Jerry Kindall – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jerry Kindall wrapped up his baseball career in 1965 when the Minnesota Twins let him go after nine seasons in the majors. He started out as a University of Minnesota All-American infielder and played for three teams—the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Minnesota Twins.

His path from college standout to big leaguer got complicated by the bonus baby rule, which forced teams to keep expensive amateur signings on the major league roster. That rule changed a lot of careers, and Kindall’s was no exception.

Kindall’s glove work at second base and shortstop really stood out, but his struggles at the plate kept him from locking down a regular spot. He finished with a .213 batting average, 44 home runs, and 198 RBIs in 742 games. Even with those hitting issues, he managed to get regular playing time during the 1962 season with Cleveland and the 1965 season with Minnesota, helping the Twins reach the World Series.

Kindall’s retirement story shows how unforgiving pro baseball could be in the 1960s. Late in the 1965 season, after a hamstring injury, he lost his spot to rookie Frank Quilici during the Twins’ World Series run against the Dodgers.

The next spring, Twins owner Calvin Griffith told him straight up that neither he nor Quilici could hit well enough to stick around. That was that.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

Gerald Donald Kindall was born on May 27, 1935, into a family facing some pretty serious financial struggles. He starred at the University of Minnesota, where his play in the 1956 College World Series championship made him one of the most promising amateurs around and led to a big pro contract.

Childhood and Family Background

Kindall grew up in a household where money was always tight. His dad, Harold “Butch” Kindall, worked two jobs—about 70 hours a week—to keep the family afloat.

His mom, Alfield Kindall, used a wheelchair. Jerry’s grandfather also lived with them, and Jerry had two younger brothers. It was a lot for one family.

All that pressure made the idea of a big signing bonus pretty appealing. The family’s situation definitely played a role in Jerry’s decision to sign with a pro team.

Even with their challenges, the Kindalls put a high value on education. Jerry’s parents got him to promise he’d finish his degree, no matter what happened with baseball.

College Baseball Achievements

At the University of Minnesota, Kindall became a star under coach Dick Siebert. In his senior year, 1956, he batted .381, hit 18 home runs, and drove in 48 runs.

The highlight was winning the 1956 College World Series championship. That win really boosted his reputation among pro scouts.

He made the 1956 All-American team as an infielder. After that, scouts from all over came calling.

Kindall also played basketball on scholarship at Minnesota. That kind of athleticism is rare, honestly.

Path to the Major Leagues

After his College World Series run, pro scouts chased Kindall hard. The Chicago Cubs landed him with a reported $50,000 signing bonus.

That bonus made him a “bonus baby,” thanks to baseball’s 1953-1957 rule that forced anyone signing for $4,000 or more to stay on the big-league roster for two full years.

Kindall signed on June 30, 1956. By the next morning, he was flying to Chicago to join the Cubs, skipping the minors entirely.

Before signing, he promised his parents he’d finish school. He kept that promise, taking classes in the offseason and eventually earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while still playing pro ball.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Jerry Kindall played nine seasons in the majors, from 1956 to 1965. He spent most of his time at second base for three different teams in both leagues.

He built a reputation for defense, but his hitting never really came around. He ended up with a .213 average in 742 games.

MLB Debut and Rookie Years

Kindall debuted in MLB on July 1, 1956, with the Chicago Cubs at just 21. The Cubs signed him as a “bonus baby,” which meant he had to stay on the big-league roster for two years.

He struggled at the plate in his first seasons. In 1956, he played 32 games, hit just .164, but impressed with only four errors in 90 chances.

The following year, 1957, he got more playing time—72 games, 36 starts—but still hit just .160 and made 15 errors in 197 chances. The bonus rule kept him from getting much-needed minor league experience.

After 1957, when they changed the rule, the Cubs sent Kindall to Fort Worth to get some seasoning. He called that time his “apprenticeship” and felt grateful for the chance to develop in the minors.

Teams Jerry Kindall Played For

Kindall’s MLB journey took him through three organizations:

Chicago Cubs (1956-1958, 1960-1961) – NL

• Signed as a bonus baby in 1956
• Played in the minors at Fort Worth in 1958-1959
• Returned as regular second baseman in 1960-1961
• Hit .240 in 1960, .242 in 1961

Cleveland Indians (1962-1964) – AL

• Traded before the 1962 season
• Became regular second baseman in 1962
• Started 154 out of 162 games in his best season
• Had a standout four-game sweep against the Yankees

Minnesota Twins (1964-1965) – AL

• Picked up in a three-way trade on June 11, 1964
• Split time at second base with other players
• Made the World Series roster in 1965 but didn’t play
• Released after spring training in 1965

Positions and Playing Style

Kindall mostly played second base, but he had the versatility to fill in at shortstop, third, and even first when needed.

