Charles Walter Kuhn (February 2, 1887 – June 14, 1935), known also as "Red" Kuhn, was a

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern professional ...

player. During his playing career, Kuhn, a

catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the ( home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the ca ...

, played three seasons in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) with the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...

(1912–1914). Over those three years, he compiled a

batting average Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batters. The development of the baseball statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic. Cricket In cricket, a player's batting average is ...

of .205 with 25 runs scored, 55 hits, nine doubles, and 15

runs batted in A run batted in (RBI; plural RBIs ) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the ba ...

(RBIs) in 119 games played. The majority of Kuhn's career was spent in the

minor leagues Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities/markets. This term is used in No ...

. He played seven seasons in the minors with the

Fresno Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...

California State League club (1905), San Francisco Orphans (1908), Fresno Tigers/ Raisin Growers (1908–1910),

Portland Beavers The Portland Beavers was the name of separate minor league baseball teams, which represented Portland, Oregon, in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The team was established in 1903, the first year of the PCL. Franchise history Many baseball teams ...

(1911), Oakland Oaks (1915),

Salt Lake City Bees The Salt Lake City Bees was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams, based in Salt Lake City, Utah between 1911 and 1970 under various names. After minor league baseball first began in Salt Lake City in 1900, the Bees were long-time ...

(1916), Waco Navigators (1916), and

Dallas Giants The Dallas Rangers were a high-level minor league baseball team located in Dallas, Texas from 1958 to 1964. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958, 1959, and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960 to 1963. It played in ...

(1917). Kuhn was born in

Fresno, California Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...

, and educated in

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...

. He started is professional career in 1908 at the age of 18. During his playing career, Kuhn stood at and weighed . He broke into the major leagues in 1912. His last MLB season would be 1914. After playing for various minor league clubs, Kuhn was drafted into the United States Armed Forces during World War I. However, Kuhn never saw combat due to the loss of his right eye, which was caused by a prank pulled on him by his roommate during combat training. The injury also meant the end of his professional baseball career. Kuhn died in 1935 in his home-town of Fresno.

Early life

Kuhn was born on February 2, 1887, in

to Charles, and Irene of

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

, and

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to th ...

, respectively. Charles Kuhn worked as a

day laborer Day labor (or day labour in Commonwealth spelling) is work done where the worker is hired and paid one day at a time, with no promise that more work will be available in the future. It is a form of contingent work. Types Day laborers (also ...

in Fresno. Walt Kuhn had a sibling, Roy, who also played

. Walt Kuhn attended

high school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...

Professional career

Early minor league career (1905, 1908–1911)

In 1905, Kuhn joined the minor league Fresno California League club. On that team, he played with former, and future major league players

Frank Chance Frank Leroy Chance (September 9, 1877 – September 15, 1924) was an American professional baseball player. A first baseman, Chance played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs (initially named the "Orphans") and New York Yankees from 18 ...

, Roy Hitt, Pete Lohman, Judge Nagle, and

Jud Smith Grant Judson Smith (January 13, 1869 – December 7, 1947) was a professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds (1893), St. Louis Browns (1893), Pittsburgh Pirates (1896 and 1 ...

. Kuhn's statistics for that season were not kept. For the next two seasons (1907–08), Kuhn would not appear in professional baseball. He returned in 1908 with the minor league San Francisco Orphans, and Fresno Tigers of the

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

California League. Combined between the two teams, he batted .264 with 23 hits in 29 games played. In 1909, Kuhn re-signed with the Fresno club, who changed their name to the Raisin Growers. During the season, his contract was sold to the

Minneapolis Millers The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, through 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League. The team played first in ...

of the Class-A

American Association American Association may refer to: Baseball * American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891 * American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997 * American Association of Profe ...

. However, he was farmed out to the Fresno club for the remainder of the season. Kuhn batted .258 with 119 hits, 23 hits, 23 doubles, and seven

home run In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...

s in 134 games played. He finished the season tied for fourth in doubles, and tied for fifth in home runs. After the season, it was reported that the

(MLB)

New York Highlanders The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one o ...

were interested in purchasing Kuhn for the price of US$2,000. However, New York failed to reach an agreement with Fresno. Kuhn again played with the Fresno California League team in 1910, who changed their name back to the Tigers. In February 1911, Kuhn signed with the

of the Class-A Pacific Coast League. During the final game of the Pacific Coast League Pennant Series, Kuhn hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Beavers the win. On the season with Portland, he batted .228 with 79 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, and two home runs in 120 games played.

Chicago White Sox (1912–1914)

In February 1912, Kuhn signed with the MLB

. He attended spring training with the White Sox that season. Billy Sullivan, Chicago's starting catcher at the time, stated that Kuhn would be a successful major league player. Kuhn made his MLB debut on April 18, 1912, against the

St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they p ...

. In August, Kuhn was given the job of starting

for the White Sox. In his first major league season, he batted .202 with 16 runs scored, 36 hits, seven doubles, 10

(RBIs), and four stolen bases in 76 games played. He finished the season fifth in the

American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...

in defensive games as a catcher (75); and tied for fifth with

Eddie Ainsmith Edward Wilbur Ainsmith (born as Edward Anshmedt; February 4, 1890 – September 6, 1981), nicknamed "Dorf," was a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played fifteen seasons with the Washington Senators (1910–1918), Detroit Tigers (1919� ...

Oscar Stanage Oscar Harland Stanage (March 17, 1883 – November 11, 1964) was an American baseball catcher. He played professional baseball for 24 years from 1903 to 1926, including 13 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers. A native of T ...

