Johnny Kling Stats & Facts

Player
 

 

Johnny Kling

Position: Catcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
5-9, 160lb (175cm, 72kg)
Born: November 13, 1875 in Kansas City, MO
Died: January 31, 1947  in Kansas City, MO
Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO
Debut: September 11, 1900 (2,203rd in major league history)
Last Game: September 21, 1913
Full Name: John Kling
Nicknames: Noisy

Relatives: Brother of Bill Kling

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1900

Danny Murphy
Johnny Kling
Jiggs Donahue
Christy Mathewson
Fred Jacklitsch
Tom Hughes
Tommy Sheehan
Dummy Taylor
Togie Pittinger

 

 

All-Time Teammate Team

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Notable Events and Chronology

 

Biography

Arguably one of the most overlooked star players of the Dead Ball Era. The catcher of Frank Chance’s great Cub teams of 1906-10, Kling was the NL’s premier defensive catcher and a capable hitter. Batterymate Ed Reulbach called him “one of the greatest catchers who ever wore a mask.” In the years 1902-08, Kling led the league in fielding four times, putouts six, assists twice, and double plays once. On June 21, 1907, he threw out all four Cardinal runners who attempted to steal second base. In the WS that fall, Kling nabbed seven Tigers in 14 tries, with Ty Cobb unable to steal a single base. In the winter of 1908-09, Kling won the world pocket billiard championship and decided to forsake the baseball diamond for the pool table. Defeated in his attempt to retain the title, he rejoined the Cubs in 1910 but was a part-timer thereafter. His brother Bill pitched briefly in the NL during the 1890s
When his baseball career was over, Kling returned to his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri where he enjoyed a successful business career. A modest man, Kling never thought anyone would be interested in his accomplishments as a player once he retired.
 

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Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

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Other Resources & Links

View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject

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