Ty Cline – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ty Cline hung up his cleats after the 1971 season, closing out a 12-year run in professional baseball from 1960 to 1971. This South Carolina native carved out a spot in Major League Baseball as one of the most reliable pinch hitters and utility guys of his era. He played in 892 games for six different teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and Cincinnati Reds.

Born in Hampton, South Carolina, Cline started out as a promising college athlete at Clemson University. He built a reputation for speed, defensive chops, and a knack for clutch hitting. His journey through the majors really showed how determined he was—he squeezed every bit out of his talent, even when he faced tough breaks and constant team changes.

This look at Cline’s life and career digs into his rise from small-town beginnings to the big leagues. We’ll check out his most memorable games, major trades, and the impact he left on the teams he played for.

From his first days with Cleveland to his last season in Cincinnati, Cline’s story is all about the grit and perseverance that defined pro baseball in the ’60s and early ’70s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Tyrone Alexander Cline was born in Hampton, South Carolina, on June 15, 1939. He grew up in a small farming community and became a standout in several sports at St. Andrew’s Parish High School in Charleston.

His athletic skills landed him a baseball scholarship at Clemson University, where he became a standout player and eventually earned All-American honors.

Birthplace and Family Background

Ty Cline entered the world in Hampton, South Carolina, a tiny farming town about 75 miles south of Charleston. As of 2015, no other major league player had come from Hampton.

He was Sam and Verta Gooding Cline’s only child. Sam, his dad, worked as a welder but passed away from pneumonia complications on November 12, 1942, when Ty was just 3 years old.

After the war, Verta Cline married Ray Faircloth, a WWII vet who worked at the US Naval Shipyard in Charleston. Faircloth became Ty’s stepdad when Ty was 8.

“He took a big interest in me as a teenager,” Cline said, referring to his stepfather, whom he called “Pop.” That relationship really mattered during Cline’s early years as he started to develop his athletic skills.

Cline started playing organized baseball at age 10 for Lane’s Dry Cleaners at Hampton Park. He moved up to the Pony League, playing for the West Ashley Jaycees in Charleston.

High School Achievements

At St. Andrew’s Parish High School, Cline made his mark as a three-sport athlete. He showed versatility and leadership in every sport he played.

In football, he quarterbacked the 1955 team to a state championship. That win highlighted his ability to lead under pressure and deliver when it counted.

Cline also started at point guard for the basketball team. His court vision and leadership translated well from the football field.

Baseball, though, was his best sport. He pitched and played both outfield and first base, showing off his range and athleticism.

During the summers, Cline kept sharpening his baseball skills by playing American Legion ball for West Ashley and Post 59. Those games gave him extra experience outside of the high school season.

Clemson University Baseball Career

After high school, Cline accepted a half-basketball, half-baseball scholarship from Clemson University. After talking things over with baseball coach Bill Wilhelm and basketball coach Press Maravich, he decided to stick with baseball.

“We decided that baseball was my best opportunity,” Cline said about choosing the diamond over the court.

At Clemson, Cline excelled as both a hitter and pitcher. In 1959, he drove in 36 runs, stole 22 bases, and racked up 21 extra-base hits in 53 games. He also pitched in 13 games that year.

On the mound, he went 5-1 with a 2.78 ERA and struck out more than a batter per inning, maintaining a solid 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Cline hit .335 over two varsity seasons, peaking at .348 for the 1959 ACC champs. Scouts took notice of his steady hitting and defense.

In 1960, he earned first-team All-American honors, capping off his college career before turning pro.

During college summers, Cline played semipro ball in Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1958 and 1959. He also represented the U.S. team that won Bronze at the 1959 Pan American Games at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Major League Debut and Early Years

After a strong college career at Clemson, Ty Cline caught the eye of Cleveland Indians scouts. He moved up the minor league system quickly and made his MLB debut in September 1960 at 21. That marked the start of a 12-year pro journey.

Joining the Cleveland Indians

Cleveland scout Jimmy Gruzdis spotted Cline while looking for another player in South Carolina. Farm director Hoot Evers liked Cline’s speed and defense, comparing him to some legends.

