Fred Bruckbauer

Frederick John Bruckbauer (May 27, 1938 - October 14, 2007) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Listed at 6' 1", 185 lb., Bruckbauer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Bruckbauer was one of the better pitchers in Minnesota Golden Gophers history before making an unfortunate appearance for the Minnesota Twins during the 1961 season.

In two years with the Gophers, Bruckbauer posted a 16-5 record and received one of the bigger signing bonuses of its time, estimated at $50,000, from the Washington Senators in 1959. That year, he was named Outstanding Rookie of the Three-I League while pitching for the Fox Cities Foxes under Earl Weaver direction. He had a chance to play in the majors when the Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961, but a shoulder injury had robbed much of his promise. His major league career, statistically speaking, was only slightly different than that of Eddie Gaedel or Moonlight Graham.

On April 25, 1961, Bruckbauer appeared in a game against the Kansas City Athletics at KC Municipal Stadium. He faced four batters, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk without recording an out. Eventually, he was sent back to the minors and never appeared in a major league game again, making him one of only 19 pitchers in major league history with a career earned-run average of infinity.

Following his baseball career, Bruckbauer worked for Deere & Company for 34 years.

Bruckbauer died in Naples, Florida, at the age of 69.

ee also

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External links

* [http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/christensen/?p=392 Around the Majors]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bruckfr01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Fred_Bruckbauer BR Bullpen]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Fox_Cities_Foxes Fox Cities Foxes]
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/teams/1961athletics.stm KCA 1961 season]