The Phillies announced that former big leaguer Curt Simmons has passed away. He was 93 years old.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Simmons got his big break when pitching in an exhibition match between the Phillies and local high school players. Simmons struck out 11 Phils and then signed with the club on a $65K bonus. He went on to make his MLB debut in 1947 and stick around in the majors through the 1967 season, getting into 20 different campaigns. Most of that came with the Phillies, though he also pitched for the Cardinals, Cubs and Angels.
After a few decent seasons, he broke out in 1952, posting a 2.82 ERA in 201 1/3 innings of work. He made the All-Star team that year, the first of three such appearances in his career, also getting selected in 1953 and 1957. With the Cardinals in 1964, Simmons threw 244 innings with a 3.43 ERA, followed by another two starts in the World Series. He posted a 2.51 ERA in 14 1/3 innings as the Cardinals defeated the Yankees 4-3.
He would go on to pitch in the next three seasons, with 1967 being his last. He finished his career with 3,348 1/3 innings over 569 games. His win-loss record was 193-183, with 163 complete games, 36 shutouts and 1,697 strikeouts. He made three All-Star teams and won a World Series. MLBTR sends our condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates and all those mourning him today.
Curt Simmons name was on my first real ball glove oh too many years ago. Remember keeping his baseball card for that reason. Topps, 1966. Back when kids were allowed to PLAY with baseball cards. RIP sir. Thank you for the memories.
Yup, and 163 complete games! Those were the days.
That alone should be Hall worthy!
Condolences to the Simmons family. Curt helped the Cardinals win the epic 1964 title after overcoming a lot to get back into the major leagues when it appeared his arm had gone out. The epitome of the crafty lefty and aware “sneaking a fastball past Hank Aaron is like sneaking a sunrise past a rooster.”
C’est la vie, Curt.
That 64 Cardinals team was stacked. If memory serves me right, the Card’s starting infield was also the starting infield in the All Star game that year.
They got in because the Phillies choked.
It was 1963 when Bill White, Julian Javier, Dick Groat and Ken Boyer started the all star game for the NL.. Bill Mazeroski of the Pirates was selected as the starting second baseman but he was nursing an injury and elected not to play. Giants manager Al Dark replaced him with Javier to make it an all Cardiinals infield.. In the 1964 World Series, Javier was hurt and Dal Maxvill started at second base…… My parents were at game 3 of the 1964 World Series when Curt Simmons matched up against Jum Bouton. Simmons outpitched Bouton but after 8 innings the score was 1-1. and Simmons was removed for knuckleballer Barney Schultz. First batter he faced was Mickey Mantle and the game ended with one swing.. Yankees 2 Cardinals 1.
I wasn’t alive for that series, but a epic series it was. Bob Gibson won the MVP with a higher era than Simmons? Sad to loose him, gonna really hold those Tim McCarver stories I used to hear on the Saturday broadcasts on Fox with Joe Buck as a kid. Seems they’ve sheltered Tim for his last years here on earth? Don’t hardly see him anymore
I was too young to have seen him play, but I remember him because I had his baseball card. Still do. He was in a Cardinals uniform and I liked the Cards even though the Giants were my team. R.I.P., Curt.
Condolences to his loved ones. WS winner, All Star, 20 year career. What a journey. Favorite stat: 163 CGs. Wow! RIP
I had his baseball cards too. RIP, Curt.
I remember him accidentally cutting off part of his toes with a lawn mower. One of the best left handers in the fifties and sixties.
I had never heard that story. The Jeremy Affeldt and Roger Metzger stories are the only household freak injuries I recall.
Condolences to his family.another star from my childhood sadly is gone
Saw him pitch at the coliseum against the Dodgers, then later at Dodger Stadium .
The game will never be the same.
Yes, Willie is still with us.
Best player I ever saw play.
Parents took me to many Dodgers -Giants games at the coliseum .
Curt Simmons was having his greatest year in 1950 until Uncle Sam called him significantly handicapping the Whiz Kids.
Curt Simmons was the starting pitcher of the first MLB game I ever attended on June 4, 1966. He pitched a complete game 6-hitter for the Cardinals and lost 2-1 to the Atlanta Braves. He was excellent that day, as well as many others during his excellent career.
My condolences to his family and loved ones. Thanks for the memories Mr Simmons. RIP
93 is a pretty good run-congrats to Curt on a life well lived
Always relieved when I see someone pass away well into their 90’s. A full life. RIP and Condolences.
Unless you’re demented. Nobody wants to see that. That’s why I checked out in my 80s.
One of the more underrated starting pitchers during his day and one of my boyhood heros. Helped us to surprise those Yankees. Our sympathies to the Simmons family and to all those fans that enjoyed his skills.
RIP
I was curious about the bonus so I checked. $65k around 1945 is just over a million today. Nice.
What a great story. A well written piece, for a person that deserves a well written piece. Rest in peace.
I live one town over from the ballfield that game was played on (the high school game) the field is called appropriately Curt Simmons field. Thank you for your service Curt
If it wasn`t for an error by his SS Curt would have won the game against the phillies
RIP Curt Simmons. You were a true credit to the sport we love!!!!
Seems like all of my childhood heroes are passing away Gaylord Perry, Curt Simmons, Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, Whitey Ford …
Way to go Willie and others!!!
Curt and Robin Robert’s along with another investor owned a golf course (Limekiln) outside of Philadelphia. Saw them a few times there. Two of the Phillies all – timers…
RIP. Before my time a bit, but was fun having his card in a retro Strat-o-Matic league. Was a beast with the Whiz Kids and deserving of enshrinement in the Hall of Very Good.
The first game that ever attended live, was his gm6 start against the Yankees. Maris & Mantle took him yard, back-to-back, but it started my lifelong love affair with baseball.
Another unsung hero from a time when was baseball was THE national sport. Broke through with the Phillies’ “Whiz Kids” that won the 1950 pennant, spent 1951 on active duty in the Korean War, returned in 1952 to a long big-league career. Finally won a ring with the 1964 Cardinals that caught the Phillies for the pennant and then ended the first Yankee dynasty in the World Series.
Pour an ice-cold Schmidt’s or Bud in honor of this major league legend.
RIP TED
RIP