Jack Kralick – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jack Kralick’s name doesn’t show up on every baseball fan’s list of legendary pitchers, but you can’t ignore what he did for Major League Baseball in the 1960s. The lefty spent eight seasons in the majors, from 1959 to 1967, pitching for the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians before he decided to retire at 32.

Kralick grabbed baseball immortality on August 26, 1962, when he tossed the first no-hitter in Minnesota Twins history against the Kansas City Athletics. He missed a perfect game by just one walk. That performance really became the high point of a career where he racked up 67 wins and 65 losses in 235 big league games. He established himself as a dependable starter, even though his teams didn’t always give him much run support.

His story, going from a released minor league hopeful to a major league standout, really shows the grit and determination he brought to the mound. Kralick’s path took him from early struggles in the Chicago White Sox system to finding success in Minnesota. He dealt with the tough parts of pro baseball, enjoyed the thrill of historic moments, and then transitioned into post-baseball life up in Alaska.

Jack Kralick’s Baseball Career Overview

Jack Kralick pitched in Major League Baseball for eight seasons, from 1959 to 1967. He finished with a 67-65 record and a 3.56 ERA in 235 games.

He played for three teams, but his most memorable moment came when he threw a no-hitter for the Minnesota Twins in 1962.

MLB Debut and Early Major League Years

Kralick made his MLB debut on April 15, 1959, with the Washington Senators. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and pitched at Michigan State University before the Senators signed him as a free agent.

He only appeared in six games as a rookie. Most of 1959, he pitched in Double-A for the Chattanooga Lookouts, putting up a 3.53 ERA in 26 starts.

In 1960, Kralick finally spent a full season in the majors. He put together an 8-6 record with a 3.04 ERA in 35 games during the Senators’ last year before moving to Minnesota.

When the franchise moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul and became the Minnesota Twins, Kralick stayed in the starting rotation. He became one of the Twins’ original players.

Key Teams and Positions Played

Kralick worked as a starting pitcher for his entire career with three different clubs. He pitched for the Washington Senators from 1959 to 1960, then followed the team to Minnesota for the 1961-1963 seasons.

His biggest achievement happened on August 26, 1962, when he threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Athletics at Metropolitan Stadium. That 1-0 win marked the first no-hitter in Minnesota Twins history.

The Twins traded Kralick to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Perry on May 2, 1963. Both teams needed to shake up their rosters—the Twins had too many lefties, and Cleveland wanted more left-handed pitching.

Kralick made the All-Star team in 1964 while with Cleveland. He stayed with the Indians until his last MLB game on April 23, 1967.

Career Win-Loss Record and ERA

Kralick wrapped up his eight-year career with a 67-65 win-loss record and a 3.56 ERA. He struck out 668 batters over 1,218 innings in 235 games.

His best year statistically was 1962 with the Twins, when he pitched his famous no-hitter. He came incredibly close to a perfect game, retiring the first 25 batters before walking George Alusik.

A car accident in May 1967 near Cleveland Stadium ended Kralick’s playing days. He suffered a cerebral contusion and temporary double vision, which pushed him to retire from pro baseball at just 32.

No-Hitter Achievement and Other Pitching Highlights

Jack Kralick earned his spot in baseball history on August 26, 1962, tossing the first no-hitter for the Minnesota Twins against the Kansas City Athletics at Metropolitan Stadium. He came within a single walk of a perfect game, and that moment still stands out for Twins fans.

Historic No-Hitter Against Kansas City Athletics

On a windy Sunday at Metropolitan Stadium, Kralick faced the Kansas City Athletics in front of more than 23,000 fans. The no-hitter happened at a big moment in the 1962 season—the Twins were tied for second, just four games behind the Yankees.

Kralick shut down the Athletics lineup. He retired the first 24 batters before walking George Alusik in the ninth.

He’d struggled earlier that year, sitting at 6-8 with a 4.55 ERA through July. But in August, he bounced back. “I’ve got my curve ball again,” Kralick told reporters after the game.

The Twins scored their only run in the seventh and won 1-0. Kralick finished the no-hitter by getting Dick Howser to pop out to first baseman Vic Power, and his teammates rushed onto the field to celebrate.

Nearly Achieving a Perfect Game

Kralick’s no-hitter was almost a perfect game. He kept the perfect bid alive until the ninth, when George Alusik worked the count full.

Alusik fouled off several pitches and finally drew a walk on a 3-2 fastball that sailed high and outside. That was the only baserunner Kansas City had all day.

“I wasn’t even thinking about a perfect game until the seventh or eighth, when I realized I hadn’t pitched from the stretch,” Kralick admitted afterward. Even though he missed perfection, he took it all in stride.

Reporters asked if he felt disappointed about missing the perfect game, and Kralick shrugged, “I suppose it’s a little nicer to have a perfect game, but it really makes no difference to me.”

Performance at Metropolitan Stadium

That no-hitter at Metropolitan Stadium became the first in Twins franchise history. The game lasted just under two hours, with both Kralick and Kansas City’s Bill Fischer working quickly.

