Baseball Historian - Part of the Sports Historian Network

American Heroes
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 (Index)

Ted Kluszewski
Left-Handed First Baseman; Cincinnati Reds 1947-1957; Pittsburgh Pirates 1958; Chicago White Sox 1959- 1960; Los Angeles Angels 1961.

A highly popular baseball player, Ted 'Big Klu' Kluszewski was a powerful, slugging first baseman. He was a symbol of raw strength and probably was one of the strongest men ever to play in the major leagues. Big Klu's arm were so huge that he cut of the sleeves of his uniform because they were restricting his ability to swing the bat.

In 1950, Kluszewski hit 25 homers, drove in 111 runs and hit .307 for the Cincinnati Reds. He seemed to get bigger and stronger the longer he played. In 1953, he hit 40 home runs, had 108 RBI's, scored 97 runs and batted .316 and even with all this power, Klu struck out only 34 times.

In 1954, Ted Kluszewski led the National League with 49 home runs, 141 RBIs, .326 BA; and only struckout a total of 35 times. Again in 1955, Kluszewski powered 47 HR's, scored 116 runs, had 113 RBIs, and batted .314.

Ted Kluszewski was still the Reds' strong boy and in 1956, he hit 35 HRs with 102 RBIs. His trade by the Reds to the Pittsburgh Pirates was met with boo's from his many loyal Red's fans.

Playing for the White Sox, fans cheered for Big Klu in the 1959 World Series against the Dodgers, as Kluszewski hit two homers in the first game and ended with 10 RBI's for the whole series. The Dodgers won the series 4 games to 2.

Ted Kluszewski had a .298 career batting average with 290 doubles and 279 home runs. Ted Kluszewski was a popular ball player during this era and even opposing fans cheered him on. baseballhistorian.com archives All Rights Reserved 'Big Klu'

Preacher Roe
Pitcher, Throws Left, Bat Right; Pittsburgh Pirates 1944-1947; Brooklyn Dodgers 1948-1954; Born 2/26/1915; Ash Flat, Arkansas

Preacher Roe attended and pitched for Harding College in Arkansas and averaged 18 strikeouts per/game. He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched in the minor leagues from 1939-1943.

Roe was waved to Pittsburgh in 1944 and was the Pirates' Opening Day pitcher. He threw a two-hitter but lost 2-0. He led the NL with 148 strikeouts in 1945.

Traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, he became one of the most successful pitchers in the league. Preacher Roe was known as the southpaw philosopher, relied on his intelligence, and his admitted spitball.

From 1949-1953, Roe was 15-6, 19-11, 22-3, 11-2, 11-3. His 22-3 record, .880 pct in 1951 is the best winning percentage in National League's history. Preacher Roe pitched in two Dodgers World Series.

Edwin 'Preacher' Roe left baseball at the end of the 1954 season, owned and operated, 'Preacher Roe's Supermarket' in West Plains, Missouri. Preacher Roe career: 127-84, .602 pct, ERA 3.43, 17 shutouts in 333 games, 956 K's in 1914 innings. baseballhistorian.com archives

Del Crandall
Catcher Right-handed; Boston Braves 1949-1950; Milwaukee Braves 1953-1963; San Francisco Giants 1964; Pittsburgh Pirates 1965; Cleveland Indians 1966

Del Crandall was called up from the minors by the Boston Braves in June of 1949 and quickly proved one of the best catching finds in years. He appeared in 67 games, batted .268 and worked like a veteran receiver.

Del Crandall attended Fullerton High School in California and was signed by the Boston Braves. When the team moved to Milwaukee, he helped turn the Braves into a National League powerhouse during the 1950s. He was picked for the NL's All-Star squad seven times and won Gold Gloves in 1958-1960. He averaged almost 20 home runs a year from 1953-1960 and finished with 179 lifetime HR's.

