Clarence Kraft
Encyclopedia
Clarence Otto Kraft was a Major League Baseball
player. He played in three games for the Boston Braves
in , but only appeared once in the field (at first base). He went 1-for-3 at the plate with one strikeout.
His greater claims to fame came later, in the minor leagues. The first came immediately after his major league career ended. The Braves had acquired Kraft from the Brooklyn Robins
, and returned Kraft to them in July. Brooklyn tried to send Kraft to the minor leagues, but Kraft sought the protection of the newly formed Fraternity of Professional Baseball Players of America, which under the terms of a new agreement with the major league teams would allow Kraft to tender his services to higher-classed minor league teams. Under this clause, Kraft signed with the Class AA Newark Indians
. However, the National Commission ruled that the rule could not be applied retroactively, and that Kraft's rights belonged to the Class A Nashville Volunteers. Kraft refused to report to the Volunteers, however, and the dispute was only settled when Robins owner Charles Ebbets
paid Nashville $2,500 to rescind their claim on Kraft.
Later, playing for the Fort Worth Panthers, Kraft led the Texas League
in home runs three straight times, from through . In 1924, he hit 55 home runs and drove in 196 runs for the Panthers while batting .349. That season, he set several league records that stand to this day, including most runs scored (150), extra base hits (96), total bases (414) and RBI. Following the season, he announced his retirement and opened an auto dealership. He later served as a judge for Tarrant County before his death in 1958.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He played in three games for the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in , but only appeared once in the field (at first base). He went 1-for-3 at the plate with one strikeout.
His greater claims to fame came later, in the minor leagues. The first came immediately after his major league career ended. The Braves had acquired Kraft from the Brooklyn Robins
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and returned Kraft to them in July. Brooklyn tried to send Kraft to the minor leagues, but Kraft sought the protection of the newly formed Fraternity of Professional Baseball Players of America, which under the terms of a new agreement with the major league teams would allow Kraft to tender his services to higher-classed minor league teams. Under this clause, Kraft signed with the Class AA Newark Indians
Newark Indians
*Location: Newark, NJ*League: Eastern League 1908-1911; International League 1912-1916*Affiliation:*Ballpark: Wiedenmayer's ParkIn 1908, the Newark Sailors changed their name to the Newark Indians...
. However, the National Commission ruled that the rule could not be applied retroactively, and that Kraft's rights belonged to the Class A Nashville Volunteers. Kraft refused to report to the Volunteers, however, and the dispute was only settled when Robins owner Charles Ebbets
Charles Ebbets
Charles Hercules Ebbets, Sr. was an American sports executive who owned the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1902 to 1925.-Biography:...
paid Nashville $2,500 to rescind their claim on Kraft.
Later, playing for the Fort Worth Panthers, Kraft led the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in home runs three straight times, from through . In 1924, he hit 55 home runs and drove in 196 runs for the Panthers while batting .349. That season, he set several league records that stand to this day, including most runs scored (150), extra base hits (96), total bases (414) and RBI. Following the season, he announced his retirement and opened an auto dealership. He later served as a judge for Tarrant County before his death in 1958.