Ken Kravec – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ken Kravec’s baseball career might not have grabbed headlines like some of his peers, but the lefty put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball before calling it quits in 1982.

He played only for Chicago teams, spending six seasons with the White Sox and wrapping up his career with two years as a Cub.

Kravec posted a career record of 43 wins and 56 losses over 160 games. He struck out 557 batters and held a 4.47 earned run average.

Growing up in Cleveland, Kravec led White Sox pitchers in strikeouts for three straight years from 1977 to 1979. He really became a reliable arm in their rotation during some pretty competitive seasons.

He took a journey from Ohio high school ball to the majors, then shifted into scouting after retirement. That path gives you a look at how a steady pro pitcher can build a baseball life.

There are some memorable moments—like being the last pitcher to face Yankees catcher Thurman Munson, or getting tangled up in Carlton Fisk’s famous number change. Kravec’s story weaves through some quirky chapters in baseball history.

Ken Kravec’s Professional Baseball Career

Ken Kravec pitched eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1975 to 1982, sticking with Chicago teams the whole way. He put up a 43-56 record and 557 strikeouts in 160 games, mostly as a starter for both the White Sox and Cubs.

Debut and MLB Entry

Kravec made his Major League debut on September 4, 1975, with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox picked him in the third round (69th overall) of the 1973 MLB draft after his college days at Ashland University.

He earned his shot at the majors after a strong 1975 minor league season. Kravec went 14-7 with a 2.41 ERA in Double-A and landed on the Southern League’s all-star team.

His first MLB game was rough. He started against the Kansas City Royals but lasted only 2⅓ innings. He gave up just one hit but walked seven and allowed three earned runs in a 7-1 loss.

Chicago White Sox Years

Kravec spent six years with the White Sox from 1975 to 1980. He settled in as a key pitcher in their rotation during the late ’70s.

The 6-foot-2 lefty led all White Sox pitchers in strikeouts from 1977 to 1979. His best year came in 1979, when he notched 15 wins to lead the club.

He also led the American League in hit batsmen twice with the Sox, plunking 10 batters in 1978 and tying for the league lead with 14 in 1979.

Notable White Sox Statistics:

• Strikeout Leader: 1977-1979
• Team Wins Leader: 15 wins in 1979
• Hit Batsmen Leader: AL leader in 1978 and 1979

On May 9, 1979, Kravec picked up his only career save in a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

The White Sox traded Kravec to the crosstown Cubs on March 28, 1981, swapping him for right-hander Dennis Lamp. The deal happened just weeks after the White Sox signed free agent catcher Carlton Fisk.

Kravec spent two years with the Cubs, from 1981 to 1982. His last MLB game came on October 3, 1982.

During the strike-shortened 1981 season, he finished second in the National League with four hit batsmen.

Moving to the Cubs ended his time with the Sox. Funny enough, the trade was partly connected to uniform number 27, which Carlton Fisk had worn in Boston.

Career Statistics and Records

Kravec put up some decent career numbers over eight seasons. He pitched in 160 games, starting 128 of them.

Career Totals:

• Win-Loss Record: 43-56
• Earned Run Average: 4.47
• Strikeouts: 557
• Complete Games: 24
• Shutouts: 6
• Saves: 1

He logged 858⅔ innings, allowing 814 hits and 404 walks. Kravec threw 24 complete games and six shutouts.

After retiring in 1982, Kravec stayed in the game as a scout. He worked for the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays in different scouting jobs.

Notable Achievements and Highlights

Kravec’s career had some standout performances and memorable moments that really define his time in the big leagues. His best years came with the White Sox, where he proved himself as a reliable starter and a strikeout leader.

Significant Games and Performances

Kravec’s top statistical season was 1979, when he put up a 15-6 record and a 3.74 ERA for the White Sox. He finished 10 games that year and struck out 132 batters, leading the team in wins.

In 1978, he showed off his durability. Kravec tossed over 200 innings and struck out 154 batters in 30 starts. That performance made him a key part of the White Sox rotation.

The left-hander stayed remarkably consistent during his prime. From 1977 to 1979, he led the Sox in strikeouts every season.

His 125 strikeouts in 1977 put him atop the team in that category for the first time.

