Background
A native of Stanley, North Carolina, Abernathy was born on March 6, 1933 to Wade and Genora (McGinnis) Abernathy.
A native of Stanley, North Carolina, Abernathy was born on March 6, 1933 to Wade and Genora (McGinnis) Abernathy.
He graduated from Stanley High School and signed as an amateur free agent with the Senators in 1952.
He batted and threw right-handed. Abernathy appeared in 681 games and picked up 148 saves during a 14–season career between 1955 and 1972, playing for the Washington Senators (1955-1957, 1960), Cleveland Indians (1963-1964), Chicago Cubs (1965-1966, 1969-1970), Atlanta Braves (1966), Cincinnati Reds (1967-1968), Saint Louis Cardinals (1970) and Kansas City Royals (1970-1972). He compiled a 63–69 record with 765 strikeouts and a 3.46 European Research Area in 1147.2 innings.
He changed his pitching motion from an overhead delivery to a three-quarter delivery after tearing two muscles in his shoulder making a throw from the outfield during his freshman year of high school.
After shoulder surgery in 1959 left his career in doubt, he switched from the three-quarter delivery and become an effective sidearmer who developed a submarine pitch. He spent two years in the minor leagues before being called up by the Senators in April 1955.
Throughout most of the 1950s, he split time between the Senators" major league squad and their farm system. During the Korean War he was drafted into the United States. Army, serving with medics, driving an ambulance and repairing vehicles.
He served at Fort McPherson, Georgia.
He was discharged as a corporal in time to join the Senators for 1955 spring training. He made his Major League debut for the Senators at age 22 on April 13, 1955 in 19–1 loss to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. In the fourth inning he relieved Mickey McDermott and struck out Andy Carey before giving up a home run to Mickey Mantle followed by a groundout by Yogi Berra.
In 1965, Abernathy recorded a league-leading 31 saves with the Cubs, along with 104 strikeouts and a 2.57 European Research Area. He had 28 saves, 88 strikeouts, and a 1.27 European Research Area two seasons later with Cincinnati.
He enjoyed playing softball and tinkering with old cars and was active in several organizations including the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners and Major League Baseball"s alumni society. During his later years he suffered from Alzheimer"s disease and lived at the Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Ted Abernathy died at age 71 on December 16, 2004 in Gastonia.