, and Ed Sweeney in passed balls (9). Walt Kuhn batting 1912

At the start of the 1913 season, Kuhn was given the Chicago White Sox's starting catcher job. In August, he lost his starting job to the White Sox new catcher,

Ray Schalk Raymond William Schalk (August 12, 1892 – May 19, 1970) was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known f ...

. Towards the end of the season, Kuhn injured his arm, which caused him to miss playing time. With Chicago that season, Kuhn batted .160 with five runs scored, eight hits, one doubles, and five RBIs in 26 games played. After the season, he stated that he wanted to return to the Pacific Coast League and play with the San Francisco Seals. Kuhn re-signed with the Chicago White Sox in February 1914, despite his previous statement in which he said he would like to return to the Pacific Coast League. In March, during a spring training game, Kuhn seriously injured his right hand. It was reported that he would not be able to resume playing with the White Sox until the start of the season. The hand injury was later described as a cracked right

index finger The index finger (also referred to as forefinger, first finger, second finger, pointer finger, trigger finger, digitus secundus, digitus II, and many other terms) is the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the thumb and the mid ...

. In July, it was reported that Kuhn was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for

Larry Chappell La Verne Ashford "Larry" Chappell (February 19, 1890 – November 8, 1918) was a professional baseball player who played from 1913 to 1917 for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Boston Braves. Early life Born in McClusky, Illinois, Ch ...

. However, Kuhn played with the White Sox for the entire season. His last MLB appearance would come on September 28, 1914. On the season, he batted .275 with four runs scored, 11 hits, one double, and two RBIs in 17 games played. Over his major league career, Kuhn is currently 81st in the all-time caught stealing percentage ranking (45.54%).

Later minor league career (1915–1917)

On March 29, 1915, Kuhn was sold to the Oakland Oaks of the Double-A Pacific Coast League. Kuhn arrived in Oakland the day after being sold and immediately entered a practice with the Oaks. During the season, he was the Oaks back-up catcher, and

first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...

. In August, Kuhn took over for the Oaks every-day catcher,

Rowdy Elliott Harold Bell Elliott owdy(July 8, 1890 – February 12, 1934) was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Doves, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Robins in parts of five seasons spanning 1910–1920. Listed at 5' 9", 160 lb., El ...

, who was also serving as Oakland's manager. Elliot commented that Kuhn was "a first-class marksman". However, earlier in the season there were reports that the two catchers were feuding in the

clubhouse Clubhouse may refer to: Locations * The meetinghouse of: ** A club (organization), an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal ** In the United States, a country club ** In the United Kingdom, a gentlemen's club * A ...

. With the Oaks that season, Kuhn batted .236 with 86 hits, 17 doubles, and one triple in 126 games played. Kuhn signed with the independent Modesto Reds in 1916. Later that season, Kuhn signed with the Double-A

of the Pacific Coast League. In just two games, he got one hit in three at-bats. He then signed with the Class-B Waco Navigators of the

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

. With Waco, he batted .274 with 49 hits, and four doubles in 72 games played. At the start of the 1917 season, Kuhn joined the

of the Class-B Texas League. With Dallas, he batted .252 with 85 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, and two home runs in 118 games played. Later in the 1917 season, Kuhn signed with the independent Modesto Reds.

Later life

In 1918, Kuhn re-signed with the Class-B Dallas Giants of the Texas League. That year, as

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

was underway, he was drafted into the United States Army. Kuhn's rank was Sergeant. During combat training in

San Antonio, Texas ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

, Kuhn's roommate snapped a towel at Kuhn in an attempt at a practical joke. The towel hit his eye, causing him to lose his sight entirely. One other account of the incident story stated that it was a fight that caused Kuhn's roommate to snap the towel, which caused him to lose his sight. After the incident Kuhn was

honorably discharged A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve. Each country's military has different types of discharge. They are generally based on whether the persons completed their training and th ...

. Kuhn returned to

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

where he joined the Dallas Police Department in July 1919. In 1920, Kuhn was named

player-manager A player-coach (also playing coach, captain-coach, or player-manager) is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. A player-coach may be a head coach or an assistant coach. They may make changes to the s ...

of the Modesto Reds, a local amateur team who represented Modesto, California. In 1930, he was living with his brother, Roy Kuhn, and together worked in a fruit

cannery Canning is a method of food preservation in which food is processed and sealed in an airtight container ( jars like Mason jars, and steel and tin cans). Canning provides a shelf life that typically ranges from one to five years, although ...

. On June 14, 1935, at the age of 48, Kuhn died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An investigation by the Fresno Police Department determined that Kuhn committed suicide because of his failing health over the years. He was buried at

Belmont Memorial Park Belmont Memorial Park is a cemetery located in Fresno, Fresno County, California. Notable interments Notable burials include: * Henry Ellsworth Barbour (1877–1945), U.S. Representative * Denver Church (1862–1952), U.S. Representative * Walter ...

in Fresno.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuhn, Walt 1887 births 1935 deaths 1935 suicides Sportspeople from Fresno, California Baseball players from California Major League Baseball catchers Fresno Tigers players Fresno Raisin Growers players Portland Beavers players Chicago White Sox players Oakland Oaks (baseball) players Modesto Reds players Salt Lake City Bees players Waco Navigators players Dallas Giants players United States Army personnel of World War I American law enforcement officials Suicides by firearm in California Semi-professional baseball players United States Army non-commissioned officers