John Herrnstein

Philadelphia Phillies, University of Michigan football and baseball player

What is John Herrnstein known for?

John Ellett Herrnstein, born March 31, 1938 in Hampton, Virginia, was an American baseball player who left a significant footprint in the world of sports before his death on October 3, 2017. Herrnstein was also a celebrated football player, a talent that ran in his family, with his father and grandfather having previously played for Michigan Wolverines football teams.

John Herrnstein was a graduate of Chillicothe High School, OH, and then he attended the University of Michigan where he excelled in both baseball and football from 1956 to 1959. As a college athlete, he played fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. In his sophomore year, Herrnstein turned heads by rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown against Army and then scored three impressive touchdowns against Northwestern. His performance earned him the position of starting fullback on the 1956 Michigan Wolverines football team, which finished the season with a 7–2 record and a #7 ranking in both Associated Press and United Press International polls. These feats made him one of the key contributors to Michigan's leading scorer in 1956.

In the 1958 season, Herrnstein surged again, rushing for a career-high of 144 yards and scored two touchdowns against the USC Trojans. This, however, was before an injury set him back, and he had to halt his football career. Despite this setback in football, Herrnstein left a formidable legacy at the University of Michigan that is remembered to this day.

Post his football career, Herrnstein graced the baseball field with his talent, playing for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team in 1957 and 1958. His coach, Ray Fisher, even compared him favorably to Dick Wakefield, a notable player from the early 1940s.

Herrnstein's professional baseball career took off after college, and he found great success throughout his time in Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut on September 15, 1962, for the Philadelphia Phillies. Over his career, he played for the Phillies from 1962 to 1966, the Chicago Cubs in 1966, and the Atlanta Braves in 1966. Herrnstein's batting average was .220, and he achieved eight home runs and thirty-four runs batted in during his professional baseball career.

Even after hanging up his uniform, the legacy of John Herrnstein is still celebrated among sports enthusiasts, especially in Chillicothe, OH, and at the University of Michigan.