The Indians offered Cline a $40,000 bonus over four years. He signed on May 31, 1960, leaving Clemson before finishing his degree.

Evers thought Cline had what it took to succeed in the big leagues. “With all the competition for players, we couldn’t afford to let him stay in school and get bids from others,” Evers said about the rush to sign him.

Minor League Performance

Cline skipped the lower minors and went straight to Double-A with the Mobile Bears. He hit .311 in his first pro season, showing off the skills that got him noticed.

He put together a 14-game hitting streak and, during one series against the Atlanta Crackers, went 10-for-17 with seven extra-base hits and three homers.

Evers praised Cline’s quick progress. “There’s no telling how far he can go,” he said. “So far, his improvement has been amazing.”

Transition to MLB

Cline made his big league debut on September 14, 1960, starting in center and batting third for the Indians. He got his shot when Harvey Kuenn, the regular left fielder, broke his foot.

His first MLB at-bat ended with a foul ball into the Red Sox dugout. “I think I’m a little nervous,” Cline admitted to Boston’s Vic Wertz after that swing.

He settled in fast, picking up a single and a triple in his debut. He drove in a run and scored another as the Indians beat Boston 11-7. He finished that brief 1960 stint with a .308 average over 26 at-bats.

Professional Career Timeline

Cline bounced between several teams from 1960 to 1971, with key stretches in Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco. He really shined as a pinch-hitter and utility outfielder, especially during his breakout 1964 season with Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Braves Period

In March 1963, Cline joined the Milwaukee Braves via a trade from Cleveland. GM John McHale saw him as a potential center fielder and leadoff man.

The adjustment was rough at first. Cline hit just .197 in his first month and got sent down to Triple-A Toronto on May 9, 1963.

He came back to Milwaukee on July 30 and wrapped up the year hitting .236. Manager Bobby Bragan gave him a fair shot, though hitting coach Dixie Walker’s advice to use a barrel bat didn’t help.

1964 was Cline’s breakout year. He hit .302 and led the majors with 14 pinch hits in 40 at-bats (.350 average). He delivered three game-winning hits and became Bragan’s go-to guy for double switches.

Bragan often used Cline as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner, and Milwaukee won 11 of the 15 games where he stayed in. The Braves closed out 1964 by winning 19 of their last 25 games, helping sink Philadelphia’s pennant hopes. Cline went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the game that knocked the Phillies out of first.

His 1965 season was rough, though. He finished at .191 and endured a month-long hitless streak.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

The Chicago Cubs picked Cline in the Rule 5 draft for $25,000 after hiring Leo Durocher as manager. Durocher liked his defense and planned to try him at leadoff.

Cline’s Cubs career was over almost as soon as it began. He collected five hits in five at-bats during Chicago’s first win on April 14 at San Francisco.

But his time ended abruptly on April 21. The Cubs brought in Adolfo Phillips and Ferguson Jenkins from Philadelphia, sending Cline back to Richmond.

When he showed up at Wrigley Field on April 28 expecting to play, Cline found his locker empty. Clubhouse manager Yosh Kowano told him GM John Holland wanted to see him.

Durocher wouldn’t meet with Cline and even posted a policeman at the clubhouse door to keep him off the field. “I really don’t know why to this day,” Cline later said about the strange exit.

Atlanta Braves Stint

Atlanta bought Cline from the Cubs on July 26, 1966, after he’d hit .271 in 67 games at Richmond. The Braves had just moved from Milwaukee that year.

Manager Billy Hitchcock put Cline to work right away. He got a pinch hit off Gaylord Perry in a 6-5 win on July 30 and picked up eight hits in his first 16 at-bats.

“He has been tremendous,” Hitchcock said. “Any time you send the guy up there, you know he’s going to get his bat on the ball.”

Hitchcock offered some key batting advice. He suggested Cline grip the bat with his fingertips, not deep in his hand, to use it more like a whip.

“I’m hitting more line drives, and let’s face it, I have to hit line drives,” Cline explained. “I’m not as strong as Aaron and Mays and some of those fellows.”

