Indeed he was. In four consecutive years Klu had 40 or more homeruns and more homeruns than strikeouts. No one else in baseball history has done this more than once or twice (and few have done it at all). After those four years he hurt his back & was never the same again; otherwise, he would have been a certain HOF’er.
Mark in CC
Do you think Major League Baseball would allow him to wear his uniform that way today?
taoistlumberjak
“Alright, Kluszewski. They tell us you’re a hitter – you’re not much of a dresser. We wear caps and sleeves at this level, son! Understood?”
Ted
My Dad named me after this guy, only he also wanted my middle name to be Kluszewski, but Mom vetoed.
Go Klu!
Ted
Mark the Red
If he had been more of a free swinger he probably would have hit a few more homeruns — maybe even into record territory, but at least 50 in a season…
earl
Being an IU grad, I’m a big fan of the Klu even though I never saw him play. Ted Kluszewski is a hall of famer at Indiana for both baseball and football. He is by far the best player to make the bigs in baseball out of I.U. Klu was also the batting coach of the Big Red Machine.
I always remember seeing his picture painted in Assembly Hall going to see basketball games.
Indeed he was. In four consecutive years Klu had 40 or more homeruns and more homeruns than strikeouts. No one else in baseball history has done this more than once or twice (and few have done it at all). After those four years he hurt his back & was never the same again; otherwise, he would have been a certain HOF’er.
Do you think Major League Baseball would allow him to wear his uniform that way today?
“Alright, Kluszewski. They tell us you’re a hitter – you’re not much of a dresser. We wear caps and sleeves at this level, son! Understood?”
My Dad named me after this guy, only he also wanted my middle name to be Kluszewski, but Mom vetoed.
Go Klu!
Ted
If he had been more of a free swinger he probably would have hit a few more homeruns — maybe even into record territory, but at least 50 in a season…
Being an IU grad, I’m a big fan of the Klu even though I never saw him play. Ted Kluszewski is a hall of famer at Indiana for both baseball and football. He is by far the best player to make the bigs in baseball out of I.U. Klu was also the batting coach of the Big Red Machine.
I always remember seeing his picture painted in Assembly Hall going to see basketball games.