Jake Kline

Clarence Jake Kline

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• Born February 18, 1895 in Williamsport, PA USA
• Died October 15, 1989 in South Bend, IN USA

Biographical Information

Jake Kline was the head coach at the University of Notre Dame for 42 seasons from 1934 to 1975. He led the school to the College World Series in 1957. Kline compiled a 558-449-5 record with the Fighting Irish.

"Jake" Kline began his playing career for Notre Dame in 1915 and earned three monograms while hitting .300 each year and captaining the 1917 squad. He still shares the team record with three home runs in a game. Kline returned as the Irish freshman baseball coach in 1931, after spending time in World War I and in various baseball leagues.

In 1934, he became the school's 15th coach ... and the 16th would not be needed for another 42 seasons. Jake retired in 1975 at the age of 81, coaching in more than 1,000 games and winning 558. He was voted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968, and the former Cartier Field was renamed Jake Kline Field in 1975. Kline remained in touch with Irish baseball and was active in many Notre Dame functions until his death in 1989, at age 94.

When the Irish baseball team moved to Eck Stadium in 1994, Kline's name moved as well. The official title of the playing surface is Jake Kline Field at Frank Eck Stadium.

Year-by-Year Coaching Record

Year	School	Overall Record	Conference Record	Notes
1934	University of Notre Dame	8-11
1935	University of Notre Dame	11-7
1936	University of Notre Dame	16-3
1937	University of Notre Dame	11-6
1938	University of Notre Dame	11-6
1939	University of Notre Dame	11-6
1940	University of Notre Dame	9-8
1941	University of Notre Dame	6-10-1
1942	University of Notre Dame	7-4
1943	University of Notre Dame	5-3
1944	University of Notre Dame	11-11
1945	University of Notre Dame	10-8-1
1946	University of Notre Dame	13-6
1947	University of Notre Dame	16-5
1948	University of Notre Dame	11-12
1949	University of Notre Dame	20-8
1950	University of Notre Dame	8-14
1951	University of Notre Dame	11-14
1952	University of Notre Dame	13-12
1953	University of Notre Dame	16-7-1
1954	University of Notre Dame	12-13
1955	University of Notre Dame	9-13
1956	University of Notre Dame	12-14		CWS District Tournaments
1957	University of Notre Dame	16-10		CWS District Tournaments / CWS
1958	University of Notre Dame	20-11		CWS District Tournaments
1959	University of Notre Dame	22-7		CWS District Tournaments
1960	University of Notre Dame	19-7		CWS District Tournaments
1961	University of Notre Dame	12-17
1962	University of Notre Dame	11-6
1963	University of Notre Dame	19-11		CWS District Tournaments
1964	University of Notre Dame	16-12-1
1965	University of Notre Dame	18-17
1966	University of Notre Dame	12-14
1967	University of Notre Dame	17-8-1
1968	University of Notre Dame	13-10
1969	University of Notre Dame	14-10
1970	University of Notre Dame	17-14		CWS District Tournaments
1971	University of Notre Dame	11-21
1972	University of Notre Dame	14-16
1973	University of Notre Dame	15-22
1974	University of Notre Dame	18-21
1975	University of Notre Dame	17-14