Cline was one of the first Braves to sign his 1967 contract. He spent his only offseason away from Charleston promoting the team and visiting thousands of hospital patients with teammates.

San Francisco Giants Years

The Braves sold Cline to the San Francisco Giants on May 31, 1967—exactly seven years after he first signed a pro contract. He played with the Giants through the 1968 season.

Cline had a slow start in San Francisco, going just 2-for-24 (.083) early on. He worked to get his swing back while mostly coming off the bench.

His Giants stint was a bit of a transition. The team leaned on his defense and pinch-hitting, but he never quite recaptured his 1964 form.

San Francisco gave Cline steady playing time over two seasons. He filled in as a reliable bench player who could cover multiple outfield spots.

After 1968, the Giants sent Cline to Montreal. That move ended the most stable stretch of his career before his final years with the Expos and Reds.

Montreal Expos and Trade to Cincinnati Reds

The Montreal Expos picked Cline in the fifth round of the 1968 National League expansion draft. He hadn’t expected to leave the Giants, but Montreal valued his veteran experience. A mid-season trade in 1970 sent him to Cincinnati, where he joined a team headed for the World Series.

Selection by Montreal Expos

On October 14, 1968, the Montreal Expos selected Cline in the fifth round of the NL expansion draft. The move surprised Cline, who thought the Giants would protect him.

The Expos saw Cline as a seasoned pinch-hitter and utility outfielder. His ability to make contact and get on base made him a natural fit for Montreal’s first roster.

Cline even holds a quirky spot in baseball card history. He was the first player to show up in an Expos uniform on a Topps card. That happened after the player boycott of Topps ended, and photographers rushed to spring training in 1969 to snap players in their new duds.

The card appeared in the last three series of the set, making it a cool bit of expansion team memorabilia.

Key Moments with the Expos

Cline had his most memorable moment with Montreal on July 17, 1969. He went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing he could come through when it mattered.

Those four hits helped the expansion Expos pull off a tight victory in their first season. You could say it was one of the best offensive games of his career.

With Montreal, Cline filled the role of a reliable reserve outfielder and pinch-hitter. The young franchise leaned on his veteran leadership and steady at-bats when they needed them.

His experience definitely helped the Expos as they learned the ropes at the major league level.

Trade to Cincinnati Reds

On June 15, 1970, exactly ten years after he signed his first pro contract, the Montreal Expos traded Cline to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, Montreal got outfielder Clyde Mashore.

This trade changed the course of Cline’s career. He joined a Cincinnati team that would make it all the way to the World Series that year, giving him his only shot at a championship.

The Reds saw Cline as a valuable veteran for their bench, especially for pinch-hitting. His steady approach and professionalism fit well into Cincinnati’s championship-ready roster.

That deal started the final chapter of his major league journey, and he retired after the 1971 season.

Pivotal Postseason Performances

Ty Cline made his biggest postseason impact with the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. He played a key role as a veteran bench guy in both the National League Championship Series and World Series.

His clutch hitting and solid defense came in handy during tense moments in the Reds’ championship run.

NLCS Contributions

Cline stepped up during the 1970 NLCS against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whenever manager Sparky Anderson called on him, he provided dependable defense and timely pinch-hitting.

He really shined as a pinch-hitter in that tight three-game series. Cline worked counts and made contact when the Reds needed it most.

The Reds swept the Pirates and moved on to the World Series. Cline’s presence gave Cincinnati’s bench a boost during that postseason push.

Anderson took advantage of Cline’s defensive versatility, making smart substitutions throughout the series. That kind of flexibility mattered during the high-pressure playoffs.

1970 World Series Highlights

In the 1970 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Cline served as a trusted bench player for the Reds. He filled in as a pinch-hitter and defensive sub, showing his value as a seasoned veteran.

The series lasted five games, with Baltimore taking the crown. Cline came through in key moments, giving the Reds solid at-bats off the bench.

His experience in those pressure situations steadied the team during tense stretches. Anderson relied on him for quality at-bats when it counted.

