Donald Lee Demeter, born June 25, 1935 in Oklahoma City. He was a tall, 6’4″ gangly man who played in the majors for 11 years. He was a man who had a deep faith and was a member of the fellowship of Christian Athletes. His father was a painting contractor, and his mother a housewife. When he was about 10, his family moved to Denver. But soon after, his mom and dad were divorced and Don was sent to live with his grandmother back in OKC.
His mother married a man from New Hampshire and for one winter Don lived there but returned to OKC and lived with a foster family through his high school years. His foster father, George Stevens, was a Sunday School superintendent who helped instill in Demeter his deep faith. Don had an older brother who became a dentist, and also had an older and younger sister’s.
His interest in baseball began when he was in the fifth grade. The first time his school offered organized ball teams. He was always able to run faster than most of the kids. These were the days before kids were glued to TV sets, so most activities were outside. The kids just naturally went from baseball to basketball to football. Baseball was his best sport and he knew early that he wanted to be a ballplayer. He never doubted he would make the majors. Had he known the odds against it, he might have thought differently.
The self-confidence served him well. He had some family members who were very supportive. There was a AA team in OKC. Don and his uncle Leland went to see a lot of games. He got to watch players from all over the Texas league including one Don Hoak, who would be his roommate many years later when both played for the Phillies. Hoak was incredulous about this until Don showed him a scrapbook with his autograph in it from when he played for Ft. Worth.
Don’s high school team was pretty good, winning the state championship in both his junior and senior years. He played center field for them. 11 boys from the team signed professional contracts. 9 with the Dodgers and 2 with the Yankees. This was in a time when baseball teams had extensive systems and hundreds of kids in the pipeline. Of the 11, Demeter was the only one who made it to the bigs.
He was signed in 1953 by Bert Wells the Dodger scout for an 800-dollar bonus. In his first season, he went to Class-D Shawnee in the Sooner League. He only hit .223 but was promoted to Class-C Bakersfield where he had an excellent season hitting .267 with 26 homers.
He continued his climb up the loaded Dodger system the next season first at Pueblo Texas for two months and then was promoted to Mobile, an AA team in the Sothern Association, hitting .251 with 11 homers in half a season. He also played winter ball in both 1954 and 1955. In 56 he had an outstanding season at Ft. Worth. He batted .287 with 41 HRs and 128 RBIs. At age 21 he was called up to the Dodgers at the end of his season. He got 3 at-bats with the Dodgers. In his second AB, he hit a homer at Ebbets Field giving him a .500 avg there.
He spent the 1957 season with AAA St. Paul. His dad finally got to see him play when they visited Denver. He was supposed to be called up when St. Paul’s season ended, but with only 5 games left, that did not happen. The Dodgers moved to LA that winter and Don was doing his military service. He joined the team in LA but was sent down for a little more seasoning before their first eastern swing. Some of the older Dodgers were not happy with the move since they considered Brooklyn their home away from home. But the welcome in LA was warm.
Demeter was called back up and with both Snider and Furillo ailing, he got some playing time. He did not really impress with a .189 with 5 homers. In 1959 he finally got some steady playing time and notice in the press. Especially after a 3-homer performance against the Giants on April 21st. All three were 2 run jobs and one was an inside the parker. He was inconsistent but finished with 18 homers and 70 RBIs. His .256 BA was respectable.
He helped beat the Braves in the two-game playoff and then the World Series against the White Sox. He went 3-12 and called it his biggest thrill, as he played in all six games. He was prominent in trade talks after the year. It was rumored he was being sought by the Twins, but they backed out after rumors of him quitting baseball for the ministry surfaced. He started the 1960 season with the Dodgers, but a collision with Maury Wills on the third of July resulted in a broken wrist and effectively ended his year. He hit .276 in 168 at-bats with 9 homers.
Again, prominent in trade rumors after the 1960 season, but when the 1961 season began, he was still a Dodger. After a slow start though, he and 3rd baseman Charlie Smith were traded to the Phillies for Turk Farrell and light-hitting Joe Koppe on the 4th of May. Don was hitting only .172 at the time with one homer. But he blossomed in Philly ending up with 21 homers. He had his second 3 homer game with a solo, 2 and 3 run homers beating his old team, the Dodgers, and Sandy Koufax 19-10 on the 12th of September.
