A first baseman, his four-season (1942–1943; 1946–1947) professional career was interrupted by service in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

He was born in Hammond, Indiana, but attended Manual High School in Denver, Colorado, and college at the University of Southern California.

In his first game, June 7 at Shibe Park, he relieved Dick Siebert at first base for the Athletics, but was held hitless in two at bats by Bob Muncrief of the St. Louis Browns.

Then he split the 1946 season between Philadelphia and the Triple-A Toronto Maple Leafs and San Diego Padres.

In 38 games for the 1946 A's, 20 as the starting first baseman, he collected 22 hits, including four doubles and a triple.