- Lew Krausse Sr.
Lewis Bernard (Lew) Krausse (
June 12 ,1912 -September 6 ,1988 ) was an Americanpitcher and scout inMajor League Baseball fromMedia, Pennsylvania . He pitched from 1931 through 1932, only for thePhiladelphia Athletics . When he was called up to the Athletics in 1931, he was theAmerican League 's youngest player.Krausse was used mostly as a relief pitcher by the Athletics; only four of his 23 appearances were starts. He compiled a lifetime record of 5-1
Krausse's most memorable start was on
July 10 ,1932 , atCleveland 'sLeague Park . Athletics manager Connie Mack, with the team coming off three straight home doubleheaders and playing a single game series in Cleveland (necessitated by Pennsylvania'sblue law s prohibiting Sunday baseball) before returning home for another doubleheader, wished to save both trainfare and the arms of his pitchers, and brought only two pitchers with him--Krausse and veteranEddie Rommel --both pitchers little used by the Athletics. Krausse was knocked out after one inning, surrendering three runs. Rommel pitched 17 innings in relief of Krausse, winning 18-17 in 18 innings.Krausse would never play again after 1932. Despite that, Krausse's rights were acquired by the
Brooklyn Dodgers , who traded him to theSt. Louis Cardinals in 1938 forthird baseman /outfielder Jimmy Outlaw plus cash. Krausse never played for either team.Krausse later became a scout for the A's, and signed his own son to a $125,000 bonus contract. Krausse's son
Lew Krausse Jr. was a journeyman pitcher from 1961 to 1974, and was the youngest Major League player when he reached the big leagues. The elder Krausse died at the age of 76 inSarasota, Florida .
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