Lew Krausse Jr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lewis Bernard (Lew) Krausse, Junior (born April 25, 1943) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from Media, Pennsylvania. He played for the Kansas City Athletics (1961-67), Oakland Athletics (1968-69), Milwaukee Brewers (1970-71), Boston Red Sox (1972), St. Louis Cardinals (1973) and the Atlanta Braves (1974).
Krausse was a schoolboy star from Little League to high school, signing a $125,000 bonus contract with the Athletics. A week after signing, he pitched a six-hit shutout against the expansion Los Angeles Angels.
Krausse pitched in a total of 321 games in his career, 167 as a starting pitcher. His career win/loss record was 68-91, he pitched 1284 total innings, with 1205 hits allowed, 721 strike-outs and 493 walks allowed. His earned run average was an even 4.00.
His best overall season was in 1966 with Kansas City when his record was 14-9, 2.99. That season his victory total was 6th best in the American League and his 2.99 E.R.A. was 9th best in the league. When he made his pitching debut in 1961 at the age of 18, he was the youngest player in the Major Leagues that season.
On August 18, 1967, he was suspended by Athletics' owner Charlie Finley for rowdyism and conduct unbecoming a major league player. This was part of the "war" between Finley and some of his players. Krausse was briefly a member of the Seattle Pilots, being traded to them in January 1970, and wore their uniform in spring training, but the franchise moved to Milwaukee prior to the start of the regular season.
His father, Lew Sr., pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1931-32, and when he came to the big leagues, was the youngest American League player.
He is a member of the Delaware County Sports Hall of Fame.