Even though Cincinnati fell short of the title, Cline’s postseason work showed he still had a lot to offer as a role player. His steady presence gave younger teammates some much-needed leadership in their first World Series.

Retirement and Legacy

Ty Cline wrapped up his 12-year Major League Baseball career after the 1971 season with the Cincinnati Reds. After stepping away from the game, he moved into business ownership, and people still remember his dependability and versatility across several teams.

Retiring in 1971

Cline called it a career after the 1971 season. National League records list him among the players who finished up that year, ending his run with the Reds.

His career stretched from 1960 to 1971. Over those years, he played for six different teams.

He finished with a .238 batting average and 6 home runs in 12 seasons. In his later years, he mostly pinch-hit and filled in as a reserve outfielder.

After retiring, Cline jumped into business. He ran a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop, switching from baseball to entrepreneurship for his next chapter.

Recognition and Hall of Fame Inductions

Cline hasn’t made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame or any major baseball halls. His stats and contributions mattered to his teams, but they didn’t reach Hall of Fame territory.

His best statistical highlight came in 1964, when he led the majors with 14 pinch hits in 40 at-bats and hit .350 as a pinch-hitter. That year with the Milwaukee Braves marked the peak of his pinch-hitting role.

The Society for American Baseball Research has taken note of his perseverance and dependability. Cline’s ability to play multiple positions and handle different situations made him a valuable utility player throughout his time in the majors.

Career Reflections and Impact

Cline really showed what it means to be a dependable utility guy in Major League Baseball. His versatility let him serve as both an outfielder and pinch-hitter for six franchises.

He had his best season in 1964, batting .302 in 101 games for the Milwaukee Braves. That year, manager Bobby Bragan often used him in double-switches, and the team won 11 of 15 games when they did.

“He has been tremendous,” manager Billy Hitchcock said about Cline during his return to Atlanta in 1966. “Any time you send the guy up there, you know he’s going to get his bat on the ball.”

Cline’s career highlighted the importance of specialized roles in baseball, especially as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement. His 12-year run proved how valuable roster depth and situational players can be for a team.

Personal Life and Net Worth

After retiring in 1971, Ty Cline left the baseball field behind and moved into entrepreneurship, making a name for himself in the food service world. Born an only child in Hampton, South Carolina, Cline stayed close to his roots while building a successful post-baseball career.

Life After Baseball

Cline officially ended his Major League Baseball career in 1971 at age 32. He returned to everyday life after 12 seasons in the majors, playing for seven teams.

He remains the only major league player born in his small farming hometown of Hampton, South Carolina. That made him something of a local celebrity in the community, which sits about 75 miles south of Charleston.

Cline graduated from Charleston’s St. Andrew’s Parish High School, then went on to Clemson University. At Clemson, he earned All-American honors as both an outfielder and a starting pitcher.

The shift from pro sports to business life is a big one. A lot of former players struggle with it, but Cline seemed to handle the transition just fine.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

After his playing days, Cline got into the food service business, running a Baskin-Robbins ice cream franchise. That move gave him steady income and kept him active in his community.

Ice cream shops like Baskin-Robbins appealed to a lot of former athletes. Franchises offered a proven business model and corporate support, which lowered the risk compared to starting something from scratch.

Cline probably ran his Baskin-Robbins in South Carolina, though the exact location and how long he operated it aren’t well-documented.

He didn’t just own the business—he managed it, too. That hands-on approach suggests Cline took an active role in day-to-day operations, not just sitting back as a silent partner.

Estimated Net Worth

You won’t find much detailed info about Cline’s net worth in public records. Back in his day, most former players earned what we’d now call modest salaries.

Cline played from 1960 to 1971, and baseball salaries just didn’t compare to what players get now. Most guys from that era needed another job after retiring if they wanted to keep up their lifestyle.

He ran a Baskin-Robbins franchise, which probably brought in steady income through the 1970s, maybe even longer. Food service franchises can do pretty well if you manage them right.

As of 2025, Cline would be 86 years old since he was born on June 15, 1939. Nobody’s shared his current financial status or net worth, so that’s still a private matter.