The weather actually helped preserve the no-hitter. A stiff wind blowing in from center kept Bobby Del Greco’s first-inning drive in the ballpark. “It would have been out of there except for the wind,” Kralick said.

Metropolitan Stadium turned out to be the perfect setting for this moment. No one had ever thrown a no-hitter there before Kralick’s gem, so it meant a lot to Twins fans.

Kralick gave a lot of credit to catcher Earl Battey for calling a smart game. “Battey caught a whale of a game. He realized in the first inning that my curve wasn’t breaking well, so he called for lots of sliders and fastballs, mixing in an occasional changeup.”

Minnesota Twins Journey

Kralick’s move to Minnesota in 1961 was a turning point. He became one of the original Minnesota Twins and found his greatest success with the team.

He proved himself as a steady starter during the Twins’ early years and pitched their first no-hitter on August 26, 1962, against the Kansas City Athletics.

Transition from Washington Senators to Minnesota Twins

When the Washington Senators packed up and moved to Minnesota in 1961, Kralick went with them and became an original member of the Twins. The change of scenery seemed to help his career.

Kralick made an immediate impact in Minnesota. On April 23, 1961, he pitched a four-hit shutout against the expansion Senators, winning 1-0. He even drove in the game’s only run himself.

The move to Minnesota really suited him. He posted a 3.07 ERA in 1961, well under the league average of 4.02. Still, he finished just 10-7 by August 5 because his teammates didn’t give him much run support.

During the offseason, Kralick stayed in Minneapolis and worked on bulking up to help with stamina. He reached 175 pounds, the heaviest he’d ever been in his pro career.

Contributions to Inaugural Twins Seasons

Kralick’s biggest moment for the Twins came on August 26, 1962, when he pitched the franchise’s first no-hitter. The game against the Kansas City Athletics at Metropolitan Stadium was the only no-hitter ever thrown there.

He came close to a perfect game, retiring the first 25 batters before walking George Alusik in the ninth. Kralick finished the 1-0 win by getting the last two outs, cementing his place in Twins history.

The 1962 season wasn’t easy for Kralick overall. He started slow, with an ERA over six, and gave up a career-high 31 home runs—second most in the league. His curveball wasn’t working, so he had to rely more on his slider.

He found his groove again late in the year, going 6-2 with a 2.14 ERA in his last 11 appearances. That late surge showed he could bounce back when things got tough.

All-Star Recognition and Key Teammates

Kralick never made the All-Star team while with the Twins, but he played alongside some guys who later became stars. The team had a mix of veterans and young talent in those early Minnesota years.

His time with the Twins ended on May 2, 1963, when they traded him to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Perry. The Twins wanted to balance their pitching staff, since they had too many lefties.

Kralick’s Minnesota stretch ran from 1961 to 1963. He helped lay the groundwork for the team’s future success, and the Twins even notched only their third winning season in 26 years during that time.

The trade to Cleveland marked the end of his most productive years in the majors. That no-hitter always stood out as the highlight of his career.

Cleveland Indians Tenure and Later MLB Years

Jack Kralick joined the Cleveland Indians in 1963, coming over in a trade for Jim Perry. His stint with the Indians included an All-Star nod in 1964 and, eventually, the end of his big league career in 1967.

Trade Details and Impact with Cleveland Indians

The Minnesota Twins sent Kralick to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Perry during the 1963 season. The trade happened early enough that Kralick made 28 appearances for Cleveland that year.

He made a strong first impression in Cleveland, posting a 2.92 ERA in nearly 200 innings in his first partial season. That performance quickly made him a key piece of their rotation.

The move worked out well for Kralick at first. In 1964, he kept pitching well, with a 2.60 ERA through 117.2 innings by the All-Star break. That earned him his first and only All-Star selection.

Kralick’s 1964 season really became his best with Cleveland. He started 29 games and finished with a 3.21 ERA in 190.2 innings. He didn’t actually pitch in the All-Star Game, but just getting picked was the top recognition of his career.

Trade for Jim Perry and Interaction with Sam McDowell

At first, the Kralick-Perry trade looked pretty even through 1964. Both pitchers made a real impact on their new teams during those years.

But over time, Minnesota definitely got the better end of the deal.

Jim Perry really blossomed after leaving Cleveland. He snagged a Cy Young Award with the Twins and landed on several All-Star rosters. Perry kept pitching well for Minnesota through 1975, even coming back to Cleveland for a short stint in 1974.

Kralick joined a young Cleveland rotation that featured Sam McDowell and Luis Tiant. McDowell grabbed a regular starter role in 1964, which was also the year Kralick made the All-Star team.

The rotation included Sonny Siebert too, as the Indians tried to rebuild their pitching staff.

This group really seemed like it could match Cleveland’s legendary 1950s rotation of Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, and Mike Garcia. McDowell, Tiant, and Siebert all found plenty of success from 1964 to 1968.

Unfortunately, Kralick’s performance dropped off, so he missed out on that run.

Final Seasons: Decline and Retirement

After 1964, Kralick’s career went downhill fast. He missed most of April 1965 and struggled right out of the gate, managing just 1.1, 1, and 0 innings in three of his first four games.

