Chuck Klein

Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980 Biography Chuck Klein was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 7, 1904. His nickname during his playing days was "The Hoosier Hammer." He played Major League Baseball from 1928 to 1944 for three teams: the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although a great majority of his career games played came with the Phillies. His 1930 season was among the best offensive seasons ever seen in MLB history. (See stats below). During that 1930 season, Klein registered the 3rd highest extra-base-hits total for a MLB single season (107). His 445 total bases stands as the fourth highest single-season total in MLB history. And his 250 base-hits that year rank as the sixth highest total in MLB history. In 1932, Klein won the National League MVP Award with a .348 batting average, 226 hits, 152 runs scored, 38 round-trippers, and 137 RBI. In 1933, Klein won the National League Triple Crown with 28 homers, 120 RBI, and a .368 batting average. He failed to win that year's MVP Award, however, as Carl Hubbell took home that prize. Transaction History 7/28/1928: Traded from the Fort Wayne Club to the Philadelphia Phillies for Harvey MacDonald 11/21/1933: Traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago Cubs for Ted Kleinhans, Mark Koenig, Harvey Hendrick, and $65,000. 5/21/1936: Traded from the Chicago Cubs (with Fabian Kowalik) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ethan Allen and Curt Davis. June, 1939: Released by the Philadelphia Phillies. 6/7/1939: Signed as a free-agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates. March, 1940: Released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 3/26/1940: Signed as a free-agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. 1/12/1942: Released by the Philadelphia Phillies. 8/7/1942: Signed as a free-agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. 6/12/1944: Released by the Philadelphia Phillies. Facts One of 15 MLB players ever to hit 4 home runs in a single game: (July 10, 1936). Others to achieve the feat: Bobby Lowe, Ed Delahanty, Lou Gehrig, Pat Seerey, Gil Hodges, Joe Adcock, Rocky Colavito, Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt, Bob Horner, Mark Whiten, Mike Cameron, Shawn Green, Carlos Delgado. One of only 25 MLB players to hit for the Cycle twice in his career: (July 1, 1931 and May 26, 1933). Others to achieve the feat: John Reilly, Dave Orr, Tip O'Neill, Pete Browning, Jimmy Ryan, Fred Clarke, George Sisler, Bob Muesel, Babe Herman, Mickey Cochrane, Lou Gehrig, Arky Vaughan, Joe Cronin, Bobby Doerr, Joe DiMaggio, Wally Westlake, Ken Boyer, Jim Fregosi, Cesar Cedeno, Bob Watson, Frank White, Chris Speier, George Brett, John Olerud, Brad Wilkerson. One of only 13 MLB players to win the Batting Triple Crown: (1933). Others to achieve the feat: Paul Hines, Hugh Duffy, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Medwick, Nap Lajoie, Ty Cobb, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Carl Yastrzemski. One of only 3 MLB players (and the last MLB player) to lead his league in both home runs and stolen bases: (1932). Others to achieve the feat: Jimmy Sheckard, and Ty Cobb. His 1929 - 1933 stretch was one of the best 5-year runs by a batter in MLB history. Click here for more. Chuck Klein's All-time Philadelphia Phillies ranks: Hits 6th - 1705 Runs 4th - 963 Home Runs 3rd - 243 RBI 4th - 983 Total Bases 4th - 2898 Doubles 5th - 336 Average 5th - .326 Statistics <stats> Player=Chuck Klein Type=Batting </stats> References Related Articles

Template:Hall of Fame Voting Chuck Klein MLB Debut: July 30, 1928 Final Game: June 11, 1944 Years in League: 17 Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates Uniform Number: #1 Career Highlights All-Star Games: 1933, 1934 NL MVP: 1932 NL Triple Crown: 1933 Batted: Left Threw: Right College: Date of Birth: October 7, 1904 Place of Birth: Indianapolis, IN Date of Death: March 28, 1958 Place of Death: Indianapolis, IN