Al Worthington, longtime MLB pitcher from Birmingham, dead at 97; spoke out against sign-stealing

Al Worthington, a proud Birmingham native and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inductee who carved out a notable 14-season career in Major League Baseball, has passed away at the age of 97.

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame confirmed the news of his death. Born Feb. 5, 1929, Worthington was the fourth oldest living former MLB player at the time of his passing. He remained one of the final links to the New York Giants era, having played for the club before their move to San Francisco in 1958.

A Storied Career on the Mound

A graduate of Phillips High School in Birmingham, Worthington refined his skills at the University of Alabama before launching his professional career in 1951. His transition to the big leagues was historic; by 1953, he was pitching at the legendary Polo Grounds and set a major-league record by tossing shutouts in his first two career starts.

Reflecting on his debut to the Birmingham News in 2011, Worthington remembered the awe of the Polo Grounds. "When I walked in that ballpark, it was so beautiful, I couldn’t believe it," he said. "I had never pitched in a stadium with double decks. Even to this day, it’s one of the biggest thrills I ever had."

Throughout his 14-year run, Worthington suited up for five clubs, including sharing the field with teammate Willie Mays. He eventually found his home in the bullpen with the Minnesota Twins. During their 1965 World Series campaign, he posted a stellar 2.13 ERA and secured 21 saves. Though saves were not an official stat until 1969, he is retroactively credited with 111 throughout his career.

A Stand Against Cheating

While his arm was his greatest tool, Worthington’s legacy is equally defined by his unwavering integrity. A devout Christian, he famously refused to participate in organizational sign-stealing on two separate occasions.

In 1959, he discovered a Giants staffer was using binoculars to relay opposing signals. He challenged manager Bill Rigney, later telling the Saturday Evening Post in 1964, "How could I go on saying those things if I was winning games because my team was cheating?" The stance ultimately led to his trade to the Red Sox.

The following year, he faced a similar moral dilemma with the White Sox, who were using scoreboard lights to relay signals. When management ignored his complaints, Worthington walked away from the team voluntarily with a month left in the season.

"I heard one of the guys say, if he didn’t have a family, that would make a difference," Worthington told 205focus.com in 2020. "But he’s got children to feed, so he’s got to stay with his job. That didn’t enter my mind. It didn’t make a difference with me."

Legacy Beyond the Majors

After retiring from professional play in 1969 with 75 wins, Worthington turned his attention to molding the next generation. He spent 13 years leading the program at Liberty Baptist College—now Liberty University—winning 343 games and coaching future MLB talents like Sid Bream. The school honored his impact in 2019 by naming its stadium Worthington Field.

In his later years, Worthington retired to Shelby County, where he remained a beloved figure, occasionally assisting at Briarwood Christian School and maintaining a heartfelt connection with fans through letters.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Shirley. He leaves behind a legacy of five children, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. "I have to give God all the credit," Worthington said in 2020. "He’s the one who’s blessed me all these years. Ever since I’ve been saved, it’s been a great life."

With his passing, the fraternity of the oldest living former MLB players narrows further. Only 101-year-old Bill Greason, 100-year-old Bobby Shantz, and 97-year-old Bob Ross remain as his elder contemporaries.