Curt Kaufman

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Curt Gerard Kaufman (born July 19, 1957 in Harlan, Iowa) was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees and the California Angels in the 1980s.

Growing up in the small farm community of Harlan, Iowa kept Kaufman from receiving attention as a prospect for college baseball and even the possibility of a professional career. He soon drew attention from Iowa State University by setting the record for strikeouts at Harlan Community High School.

After graduating from high school, Kaufman received an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University, where he attended for three years, but was drafted by the Yankees before he could finish his bachelor's degree. He then worked his way through the minors with ease, even setting the International League record for saves in a season (25). He was then recognized for his efforts by the Yankees, who called him up in 1982. He remained a Yankee through the 1983 season, but was traded to the California Angels after the season for infielder Tim Foli. He only played one season with the Angels; his career was cut short by a career ending elbow surgery. He retired after the surgery with a career ERA of 4.48, 50 strikeouts, a save, and an overall record of 3-3.

Kaufman now lives in Glenwood, Iowa, about an hour away from his birthplace in Harlan. He married Lisa Stogdill in 1987 and now has five kids: Ryan, Josh, Taylor, Matthew, and Katherine.