Skip to main content

Sunday School: History Lesson 33

Chuck Klein was an outfielder for the Phillies from 1928-1933 and from 1936-1939 and again from 1940-1944. In his first full season in the majors at age 24 in 1929, Klein led the National League in homeruns with 43. In addition, he drove in 145 runs and batted for a .356 average.

The following season, Klein had the best season of his career. He set the Phillies' single season RBI record of 170 that still stands today. He also batted .386, hit 59 doubles, slugged 40 homers and scored 158 runs.

In 1933, Klein won the triple crown (highest batting avg., most HR, most RBI), but did not win the NL MVP award. After the 1933 season, Klein was traded to the Cubs for three players and cash.

With Chicago, Klein disappointed based on his previous seasons' statistics. His RBI totals with the Cubs were 80 and 73 in 1934 & 1935, after he averaged over 138 RBI in 5 full seasons as a Phillie.

In May of 1936, the Cubs traded Klein back to the Phillies. That season, Klein was only 31 years old, but his best playing days were already behind him. In 117 games following the trade, Klein hit 20 homers and had 86 RBI with a .309 avg. Over the next two seasons, Klein's offensive numbers continued to decline and in 1938 he hit a low total of 8 HR in 129 games. In 1939 Klein continued to struggle, and was released by the team in June. He was signed by the Pirates the next day. With Pittsburgh, Klein batted .300 with 11 homers and 47 RBI in 85 games.

Klein returned to the Phillies for parts of five more seasons, four as a part time player, to finish out his career. In his latter years, Klein was active as a coach, who was occasionally used as a pinch hitter. Klein was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1980.

----------------------

Follow PhoulBallz.com over on Twitter HERE!


BallHype: hype it up!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle