Clyde Kluttz – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Clyde Kluttz might not be a name everyone recognizes, but his path through Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1952 is pretty fascinating if you ask me. He played as a journeyman catcher for eleven seasons, hopping between six teams, and even picked up a World Series ring with the 1946 St. Louis Cardinals.

Kluttz hung up his spikes in 1952 after finishing up with the Washington Senators. Still, he didn’t just fade away—he left a mark as a scout and executive too.

People mostly knew him for his defense, especially when it came to throwing out runners. He batted .268 over 656 games, hit 19 home runs, and drove in 212 runs.

His story pulls back the curtain on the ups and downs of being a backup catcher in baseball’s so-called golden age. He started out on a North Carolina farm and later found success discovering and developing new talent.

Kluttz’s journey shows how grit and baseball smarts can keep you in the game, even when teams keep trading you. Eventually, he found a second act in player development.

Early Life and Background

Clyde Franklin Kluttz was born on December 12, 1917, in Rockwell, North Carolina. He grew up in a farming family, which definitely shaped his work ethic.

His baseball dreams started in that small Piedmont town. At Catawba College, scouts first noticed how athletic he was.

Family and Hometown

Clyde was the sixth of seven kids born to Arthur L. Kluttz and Rosanna Parks Kluttz. Arthur worked as the recorder of deeds for Rowan County and farmed their land too.

The Kluttz family had German roots and lived on a farm in Rockwell, about 40 miles northeast of Charlotte. In the 1940s, Arthur switched things up and started selling furniture in a retail store.

Baseball ran deep in the family. His younger brother Alvin played catcher in the Cardinals system and later served in World War II. Alvin got badly hurt in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Bronze Star.

Growing up on the farm left its scars. Clyde actually lost the tip of his right thumb in a wheat thresher accident before he even started his baseball career.

All that farm work? It gave him what a writer once called “the parchment skin of a man who had spent many a turn behind the plow.”

Education at Catawba College

After Boyden High School in Salisbury, Kluttz went to Catawba College nearby. He played on the college baseball team for two years and kept up with his classes.

He didn’t just stick to baseball—he played football at Catawba too. The college gave him a real shot to show off for pro scouts.

Scout Pat Monahan first noticed him there, and Frank Rickey (brother of Cardinals GM Branch Rickey) eventually signed him in early 1938.

Early Baseball Development

The Piedmont region had a reputation for turning out baseball players. “All we kids thought and talked about was baseball,” Kluttz once said.

As a kid, he pitched more than he caught, especially in high school. He had a strong arm, stood six feet tall, and weighed about 195 pounds as he grew up.

He only started catching by accident during the 1936 Piedmont Textile League playoffs. “I never caught a game up to our Textile League playoffs in 1936,” he said. “Our regular catcher was injured, so I volunteered and caught last two games. And from that time on, I was a catcher.”

By his early teens, Kluttz was already facing grown men in the semipro Piedmont Textile League. That early experience toughened him up for pro ball.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Clyde Kluttz caught in the majors for nine seasons, from 1942 to 1952, and moved between six different teams. He even snagged a World Series championship with the 1946 St. Louis Cardinals. He wrapped things up with the Washington Senators.

MLB Debut and Rookie Years

Kluttz made his big league debut on April 20, 1942, with the Boston Braves, facing the Brooklyn Dodgers at 24 years old. He came in during the sixth inning, replacing Ernie Lombardi behind the plate, with Boston already down 7-0.

His first plate appearance? He grounded to short, but Pee Wee Reese’s error let him reach base. He scored and later picked up his first MLB hit off Kirby Higbe in the ninth, though the Dodgers still won 9-2.

In his rookie year, Kluttz played in 72 games as Lombardi’s backup and hit .267. He learned fast what it took to stick around in the majors.

The next couple of seasons, he split catching duties with a few teammates on the Braves. In 1943 and 1944, they used a three-catcher platoon, giving him more experience.

Notable Teams and Transfers

The big change came in mid-June 1945 when Boston traded Kluttz to the New York Giants for Joe Medwick and Ewald Pyle. He got off to a hot start with the Giants, batting .345 after a July 4 doubleheader.

That streak got him more playing time, and he played three out of every four games the rest of the season. He finished 1945 with a .279 average, his only season with more than 300 at-bats.

In 1946, things got wild. After threatening to jump to the Mexican League over playing time, Kluttz got traded twice on May 1. He went from the Giants to the Phillies for Vince DiMaggio, then immediately to the St. Louis Cardinals for Emil Verban.

