Woodie Held – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Woodie Held carved out a unique spot in baseball history during his 14-season Major League run, which wrapped up in 1969 with the Chicago White Sox.

Born in Sacramento, Held became one of the most versatile athletes the game has ever seen. He played regularly at six different positions throughout his time in the majors.

His knack for filling multiple roles made him valuable to seven different teams during an era when roster flexibility really mattered.

Held finished his career with a .240 batting average, 179 home runs, and 559 RBIs across 1,390 games. He stands as the only player in baseball history to appear in at least 100 games at shortstop, second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.

His batting average might not wow anyone today, but his power numbers were impressive for a utility player in the 1950s and 1960s.

Held’s best years came with the Cleveland Indians, where he spent six and a half seasons and became a fan favorite.

From his early days as a Sacramento Solons batboy to his last at-bat in 1969, Held’s journey through pro baseball shows the career of a dedicated athlete who squeezed every bit out of his talents through hard work and adaptability.

His story includes everything from blockbuster trades involving future Hall of Famers to memorable moments like being part of baseball’s first American League four-consecutive-home-run sequence. He managed to shine both as an individual and as a team player.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Woodson George Held was born on March 25, 1932, in Sacramento, California, to Fred and Julia Held.

His first taste of professional baseball came as a batboy for the Sacramento Solons. He played as a four-year varsity athlete at Sacramento High School before signing with the New York Yankees in 1951.

Family Background and Childhood in Sacramento

Woodson George Held arrived on March 25, 1932, in Sacramento, California.

His parents, Fred and Julia, provided a working-class foundation for his future.

Fred Held worked as a lineman for the telephone company. That steady job gave the family stability during the tough Depression years.

Woodie’s love for baseball kicked in at age 13. He landed a spot as a batboy for the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League.

That early job with the Solons was huge for him. Woodie served as batboy for three seasons, getting a close-up look at skilled players.

He learned the fundamentals by watching the pros. Those years gave him a sense of the game’s competitive atmosphere and taught him lessons he’d use for life.

High School Baseball at Sacramento High School

Woodie went to Sacramento High School and quickly became a standout athlete.

He played on the varsity baseball team every year.

His versatility turned heads among coaches and scouts. Woodie played every position except catcher during high school, showing off some serious athletic ability.

That flexibility would become his calling card as a pro. Scouts liked his strong arm and his natural hitting.

His high school performance caught the eye of pro scouts. The New York Yankees tracked his progress closely.

By senior year, Woodie was one of California’s top high school prospects. His power at the plate and ability to handle any position made him a hot signing target.

Signing with the New York Yankees

After graduation, Woodie drew interest from several pro teams.

Yankees scout Joe Devine signed him.

The New York Yankees offered a $6,000 signing bonus—no small sum for a high schooler in 1951.

Signing with New York was a big deal. The Yankees were the top team in baseball, with a pile of World Series titles.

Woodie’s signing kicked off his pro journey. He’d start in the Yankees’ deep minor league system, working his way up.

That decision made sense. The Yankees had a reputation for developing talent and winning, which fit right in with Woodie’s goals.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Woodie Held broke into pro baseball with the New York Yankees in 1954 after working his way through their farm system.

He spent a chunk of time with the Denver Bears before a big trade sent him to the Kansas City Athletics in 1957.

Debut with the New York Yankees

Held made his major league debut on September 5, 1954, with the Yankees at age 22.

The Yankees were locked in a tight pennant race with Cleveland when they called him up late in the season.

Joe Devine had signed him after high school, offering a $6,000 bonus, which was a lot for a young player then.

Held’s debut came at a critical time. The Yankees needed depth as they battled for the American League title.

He didn’t get much playing time at first. Held logged just one at-bat with no hits in his first game against Washington.

Minor League Experience with Denver Bears

After his short 1954 stint, Held went back to the minors with the Denver Bears in 1955.

That season proved crucial for his development as a power hitter.

Held hit 18 home runs in 1955. In 1956, he broke out with 35 home runs and 125 RBIs for the Bears.

Those numbers caught the Yankees’ attention and showed he could be a big-league slugger.

The Yankees shifted him to third base during this time. Tony Kubek was being groomed as the future shortstop, so Held needed a new spot.

Trade to Kansas City Athletics

Manager Casey Stengel liked Held’s skills before the 1957 trade. “The ball sings when it goes off his bat,” Stengel said, predicting Held would be back in the majors soon.

The trade happened after the infamous Copacabana incident in May 1957, when some Yankees, including Billy Martin, got into a nightclub brawl.

