Ken Kravec

Ken Kravec
Pitcher
Born: July 29, 1951
Cleveland, Ohio
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 4, 1975 for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 1982 for the Chicago Cubs
Career statistics
Win–loss record 43–56
Earned run average 4.47
Innings pitched 8582⁄3
Teams

Kenneth Peter Kravec (born July 29, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio), is an American professional baseball scout and a former Major League pitcher and front office official. The 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 185 lb (84 kg) left-hander appeared in 160 games pitched, 128 as a starter, exclusively for Chicago's two big league teams, the White Sox (1975–1980) and the Cubs (1981–1982).

Kravec graduated from Midpark High School, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, played college baseball at Ashland University,[1] and was selected by the White Sox in the third round (69th overall) of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. He was promoted to the White Sox in September 1975 after posting a record of 14–7 and an earned run average of 2.41 and was named to the Double-A Southern League's all-star team. In his Major League debut on September 4, he started against the Kansas City Royals but lasted only 21⁄3 innings, giving up only one hit but allowing seven bases on balls and three earned runs, taking the loss in a 7–1 Kansas City win.[2]

Kravec led all White Sox pitchers in strikeouts from 1977–1979, and topped the ChiSox in wins in 1979 with 15. He led the American League in hit batsmen in 1978 (with ten) and tied for the lead in 1979 (14), and finished second in the National League in that category (4) in strike-shortened 1981.

After the White Sox signed free agent catcher Carlton Fisk during the 1980–1981 offseason, Fisk found that Kravec was sporting the No. 27 uniform the future Hall of Famer had previously worn with the Boston Red Sox. As a result, Fisk reversed the digits and would wear No. 72 during his 13-year career with Chicago. Both numbers have been retired by their respective teams. Ironically, Kravec was traded to the Cubs (the crosstown rivals of the White Sox) for right-hander Dennis Lamp on March 28, 1981, just a few weeks into Fisk's tenure with the club.

All told, Kravec allowed 814 hits and 404 bases on balls in 8582⁄3 Major League innings pitched, with 557 strikeouts, six shutouts, 24 complete games, and one save.

He remained in baseball after his active career ended as a scout for the Royals, Florida Marlins and the Cubs. In 2012 he was a special assistant to the general manager for Chicago's National League club, and in 2013 was listed as one of the Cubs' Major League scouts.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Midpark High School Athletic Hall of Fame Membership Roster". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  2. ↑ 1975-9-4 box score from Retrosheet
  3. ↑ Leventhal, Josh, ed., Baseball America 2013 Directory. Source InterLink Media, page 25

External links