Del Crandall won recognition as one of baseball's top catchers and was a team leader in the Milwaukee Braves' World Championship team in 1957 and in 1958 when the Braves won their second straight pennant. Crandall was traded to the Giants in 1964 and later played one season for the Pirates and one for the Indians. Del Crandall career: .254 BA, 1276 hits, 179 D's, 18 T's, 179 HR's along with 657 RBI's. baseballhistorian.com archives

Carl Furillo
Rightfielder, OF, Right-handed; Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers 1946-1960 Born: 3/18/1922, Stony Creek Mills, PA

One of the Brooklyn Dodgers 'Boys of Summer', Carl Furillo was an outstanding fielding right-fielder with an accurate, powerful throwing arm. His batting during the Dodgers pennant drives in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s was an important factor in their winning six pennants.

Carl Furillo led the National League in batting in 1953, hitting .344. A consistent hitter with a lifetime .299 average, he hit over .290 in 11 different years and over .300 five times.

Defensively, Carl Furillo was one of the all-time best, he led the league in assists in 1950-1951 and there-after base runners stopped testing his rapid throwing arm.

Carl Furillo career stats: .299 BA, 1806 games, 1910 hits, 324 D's, 56 T's, 192 HR's, 1058 RBI's and fanned only 436 times in 6378 at bats. baseballhistorian.com archives - Baseball Players

Hoyt Wilhelm
Relief Pitcher, Right-handed, N.Y. Giants 1952-56, Cardinals 1957, Indians 1957-58, Orioles 1958-62, White Sox 1963-68, Angels 1969, Braves 1969-71, Dodgers 1972

Hoyt Hilhelm was the first relief pitcher to be elected to the 'Hall of Fame'. He joined the New York Giants as a 28 year-old reliever in 1952, and was 15-3 with 11 saves and he became the first rookie ever to lead the National League in winning pct-.833 and ERA 2.42. Wilhelm pitched his famous knuckle ball for over 20 seasons, retiring at the age of 48.

Playing for the Baltimore Orioles in 1959, he was moved back into the starting rotation and won his first nine starts, and finished the year at 15-11. Yet, Wilhelm led the American League with a 2.19 ERA, becoming the first pitcher ever to lead both leagues in ERA, quite a feat.

He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in time for the 1963 season and was moved back into the bull-pen. In 1964 he was 12-9, saved 27 games and recorded a low 1.99 ERA. In 1965, at the age of 42, Hoyt Wilhelm hurled 144 innings and picked up 20 saves. Pitching for the Atlanta Braves at age 46, Wilhelm helped them win the NL-West Title. He finished his career with 1,070 game appearances, a all-time major league record.

Hoyt Wilhelm's career: 143-122, a low ERA of 2.52, 227 saves, 1,610 K's in 2254 innings and he walked only 778 batters. As a fact- Hoyt Wilhelm picked up 2 big saves for the New York Giants in the 1954 World Series as the Giants swept the powerful Cleveland Indians in four games; and he was still pitching strong at the age of 48 in 1972; and that's a long time. baseballhistorian.com

Al Smith
Outfielder, 3B Right-haded; Cleveland Indians 1953-57, 1964; Chicago White Sox 1958-1962; Baltimore Orioles 1963 Born Kirkwood, Missouri

As a high school star in St. Louis, Al Smith scored ten touchdowns in one game and was a Golden Gloves' boxing champion.

In 1955, for the Cleveland Indians Al Smith led the AL with 123 runs scored, batted .306, 27 doubles and hit 23 home runs. His patience at the plate showed with 93 walks, only 77 Ks, and a .411 on-base-pct.

An excellent fielding baseball player, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1958 and helped the club win the AL pennant in 1959. His best year with the ChiSox was 1961, when he lined 29 doubles, 28 home runs, 93 RBIs and hit .278. Al Smith's career: .272 BA, 1458 hits, 258 Ds, 46 Ts, 164 HRs, 848 Runs, 676 RBIs in 1517 games.

1991 Memories... Player Profiles

1991 Player Profiles

It's always fun to look back in the not too distant past and try to recall veterans and rookies...

Well, here's our list from our manager's old notebook - written during the winter of 1991.

Complied by staff@baseballhistorian.com

=========================================

1991 Players Bios:

Howard Johnson, New York Mets Third Baseman/SS - a genuine power hitter... played with Detroit Tigers in first three big-league seasons 1982-84... was traded to Mets in '85

Became one of baseball top home run sluggers in 1987... Howard Johnson crashed 36 home runs, 99 RBIs, hit .265 in '87... then 24Hr, 68 RBIs, .230 BA in '88...41Ds, 36Hr, 101 RBIs, .287 in '89... 37Ds, 23Hr, 90 RBIs, .244 in '90 and led the NL in 1991 in both homers (38) and RBIs (117)... is fast becoming one of baseball most popular sluggers.

