Sunday, May 29, 2011

Cincinnati Red Ted Kluszewski played sleeveless because he was too jacked for human uniforms.

http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/1998/07/071798klubellpost_550x485.jpg

When the 6'-2", 240-pound Ted Kluszewski joined the Reds, he cut off the sleeves of his uniform, much to the chagrin of the Reds front office. He did it because the tight sleeves constricted his large biceps and shoulders and interfered with his swing. "They got pretty upset, but it was either that or change my swing — and I wasn't about to change my swing", said Kluszewski. Kluszewski became notorious for his strength; Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher was asked to name five of the strongest players in baseball, he complied. When it was pointed out that he'd left Ted Kluszewski off his list, Durocher said: "Kluszewski? I'm talking about human beings!"


The statue of Ted Kluszewski at Great American Ball Park


"How hard is hitting? You ever walk into a pitch-black room full of furniture that you've never been in before and try to walk through it without bumping into anything? Well, it's harder than that." - Ted Kluszewski (1978)

Ted Kluszewski LifeTime Stats

No comments:

Post a Comment