Steve Kline (right-handed pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Steven Jack Kline is a former starting pitcher
who played in Major League Baseball
from 1970
through 1977
. Kline batted and threw right-handed.
Kline was 22 years old when he reached the majors in 1970 with the New York Yankees
, spending four and a half years with them before moving to the Cleveland Indians
(1974) and Atlanta Braves
(1977). In his rookie
season for the Yankees he went 6-6 with a 3.41 ERA
in 15 starts, and won 12 games a year later, including career-numbers with 81 strikeout
s and 15 complete games. His most productive season came in 1972, when he recorded career-highs in wins
(16), ERA (2.40), starts (32), shutout
s (4), and innings pitched
(236⅓). He declined after that and was sent to Cleveland in the 1974 midseason. He missed two years after developing arm problems, and made 16 relief
appearances for Atlanta in 1977, his last major league season.
In a six-season career, Kline posted a 43-45 record with 240 strikeouts and a 3.26 ERA in 750⅓ innings.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who played in Major League Baseball
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...
from 1970
1970 in baseball
-Major Leagues:*World Series MVP: Brooks Robinson*All-Star Game, July 14 at Riverfront Stadium: National League, 5-4 ; Carl Yastrzemski, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Navegantes del Magallanes *College World Series: USC...
through 1977
1977 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker...
. Kline batted and threw right-handed.
Kline was 22 years old when he reached the majors in 1970 with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, spending four and a half years with them before moving to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1974) and Atlanta 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....
(1977). In his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
season for the Yankees he went 6-6 with a 3.41 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 15 starts, and won 12 games a year later, including career-numbers with 81 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and 15 complete games. His most productive season came in 1972, when he recorded career-highs in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(16), ERA (2.40), starts (32), shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s (4), and innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(236⅓). He declined after that and was sent to Cleveland in the 1974 midseason. He missed two years after developing arm problems, and made 16 relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
appearances for Atlanta in 1977, his last major league season.
In a six-season career, Kline posted a 43-45 record with 240 strikeouts and a 3.26 ERA in 750⅓ innings.