By the end of 1965, Kralick couldn’t hold onto his starting job. He finished with a 4.92 ERA, walked 21, and struck out only 34 batters. His strikeout numbers hit career lows, and he gave up 11.1 hits per nine innings.

At 30, Kralick moved to the bullpen in 1966. He put up a 3.82 ERA in 27 relief outings, including four spot starts. That season ended up being his last regular year in the majors.

In 1967, Kralick’s career just sort of stopped. He pitched only two relief games before Cleveland sold him to the New York Mets. A car accident soon after blocked him from ever joining the Mets, and that pretty much ended his career at 32.

Early Life, Minor Leagues, and Development

Jack Kralick’s road to the majors started in industrial Ohio and wound through college ball at Michigan State. He bounced around the minors, changing organizations and putting up some eye-catching performances that finally got big league scouts interested.

Childhood in Youngstown, Ohio

John Francis Kralick was born June 1, 1935, in Youngstown, Ohio, to John Peter and Margaret M. (Cannon) Kralick. His dad worked as a steel industry foreman and played catcher in semipro leagues all over the industrial Upper Midwest.

The family eventually moved to Wyandotte, Michigan, while Jack was still young. He went to St. Patrick’s High School in Wyandotte, and that’s where his baseball skills really started to shine.

Kralick played all over during high school, from American Legion ball to a tough Wyandotte men’s team. He impressed enough to get inducted into the Wyandotte Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

His dad’s semipro background probably helped shape Jack’s early game. The Upper Midwest’s strong baseball scene definitely gave him room to grow.

Michigan State University and Amateur Career

After high school, Kralick earned a spot with the Michigan State University Spartans baseball team. He only played one season in college, but scouts didn’t take long to notice him.

Chicago White Sox scout Pete Milito probably signed Kralick out of Michigan State in June 1954. Milito had a thing for Michigan State players—he signed outfielder Bob Powell in 1955 and Dean Look five years after that.

The White Sox showed their interest by inviting Kralick to spring training in Tampa, Florida, in February 1955 as a nonroster guy. That invite came right after his short time at Michigan State.

His college stint was brief but clearly made a mark. The leap from college to pro baseball happened fast and cut short his time in school.

Minor League Progression and Key Performances

Kralick kicked off his pro career with the Madisonville Miners in the Class C Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League in 1955. He tossed a no-hitter against Union City in that first season.

He kept showing flashes in 1956, throwing another no-hitter on August 8 against Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League. That seven-inning gem had 11 strikeouts, with only a fifth-inning error keeping him from a perfect game.

Still, the White Sox cut him loose in spring 1958 after just 30 innings with Davenport in the Class B Three-I League. They just didn’t see enough improvement from him during his time in their system.

After getting released, Kralick went back to Michigan and pitched for a Grand Rapids semipro squad. He didn’t lose a single decision in 11 tries and threw a no-hitter at the national semipro tournament in Wichita, Kansas. That run got the attention of the Yankees, Tigers, and Indians.

Washington Senators scout Dick Wiencek ended up signing Kralick, promising him a shot at spring training in 1959. “I was glad to get another chance,” Kralick said about the opportunity.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Jack Kralick’s baseball career ended suddenly in 1967 after a car accident left him with lasting health problems. He moved around, living in places like Alaska and Mexico, and spent most of his later years outdoors and away from the baseball world until his death in 2012.

Injury and Decision to Retire in 1967

The Cleveland Indians sold Kralick to the New York Mets on May 1, 1967. But he never pitched for them—right after the deal, he got into a serious car accident.

The crash left him with a cracked rib and double vision. Those injuries kept him off the field for the rest of 1967.

His vision stayed blurry most of that year. By the time his eyesight finally got better, Kralick had lost the drive to pitch.

At 33, Kralick decided to step away from pro baseball for good. He never tried to come back, finishing his eight-year Major League career with 67 wins and 65 losses in 235 games.

Coaching Career and Activities in Alaska

After leaving baseball, Kralick moved to Watertown, South Dakota, by 1971. He worked for a school supply company and spent a lot of time fishing and hunting.

His passion for the outdoors eventually took him all the way to Alaska. He dove into the wilderness lifestyle and pretty much stayed away from anything related to baseball.

Kralick kept to himself during his retirement. He rarely talked to reporters or baseball historians who tried to reach out.

His son Lee Kralick summed it up: “He didn’t want the fame, didn’t want the notoriety. That’s just who he was.”

Later Years and Lasting Influence

Kralick eventually settled down in San Blas, Mexico, and that’s where he lived out his days. He kept to himself, sticking with that reclusive lifestyle, and really just stayed out of the spotlight.

He died at home in San Blas on September 18, 2012, at 77 years old. That was kind of the end of an era for early Minnesota Twins history, wasn’t it?

What people remember most is the first no-hitter in Minnesota Twins history on August 26, 1962. Kralick was just one out away from a perfect game before he walked George Alusik in the ninth inning.

By the time he passed away, only 9 of the 23 original players who moved from Washington to Minnesota after the 1960 season were still alive. That no-hitter still means a lot in Twins franchise history.