggest stages.

Overall Career Statistics

Agee wrapped up his career with a .255 batting average over 1,130 games. He piled up 999 hits, 130 home runs, and 433 RBIs, crossing the plate 558 times.

Speed really set him apart. Agee swiped 167 bases and, impressively, became the first rookie ever to hit more than 20 homers and steal 40 bases in a season.

Stat	Total
Games	1,130
Hits	999
Home Runs	130
RBIs	433
Stolen Bases	167
Batting Average	.255

His peak season? That was 1969 with the Mets. He knocked out a .271 average, 26 home runs, 97 runs scored, and 76 RBIs, leading the team right to their first World Series title.

Awards and Accolades

Agee’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. He took home the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1966 while playing for the Chicago White Sox.

That rookie year was something else. Agee hit .273 with 22 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 44 stolen bases. No rookie had ever hit that 20-40 mark before.

He snagged two Gold Glove Awards for his defense in center field. The first came in 1966 as a rookie, the second in 1970 with the Mets.

Agee made the All-Star team twice in back-to-back years, 1966 and 1967. Both nods came during his White Sox days, when his offense was really clicking.

In 1969, he grabbed the Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year after bouncing back from a rough 1968. He even finished in the top ten for National League MVP voting that season.

Notable Games and Highlights

Game 3 of the 1969 World Series? That’s where Agee really left his mark. He blasted a leadoff homer off Jim Palmer and made two jaw-dropping defensive plays that kept runs off the board.

He had some wild games in 1970 too. On June 12, he went four-for-five with two homers and scored four runs against the Giants.

On July 6, 1970, Agee hit for the cycle. Earlier that season, he put together a 20-game hitting streak from April 16 to May 9.

One of his most clutch moments? Stealing home in the 10th inning to give the Mets a 2-1 win over the Dodgers. The crowd just couldn’t believe it.

He set several Mets records in 1970. His 182 hits, 107 runs, and 31 stolen bases all set new franchise marks at the time.

Defensive Brilliance

Agee’s glove work made him one of the best center fielders of his era. Those two Gold Gloves show just how much ground he could cover.

Game 3 of the World Series really showed off his range. He made a backhanded grab near the left-center wall and a full-on diving catch in right-center.

Those catches probably saved five runs for the Mets. Sports Illustrated even called it the best single game by a center fielder in World Series history.

He posted a career fielding percentage of .975, which was excellent for his time. Agee mixed speed with sharp instincts, tracking down tough fly balls.

He became the first African-American player to win Gold Gloves in both leagues. His steady defense anchored some really good teams throughout his career.

Net Worth, Legacy, and Post-Baseball Life

After hanging up his cleats in 1973, Tommie Agee’s net worth reached about $1 million, mostly from what he earned playing baseball. His legacy really hinges on that pivotal role in the 1969 World Series and the way the Mets have honored him over the years.

Career Earnings and Net Worth

Tommie Agee built his wealth over 12 seasons in the majors, from 1962 to 1973. He earned most of his money from contracts with five different teams.

Sources estimate his net worth at around $1 million when he died in 2001. That number reflects what he made as a pro ballplayer back when salaries were nowhere near today’s figures.

His best-paid years probably came with the New York Mets from 1968 to 1972. Playing on a World Series-winning team definitely helped his market value.

He also picked up some extra income from appearances and events tied to his 1969 World Series heroics. Those two famous catches in Game 3 really cemented his spot in baseball lore.

Mets Hall of Fame and Honors

The New York Mets have honored Tommie Agee in quite a few ways since he retired. His big contributions in 1969 earned him a permanent spot in team history.

Agee made two All-Star teams and won a Gold Glove for his defense. Those honors show he brought a lot more than just World Series magic.

Key Career Statistics:

• Lifetime batting average: .255
• Home runs: 135
• RBIs: 433
• World Series championships: 1 (1969)

His defense in center field made him a key part of the Miracle Mets. That team’s rise from perennial underdogs to champions is still one of baseball’s best stories.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

Tommie Agee baseball cards from his playing days have become pretty collectible. Cards from his 1969 World Series season are especially hot among fans.

Collectors really value cards that show him in a Mets uniform, probably because those were his most memorable years. Vintage cards from the late ’60s and early ’70s mark the peak of his career.

World Series memorabilia tied to his two amazing catches in Game 3 hold special meaning. Those pieces celebrate one of the biggest performances in Mets history.

Autographed baseballs and photos from 1969 still pop up among collectors. His signature on Mets gear, in particular, tends to fetch top dollar.

Community Involvement and Later Years

After he retired from baseball, Agee stayed close to the sport by jumping into all sorts of community activities. You’d often spot him at Mets alumni events or helping out at baseball clinics.

He brought the same work ethic and leadership from his playing days into everything he did afterward. Some former teammates and colleagues say he pushed others to step up their game, just by being around.

In his later years, Agee showed up at baseball card shows and autograph signings. These events gave him a chance to meet fans who still remembered those World Series moments.

He died on January 22, 2001, at 58. People really felt his loss, since his achievements and community work had touched so many.