That last trade really changed things. Kluttz joined the Cardinals, who won the National League pennant and the World Series that year. He hit .271 in 1946 and was the team’s main catcher against lefties.

Career Highlights:

• 1946: World Series champ with St. Louis Cardinals
• 1947: Led NL catchers by throwing out 57.5% of base stealers
• 1951: Hit a career-high .313 with Washington

Retirement in 1952

Kluttz played his last two seasons with the Washington Senators. The team picked him up in June 1951 after the St. Louis Browns let him go. Manager Bucky Harris really appreciated his veteran leadership, saying, “He’s making my job easier, He’s all business, and I wish I had discovered him 10 years ago.”

The 1952 Senators finished 78-76, which ended up being the last winning season for that franchise under the Griffiths. Kluttz played in 58 games that year, helping out as a catcher and mentor.

He started off 1952 hot, batting .300 through June 1. Then he had to have an appendectomy in July, which landed him on the disabled list and threw off his groove. He wrapped up his final season hitting .229.

Washington let him go in October 1952, closing out his nine-year major league run. At 34, Kluttz had a .268 lifetime average, 510 hits, 19 homers, and 212 RBIs in 767 games.

Teams Played For and Significant Seasons

Clyde Kluttz suited up for six different MLB teams between 1942 and 1952. His biggest moment came with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946, when he was part of a World Series-winning squad.

Boston Braves Years

Kluttz broke into the majors with the Boston Braves on April 20, 1942, at age 24. He spent his first four seasons with Boston, from 1942 through 1945.

In Boston, Kluttz earned a reputation as a reliable backup catcher. The Braves gave him his first shot at the big leagues.

He got his first hit in his debut against the Brooklyn Dodgers, going one-for-two.

Those early years in Boston really set the foundation for him as a player. He learned the ropes of catching in the majors during that time.

New York Giants Stint

The New York Giants traded for Kluttz in 1945, and he played with them into 1946. This was a transition period for him, shifting between teams.

With the Giants, Kluttz mostly backed up the main catchers. His stint in New York was short but gave him more big-league experience.

He didn’t play a ton of games for the Giants, but the time there got him ready for what came next.

St. Louis Cardinals and World Series

Kluttz joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946, which turned out to be his most memorable season. He played in 52 regular-season games for the eventual World Series champs.

Key 1946 Achievements:

• Started as catcher in the pennant-clinching Game 2 against the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 3
• Part of the Cardinals’ World Series-winning team
• Played a key role in the playoff series

Even though he was on the championship roster, Kluttz didn’t get into any World Series games. Still, his work during the season helped the Cardinals get to the playoffs.

He started as catcher in the big playoff game against the Dodgers that decided the National League crown.

Pittsburgh Pirates Achievements

Kluttz spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1947 to 1948. That was the longest stretch he had with any one team late in his career.

The Pirates used him as their backup catcher both years. He brought steady defense and a veteran presence behind the plate.

His experience with winning teams like the Cardinals made him a good mentor for younger Pirates players.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Kluttz kept up his reputation as a dependable defensive catcher. The Pirates leaned on his knowledge of hitters and game situations.

Positions and Playing Style

Clyde Kluttz always played as a backup catcher during his nine-year career. He built his reputation as a solid defensive player behind the plate. He focused more on game management and working with pitchers than on hitting.

Role as a Catcher

Kluttz worked as a backup catcher his whole major league career, from 1942 to 1952. He played for the Boston Braves, New York Giants, Washington Senators, and a few others.

His main value came from how well he handled pitchers. When he was with the Senators, manager Bucky Harris really praised his baseball smarts, saying Kluttz was “making my job easier” and calling him “like an additional coach.”

He made a difference with pitcher development too. Bob Porterfield, who won 22 games and was AL Pitcher of the Year in 1953, credited Kluttz for helping him nail down his change-up.

Kluttz batted and threw right-handed. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, he had the right build for catching.

Defensive Performance

Kluttz’s defense is what kept him in the big leagues, even though his bat wasn’t anything special. He finished with a .268 career average, 19 home runs, and 212 RBIs—not exactly numbers that wow you.

Bucky Harris liked Kluttz’s serious, all-business attitude. That approach helped him mentor younger guys and pitchers on every team he joined.

Teams kept signing him for his defense and leadership, even after he had rough years at the plate. After hitting just .229 in 1952, Kluttz moved into coaching and scouting instead of sticking around as a player.

His knack for calling games and managing pitchers really stood out. Those skills helped him hang around the majors for nine years, even as a backup.

Career Statistics and Records

Clyde Kluttz hit for a .268 career batting average with 19 home runs and 212 RBIs across 656 games. He played nine seasons from 1942 to 1952.