In 1962 he had his finest season in the majors, hitting .307 with 28 long balls, 107 RBI’s, and 85 scored. He finished 12th in the MVP vote. He also began an errorless streak which would get to 266 games, ending in 1965 when he was a Tiger. And then on a weird play in K, Charlie Finley had dogs retrieving balls on a line drive he caught, the grounds crew thought it was the last out and released the dog. His throw to McAuliffe got there about the same time as the dog and both skipped through his legs The dog could not be charged with an error, so it went to Demeter. The runner on second had advanced on the error.
He had 449 consecutive chances without an error. A record that stood until it was broken by Darren Lewis in 1994. Always a team player, he pointed to his RBIs as his most important stat, not his BA. He also stepped in at 3rd base when Andy Carey refused to play for the Phils and played 93 games there in 1962. Gene Mauch had high praise for his player. He went to Japan with Bobby Richardson in January of 1963 to spread the Gospel.
Again, mentioned in trade talks, the Phillies sent him and Jack Hamilton, who would later bean Tony Conigliaro while an Angel, to the Tigers for Jim Bunning and Gus Triandos. Tigers manager, Charlie Dressen, was delighted to get a player he considered one of the best outfielders in the majors. Bunning would go on to win 74 games for the Phils including a perfect game caught by Triandos.
Don did not start well in Detroit and he was panned many times in the press. Especially after Bunning threw his perfecto. But he recovered and finished with decent numbers, .256/22/80. He continued his strong faith and was a prominent member of the Christian Fellowship. Fans would send him Bibles which he would autograph and then add a proverb.
In 1965 he had a new manager, Bob Swift, due to Dressen’s having to leave the team recovering from a heart attack. Demeter had another decent year, although his ABs declined again. He went .278/16/58. In 1966, he was the fourth outfielder with Horton, Kaline, and Stanley the starters and Norm Cash manning first. He was traded again, this time to Boston on the 14th of June. The Red Sox sent Earl Wilson and Joe Christopher to the Tigers, who sent minor league pitcher, Julio Navarro along with Demeter.
Once again, the trade was lopsided as Wilson was stellar for Detroit and Demeter played only part-time.
His stay in Boston ended the next season, 1967, when he was traded to Cleveland for P Gary Bell. Bell would contribute to the Impossible Dream team in Boston. Don did not do well in Cleveland, as he only played in 51 games. Detroit wanted to buy him back, but his physical showed an irregular heartbeat, but at the time they thought it was more serious. The sale was canceled. He got a better diagnosis when he got home, and the Tigers wanted him back. But at age 32 and wanting to be with his family more, he decided to call it a career.
A well-respected player during his playing years, he became sort of a forgotten man after he retired. He became an insurance agent and started a swimming pool installation company his son now runs. He appeared in Old Timers games for the Dodgers and became a pastor in his church. He had an unsuccessful run at the state legislature in 1976. He was finally inducted into the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of fame in 1999.
His son Todd was drafted by the Yankees but never made it to the majors. He worked in his dad’s pool business until struck down by Hodgkin’s disease in 1996. He continued to be active in his church and his faith. He also noted that today, many players have an organized chapel service in the clubhouse prior to games. But it was not that way when he played and definitely not organized. Don passed away on Nov 29. 2021 at the age of 89.
Good job, Michael. It’s funny, but my greatest recollection of Don Demeter was in 1966 when he was the 4th outfielder to Horton, Kaline, and Stanley. I lived in Ohio and I listen to the Tigers games frequently with Ernie Harwell. Al K.line was one of my favorite players.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I am getting ready to head over to the Craft Beer Show in Minneapolis.
Thanks Mark. I saw hm play with the Dodgers a few times. I thought for sure he was Duke’s replacement in CF. Good ballplayer.
Nice booth! Good luck schmoozing vendors and attendees.
It’s a beer convention – I should get combat pay being forced to drink this stuff.
That dangerous huh? Combat pay in WWII was ZIP nada, nothing. Today soldiers get 225 a month.
You’re being forced to drink beer? And this is something you do for a living?
