Hal Kurtz

Summary

Harold James Kurtz (born August 20, 1943), nicknamed "Bud", is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians before the 1962 season, and played for them in 1968. Upon making the Indians' team out of spring training in 1968, Kurtz publicly thanked Manager Alvin Dark for giving him a chance he never thought he would have. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander stood 6'3" and weighed 205 lbs.

Hal Kurtz
Pitcher
Born: (1943-08-20) August 20, 1943 (age 80)
Washington, D.C.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 18, 1968, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
August 12, 1968, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average5.21
Strikeouts16
Teams

Kurtz appeared in 28 games for Cleveland, finishing 12 and saving one. In 38 innings, he gave up 37 hits (only two of those were home runs). His win-loss record was 1-0 with a 5.21 earned run average.

His finest major league effort came on June 3, 1968, at Cleveland Stadium. He entered the game against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the 10th inning with the score tied 2-2 and pitched five scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and no walks. Teammate José Vidal hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th to win the game 3-2 and get Kurtz his first and only major league win.

The son of a physician, Kurtz spent his off-seasons pursuing pre-med studies. The former pitcher now resides in Maryland.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
  • Retrosheet