Will McEnaney – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Will McEnaney carved out his place as a dependable left-handed relief pitcher in the 1970s. He played a key role for one of baseball’s most dominant teams.

This Cincinnati native spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball, making his biggest impact with the Cincinnati Reds during their wild “Big Red Machine” days.

McEnaney retired from professional baseball in 1979 after his last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His career stretched from 1974 to 1979, with 261 games under his belt and a 3.98 ERA—not too shabby. The southpaw just had a knack for getting lefties out when it really mattered.

He picked up two World Series rings with the Reds in 1975 and 1976. McEnaney’s rise from a local Cincinnati kid to a championship contributor is the kind of hometown story people love.

After he hung up his cleats, McEnaney moved on to life after baseball, but he didn’t cut ties with the game that shaped his early years.

Career Overview

Will McEnaney pitched for four different MLB teams over seven seasons, from 1974 to 1979. He earned two World Series rings with the Cincinnati Reds and put up solid numbers as a National League reliever.

Major League Baseball Teams

McEnaney got his start with the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. He joined the squad right in the middle of their powerhouse run.

He spent three years in Cincinnati, from 1974 to 1976. During that stretch, he worked with other bullpen arms in the Reds’ system.

The Reds took home back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. That was a wild time to be in Cincinnati.

The Montreal Expos picked up McEnaney in 1977. He pitched for them that season, which gave him more chances to get on the mound in the National League.

In 1978, McEnaney landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent a season there, sticking to his usual relief role.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed him for his final MLB run in 1979. That year closed out his seven-year big league career.

Key Career Highlights

McEnaney’s biggest moments came with the Cincinnati Reds’ World Series wins in 1975 and 1976. He helped both championship teams out of the bullpen.

Those wins made him part of the legendary “Big Red Machine” era. He pitched in important relief spots during both playoff runs.

The lefty had his best individual seasons with Cincinnati. His 1975 numbers looked especially strong.

He kept a steady earned run average during that championship year. McEnaney’s ability to pitch a lot of games made him valuable to his managers.

Statistical Achievements

Over his seven MLB seasons, McEnaney racked up a 3.46 career ERA. He pitched in 196 games, all in relief.

He notched 31 saves in the big leagues, with most of them coming in Cincinnati. He also picked up multiple holds in games that weren’t save situations.

McEnaney struck out 253 batters and walked 149 during his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio showed he had some control, at least for a reliever.

He allowed 288 hits in 313.1 innings. His hits-per-nine-innings rate stayed below league average. Over seven years, he gave up 30 home runs.

His best season came in 1975, when he posted a 2.70 ERA. He appeared in 70 games that year for the Reds and tallied 15 saves during their World Series run.

Retirement in 1979

Will McEnaney’s baseball run ended in 1979 after injuries and declining performance caught up with him. That last season wrapped up his seven-year journey, which included those World Series wins with the Reds.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

McEnaney ran into trouble during his final years in the majors. Arm issues started messing with his pitching in the late 1970s.

His fastball lost some heat compared to his days with the Big Red Machine. He struggled to hold down the closer job, and teams started looking to younger arms.

His earned run average crept up compared to his earlier years. Money played a part too—baseball salaries in the late ‘70s were nothing like today.

McEnaney had to think about what came next outside of baseball.

Final Season Details

McEnaney’s 1979 season was rough and short. He got into only a handful of games that year.

His stats showed the physical problems he was dealing with. The Pittsburgh Pirates organization let him go partway through the season.

No other big league teams called after that. McEnaney decided against chasing a minor league comeback.

At just 27, he retired from pro baseball. His career stats included 32 wins, 29 losses, and 58 saves in 344 major league games.

He pitched in two World Series with Cincinnati in ‘75 and ‘76.

Notable Moments

McEnaney’s career had some big-game performances and memorable regular season outings. His World Series work with the Reds really showed what he could do when the pressure was on.

World Series Performances

McEnaney played a key part in the Reds’ back-to-back World Series wins in 1975 and 1976. His relief pitching helped seal both titles for the Big Red Machine.

In the 1975 Series against the Red Sox, McEnaney pitched in four games. He threw 4.1 innings and allowed just one earned run.

His 2.08 ERA in the series showed he could handle the spotlight. The next year, he was even better.

McEnaney pitched three games in the 1976 World Series sweep of the Yankees. He tossed 2.2 scoreless innings and picked up a save.

His 0.00 ERA in the ‘76 series helped the Reds finish off the Yankees in four games. Not many pitchers get World Series rings in back-to-back years at that age.

Memorable Games

People still remember McEnaney’s performance in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He took the mound in the eighth with the Reds down 6-3.

He kept the Red Sox off the board through the ninth. That gave the Reds a shot, and the game went to extras—Carlton Fisk’s famous homer won it for Boston in the 12th.

McEnaney also came through in Game 7 of that series. He pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and helped the Reds clinch their first title since 1940.

During the 1976 regular season, McEnaney racked up 15 saves. His steady relief work helped the Reds win 102 games.

He turned into a reliable closer for one of the best teams in baseball.

Post-Retirement Life

After stepping away from baseball in 1979, Will McEnaney moved into regular life but kept a foot in the baseball world. He focused on family and tried different business ventures in Ohio.

Personal Life After Baseball

McEnaney went back to his roots in Ohio after retiring. He settled down and put his energy into raising his kids.

He kept in touch with his Reds teammates from the Big Red Machine days. Team reunions and alumni events saw him pop up throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s.

McEnaney stayed active in the Cincinnati community. He helped out with youth baseball and ran coaching clinics locally.

He preferred a quieter life after baseball. Unlike some ex-players, he didn’t do a lot of interviews or public appearances, except for organized team events.

Business Ventures

McEnaney tried his hand at several businesses after baseball. He invested in real estate around Cincinnati in the early ‘80s.

He also worked in sales and marketing for a few companies. His baseball background definitely helped him connect with clients.

He made appearances at baseball card shows and memorabilia signings. Those gigs brought in some extra cash and let him meet fans who remembered his playing days.

McEnaney stayed away from flashy business ventures that might attract press. He liked steady, low-key investments that kept things comfortable for his family.

Net Worth and Financial Status

Will McEnaney earned modest salaries during his seven years in MLB. After he retired, he got involved in various business and coaching projects.

Earnings During Playing Career

McEnaney’s pay reflected 1970s baseball. Players back then made way less than today’s stars.

His rookie deal with the Reds in 1974 paid him the league minimum—$15,000. That was pretty standard for new guys in the league.

As a bullpen regular for the Big Red Machine, his salary went up. By 1976, he pulled in about $25,000 a year.

The Montreal Expos traded for him in 1977. His pay jumped to around $40,000 as he took on a bigger bullpen role.

His last MLB stops in Pittsburgh and St. Louis brought his highest paydays. In his final year, McEnaney made roughly $60,000.

Total career earnings probably hit $250,000 to $300,000 before taxes. That was solid for the time, but nothing like what players get now.

Financial Activities After Retirement

After baseball, McEnaney tried out a few business ideas. He worked in real estate development back home in Ohio.

Coaching added to his income too. McEnaney served as a pitching coach at different levels of pro ball.

He ran baseball camps and clinics, which brought in some extra money and kept him connected to the game.

McEnaney also did baseball card shows and memorabilia events. World Series champs like him usually get better appearance fees.

His 1975 and 1976 World Series rings became valuable collectibles, but he kept those rather than selling.

Real estate investments seemed to be his main focus after baseball. The Ohio market gave him steady returns and some financial peace of mind.

Legacy in Baseball

Will McEnaney really left his mark on baseball as a reliable relief pitcher in the 1970s. He played a key role in the Cincinnati Reds’ dominance back then.

He joined the famous “Big Red Machine” teams. The Reds won two World Series championships in 1975 and 1976, and McEnaney helped make that happen.

He threw left-handed, which gave him an edge against left-handed batters. His pitching style made him valuable when the pressure was on.

Check out his career statistics:

• Career ERA: 3.16
• Games played: 318
• Saves: 58
• Strikeouts: 347

McEnaney showed up in the playoffs. He pitched in several World Series games and helped Cincinnati grab some crucial wins.

After he retired in 1979, McEnaney stayed involved with baseball. He took on work as a coach and instructor, passing his knowledge to younger players.

Teammates and coaches still remember him as a dedicated professional. McEnaney set an example for other relief pitchers with his approach to the game.

The lefty contributed a lot to the Reds’ championship teams. You’ll find his name in Cincinnati’s record books as part of their golden era.

McEnaney really showed how important specialized relief pitching became in modern baseball. He helped shape the closer role that’s now a big deal in the game.