Vic Correll – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Vic Correll put together a solid eight-season run in Major League Baseball as a catcher who knew his job and did it well. From 1972 to 1980, Correll played for three teams: the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds.

Correll, a Washington D.C. native, mostly worked as a backup catcher, but he did get a shot as a starter with the Atlanta Braves in the mid-1970s.

At 5’10” and 185 pounds, Correll batted and threw right-handed, offering steady defense and some pop at the plate. His .229 career batting average might not wow anyone, but 29 home runs and 125 RBIs across eight seasons show he could contribute when needed.

He worked his way up from Georgia Southern University to the big leagues, showing the grit of a guy who squeezed every bit out of his talent.

Let’s take a look at Correll’s baseball journey, from the minors to the majors, his style as a catcher, and the mark he left during a time when backup catchers had to stay ready for anything. His story gives us a window into the life of a pro who knew his role and helped his teams with steady, reliable play.

Early Life and Background

Victor Crosby Correll was born on February 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C. That day began a path that would eventually lead to an eight-season MLB career.

His journey from D.C. to pro baseball included time growing up in South Carolina and playing college ball.

Family and Hometown

Correll came into the world in Washington, D.C., on a Tuesday in early February 1946. His full name, Victor Crosby Correll, carried a family tradition that stuck with him through his baseball years.

Even though he was born in the capital, Correll’s roots reached into South Carolina. People often called him a South Carolina native during his playing days.

This move from D.C. to South Carolina played a big part in shaping who he became. Growing up in the South, Correll found himself in a place where baseball mattered a lot.

Communities there often rallied around promising young players. His family gave him the stability to focus on baseball as a teenager.

Education and Collegiate Baseball

Correll played college baseball, but honestly, not much is on record about his college career. He probably started honing his catching skills during these years.

College ball gave Correll real coaching and tough competition. It served as a bridge between high school and pro baseball.

Most future big leaguers used college to sharpen their game. The catcher position especially demands extra training and mental focus.

Correll’s time in college likely involved plenty of work on the basics—pitch framing, game calling, the whole deal.

Path to Professional Baseball

Correll finally reached the big leagues at age 26. The Boston Red Sox handed him his first shot on October 4, 1972.

Since he debuted a bit later than some, Correll probably spent quite a while in the minors. Catchers often need extra time to develop because the job is so tough.

His first taste of MLB action with Boston kicked off an eight-season career. The Red Sox saw something in him and gave him a chance behind the plate.

Moving from amateur to pro ball meant a lot of changes. Correll had to adapt quickly, especially as he bounced between three different organizations.

Major League Baseball Career

Victor Crosby Correll played eight seasons in the majors from 1972 to 1980, mostly as a backup catcher for three teams. He started out with the Boston Red Sox in October 1972, spent most of his career with the Atlanta Braves from 1974-1978, and wrapped things up with the Cincinnati Reds from 1978-1980.

Boston Red Sox Debut

Correll made his MLB debut on October 4, 1972, right at the end of a wild season for the Boston Red Sox. That year, the Red Sox finished just half a game behind the Detroit Tigers for the AL East title.

The 1972 season was a strange one, thanks to a players’ strike. On October 1, both Boston and Detroit had 84 wins, but Boston led by half a game.

Correll jumped into the big leagues and started strong, hitting .500 in four at-bats during his rookie year.

His debut came at a tense moment, just as one of the tightest pennant races in recent memory wrapped up. Detroit took the division, leaving Boston—and Correll—just short. That would be his only season with the Red Sox.

Atlanta Braves Tenure

Correll joined the Atlanta Braves in 1974 and stuck around for five seasons. He got his biggest opportunity in 1975 as the team’s main catcher.

During his Atlanta years, Correll built a reputation as a reliable defender. He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5’10”, and weighed 185 pounds.

Key Stats with Atlanta:

• Played from 1974-1978
• Main catcher in 1975
• Served as backup in other seasons

The Braves leaned on Correll’s steady hand behind the plate, especially in the mid-1970s. His defense and game-calling made him a go-to guy for the pitching staff.

