Ron Kittle
| Ron Kittle | |
|---|---|
| Left fielder / Designated hitter | |
| Born: January 5, 1958 Gary, Indiana |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 2, 1982 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 13, 1991 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .239 |
| Home runs | 176 |
| Runs batted in | 460 |
| Strikeouts | 744 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ronald Dale (Ron) Kittle (born January 5, 1958 in Gary, Indiana) is a former left fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who was known mostly for his home run power, being named the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year. From 1982 through 1991, Kittle played for the Chicago White Sox (1982–86, 1989, 1991), New York Yankees (1986–87), Cleveland Indians (1988) and Baltimore Orioles (1990). He batted and threw right-handed. Kittle was also a manager for the minor league Schaumburg Flyers.
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Career[edit]
A former steelworker who made his major league debut at nearly 25 years old, Kittle was popular on the Chicago White Sox when they won 99 games in 1983 to make their first playoff appearance since the 1959 World Series. That season, Kittle was selected an All-Star and won Rookie of the Year honors after hitting 35 home runs (club record for a rookie) and 100 RBI.
Kittle also hit 50 homers in the minor leagues with the Edmonton Trappers and has his jersey retired in Edmonton at Telus Field.
He was most well known for his line-drive rooftop home runs (7, an MLB record) at Comiskey Park (1910–1990).
Kittle maintained his home run power, but after 1983 his average dropped and his strikeouts were increasing. Kittle had short stints with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He returned again to the White Sox in 1990 playing first base. Later in the season he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles, and finished his career with the White Sox in 1991.
In ten seasons, Kittle posted a .239 batting average with 176 home runs and 460 RBI in 843 games.
Managerial career[edit]
In 1998, Kittle was hired as the first manager of the non-affiliated minor league Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League. During the early years of the Flyers franchise, Kittle did a series of TV commercials to promote the team, using the gimmick "Ma Kittle." where he played both himself and his "Ma Kittle." The ads were successful at sparking some initial interest in the team as the Flyers hoped to steal away fans from the nearby Kane County Cougars, then a Florida Marlins Class A team. The ad mimmicked the highly successful Nike ads where Larry Johnson starred as both himself and "Gramdmama." Kittle resigned his position in 2001.
Other Notables[edit]
In March 2005, Kittle's book "Ron Kittle's Tales from the White Sox Dugout" was published. Co-written with Bob Logan, who also co-wrote Michael Jordan's book "Come Fly with Me." The book features anecdotes (some of them never before told to the public) from his time as a major leaguer, mostly with the Sox. One story talked about the hilarity of Ozzie Guillén ordering dinner while Kittle, Guillen and Cubs SS Shawon Dunston were out at a local restaurant. The book also caused some controversy when Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants accused Kittle of fabricating an insulting story about Bonds, claiming Bonds refused to sign autographs intended to help a children's charity in Chicago. The book says Bonds also made racially inappropriate statements.
Present Day - Benches and Blog[edit]
Kittle now builds custom collectible benches out of baseballs, bats, and bases. He additionally works in public relations for the White Sox and maintains a popular website and blog at RonKittle.com
Personal[edit]
Ron Kittle married the former Laura Ann Cooke on October 19, 1984, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Gary, Indiana. Both were students and friends at William A. Wirt High School in Gary, Indiana. Ron and Laura have two children, Dylan and Hayley. Ron and Laura were divorced in 2010.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- Ron Kittle's website
- Ron Kittle's Celebrity Annual Golf Outing website
| Preceded by Cal Ripken, Jr. |
American League Rookie of the Year 1983 |
Succeeded by Alvin Davis |
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- 1958 births
- Living people
- American League All-Stars
- Appleton Foxes players
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Baseball players from Indiana
- Chicago White Sox players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Columbus Clippers players
- Clinton Dodgers players
- Edmonton Trappers players
- Glens Falls White Sox players
- Knoxville Sox players
- Lethbridge Dodgers players
- Major League Baseball designated hitters
- Major League Baseball left fielders
- Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners
- New York Yankees players
- Northern League managers
- People from Gary, Indiana
- Vancouver Canadians players