His advanced stats show steady performance. Kluttz’s rOBA hit a high of .367 in 1951, and he posted his best Rbat+ rating of 116 that same year.

Batting Averages and Key Stats

Throughout his career, Kluttz kept up reliable offensive production. In 1951, he posted his highest batting average—.313—while playing for Washington.

That .268 career average? Not bad at all, especially for a catcher in the 1940s.

He racked up 510 total hits in 1,903 at-bats over those nine seasons. Kluttz’s best year at the plate came in 1951, when he hit .313 and reached a .395 on-base percentage, splitting time between Washington and St. Louis.

He drew 132 walks and struck out just 119 times. That kind of plate discipline helped him keep a .318 career on-base percentage.

Kluttz’s contact ability made him a dependable backup catcher, even if he didn’t always get the spotlight.

Runs, Home Runs, and RBI

Kluttz scored 172 runs in his major league career. His most productive year for runs came in 1945, when he crossed the plate 34 times.

He showed some pop, hitting 19 home runs overall, with a career-high six in 1947 for Pittsburgh.

With 212 RBIs, Kluttz proved he could drive in runs when it counted. That 1947 season with Pittsburgh really stood out—he knocked in 42 runs and hit .302.

He also smacked 90 doubles and eight triples in his career. His .354 slugging percentage might not jump off the page, but it matched his style: steady contact, not a ton of power, but always putting the ball in play.

Advanced Metrics: rOBA and Rbat+

Kluttz’s rOBA (runs above average based on batting average) peaked at .367 in 1951. That stat shows he produced above-average offense that year.

His career rOBA settled at .311, so he landed a bit below average compared to other hitters of his era.

The Rbat+ metric, which compares a hitter to league average, reached 116 for Kluttz in 1951. That made him 16% better than the average hitter that season.

For his career, his Rbat+ finished at 83, putting him about 17% below league average offensively.

In 1951, Kluttz really put it all together across several advanced stats. His OPS+ of 115 that year showed his most complete offensive game—good average, a bit more power, and patience at the plate.

Legacy and Impact After Retirement

After he retired in 1952, Clyde Kluttz built a second career in baseball that lasted more than two decades. His experience as a catcher helped him spot and develop major league talent, including future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter.

Transition to Scouting and Management

Kluttz jumped straight from playing to working as a baseball executive. He signed on as a player-coach with Baltimore in the International League in December 1952.

A knee injury in his second game ended his playing days for good in 1953.

The Philadelphia Athletics brought him in to manage their Savannah affiliate in the South Atlantic League in 1954. Kluttz led the team to second place finishes in both 1954 and 1955.

He won the postseason playoff and pennant his first year as manager.

Kluttz once said winning that championship ranked as his favorite baseball memory, right up there with his World Series victory with the Cardinals.

The Kansas City Athletics promoted him to scout in 1956, kicking off a new phase that really shaped his legacy after playing.

Contributions to MLB Teams Post-Retirement

Kluttz made an even bigger impact as a scout than he did as a player. He spent over 20 years finding talent for three different organizations and built strong ties with executives like Hank Peters.

His biggest find came in 1964, when he convinced Athletics owner Charlie Finley to spend $50,000 to sign North Carolina pitcher Jimmy Hunter. Kluttz had built a close bond with the Hunter family, often visiting their home in the Carolina Piedmont.

About a decade later, working as a Yankees super scout, Kluttz played a key role in bringing that same pitcher—now “Catfish” Hunter—to New York on a $3.75 million free agent deal.

He also signed future big leaguer Ken Harrelson for the Athletics in 1959.

From 1971 to 1973, Kluttz served as the Yankees’ director of player development, then became scouting director in 1974. He wrapped up his career with the Baltimore Orioles, working as director of player development from 1976 until he passed away in 1979.

Remembering Clyde Kluttz

Clyde Kluttz died in 1979 at just 61, after struggling with kidney and heart problems. That marked the end of his 41-year run in professional baseball.

His playing days? Honestly, they were pretty unremarkable. But what he did as a scout and executive—that’s where he really made his mark.

Sports columnist Jim Murray once joked that teams “shopped” Kluttz around, and he often ended up on rosters full of players just like him. Still, Kluttz had a knack for spotting talent that went way beyond what his own stats showed.

He built relationships in baseball that lasted for decades. For example, Tommy Giordano, who played under Kluttz in Savannah, later teamed up with him as a scout and executive across several organizations.

You’ll still see his impact today in the players he discovered and helped develop. Just look at Hunter, who turned into one of the top pitchers of the 1970s.