=======================================

Bob Milacki, Baltimore Orioles Pitcher RH - in his first full season, 1989, he led the AL in Games Started with 36, and posted a 14-12 record, 3.74 ERA, 113Ks in 243 innings.

Bob Milacki was 5-8 in 24 starts, 135 1/3 innings in '90... complied a 10-9 record in 1991, 4.01 ERA in 26 starts, 184 innings.

========================================

Kenny Rogers, Texas Rangers Relief Pitcher LH - has excellent control with a nice humming fastball... spent seven years in the minors before making the Rangers team in '89, and went 3-4, 2.93 ERA in 73 games... In '90 went 10-6 in 69 games, pickup 15 saves and started 3.

In 1991, Kenny Rogers was used as a spot starter and long reliever... started 9 games, was 10-10 in 63 games, a 5.42 ERA, 73 KS, 61Ws in 109 2/3 innings... future looks promising.

======================================

Gene Larkin, Minnesota Twins Outfielder/1B, Bats Both, T RH - joined Twins in '87 and hit .266 in 85 games. A line drive hitter with power, he lined over 30 extra base hits three straight years '88-'90, including two homers in one game on 5/26/90.

Has been nagged by injuries in his career and was on DL for 2 weeks with pulled muscle in his groin in 1991... Gene Larkin carries a .270 lifetime batting average, with 497 hits in 1840 at-bats, including 106 doubles, 25 home runs.

======================================

Larry Walker, Montreal Expos Outfielder, Bats LH, T RH - Broke into pro ball with Utica in '85 and debuted with the Expos in '89, playing 20 games.

In 1990, his rookie season, Larry Walker hit .241, 18Ds, 19Hr, 51 RBIs, stole 21 bases in 133 games. His batting average improved to .290 in 1991, including 30 doubles, 16 yard shots in 487 at-bats... looks like he could be a major star in the near future.

=====================================

Craig Grebeck, Chicago White Sox 3B/2B, RH - started in pro ball by hitting .280, including 22 doubles with Pennsula in '87... moved up the minor league chain with Birmingham before being brought up by the White Sox in 1990... scouts rate 4-Stars, a team player with great desire.

Craig Grebeck hit .281, 16 Ds, 3Ts, 6Hr in 107 games in 1991 and hit a grand slam homer on Sept 15th.

======================================

Bruce Ruffin, Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher LH, Bats RH - created headline news in his rookie year (1986) with the Phillies... his earned run average of 2.16 at home was the best in the NL and, he yielded just one homer per/every 29.3 innings after the All-Star break - the best in the majors... finishing rookie year at 9-4, 2.46 ERA, and completed 6-of-21 starts.

In 1990, Bruce Ruffin had the honor of being the Phillies' Opening Day pitcher, however he season record fell off to 6-13 in 149 innings and his ERA vaulted to 5.38... In 1991, he completed just 1-of-15 starts and was used half the time out-of-the-bullpen, going 4-7, 3.78 ERA in 119 innings.

=====================================

Tracy Jones, Seattle Mariners Outfielder RH - a contact hitter who rarely strikes out, he was No. 1 pick of Reds in Jan '83 draft... played three years in Cincinnati, one in Montreal ('88), one with San Francisco, two with Detroit before being acquired by Seattle in 1990.

Tracy Jones carries a solid .273 lifetime batting mark and has fanned just 140 times in 1303 at-bats, 493 games. In 1991, he batted .251, 11 extra base hits in 79 games.

======================================

Doug Dascenzo, Chicago Cub Outfielder, Switch-Hitter T LH - attended Oklahoma State where he played in the NCAA WS in 1984 and 1985... broke in with the Cubs in 1988 and hit .213 in 75 at-bats.

Doug Dascenzo had a solid first full year in the majors with the Cubs in '90, hitting .253, 9 doubles, and committed no errors in 107 games in the outfield for the highest number of errorless games of any NL outfielder that year... Rates 5-Stars for relentless hustling/never give up attitude... hit .255, 11Ds in 118 games in 1991.

