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Harvey Kuenn
From BR Bullpen
Harvey Edward Kuenn
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
- School University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Debut September 6, 1952
- Final Game October 2, 1966
- Born December 4, 1930 in West Allis, WI USA
- Died February 28, 1988 in Peoria, AZ USA
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
Harvey Kuenn was a regular .300 hitter, starting with his rookie season, coming from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He gradually became considered as one of the American League's elite batsmen with the Detroit Tigers, with whom he was a top-ten hitter six times. During eight of his ten first full seasons as a regular, Kuenn hit over .300.
He hit off his front foot, which reduced his power. A singles and doubles hitter, he possessed tremendous bat control, spraying the ball to all fields. As a great contact hitter, who neither walked nor struck out very much, fielders knew that Kuenn would usually put the ball in play. Though a capable shortstop, but not especially quick or flashy, he was later changed into an outfielder. He also did a few stints at third base. As a rookie, he led the A.L. in at bats, with 679.
In one of baseball's most controversial, daring and historical trades, after the 1959 season, Cleveland Indians General Manager and master trader "Frantic Frankie" Lane traded A.L. home-run champion Rocky Colavito to Detroit for popular Kuenn, who was the reigning batting champion. Indian fans were outraged, since Rocky was their "Bobby-Socks" hero. Later, Kuenn played with distinction for the San Francisco Giants. However, his sterling career was in a slow, gradual decline after leaving Detroit. Only twice more did he hit .300.
After his playing career ended, Kuenn joined the Milwaukee Brewers coaching staff in 1971 and served as the club's interim manager briefly in 1975. He took over full-time as the Brewers' skipper in 1982, replacing [Buck Rodgers]], and led a team known as "Harvey's Wallbangers" for its hitting prowess to the World Series. Sadly, he had a leg amputated and died young.
Kuenn was also known for his large chaw of chewing tobacco which always graced one cheek, as well as a very slow, deliberate walk to the pitcher's mound when calling in a relief pitcher. His son Harvey Kuenn, Jr. played briefly in the minors then became a scout.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1953 AL Rookie of the Year Award
- 8-time AL All-Star (1953-1960)
- AL Batting Average Leader (1959)
- 2-time AL At Bats Leader (1953 & 1954)
- 4-time AL Hits Leader (1953, 1954, 1956 & 1959)
- AL Singles Leader (1953)
- 3-time AL Doubles Leader (1955, 1958 & 1959)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1955)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 2 (1953 & 1954)
- Division Titles: 1 (1982)
- AL Pennants: 1 (1982)
| AL Rookie of the Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1953 | 1954 |
| Harry Byrd | Harvey Kuenn | Bob Grim |
| Preceded by Del Crandall |
Milwaukee Brewers Manager 1975 |
Succeeded by Alex Grammas |
| Preceded by Buck Rodgers |
Milwaukee Brewers Manager 1982-1983 |
Succeeded by Rene Lachemann |
[edit] Year-By-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Milwaukee Brewers | American League | 1-0 | 5th | Milwaukee Brewers | replaced Del Crandall (68-93) on September 28 | |
| 1982 | Milwaukee Brewers | American League | 72-43 | 1st | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost World Series | replaced Buck Rodgers (23-24) on June 2 |
| 1983 | Milwaukee Brewers | American League | 87-75 | 5th | Milwaukee Brewers |
[edit] Further Reading
- Harvey Kuenn (as told to George Vass): "The Game I'll Never Forget," Baseball Digest (July 1971), pp. 62-64