Some beer is pure trash so I don’t blame you
Perspective Bobby. I can recall some ice cold Carling’s Black Label and PBR’s that tasted pretty darn not too bad after a few weeks of humping in jungles and rice paddies. Tried them both after getting home and … not the same.
Beer, like ice cream and pizza, some are better than others, but all are consumable.
“forced” to drink beer at a convention where the best and most innovative craft brewers in North America gather to show off their product? Yeah, that sounds like torture.
It wasn’t that long ago when beer in America meant Bud Light, Coors, Pabst or Miller and nothing else. We’re living in a beer drinker’s golden age.
My combat pay in 1971 was $60. Beer and pot was took it all.
I hear ya brother. I drank my way through the Army. But beer was secondary. I was a bourbon guy. Quit drinking in 1990.
We got 2 beer chits when we came out of the field. Don’t recall being able to buy beer. Maybe in the rear, but not where I was.
Yup, I gave up the booze and drugs years ago also, don’t miss it at all.
Now if I could only cut back on ice cream!
Looking forward to tonight’s game.
BTW, heck of a good hockey game last night
LA Kings over Oilers
4-3
Fantastic game.
Go Kings Go
Morning from a rather warm LaQuinta Resort, Palm Springs.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since arriving in SD on Friday afternoon.
Golf at the fantastic Coronado and Torrey Pines South, and two nights in Little Italy and the Gas Lamp, followed by a night in Del Mar.
Sorry Jorge but although they may be bunch of (fill in your own expletives), they have a great town.
Arrived at the beautiful LaQuita yesterday and played the Dunes. What a course. Spectacular.
Night out in The Nest, a Cougar hangout in Indian Wells and now by the pool before play the Mountain Course here this afternoon.
In 3 days nothing has changed my mind – the US is the best country in the world, I absolutely love it here.
Bobby – gutted you are not about on Saturday.
Michael, B&P and Patch – really hoping you boys can still do Saturday for a bit of brunch and the Cubs game?
Badger – would be great if you could come along – would love to meet you, and anyone else who’d like to join?
If you just let me know where and when I’ll be there ( presuming Saturday)?
Looking forward to seeking you.
You guys pick the spot, I will be there.
Choices are Kilarney’s in Huntington Beach – Downtown. This is my first choice and you can visit the beach. Food is so so.
My Place in Huntington Beach – Industrial Area on the North Side. Close to the freeway. Best food of the three.
Legends in Long Beach – A little more central. Food is so so.
Pick one or we’ll go with Kilarney’s. Outdoor patio, Irish Bar. It’s my favorite place to watch a game.
Need to stay close to home in case of emergency. Long Beach is closest
Saturday I can be available late afternoon or early evening. Can make HB. Long Beach is a bit of a hike from Irvine.
Just pick one give me the address and I will be there
Badger, I admit it was mostly pot, however we were each given two beers on Sundays.
Wish I could remember more, but I guess there is a reason I don’t.
Good pot there. Ever try any of the opium soaked joints? Yoiks.
Water is life
Beer is 95% water
Therefore beer is life.
Your sign says Beer is 90% water. You got to get it right.
Some beer has more alcohol in it.
Depends upon the alcohol level. Some is 96, some 89….
Got it.
Hey guys. I am endeavoring to do as many stories as I can while I am here. I aim to help out Mark as much as I can. But if you have a particular player you want profiled let me know. I have some I am working on. But any extra ideas are appreciated.
Mickey Mantle
Here are a few names:
Song lyrics for Terry Cashman’s “Willie, Mickey and ‘The Duke’ (Talkin’ Baseball)”
“The Whiz Kids had won it,
Bobby Thomson had done it,
And Yogi read the comics all the while.
Rock ‘n roll was being born,
Marijuana, we would scorn,
So down on the corner,
The national past-time went on trial.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newk,
They knew ’em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Well, Casey was winning,
Hank Aaron was beginning,
One Robbie going out, one coming in.
Kiner and Midget Gaedel,
The Thumper and Mel Parnell,
And Ike was the only one winning down in Washington.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newc,
They knew ’em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Now my old friend, The Bachelor,
Well, he swore he was the Oklahoma Kid.
And Cookie played hooky,
To go and see the Duke.
And me, I always loved Willie Mays,
Those were the days!