=======================================

Andy Van Slyke, Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder, Bats LH, T RH - an outstanding all-around athletic he broke in with the Cardinals in '83, and, in his first four seasons in St. Louis hit .262, .244, .259 and .270... has 5-Star speed - stole over 20 bases every year with the Cards (high of 34 in '85).

Andy Van Slyke was traded to the Pirates on April 1, 1987 and had a heck-of-a-year - .293 BA, 36Ds, 11Ts, 21Hr. And, he improved in '88, blasting 23Ds, his 15 triples led the NL and he whacked 25 yard/shots, score 101 runs, and drove in an even 100 runs. In 1991, the 9-year major league veteran hit .265, with 24 doubles, 17 home runs, 83 RBIs.

========================================

Rob Mallicoat, Houston Astros Pitcher, LH - broke into pro ball with Auburn and Asheville in 1984... Scouts rate fastball - 5+Stars, near 100mph... in '85 with Osceola struck out 158 in just 178 2/3 innings, winning 16 and losing 6 with a mere 1.36 ERA.

In 1987, pitched four games in relief, but gave up 5 runs in 6.7 innings... missed all of '88 and '89... In 1991, the 6ft, 3inch reliever yielded 10 runs, 18Ks in 23.3 innings, 24 games, 3.86 ERA... Astro management has high hopes... tab for future.

=====================================

Rex Hudler, St. Louis Cardinals 2B/OF RH - played in 29 games spanning 2 years with Yankees (1984-85) before being traded to the Orioles where he played 14 games in '86 and then spent the next year on the disabled list.

Played for Montreal Expos in 1988 and hit a solid .273, 14 doubles, 4 homers in 77 games, 216 at-bats... was traded to Cardinals in April 1990 and batted .281. In 1991, Rex Hudler hit .227, lined 10 doubles in 101 games.

======================================

Juan Agosto, St. Louis Cardinals Relief Pitcher LH - pitched for the Chicago White Sox in his first 5+seasons, 1981-86, and generally used as set-up man from bullpen... born in Puerto Rico...

Juan Agosto was traded to Twins in early-'86, then went to Astros in '87... in 1988, he rang up a streak of 10 straight wins while going 10-2, 2.26 ERA in 75 games... in '90 led NL in appearances with 82, saved 4 games, 4.29 ERA... signed as a free agent with the Cards in '91, posted a 5-3 mark in 72 relief appearances.

====================================

Jim Clancy, Atlanta Braves Pitcher RH - a workhorse on the Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff for 11 seasons ('77-'88)... he hurled 251 innings in '80 going 13-16, 3.30 ERA and led the league in walks with 128... a crafty pitcher, the good guy has hurled over 190 innings in seven different years. From '86-'88, posted 14-14 record, 15-11 and 11-13.

Born: Chicago on 12/18/55... the 6ft, 4inch, 220-pound Jim Clancy has completed 74-of-381 career starts, hurled over 2,500 innings... moved to the bullpen for Houston in early-'90 before being signed by Braves in mid-90... In 1991, was 3-2 in 24 relief appearances.

===================================

Duane Ward, Toronto Blue Jays Relief Pitcher RH - born Park View, New Mexico... pitched fist season with Atlanta as a 22-year old... acquired by Toronto in late-'86... fires a blazing fastball and is rated one of the AL best closers. With Blue Jays from '88 thru '91 has collected 64 saves.

Duane Ward struck out 132 batters in just 107 21/3 innings In 1991, was 7-6, 23 saves 2.77 ERA... has helped Toronto Win two AL East Divisional Crowns already - 1989 and 1991.

===================================

Bob Zupcic, Boston Red Sox Outfielder, RH - drafted No. 2 by Red Sox back in '87... hit .303 with Elmira in '87... busted out for a outstanding year ('88) with Lynchburg - hit .297, belted 33 doubles, 5Ts, 13 home runs, 97 RBIs... scouts rate good speed, fine defense, power-bat.

1991, his first season in the majors with Red Sox, Bob Zupic played 18 games, collected 4 hits in 25 at-bats, hit a homer, 3 RBIs...

===================================

Go to Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 (Index)