Correll’s Atlanta stint made up most of his big league career. He played regularly and helped the team stay competitive in the National League.

Cincinnati Reds Years

Correll wrapped up his MLB days with the Cincinnati Reds from 1978 to 1980. He joined them after their “Big Red Machine” era, working as a backup catcher.

In his final season in 1980, Correll hit an impressive .421 in 19 at-bats, finishing strong.

Career Totals:

• Batting Average: .229
• Home Runs: 29
• RBIs: 125
• Games Played: 410

With the Reds, Correll brought veteran experience and steady play. He gave the team solid depth at catcher, which mattered for a club with a history of winning.

Correll ended his pro career with Cincinnati in 1980. That last season showed he still had something left in the tank.

Playing Style and Position

Vic Correll played as a right-handed catcher for eight seasons, mostly in a backup role. He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5’10”, and weighed 185 pounds during his career from 1972 to 1980.

Catcher Role and Responsibilities

Correll worked as a backup catcher for most of his MLB career. He showed his value behind the plate, especially with the Braves from 1974 to 1976, when he saw the most action.

His most memorable partnership came with Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. In 1974, Niekro said, “Vic has done a great job of calling for me since he took over. He gives me a lot of confidence.”

Correll often backed up established starters. In 1974 with Atlanta, he played behind Johnny Oates, then took over as starting catcher in 1975 and 1976. Later, he backed up Johnny Bench with the Reds in 1978 and 1979.

Managers trusted his defense enough to give him at least 200 at-bats each season from 1974 to 1976. That says a lot about his reliability behind the plate.

Batting and Fielding Overview

Correll’s hitting numbers fit his role as a backup. He finished with a .229 batting average, 29 home runs, and 125 RBI over 410 games.

His offense went up and down. He started by hitting .500 in four at-bats with Boston in 1972 and finished by hitting .421 in 19 at-bats with Cincinnati in 1980.

Between those seasons, Correll struggled at the plate. He never hit higher than .238 during his prime years from 1973 to 1979.

Career Batting Stats:

• Batting Average: .229
• Home Runs: 29
• RBI: 125
• Games Played: 410

Correll’s defense kept him in the majors, even when his bat cooled off. His ability to call games and handle different pitchers made him a valuable teammate.

Career Achievements and Stats

Vic Correll put up respectable numbers over his eight-year MLB career, with a .229 average, 29 home runs, and 125 RBIs in 410 games. His defense behind the plate helped three different teams in the 1970s.

Batting Performance Highlights

Correll did most of his damage at the plate while playing for the Atlanta Braves from 1974 to 1977. His best power year came in 1975, when he hit 11 home runs in 103 games and drove in 39 runs.

He wasn’t flashy, but Correll was consistent. He picked up 259 career hits and kept a .310 on-base percentage. In his last year with Cincinnati in 1980, he hit .421, though in limited at-bats.

His best stretch came with Atlanta, tallying 193 hits and 27 home runs over four seasons. Correll also drew 106 walks with the Braves, showing some patience at the plate.

Catchers in the 1970s weren’t expected to be big hitters, and Correll fit that mold. He never made an All-Star team, but he gave his clubs steady production from behind the plate.

Defensive Contributions

Correll’s main value came from his defense. He worked with pitching staffs on three MLB teams, showing the versatility that kept him around for eight seasons.

His best year defensively was 1974 with Atlanta—he caught 52 complete games and posted a .988 fielding percentage.

Correll threw out 38 of 135 base stealers (28.1%) during his time with Atlanta and Cincinnati. In 1975, his caught stealing rate was 27.8%, close to the league average of 32.1%.

He made just 17 errors in 321 games behind the plate. That kind of consistency made him a reliable backup for managers looking for solid catching depth.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Vic Correll’s baseball career ended in 1980 after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon that limited his time on the field. After hanging up his cleats, he worked in Georgia’s outdoor recreation industry, focusing on hunting guide services and dog training.

1980 Retirement and Reflections

Correll’s last season turned out to be a tough one. He tore his Achilles tendon on March 7, 1980, just two days after signing what was reported as a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

He had surgery on March 10, which put him in a cast for months and kept him out for most of the year.

Correll managed to play 14 games in Single A Tampa during a rehab stint in August. In the majors, he only got into 10 games that September.

The Reds released Correll on October 24, 1980, which officially ended his playing days. He finished with a .229 career batting average, 29 home runs, and 446 games played for three teams.

Even with a tough ending, Correll experienced some memorable moments. He was the catcher when Hank Aaron hit his historic 715th home run in 1974.

Post-Retirement Involvement in Baseball

After his pro baseball days, Correll left the sport completely. He threw himself into outdoor recreation work instead.

“I went to work on several plantations down in South Georgia. Training dogs. Guiding. Taking people hunting,” he said in later interviews. That kind of work just felt right to him.

He’d already spent offseasons running the Marsh Hunting Preserve in Statesboro, Georgia, where he trained bird dogs during his playing years. The skills he picked up as a player actually helped him out in this new line of work.

People sometimes asked if handling pitchers was anything like training dogs. Correll would say, “there is a similarity. You handle each dog and each pitcher differently.” Makes you think, doesn’t it?

He stayed busy with outdoor recreation for years after hanging up his glove. By 2018, Correll had settled into retirement in Perry, Georgia, still feeling connected to the state where he’d played so much ball with the Atlanta Braves.

Legacy and Impact

Vic Correll’s eight years in MLB left a real impression on the teams he played for, especially the Atlanta Braves. He spent four seasons there, and folks respected him as a steady backup catcher and, for a while, a starter.

Influence on Atlanta Braves and MLB

Correll made his biggest impact with the Braves from 1974 to 1977. He took over as primary catcher in 1975 and 1976, giving the team some much-needed stability behind the plate.

In 1975, he put up career-best numbers—11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 103 games. That kind of production showed he was more than just a backup guy.

When Biff Pocoroba took over as starter in 1977, Correll moved back to the backup role. Still, his veteran presence meant a lot to the Braves.

Later, he joined the Cincinnati Reds and backed up Johnny Bench, a Hall of Famer, during their 1979 National League West Division championship run. Correll’s experience helped the team, even though he didn’t play in the postseason.

Recognition Among Peers

Around the league, Correll earned respect for his professionalism and work ethic. He adapted well to each new team, which says a lot about his value as a teammate.

He played for the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds, always bringing reliability. Teammates leaned on his knowledge of the game and his willingness to mentor younger players.

Correll spent winters playing with Cardenales de Lara in Venezuela during the 1975-76 and 1976-77 seasons. That kind of commitment to improving his skills year-round got him noticed by players and coaches internationally.

He finished his career with a batting average of .229, along with 29 home runs and 125 RBIs. For a backup catcher in that era, those numbers weren’t too shabby.

Net Worth and Personal Life

Vic Correll’s finances reflect a major league career that lasted eight seasons. He focused his personal life on family and outdoor activities in Georgia.

Estimated Net Worth

Correll’s estimated net worth sits at about $9 million these days. That’s based on what he made in baseball and his post-retirement activities.

Back in the 1970s, major league salaries weren’t anything like what players make now. Most backup catchers earned pretty modest paychecks.

He probably built up wealth through smart investments and business moves after his playing days. Running the hunting preserve in Georgia during the offseasons likely helped too.

His main income during his career came from baseball. Since he spent most seasons as a backup, his paychecks were usually smaller than what starting players brought home.

Personal Interests and Family

Correll married Cheryl Culpepper on August 26, 1967. As of 2018, they were still together and had three kids.

He lived in Statesboro, Georgia. During baseball offseasons, he trained bird dogs at the Marsh Hunting Preserve, which honestly sounds like a pretty hands-on way to spend time.

His background came from a mix of American Indian and Irish roots. His dad, Victor C. Correll, put in 30 years with the U.S. Air Force and eventually retired as a colonel.

Because of his father’s military career, the family moved a lot when he was a kid. Correll went to school in both Texas and South Carolina, and he graduated from McClenaghan High School in Florence, South Carolina, in 1964.

He earned his B.S. in Recreation at Georgia Southern College. Honestly, outdoor activities and hunting always seemed to matter a lot to him.