He was known for his strong throwing arm, unorthodox batting stance, and ability to play at multiple positions.

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.

[3][4] One of the best all-around athletes Dickinson High produced, he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

[5] In June 1973, Wockenfuss was traded by the Texas Rangers (successor to the Senators) to the St. Louis Cardinals along with Mike Nagy in exchange for Jim Bibby.

[1] The Cardinals traded Wockenfuss to the Detroit Tigers on December 3, 1973, in exchange for shortstop Lawrence Elliott.

[3] In 1975, Wockenfuss considered quitting baseball and working full-time at the pizzeria he opened with his brother in Christiana, Delaware.

Previously plagued by bitterness and a fierce temper, Wockenfuss later recalled: "I found that it changed my life.

"[11][12] 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.

[13] In 1978, with Milt May and Lance Parrish having locked down the catching duties for the Tigers, Wockenfuss moved to the outfield, starting 49 games in right and left field.

[11] In January 1980, Wockenfuss was voted by the Wilmington Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association as the Delaware Athlete of the Year for 1979.

[14] Wockenfuss' career peaked in 1980 as he appeared in 126 games for the Tigers (52 at first base, 28 as the designated hitter, 25 at catcher, and 23 in the outfield) and compiled a career-high .390 on-base percentage.

[18] 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.

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.

"[19] On March 24, 1984, the Tigers traded Wockenfuss and Glenn Wilson to the Philadelphia Phillies for Willie Hernández and Dave Bergman[20] 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.

[3] In July 1985, Wockenfuss asked to be traded, preferably to an American League team where he could extend his career as a designated hitter.

[21] In the spring of 1986, Wockenfuss showed up at the Tigers' training camp, offered to pay his own way, and begged for another chance to play.

[22] Unable to find any other takers, Wockenfuss signed with the independent, Single-A Miami Marlins in the Florida State League.

"[25] 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.

[27] After leading a turnaround at Glen Falls, Wockenfuss was again promoted, becoming manager of the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 1989.

[32] In March 1996, Wockenfuss returned to organized baseball as manager of the independent Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs.