Jack Kramer (baseball)
Encyclopedia
John Henry Kramer was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played with four different teams between 1939
and 1951
. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Kramer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
.
Kramer pitched 16 seasons from 1936 to 1959, twelve in the major leagues and six in the minors. He entered the majors in 1939 with the St. Louis Browns
, playing for them three years before joining the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II
. Following his service discharge, he rejoined the Browns in the 1943 midseason and later was demoted to the Toledo Mud Hens
of the American Association
. On September 11, he pitched a 5–0 no-hitter
against the Louisville Colonels
. He struggled with his control in his first four years (201 walks
in 345.0 IP
), but received a fifth chance in part to the WWII player shortage. He responded with a heroic effort that culminated in the Browns only World Series
appearance.
In 1944, Kramer led the Browns to their 8th straight Opening Day victory‚ beating Dizzy Trout
and Detroit
‚ 2–1, at Tiger Stadium. A week later, he extended the Browns season-opening winning streak to six games defeating the White Sox
, 5–2, aiding his cause with a two-run home run
. In his next start, he pitches the Browns to their American League
record 9th straight win to start the season with a 3–1 victory over the Indians
, which gave his team a solid 3½ game lead in the AL standings. Kramer finished with a 17-13 record and a 2.49 ERA
, including a brilliant one-hitter shutout
over the White Sox in September that gave St. Louis a half game lead in front of the Yankees
. The Browns finished with a 89-65 record and faced the Cardinals
in the historic All-St.Louis World Series
. Kramer added a complete game victory in Game Three, allowing just two unearned runs on seven hits and 10 strikeouts. This would be the last time the hapless Browns won a post-season game.
From 1945 to 1947, Kramer averaged 11 wins per season and made the American League All-Star team three times. In the 1946 Game he tossed three no-hit, shutout innings to earn a save
. In addition, he went one-for-one and scored a run. In November 1947, he was sent along Vern Stephens
to the Boston Red Sox
in exchange for Pete Laydon, Joe Ostrowski
, Roy Partee
, Eddie Pellagrini
, Al Widmar
, Jim Wilson
and cash.
In 1948, Kramer went 18-5 for Boston, including an 12 winning streak from June 3 to August 10 and five victories over the Yankees. His .783 Won-Loss % led the American League pitchers. He faded to 6-8 in 1949 and was sold the New York Giants
for $25‚000. Eventually, Kramer will charge the Red Sox with railroading him out of the league because of his differences with manager
Joe McCarthy. He went 1-3 for the Giants (1950–51) and 1-3 with the Yankees (1951). Although he pitched with both pennant-winners in 1951, he did not last to the World Series with either.
In a 12-season career, Kramer posted a 95-103 record with 613 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 322 appearances, including 215 starts
, 88 complete game
s, 14 shutouts, seven saves and 1637⅓ innings of work. He also helped himself with the bat, hitting .144 (72-for-501) with five home runs and 39 RBI
.
Kramer died in Metairie, Louisiana
at age 77.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played with four different teams between 1939
1939 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:*On May 17, 1939, Princeton University and Columbia University played the first televised baseball game. On August 26, the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers played the first televised Major League Baseball game...
and 1951
1951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Kramer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
Kramer pitched 16 seasons from 1936 to 1959, twelve in the major leagues and six in the minors. He entered the majors in 1939 with the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, playing for them three years before joining the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Following his service discharge, he rejoined the Browns in the 1943 midseason and later was demoted to the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. On September 11, he pitched a 5–0 no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels (minor league baseball team)
The Louisville Colonels was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 20th century. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels.-Twentieth century minor league teams:...
. He struggled with his control in his first four years (201 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
in 345.0 IP
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
), but received a fifth chance in part to the WWII player shortage. He responded with a heroic effort that culminated in the Browns only World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
appearance.
