Harvey Kuenn - Later Playing Career

Later Playing Career

After winning the American League batting crown in 1959 with a .353 average, Kuenn was traded to Cleveland for Rocky Colavito, who had won the home run title with 42 homers (the trade that is often referred to by Cleveland fans as "the curse of Rocky Colavito"). With the Indians, Kuenn hit .308 in the 1960 season. He finished his career in the National League playing for the Giants, Cubs and Phillies, retiring at the end of the 1966 season.

In a 15-season playing career, Kuenn was a .303 hitter with 87 home runs and 671 RBI in 1833 games. He led the AL in hits and doubles four times each, and finished with 2,092 hits.

Kuenn had the dubious distinction of making the final out in two of Sandy Koufax's four no-hitters—in 1963 and 1965. In the former, the final out was on a ground ball back to Koufax. In the latter, he struck out for the final out in Koufax's perfect game, the last no-hitter pitched against the Chicago Cubs to date.

Kuenn was activated by the Brewers for the last two weeks of 1971, in order for him to qualify for a pension. He never appeared in a game, however.

Read more about this topic:  Harvey Kuenn

Famous quotes containing the words playing and/or career:

    I’m fed up! Fed up playing Greek chorus to your rehearsed nightmare!
    Samuel Fuller (b. 1911)

    I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams, and my principal object was to render his administration all the assistance in my power. I flattered myself with the hope of accompanying him through [his] voyage, and of partaking in a trifling degree, of the glory of the enterprise; but he suddenly tacked about, and I could follow him no longer. I therefore waited for the first opportunity to haul down my sails.
    William Cobbett (1762–1835)