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| Frank Kellert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First baseman | |
| Born:(1924-07-06)July 6, 1924 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| Died: November 19, 1976(1976-11-19) (aged 52) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 18, 1953, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 1956, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .231 |
| Home runs | 8 |
| Runs batted in | 37 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Frank William Kellert (July 6, 1924 – November 19, 1976) was an American professionalbaseball player. Thefirst baseman appeared in 122 games over all or parts of fourmajor league seasons between1953 and1956 for theSt. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles,Brooklyn Dodgers andChicago Cubs. He was a member of the1955 world champion Dodgers, the onlyBrooklyn team to win aWorld Series. Kellert threw and battedright-handed, and was listed at 6 feet, 21⁄2 inches (1.89 m) tall and 185 pounds (84 kg).
A native and lifelong resident ofOklahoma City, Oklahoma, he was an alumnus ofClassen High School andOklahoma State University.[1] Kellert was signed by theSt. Louis Cardinals in 1949, acquired by his hometownOklahoma City Indians of theDouble-ATexas League in 1951, and sold to theAmerican League Browns in 1953.[1] Making his MLB debut at age 28 for the Browns on April 18, 1953, he was sent back to Oklahoma City after only two games. The following year, playing for the rivalSan Antonio Missions, Kellert smashed 41home runs, led the Texas League inruns batted in with 146, and was selected the TL's Most Valuable Player.[2] That earned him another trial with the relocated Baltimore Orioles in late 1954, starting nine September games at first base.[3]
Then, in March 1955, Kellert was traded in awaiver deal to Brooklyn forpitcherErv Palica. He remained with the Dodgers all season, played in 39games, and made 17 starts at first base whenAll-Star andGold GloverGil Hodges briefly switched to the outfield in early June and late August.[3] Kellerthit .325 in 80at bats, with four home runs. In the1955 World Series, hepinch hit three times, with onehit, asingle offWhitey Ford in the eighthinning of Game 1. During Kellert'sat bat,Jackie Robinsonstole home, but Brooklyn lost to theNew York Yankees, 6–5.[4] Kellert pinch hit two more times, going hitless in Dodger losses in Games 2 and 6, but Brooklyn won the series in seven games for its only title before the franchise moved toLos Angeles after the 1957 season.
A week after the Dodger championship, Kellert was placed on waivers and claimed by the Cubs, where he spent the 1956 season but hit only .186 as a part-time first baseman. He played three more seasons in the minors before retiring from baseball at 35.
All told, he collected 57 hits in his 122-game big-league career, with ninedoubles, threetriples, eight homers and 37 runs batted in. He batted .231. Frank Kellert died in his hometown of Oklahoma City fromlymphoma[5] at age 52 in 1976.
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