In 1944, Kramer led the Browns to their 8th straight Opening Day victory‚ beating Dizzy Trout
Dizzy Trout
Paul Howard "Dizzy" Trout was a Major League Baseball pitcher primarily for the Detroit Tigers. Born in Sandcut, Indiana, he first played professionally in 1935 with the Terre Haute Tots in the Three-I League before signing with Detroit in 1939.Trout played for the Tigers for fourteen seasons,...
and Detroit
1944 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 88-66, just one game behind the first place St...
‚ 2–1, at Tiger Stadium. A week later, he extended the Browns season-opening winning streak to six games defeating the White Sox
1944 Chicago White Sox season
The 1944 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 44th season in the major leagues, and their 45th season overall. They finished with a record 71-83, good enough for 7th place in the American League, 18 games behind the first place St...
, 5–2, aiding his cause with a two-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. In his next start, he pitches the Browns to their American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
record 9th straight win to start the season with a 3–1 victory over the Indians
1944 Cleveland Indians season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, which gave his team a solid 3½ game lead in the AL standings. Kramer finished with a 17-13 record and a 2.49 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, including a brilliant one-hitter shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
over the White Sox in September that gave St. Louis a half game lead in front of the Yankees
1944 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 42nd season in New York, and its 44th season overall. The team finished in third place in the American League with a record of 83-71, finishing 6 games behind the St. Louis Browns. New York was managed by Joe McCarthy...
. The Browns finished with a 89-65 record and faced the Cardinals
1944 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 63rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 53rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 105-49 during the season and finished 1st in the National League. In the World Series, they met their town rivals, the St. Louis Browns...
in the historic All-St.Louis World Series
1944 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
. Kramer added a complete game victory in Game Three, allowing just two unearned runs on seven hits and 10 strikeouts. This would be the last time the hapless Browns won a post-season game.
From 1945 to 1947, Kramer averaged 11 wins per season and made the American League All-Star team three times. In the 1946 Game he tossed three no-hit, shutout innings to earn a save
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
. In addition, he went one-for-one and scored a run. In November 1947, he was sent along Vern Stephens
Vern Stephens
Vernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in exchange for Pete Laydon, Joe Ostrowski
Joe Ostrowski
Joseph Paul Ostrowski was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, from -, for the St. Louis Browns and New York Yankees....
, Roy Partee
Roy Partee
Roy Robert Partee was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns . Listed at 5' 10" Weight: 180 lb., Partee batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Los Angeles, California to father Clair C...
, Eddie Pellagrini
Eddie Pellagrini
Edward Charles Pellagrini was an American infielder in Major League Baseball from to for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Al Widmar
Al Widmar
Albert Joseph Widmar was an American starting pitcher and a pitching coach in Major League Baseball. Between 1945 and 1952, Widmar played for the Boston Red Sox , St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Jim Wilson
Jim Wilson (pitcher)
James Alger Wilson , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1945-1958. He would play for the Boston Red Sox, St...
and cash.
In 1948, Kramer went 18-5 for Boston, including an 12 winning streak from June 3 to August 10 and five victories over the Yankees. His .783 Won-Loss % led the American League pitchers. He faded to 6-8 in 1949 and was sold the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for $25‚000. Eventually, Kramer will charge the Red Sox with railroading him out of the league because of his differences with manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Joe McCarthy. He went 1-3 for the Giants (1950–51) and 1-3 with the Yankees (1951). Although he pitched with both pennant-winners in 1951, he did not last to the World Series with either.
In a 12-season career, Kramer posted a 95-103 record with 613 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 322 appearances, including 215 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, 88 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, 14 shutouts, seven saves and 1637⅓ innings of work. He also helped himself with the bat, hitting .144 (72-for-501) with five home runs and 39 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
.
Kramer died in Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
at age 77.
External links
- Career highlights
- Jack Kramer at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
- Retrosheet
- 1946 All-Star Game - box score
- 1944 World Series - Game 3 box score