John Wockenfuss

Johnny Bilton Wockenfuss (February 27, 1949 – August 19, 2022), sometimes known by the nicknames "Fuss" and "Johnny B.", was an American professional baseball player and minor league manager who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies. He was known for his strong throwing arm, unorthodox batting stance, and ability to play at multiple positions.

Wockenfuss began his baseball career as a pitcher in high school. He was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 amateur draft. Wockenfuss spent seven seasons in the Senators / Texas Rangers' farm system, before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1973, where he remained in the minor leagues. He was then acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the Cardinals in December 1973 and played ten seasons for the club from 1974 to 1983, first as a backup catcher and then as a utility player whose assignments included first baseman, designated hitter, outfielder, third baseman, and pinch hitter. Wockenfuss was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1984 and played two seasons there, playing principally at first base, catcher, and as a pinch hitter.

After playing one more season (1986) in A-ball, Wockenfuss managed in the minor leagues for several years. He served four years in the Tigers farm system (1987–1990), two years in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system (1992–1993), and two years with the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs (1996–1997). He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Early years Wockenfuss was born in Welch, West Virginia, on February 27, 1949. He attended John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, Delaware. One of the best all-around athletes Dickinson High produced, he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Wockenfuss played baseball as a pitcher. He played quarterback for the football team and gained notoriety for his use of a drop kick technique to kick extra points after touchdowns.

Playing career Minor leagues Wockenfuss was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft. The Cardinals assigned Wockenfuss to their AAA farm team, the Tulsa Oilers. In 60 games for Tulsa, he compiled a .266 batting average and .357 on-base percentage. Wockenfuss began the 1974 season with the Evansville Triplets, appearing in 84 games and hitting 11 home runs.

During a locker-room speech by an evangelist in May 1976, Wockenfuss testified that he found God and became a born-again Christian. Previously plagued by bitterness and a fierce temper, Wockenfuss later recalled: "I found that it changed my life. I settled down on the field, was able to concentrate, and it made my home life better." His offensive improvement in 1977 followed his adoption of an unorthodox batting stance: feet close together and touching the back line of the batter's box, much of his back facing the pitcher while looking over his left shoulder at the pitcher, bat held above his head, and the fingers on his right hand waggling before each pitch. He began using the new stance while playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League prior to the 1977 season and batting around .390. Wockenfuss credited his new batting stance for his offensive turnaround.

With the arrival of Sparky Anderson as Detroit's manager in 1979, Wockenfuss saw an increase in playing time. He appeared in 87 games, including 35 games at first base, 20 games at catcher, six games in the outfield, and 14 games as the team's designated hitter. Wockenfuss also hit 15 home runs with 46 runs batted in (RBI).

Wockenfuss continued to be a valuable role-player for Detroit from 1981 to 1983, appearing in 232 games, including 93 as the designated hitter, 58 at catcher, 55 at first base, 12 in the outfield, and two at third base. In 1982, he compiled a career-high .301 batting average. He drew criticism with further public complaints about his low pay ($200,000) and limited playing time and the high salaries being paid to unnamed "clowns" among his teammates. Mike Downey wrote at the time: "Wockenfuss is someone the Tigers count on. Nobody in baseball is a better hit-and-run man." Unfortunately, Downey added that Wockenfuss also had a reputation as "the clubhouse carp," and his indirect criticism of the Tigers' owner was a "cardinal sin." The trade immediately paid dividends for the Tigers as Hernández would win both the American League's Cy Young Award and American League Most Valuable Player that season as Detroit won the World Series.

Wockenfuss played two seasons for the Phillies, appearing in 118 games, 46 at first base, 23 at catcher, and two at third base. In 1984, he compiled a .289 batting average and .390 on-base percentage. In 1985, Wockenfuss dropped by more than 100 points to a .162 batting average in 37 at bats, mostly as a pinch hitter. He later expressed bitterness at how the Phillies treated him in 1985: "They had me there as a bullpen catcher, carrying buckets of balls to the bullpen. They made me feel like a fool. Like a bum." Wockenfuss's salary in his final year with the Phillies was $275,000. He also showed up at the Boston Red Sox training camp, but was turned away. Wockenfuss said at the time that he was still "hungry" and hoped to sign with a major league club before the end of the season. For the 1986 season, Wockenfuss compiled a .269 batting average and .375 on-base percentage with 10 home runs and 80 RBI in 136 games. He took a Lakeland squad that finished 54–79 in 1986 and led them to a 74–61 record in 1987. In 1988, he was promoted to manager of the Tigers' Double-A team in Glen Falls, New York. After leading a turnaround at Glen Falls, Wockenfuss was again promoted, becoming manager of the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 1989. He led Toledo to a 69–76 record in 1989. He was fired as Toledo's manager in late April 1990, after the team started with a 10–14 record.

In 1992, Wockenfuss returned to minor league managing ranks, with the Pittsburgh Pirates' Class-A Salem club in the Virginia League. He was promoted in 1993 to be manager of the Class-AA Carolina Mudcats in the Southern League. Wockenfuss missed portions of the 1993 season after undergoing two back surgeries in April and August to address severe back problems. In January 1994, he announced: "My baseball career is over."

Wockenfuss organized the Tri-State Baseball/Softball Academy in 1994 and worked on that business in 1994 and 1995.

Family and later life Wockenfuss married Pamela Lennon in 1971. They had three children, sons John Bradley and Jeremy James, and daughter Caitlin Tara. They eventually divorced. He married Becky Askins in October 2018, having been introduced to her by his siblings.

Wockenfuss was diagnosed with dementia in November 2018.