He stood 6’2″ and weighed 175 pounds, earning the nickname “Slim.” Kindall’s range and sure hands made him a defensive asset, and the Cubs especially liked his glove early on.

Coaches saw him as “a project every season” with the bat. He struck out a lot and struggled for average, but he did hit 44 homers in his career. His hottest streak came in Cleveland’s 1962 sweep of the Yankees, where he went 8-for-14 with two homers.

Kindall hit and threw right-handed. He worked with several coaches, including Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau, but never really found his swing in the majors.

Performance and Notable Achievements

Kindall’s nine years in the majors stretched from 1956 to 1965. He played 742 games for the Cubs, Indians, and Twins, with his best seasons coming in 1962 (Cleveland) and 1965 (Minnesota), when he was a regular starter.

Career Highlights

Kindall started as a bonus baby with the Cubs in 1956, which required him to stay on the roster for two years.

His breakout came in 1962 with the Indians. He played 154 games, collected 123 hits, and drove in 55 runs, mostly at second base. That was his most complete season as a regular starter in the American League.

In 1961 with the Cubs, he posted his best NL numbers—.242 average, 9 home runs, 44 RBIs in 96 games. He also hit 22 doubles, showing he could drive in runs from the infield.

He wrapped things up with the Twins in 1965, playing 125 games, getting 67 hits, and knocking in 36 runs before retiring.

Batting Statistics and Fielding Metrics

Kindall’s stats show the profile of a utility infielder. He picked up 439 hits in 2,057 at-bats, with 83 doubles, 9 triples, and 44 homers.

His ability to play multiple infield spots made him valuable. In 1962, he handled regular second base duties and posted solid defensive metrics.

Back in 1956, even with limited time, he managed a .956 fielding percentage at shortstop for the Cubs. As he gained experience, his defense only got better in both leagues.

Over his career, Kindall finished with 198 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He drew 145 walks but struck out 535 times, which probably frustrated a few coaches.

WAR and Advanced Metrics

Kindall’s career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) came out to -3.0, which means he didn’t add a ton of value overall in his nine seasons. His best WAR, 1.4, came in 1962 with Cleveland—his top year by far.

He performed better in the American League, posting 0.5 WAR in four seasons, compared to -3.4 WAR in five NL campaigns. That 1962 season really helped his AL numbers.

For his career, he put up a .593 OPS. In 1962, he managed a .639 OPS, his most balanced showing. His OPS+ of 62 means he was 38% below league average at the plate.

The stats show Kindall’s main value was on defense and as a utility player. He gave managers roster flexibility, even if his bat never lived up to expectations.

The Final Season: 1965 and Retirement

Kindall’s last year, 1965 with the Minnesota Twins, marked the close of his nine-year MLB run. At 30, he finished up his playing days as part of an American League championship team.

Overview of 1965 Season Performance

Kindall played 125 games in his final season with Minnesota. He hit .196, collecting 67 hits in 342 at-bats and driving in 36 runs.

He kept showing his fielding versatility, mostly at second and shortstop, and sometimes at third. His experience helped the young Twins squad.

Minnesota won the AL pennant that year. Kindall got to appear in the World Series against the Dodgers, which was the high point of his career.

Key 1965 Statistics:

• Games: 125
• Batting Average: .196
• Hits: 67
• RBIs: 36
• Doubles: 12
• Home Runs: 6

His hitting numbers stayed pretty modest, but his defense and veteran presence played a role in getting the Twins to the Series.

Factors Leading to Retirement

At 30, Kindall faced the usual hurdles for an aging utility guy. His batting average had dropped off, making it tough to hold onto a regular job.

Nine seasons in the majors took a toll on his body. Playing so many positions wears you down.

His career-long struggles at the plate also factored in. With a .213 lifetime average and not much power, he became expendable on a team looking to move forward.

Career Totals:

• Games: 742
• Batting Average: .213
• Home Runs: 44
• RBIs: 198

Coaching opportunities started to pop up at the right time. Kindall saw more of a future in developing young players than sticking around as a backup.

Getting to play in the World Series made for a pretty memorable finish. Not many players get to walk away after reaching the biggest stage in baseball.

Legacy of His Playing Years

Kindall spent nine years playing for three franchises in both major leagues. He wore uniforms for the Chicago Cubs (1956-1958, 1960-1961), Cleveland Indians (1962-1964), and Minnesota Twins (1964-1965).

