Joe Kracher
From BR Bullpen
Joseph Peter Kracher (Jug)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut September 17, 1939
- Final Game September 30, 1939
- Born November 4, 1915 in Philadelphia, PA USA
- Died December 24, 1981 in San Angelo, TX USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Joe Kracher caught 15 seasons (1936 to 1953), one in the Major Leagues and 15 in the minors, losing three years to the Military. He served in the U.S. Army for World War II (GB). After the war he mostly played in Texas.
He had a cup of coffee for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939, posting an OBP of .429.
He played for the minor league Baltimore Orioles in 1940-41.
Kracher managed the Kilgore Drillers in 1947 and 1948, and also led the league with a .433 average in 1948. In 1950 and 1951 he managed at Tyler. His .433 hitting average was the highest in all organized baseball that year and for this achievement he was presented with the LOUISVILLE SLUGGER AWARD by the company that manufactured bats known by the same name.
He died at age 66 and is buried at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, TX.
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Texarkana Bears | East Texas League | 2nd | Chicago White Sox | Lost League Finals | replaced Gabby Lusk | |
| 1947 | Kilgore Drillers | Lone Star League | 78-60 | 1st | none | League Champs | |
| 1948 | Kilgore Drillers | Lone Star League | 94-44 | 1st | none | League Champs | |
| 1949 | Kilgore Drillers | East Texas League | 75-65 | 4th | none | Lost League Finals | |
| 1950 | Hammond Berries | Evangeline League | -- | none | -- | replaced by Joe Powers July 28 | |
| Tyler Trojans | East Texas League | 5th | none | replaced Stan Goletz July 31 | |||
| 1951 | Tyler East Texans | Big State League | -- | none | -- | replaced Harold Epps/replaced by Gale Pringle | |
| 1952 | Lake Charles Lakers | Gulf Coast League | 7th | none | replaced Sid Gautreaux June 2 |