On June 15, 1957, the Yankees sent Held to Kansas City in a four-player deal. The trade included Billy Martin, pitcher Ralph Terry, and outfielder Bob Martyn.

Kansas City manager Lou Boudreau put Held in center field. Held led league outfielders with 12 assists even though he played only 92 games.

He hit 20 home runs and drove in 50 runs for the Athletics in 1957. Only Gus Zernial hit more home runs on the team.

Prime Years with the Cleveland Indians

Woodie Held had his best years with the Cleveland Indians from 1958 to 1964. He made a name for himself as a power-hitting shortstop and set team records.

During his time in Cleveland, he became the first Indians shortstop to hit 20 home runs in a season and held the career home run record for shortstops until 2009.

Role as Indians’ Shortstop

Held became Cleveland’s main shortstop in 1959 after a trade from Kansas City.

He played shortstop regularly for four seasons, then moved to second base in 1963.

Held brought power to a position usually known for defense. His strong arm and steady glove kept him in the lineup.

Position Timeline:

• 1958: Partial season after trade
• 1959-1962: Primary shortstop
• 1963: Moved to second base
• 1964: Final season with Cleveland

Held’s versatility let him handle several positions well. He managed different defensive roles while still producing at the plate.

Power Hitting and Home Run Records

Held made history as the first Indians shortstop to reach 20 home runs in a season. He did it three straight years from 1959 to 1961.

His home run totals during those years were strong:

• 1959: 29 home runs
• 1960: 21 home runs
• 1961: 23 home runs

He racked up 85 home runs for Cleveland. That was the team’s shortstop record until Jhonny Peralta broke it on May 1, 2009.

For his era, Held’s power was unusual. Shortstops in the 1950s and 1960s rarely hit for much power, so his numbers really stood out.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Held’s 1959 season was a breakthrough. He hit 29 home runs and became a regular in the Indians’ lineup.

He kept up steady production through the early ’60s. During his prime, he averaged over 20 home runs per season while playing solid defense.

Career Stats with Cleveland (1958-1964):

• Games played: Around 800
• Home runs: 85 (shortstop record)
• RBIs: Important contributor to the offense
• Batting average: .240 career average

Fans later voted him one of the 100 greatest Cleveland Indians players. That honor speaks to his impact during his time with the team.

Notable Teammates and Trades

Held came to Cleveland in a major trade on June 15, 1958. The Indians got him and Vic Power from Kansas City for Roger Maris, Dick Tomanek, and Preston Ward.

Looking back, that trade cost Cleveland. Maris went on to become a home run champion and set the American League record with 61 home runs in 1961.

Held’s time with the Indians ended on November 1, 1964. Cleveland traded him and Bob Chance to Washington for Chuck Hinton.

During his Cleveland years, Held played alongside teammates who helped keep the team competitive. His steady glove in the infield gave the Indians much-needed stability.

The trade that brought him to Cleveland still gets discussed. While Held gave the team plenty, losing Maris was a tough blow for the franchise.

Later Career and Retirement in 1969

Woodie Held’s last years in baseball saw him shift into a utility role with several American League teams.

He worked as a versatile bench player for the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox before calling it quits in October 1969.

Washington Senators and Baltimore Orioles

The Cleveland Indians traded Held and Bob Chance to the Washington Senators for outfielder Chuck Hinton on December 1, 1964.

Manager Gil Hodges liked Held’s versatility and said, “We haven’t had anybody like him who can fill in so many spots.”

Held played all three outfield positions plus second, third, and shortstop for Washington.

The 1965 season was his last as a regular, with over 100 games played.

Baltimore picked up Held during the 1966 season.

He joined the Orioles as they won their first World Series that year. Held didn’t play in the Series, but he stayed with the team as a utility player.

California Angels and Chicago White Sox

Held kept his journeyman career going with the California Angels in 1967.

He stayed in that bench role, filling in wherever he was needed.

The Chicago White Sox were Held’s last big league team.

He joined the White Sox during his final seasons. His playing time dropped as younger guys took over.

During those last stops, Held’s batting average hovered around his career mark.

He provided veteran leadership and kept showing his trademark flexibility for every club he joined.

Final MLB Season and Retirement

Woodie Held played his last major league game on September 28, 1969, facing the Kansas City Royals. He had one at-bat and didn’t get a hit in what turned out to be his final game.

The Chicago White Sox let Held go on October 15, 1969, which officially wrapped up his professional baseball career. He was 37 years old when he retired.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .240
• Home Runs: 179
• RBIs: 559
• Games Played: 1,390
• Seasons: 14 (1954-1969)

Held spent 14 seasons playing for seven different teams in the American League. Managers liked how he could handle several positions, especially as his hitting slowed down a bit later in his career.

