John Anderson (anderjo02)

From BR Bullpen

John Charles Anderson

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.

Debut August 17, 1958
Final Game June 23, 1962
Born November 23, 1932 in St. Paul, MN USA

[edit] Biographical Information

John Anderson was signed as an amateur free agent by the 1952 Philadelphia Phillies. He spent his first year in pro ball in the class C Pioneer League with the Salt Lake City Bees. His initial year saw him post a 14-9 record in 32 appearances, pitching 205 innings and posting a 2.81 ERA. In 1954 he spent the summer with the class B Three-I League Terre Haute Phillies. He was 18-11 in 34 games, pitching 231 innings for a 3.31 ERA.

John spent time in the class A Eastern League with the Schenectady Blue Jays where he posted a 3 won, 5 loss record for part of 1954, and wound up going 10-1 with the class A Western International League Spokane Indians in a very good finish, with a 1.95 ERA.

1955 saw John go 8-8 with the Reidsville Phillies of the class B Carolina League, appearing in 23 games, pitching 151 innings and putting up a 3.34 ERA. He also spent one game with the International League Syracuse Chiefs with no decision.

Anderson would spend 1956 through 1958 with four different minor league clubs before getting his first taste of the major leagues with the 1958 Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in five games, pitching 16 innings with no decisions.

Before the 1959 season he was returned to the Miami (International) by the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a minor league working agrement. He was then obtained by the Baltimore Orioles as part of a minor league working agreement. In 1959 he spent the year with the AAA International League Miami Marlins going 12-9 in 30 games, pitching 204 innings and chalking up a 2.74 ERA.

The 1960 Baltimore Orioles carried him on their roster for four games and four innings that season and he spent the rest of the season with the Miami Marlins of the International League with a not to impressive 2-10 record and a 5.29 ERA. He spent the next year with the 1961 Rochester Red Wings, going 14-9 in 33 games, pitching 195 innings with a 3.65 ERA.

On November 27, Anderson was drafted by the 1961 St. Louis Cardinals from the Baltimore Orioles in the rule five draft. On the following May 7, he was traded by the 1962 St. Louis Cardinals with Carl Warwick to the Houston Colt .45's for Bobby Shantz.

John was back in the major leagues in 1962 for five games and six innings with the St. Louis Cardinals and ten games and 18 innings for the Houston Colt .45's. As things go, John made three passes at the major leagues, he was to never win a game.... but then he never lost one either. He appeared in 24 games, pitching 44.7 innings and had a 6.45 ERA.

From 1962 Through 1967 John spent the rest of his professional baseball career in the minor leagues, playing with five teams in three leagues, winning 34 games and losing 44. Overall John's record in the minors was very credible. He won 138 games, lost 126, appeared in 448, pitching in 2,244 innings and winding up with a solid 3.81 ERA. He also suited up for 16 years, from 1952 through 1967.