| Don Kaiser | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1935-02-03)February 3, 1935 (age 91) Byng, Oklahoma | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 20, 1955, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 24, 1957, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 6–15 |
| Earned run average | 4.15 |
| Innings | 2402⁄3 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Clyde Donald Kaiser (born February 3, 1935) is anAmerican former professionalbaseball player and apitcher inMajor League Baseball for theChicago Cubs between1955 and1957.[1] A high school phenom fromByng, Oklahoma, Kaiser was the first "Bonus Baby" signed by the Cub franchise.[2] He threw and batted right-handed and was listed as 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall and 195 pounds (88 kg).
AtByng High School, Kaiser won 49 of 50decisions and pitched sevenno-hitters and twoperfect games.[3] He attendedEast Central University on abasketball scholarship, but was signed by the Cubs for a $15,000 bonus after one semester.[2]
Compelled by the bonus rule to spend the first two years of his pro career on the Cubbies' big-league roster, Kaiser worked in only 11games and 181⁄3innings pitched in1955, with no decisions and a high 5.40earned run average. He was used sparingly to begin1956, until June 2, when he received his firststarting assignment. Facing the defending world championBrooklyn Dodgers atWrigley Field, he allowed only twohits, fourbases on balls and onerun in acomplete game, 8–1 triumph.[4] Almost exactly a month later, on July 1, heshut out theMilwaukee Braves on six hits and only one walk, with fivestrikeouts.[5] Kaiser made 22 starts for the 1956 Cubs and his career-best 3.59 earned run average was third-best on the team, but hiswon–lost record was only 4–9, and the Cubs finished eighth and last in theNational League at 60–94. He began1957 in the rotation and in his third start, on May 6, he defeated theNew York Giants on six hits, 6–2, at thePolo Grounds,[6] for the sixth and last complete game of his career.
But Kaiser spent the bulk of 1957 in the top-level (Open Classification)Pacific Coast League until he was called up in September. In his one late-season appearance, he turned in a mediocre start against theCincinnati Redlegs, allowing fourearned runs in fourinnings pitched—just enough to be tagged with Chicago's 4–3 defeat. It was the last appearance of his Cub and major league career. In 58 games pitched, 35 of them starts, Kaiser compiled a 6–15 won–lost mark and a 4.15 career ERA. In 2402⁄3 innings, he allowed 255 hits and 85 bases on balls, and was credited with 108 strikeouts. His blanking of the Braves in July 1956 was his only careerMLB shutout.
Kaiser would be included in off-season trades to the Braves in December 1957 and theDetroit Tigers in October 1959, but he never returned to the major leagues. He retired from pro ball after the 1961 season.
· Baseball Almanac