Career Statistics and Performance

Woodie Held put together a .240 batting average with 179 home runs and 559 RBIs over his 16 years in Major League Baseball. His defensive versatility let him cover different spots on the field, and he brought solid power to every team he joined from 1954 to 1969.

Batting Average, Home Runs, and RBIs

With a career batting average of .240, Held mostly filled the role of a defensive specialist who could still step up at the plate. He collected 963 hits in 1,390 games.

He surprised a lot of people with his power. Smacking 179 home runs in that era was no small feat. When he played for Cleveland, he regularly reached double digits in home runs.

Held drove in 559 RBIs and scored 524 runs during his career, showing he could both bring runners home and make things happen on the bases. In 1959, while playing for Cleveland, he had one of his best seasons—29 home runs and 71 RBIs, with a .251 average.

Between 1959 and 1963, he hit his stride with the Indians. He posted strong offensive numbers and held down the infield on defense.

Versatility and Defensive Positions

Teams really leaned on Held’s defensive flexibility throughout his career. Sure, he mostly played shortstop, but he also stepped into the outfield and other infield spots when needed.

If you look at the stats, you’ll see him all over the diamond—shortstop, outfield, and various infield positions in different seasons. That adaptability kept him in the big leagues as a reliable utility guy.

Shortstop was his main gig, where he showed off steady defensive skills. Managers often moved him around to fit matchups or fill gaps, thanks to his knack for handling different roles.

Teams trusted his defense and looked to him for leadership. His experience at shortstop brought some much-needed stability to several infields across seven organizations.

Career Milestones and Longevity

Held managed to stick around for 16 seasons from 1954 to 1969, which is honestly kind of impressive. He suited up for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox.

He made his MLB debut on September 5, 1954, and played his last game on September 28, 1969. The Cleveland Indians became his home base, and he really made his mark there.

Over his career, Held piled up 4,647 plate appearances and finished with 21.9 Wins Above Replacement. Those numbers say a lot about how much he contributed for nearly two decades.

He played through the changing landscape of baseball from the 1950s into the 1960s. That kind of longevity shows just how durable and adaptable he was as a big leaguer.

Legacy, Honors, and Off-Field Life

Woodie Held left his mark as a power-hitting shortstop who helped change what people expected from the position in the 1960s. The Cleveland Indians recognized him as one of their greatest players. Even after retiring, he stayed close to the game, showing up at memorabilia shows and fan events until he passed away in 2009.

Recognition in Baseball History

Held earned his spot in baseball history for bringing real power to the shortstop position, which usually focused on defense. He became the first Indians shortstop to hit more than 20 home runs in a season, and that record stood until Jhonny Peralta finally broke it in 2005.

The Cleveland Indians honored him as one of their 100 greatest players in 2001. That recognition came during the team’s 100th anniversary in the American League.

On July 1, 1963, Held took part in a wild moment in baseball history. He kicked off a run of four straight home runs by Cleveland players, which was the first time that happened in American League history. That game against the Los Angeles Angels became a huge part of Indians lore.

After retiring in 1969, Held held the record for playing 100 or more games at six different positions: shortstop, second base, third base, left field, center field, and right field. That’s some serious versatility.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

Held showed up on a bunch of baseball cards during his 14-year career from 1954 to 1969. Topps featured him several times, especially during his best years with the Cleveland Indians from 1958 to 1964.

His most valuable cards usually show him in his Indians uniform, right in the middle of his power-hitting prime. Collectors really go after his 1959 Topps card, which highlights his 29 home run season.

Cleveland Indians fans and collectors still love memorabilia from Held’s career. Items from that famous four home run game are especially prized by baseball history buffs and collectors.

Life After Baseball and Passing

After retiring, Held jumped into ranch life and ran a 600-acre dude ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. He didn’t stop there—he opened the town’s first pizzeria and got the ball rolling on its first Little League program, always finding ways to keep baseball in the picture.

He kept his competitive streak alive for years, racing snowmobiles and staying active in sports. Whenever he could, Held joined Cleveland Indians fantasy camps and quickly became a fan favorite with his easygoing style.

On July 1, 1952, Held married his high school sweetheart, Nadine Mast. They raised five kids together: Joy, Cinda, Woodson, Sherry, and Roxanne.

Family Legacy:

• 5 children
• 15 grandchildren
• 13 great-grandchildren

Woodie Held passed away on June 11, 2009, at 77, after fighting brain cancer for seven months. His wife Nadine and their big extended family survived him, and honestly, he left quite a legacy as a baseball pioneer and someone who really cared about his community.