His baseball career began in 1946, after he had served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific theatre of World War II.

In 1953, he led the Dodger staff with nine saves, two more than Brooklyn relief ace Clem Labine, and in appearances (48).

For his MLB career, he compiled a 15–13 record and 39 saves in 172 appearances, with a 3.83 earned run average and 165 strikeouts.

In Game 1, facing the New York Yankees, he relieved embattled starting pitcher Carl Erskine in the second inning with the Bombers already leading 4–0.

He departed for a pinch hitter, George Shuba, who clubbed a two-run homer to bring Brooklyn within a run of the Yankees, at 5–4.