Lou Klein
Encyclopedia
Louis Frank Klein was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals
, the Cleveland Indians
, and the Philadelphia Athletics
, but he was best known as one of the players that jumped to the Mexican League and was subsequently banned by Commissioner Happy Chandler
for a five year span (though the suspension was later reduced).
Klein was the everyday second baseman for the Cardinals in the 1943 season
, playing every inning of the season, but then served the next two years in the military during World War II
. After returning to the Cardinals late in the 1945 season, and battling for playing time on a talent-loaded team, he felt his future role would be limited, as a utility player backing up the younger Red Schoendienst
. Only two months into the 1946
season, with the Cardinals in first place, he jumped to the Mexican League, along with teammates Max Lanier and Fred Martin.
Throughout the spring of 1946, the Pasquel brothers of the Mexican League had been making enticing offers to many Major Leaguers, and the trio of Cardinals were the latest group to accept. In an attempt to slow this exodus, all players who broke an existing contract to join the Mexican League, including Klein, were banned from the Major Leagues for a span of five years by Commissioner Chandler.
On June 5, 1949, Chandler lifted the bans on the Mexican League jumpers, and eleven days later, Klein returned to the Cardinals. After brief stints with the Indians and Athletics, he found a job as a coach with the Chicago Cubs
.
Midway through the 1961 season
, Klein was named to the infamous College of Coaches
, and ran the team for 11 games late in of the 1961 season. He'd actually helmed clubs as low as Class D during the season; the College of Coaches system called for all eight coaches to rotate through the entire minor league system.
In 1962
, he was named head coach again, replacing El Tappe
and managed 30 games (with a 12-18 record). The Cubs finished 59-103 — their first time ever with a 100-loss season, and still the worst in franchise history. Only the 40-120 New York Mets
were worse. In 1965
, he replaced Bob Kennedy
as head coach, this time by himself. He went 48-58 in his third stint, finishing with a lifetime 65-82 record.
Klein died in Metairie, Louisiana
at age 57.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, but he was best known as one of the players that jumped to the Mexican League and was subsequently banned by Commissioner Happy Chandler
Happy Chandler
Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, Sr. was a politician from the US state of Kentucky. He represented the state in the U.S. Senate and served as its 44th and 49th governor. Aside from his political positions, he also served as the second Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1951 and...
for a five year span (though the suspension was later reduced).
Klein was the everyday second baseman for the Cardinals in the 1943 season
1943 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over St. Louis Cardinals *All-Star Game, July 13 at Shibe Park: American League, 5-3-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Homestead Grays over Birmingham Black Barons...
, playing every inning of the season, but then served the next two years in the military 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...
. After returning to the Cardinals late in the 1945 season, and battling for playing time on a talent-loaded team, he felt his future role would be limited, as a utility player backing up the younger Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
. Only two months into the 1946
1946 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox *All-Star Game, July 9 at Fenway Park: American League, 12–0-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Newark Eagles over Kansas City Monarchs...
season, with the Cardinals in first place, he jumped to the Mexican League, along with teammates Max Lanier and Fred Martin.
Throughout the spring of 1946, the Pasquel brothers of the Mexican League had been making enticing offers to many Major Leaguers, and the trio of Cardinals were the latest group to accept. In an attempt to slow this exodus, all players who broke an existing contract to join the Mexican League, including Klein, were banned from the Major Leagues for a span of five years by Commissioner Chandler.
On June 5, 1949, Chandler lifted the bans on the Mexican League jumpers, and eleven days later, Klein returned to the Cardinals. After brief stints with the Indians and Athletics, he found a job as a coach with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Midway through the 1961 season
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
, Klein was named to the infamous College of Coaches
College of Coaches
The College of Coaches was an unorthodox strategy employed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961 and 1962. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by...
, and ran the team for 11 games late in of the 1961 season. He'd actually helmed clubs as low as Class D during the season; the College of Coaches system called for all eight coaches to rotate through the entire minor league system.
In 1962
1962 in baseball
The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40–120 record of the New York Mets, the third-worst winning percentage and the record for most games lost since 1900.-Major League Baseball:...
, he was named head coach again, replacing El Tappe
El Tappe
Elvin Walter Tappe was an American professional baseball player, a catcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1954 to 1962, but he was best known for being part of the Philip K. Wrigley-implemented College of Coaches in the 1961 season...
and managed 30 games (with a 12-18 record). The Cubs finished 59-103 — their first time ever with a 100-loss season, and still the worst in franchise history. Only the 40-120 New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
were worse. In 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, he replaced Bob Kennedy
Bob Kennedy
Robert Daniel Kennedy was a right fielder/third baseman, manager and executive in Major League Baseball.From 1939-1957, Kennedy played for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and Brooklyn Dodgers . He batted and threw right-handed...
as head coach, this time by himself. He went 48-58 in his third stint, finishing with a lifetime 65-82 record.
Klein 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 57.
External links
| Managerial jobs |
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