Ken Guettler
From BR Bullpen
Kenneth Adam Guettler
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Born May 29, 1927
- Died December 25, 1977 in Jacksonville, FL USA
An outfielder, Guettler put up some impressive seasons in the minors. In 1952, playing for Portsmouth, he won a Triple Crown in the class B Piedmont League. Guettler hit .334 with 28 homers (the only player to top 20) and drove in 104. He also led the circuit with 112 walks and tied for the lead with 22 outfield assists.
In 1956, Guettler set the Texas League home run record when he smacked 62 for the Shreveport Sports, also the record for second-tier leagues. At one point that year, Guettler had his glasses stolen from his locker; Guettler's eyesight was very poor and he wore thick specs.
Overall, Guettler hit 330 homers in 15 seasons, but only hit 12 more in 3 years after his great '56 campaign. In addition to the aforementioned '52 and '56 seasons, he led the following leagues in homers: 1945 Appalachian League (13, the only player in double digits), 1947 Georgia-Alabama League (25), 1948 Southeastern League (24), 1951 Piedmont League (30, the only player with 20+), 1953 Piedmont League (30) and 1955 Piedmont League (41, the only player over 30). His 8 minor league home run crowns is the all-time record, tied with Bunny Brief.
- 1956 MVP Texas League Shreveport Sports