Teams valued his defensive versatility. Kindall played second base, shortstop, and third base, which made him a reliable bench player.

The 1965 World Series run with Minnesota stood out as his biggest moment on the field. Being part of the American League champs put a stamp on his playing days that stats alone don’t capture.

He didn’t waste any time moving into coaching after retiring. Kindall headed back to Minnesota, first helping out as an assistant basketball coach, and then adding baseball duties in 1968.

Teams Played For:

• Chicago Cubs (5 seasons)
• Cleveland Indians (3 seasons)
• Minnesota Twins (2 seasons)

His time as a player shaped how he coached later. Kindall knew what utility players dealt with and came up with ways to get the most out of them.

The groundwork he laid as a player paid off when he started coaching at Arizona, where he eventually led the team to three national championships.

Life After Playing Baseball

After his playing days, Jerry Kindall jumped into coaching and education—roles that really defined his next chapter. He became a three-time College World Series champion coach at the University of Arizona, and he left his mark on baseball instruction through books and mentoring.

Transition to Coaching and Mentorship

When the Minnesota Twins released him in 1966, Kindall didn’t drift far from the game. The University of Minnesota brought him on for a mix of jobs, from helping with the baseball and basketball teams to fundraising and selling football ads.

He worked as a full-time assistant baseball coach under Dick Siebert, his old coach. That experience set him up for his next big move. In February 1972, Arizona named him head baseball coach in waiting, and he officially took over the next year.

Kindall built a powerhouse at Arizona. He led the Wildcats to three College World Series championships, becoming the first person to win a College World Series as both a player and a coach.

He focused on fundamentals and mental prep in his coaching philosophy. The university later honored him by naming their baseball field Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium.

Contributions to the Baseball Community

Kindall shared his baseball knowledge well beyond the dugout. He wrote several influential books, like “Baseball: Play the Winning Way” and “The Baseball Coaching Bible.” Coaches and players at all levels have used these books.

He emphasized proper technique and game strategy in his teaching. The books turned into go-to resources for youth, high school, and college baseball.

Kindall always valued education. He finished his bachelor’s degree while playing pro ball and later earned a master’s degree. That academic background really helped as he moved into coaching and writing.

He faced tough times, especially after his wife Georgia got diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 1984 and passed away in 1987. Even so, Kindall kept coaching. He often said his faith and Georgia’s encouragement kept him going for his players and the sport.

Personal Life and Legacy

Jerry Kindall’s life reached far beyond baseball, grounded in family and faith that helped him through hard times. His biggest legacy? Those extraordinary coaching achievements at Arizona, where he became the first to win the College World Series as both a player and a coach.

Family and Personal Interests

Kindall married Georgia, a registered nurse who became his lifelong partner and biggest supporter. They built their life around baseball and education, with Georgia cheering on Jerry’s coaching even during the toughest seasons.

Their relationship faced its hardest test in 1984, when Georgia was diagnosed with ALS. Jerry kept coaching and cared for his wife, and the University of Arizona let him step back from teaching to focus on family.

Georgia passed away on June 29, 1987, after three years battling the disease. Even in her illness, she wanted Jerry to keep coaching, knowing how much the game meant to him.

Kindall’s devout Christian faith held him steady through it all. He often credited those beliefs with helping him handle the lows of his major league career and later personal losses.

Recognition and Commemoration

Kindall’s coaching at Arizona earned him a ton of respect in college baseball circles. He led the Wildcats to three College World Series championships in 1976, 1980, and 1986, and finished with a record of 860-580-6 over 24 seasons.

He made a huge impact on player development. During his time coaching, 209 players signed major league contracts, and 34 made it to the big leagues.

Kindall became the first person in baseball history to win the College World Series as a player (Minnesota, 1956) and as a head coach. That’s a rare connection to championship-level baseball.

People in the baseball world consider him one of the best college coaches ever. When he retired in 1996, it really felt like the end of an era for Arizona baseball.

Overall Impact on Baseball

Kindall influenced baseball for decades, reaching across different levels of the sport. He went from a struggling major league player to a legendary college coach, showing an incredible amount of adaptability and dedication.

He built his coaching philosophy around fundamentals and character development. Players in his program often said he taught them lessons that went far beyond the field.

His players signed 209 professional contracts, creating a steady flow of talent into pro baseball that lasted for generations. A lot of those players later became coaches themselves, which kept Kindall’s influence alive throughout the baseball community.

Kindall passed away on December 24, 2017, at 82, after suffering a stroke three days earlier. His legacy stretched across six decades, connecting amateur and professional baseball in a way few others have managed.