Well, now it’s the 80’s,
And Brett is the greatest,
And Bobby Bonds can play for everyone.
Rose is at the Vet,
And Rusty again is a Met,
And the great Alexander is pitchin’ again in Washington.
I’m talkin’ baseball!
Like Reggie, Quisenberry.
Talkin’ baseball!
Carew and Gaylord Perry,
Seaver, Garvey, Schmidt and Vida Blue,
If Cooperstown is calling, it’s no fluke.
They’ll be with Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
It was Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
I’m talkin’ Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Say Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)”
Badger, no on the soaked joints. And yes on Mickey Mantle
( my childhood idol ) if Bear is willing to stray outside the fold.
No problem, I was planning one on Mays. Best player I ever saw.
Agree
Bear, How about a piece in Dick Allen. I know that he wasn’t a Dodger for long but he was my favorite player growing up in Philly. Back when he was Richie and with that 40 ounce bat!
I dig that. There are lots of DICK Allen Storiez
Can do my friend
Rogers Hornsby, Tony Conigliaro, Roy Campanella, Carl Ripken, Bobby Grich.
Joe Dimaggio, Willie Mays, Duke Snider together in one piece
TOMMY LASORDA – You might have to make it a mini-series. Make sure you include links to interviews when he’s talking about Kurt Bevacqua and Dave Kingman.
Earl Weaver
https://youtu.be/fzjWQF1oP2M
I usually look for this every year or so. Tommy was awesome.
Me too. Send a limo. What a line.
Guaranfuckentee! Tommy was one of a kind.
How about Yogi?
That is a good one
Everyone’s talking about beer or pot. Must be an off day.
To those arguing that the Dodgers need to pick up a starter via a trade, who exactly did you have in mind? Just looking at the pitchers who would be an improvement from what the Dodgers currently have, there’s not a lot available that isn’t on a competitive team. The obvious team to raid is the Reds, but Castillo hasn’t even pitched, and Tyler Mahle has been pretty mediocre so far. No, players like Montas are decent, but they’re just not enough to really move the needle. Right now, a Frankie Montas is not going to be better than Heaney or Gonsolin. Don’t waste prospects chasing mid-tier pitchers.
THIS is a mind-blowing stat:
If Kershaw can net 5 more IP than BBs+Hs next start, his career WHIP will drop below 1.
Pretty incredible, right?
How does that compare to others?
There are only 3 pitchers with WHIP lower than Kershaw according to Baseball Reference.com:
Addie Joss
Ed Walsh
Mariano Rivera
Joss and Walsh pitched in the deadball era (Joss 1902 – 1910, Walsh 1904 – 1917).
Kershaw has the lowest career WHIP of any starting pitcher since the liveball era (1920 and after).
That’s a cool stat. But yeah… how does that compare to others?
Of course we wouldn’t think Kersh was so great if the Dodgers hadn’t traded that undersized swingman for Delino DeShields…
Looks like the Dodgers should have held on to Demeter too.
No, we would still know Kershaw is that good.
Julio Urias L
1-1 2.50 ERA 15K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
C Will Smith R
DH Max Muncy L
3B J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B H. Alberto R
0% Rain
64° Wind 6 mph Out
FYI….I look forward to your lineups each night. Thank you for posting them.
My pleasure. Love doing it.
Taylor gotta be the most underrated player in the league.
Taylor was clutch. Again.
Nice win. Urias was excellent, and the bullpen came through. Always nice to beat the Giants.
Still not much offense, though maybe the allegedly deader balls kept a couple of warning track shots in play.
I’m glad Alberto got the start because I remain leery of Lux and his yips. But I’m sure that Lux and his “ceiling” will return to that long runway soon.
I hope Rios gets a start soon. He’s due.
Another thought: I think AF’s smart stack-em-deep pitching strategy may be less viable with the new limits on options, per union demands regarding quality of life. ( It was reported Mitch White went back-and-forth to OKC ten times last season!). Perhaps the rule could even influence a trade for a frontline starter like Montas. If there are restrictions on quantity, why not improve the quality?
Especially is Heaney isn’t expected back anytime soon….
Much easier watching Craig than Kenley.
Good job by AF.
Watched the game in a Sports Bar in Indian Wells