Who Is Steve Carlton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Steve Carlton, born on December 22, 1944, is an American former professional baseball player known for his exceptional skills as a pitcher. As of 2025, Carlton is 80 years old. Boasting an illustrious career primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies, he is celebrated for his left-handed pitching and has made his mark as one of baseball’s greatest southpaws. Carlton’s legacy includes four Cy Young Awards and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.
| Occupation | Baseball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 22, 1944 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Steve Carlton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), Steve Carlton's athletic build significantly contributed to his performance on the mound. Throughout his playing career, he maintained a weight of around 210 lbs (95 kg), a fitness level that played a crucial role in his pitching prowess. While precise measurements for body stats may vary, Carlton was renowned for his physicality coupled with exceptional skills.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Steve Carlton has mostly kept his personal life away from the spotlight. As of 2025, he is believed to be single, having previously been married and having children. Details about current relationships remain private, emphasizing his choice to focus on his legacy and interests outside relationships. Any updates on his family or romantic engagements continue to elude public scrutiny, which aligns with Carlton's desire for privacy.
When Carlton slumped in 1973, finishing 13–20 with a 3.90 ERA, the media's questioning of his unusual training techniques led to an acrimonious relationship between them and Carlton. In 1976, upon the advice of his lawyer Edward L.
Wolf, he decided to sever all ties with the media, and refused to answer press questions for the rest of his career with the Phillies. When approached unbeknownst he was on live air in the early 1980s he hurled a sponsor's watch at the commentator's head in the pregame show.
This reached a point where, in 1981, while the Mexican rookie Fernando Valenzuela was achieving stardom with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a reporter remarked, "The two best pitchers in the National League don't speak English: Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Carlton."
Net Worth and Salary
Steve Carlton's estimated net worth in 2025 is valued at approximately $10 million. His wealth stems from his successful baseball career and various endorsements throughout the years. Although specific salary figures vary, during his playing days, Carlton was reported to have earned significant contracts, especially during the free agency era. Post-retirement, he remains a sought-after figure in various commercials and baseball-related events.
Following another salary dispute, Cardinals owner Gussie Busch ordered Carlton traded. The Cardinals were offering $55,000 and Carlton wanted $10,000 more. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on February 26, 1972, just before the 1972 season for pitcher Rick Wise.
The trade is now considered one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history. However, at the time, the trade appeared to make sense from the Cardinals' perspective. Carlton had won 77 games to Wise's 75, and both were considered among the game's best pitchers. Tim McCarver, who had caught for Carlton in St.
Louis and for Wise in Philadelphia (and who would later become Carlton's personal catcher again with the Phillies ), described the trade at the time as "a real good one for a real good one". He felt Carlton had more raw talent, but Wise had better command on the mound.
While Wise pitched in the majors for another 11 years (he pitched two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to Boston), he only won 188 career games compared to Carlton's 329. Partly because of this, the trade is considered one of the worst trades in Cardinals history, and one of the most lopsided trades in all of baseball history.
Career, Business and Investments
After being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1963, Carlton enjoyed a vibrant career spanning over 24 seasons, playing for several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants. Beyond his on-field success, Carlton has engaged in business ventures, including real estate investments and sports camps designed to mentor young athletes. Carlton’s post-retirement professional life showcases his commitment to giving back to the community and educating the next generation of baseball players.
Nicknamed "Lefty", Carlton has the second-most lifetime strikeouts of any left-handed pitcher (4th overall), and the second-most lifetime wins of any left-handed pitcher (11th overall). He was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards in a career.
He held the lifetime strikeout record several times between 1982 and 1984, before his contemporary Nolan Ryan passed him. One of his most remarkable records was accounting for nearly half (46%) of his team's wins, when he won 27 games for the last-place (59–97) 1972 Phillies.
He is the last National League pitcher to win 25 or more games in one season, as well as the last pitcher from any team to throw more than 300 innings in a season. He also holds the record for the most career balks of any pitcher, with 90 (double the second on the all-time list, Bob Welch).
Social Network
Although not heavily active on social media, Steve Carlton maintains a presence where it counts. He engages with fans through official channels occasionally and participates in baseball documentaries, interviews, and special events. While he keeps a low profile, his followers cherish the glimpses they get into his life and thoughts about the game.
Carlton continued to enjoy many years of success with the Phillies, winning the Cy Young Award in 1972, 1977, 1980, and 1982, and pitching the Phillies to the best string of post-season appearances in club history.
Carlton was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards, a mark later matched by Greg Maddux, and exceeded by Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. His Cy Young Award in 1972 was by unanimous vote, and he finished fifth in balloting for the National League MVP.
Gradually the Phillies improved their team, and won the National League East Division three consecutive times from 1976 to 1978.
Education
Steve Carlton attended the University of Miami, where he honed his baseball skills before entering the professional realm. His education not only aided in refining his pitches but also shaped his understanding of the game from a strategic perspective. Despite his success, Carlton values the educational foundation he received, which he acknowledges as instrumental to his career.
He attended North Miami High School, playing baseball and basketball at first. Carlton had no plans beyond high school and showed little interest in his studies. As a senior, Carlton quit basketball to concentrate on pitching.
He was teammates in high school with Kurt Bevacqua, and his teammate Richie Mehlich defeated Charlie Hough 1–0 in the playoffs under coach Jack Clark; Mehlich was later the victim of murder.