Kravec’s career stats show 43 wins and 56 losses over eight years. He struck out 557 in 858⅔ innings, with six shutouts and 24 complete games.

Memorable Moments on the Mound

One of Kravec’s most significant moments came on August 1, 1979, when he faced Yankees catcher Thurman Munson. Kravec struck out Munson in the third inning, which ended up being Munson’s final at-bat before his tragic death the next day.

Kravec was supposed to start the second game of a doubleheader on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park against Detroit. Instead, the game was forfeited because of the infamous Disco Demolition Night chaos. That bizarre event has become a piece of baseball history.

He got his only career save on May 9, 1979, against Detroit, pitching just one-third of an inning in relief. Kravec retired Lynn Jones on a fly ball to right, sealing the win for Chicago.

Roles Within the Team

Kravec served as a workhorse in the White Sox rotation during his best years. The team hoped he’d be their ace in 1980, but injuries got in the way and limited what he could do that season.

He managed only a 3-6 record with a 6.94 ERA in 20 games that year.

Kravec’s leadership went beyond the numbers. He regularly ranked among the team’s top strikeout pitchers, giving the Sox reliable innings from the left side.

After the White Sox traded him to the Cubs in 1981 for Dennis Lamp, Kravec played his last two seasons on the North Side before hitting free agency after 1982.

When his playing days ended, Kravec moved into scouting and front office work. He worked as a scout for several teams and later became a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Cubs.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Ken Kravec was born July 29, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. He developed his baseball skills through high school and college before making the leap to pro ball.

His journey from Ohio to the big leagues included standout performances at Midpark High School and Ashland University.

Childhood and Hometown

Kenneth Peter Kravec grew up in Cleveland during the 1950s and ’60s. Born in 1951, he was raised in a city with a deep baseball tradition.

Cleveland gave him plenty of exposure to pro baseball through the Cleveland Indians. The city’s baseball vibe definitely helped shape his early love for the game.

As a left-handed pitcher, Kravec stood out from a young age. His natural ability and commitment to baseball were obvious even as a kid.

He developed his skills in Cleveland’s youth baseball leagues. Those early games built the foundation for his pro career.

High School and College Baseball

Kravec attended Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, where he shined as a pitcher. His high school days showed the talent that would eventually take him to the big leagues.

After graduating from Midpark, Kravec kept playing ball at Ashland University. College gave him the chance to sharpen his pitching.

At Ashland, Kravec worked on his craft as a left-handed pitcher. His college performance got the attention of pro scouts who saw his potential.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound pitcher used his college years to get ready for pro baseball. Those seasons at Ashland were huge for his development.

Draft History

Pro scouts noticed Kravec’s talent while he was at Ashland. The Chicago White Sox picked him in the amateur draft.

Kravec signed on with the White Sox and started his pro career in their minor league system. He worked his way up to the majors.

The lefty made his MLB debut on September 4, 1975, for the White Sox. At 24, he reached the top level of professional baseball.

He debuted against the Kansas City Royals, officially kicking off his eight-year major league career. That game capped off years of hard work from his Ohio roots to the big leagues.

Retirement in 1982 and Post-Playing Career

Ken Kravec’s baseball career wrapped up on October 3, 1982, after his final outing with the Chicago Cubs.

He moved smoothly into scouting and front office work, staying connected to the sport for several teams in the years that followed.

Final MLB Season

Kravec’s 1982 season with the Cubs marked the end of his Major League run. He joined the Cubs in 1981 after the White Sox traded him for Dennis Lamp.

The trade happened just after Carlton Fisk signed with the Sox. Fisk wanted to wear number 27, which Kravec had been using. Instead of giving up the number, Fisk flipped the digits and wore 72 during his Chicago years.

With the Cubs, Kravec pitched as both a starter and reliever. His last MLB appearance came on October 3, 1982, closing the book on a career that spanned 160 games over eight seasons.

Transition out of Professional Baseball

After leaving the mound in 1982, Kravec didn’t step away from baseball. He jumped into scouting and front office roles.

This move let him put his playing experience and baseball knowledge to use. It’s a path plenty of former players take, going from the field to evaluating and developing talent.

He went from being scouted to scouting others for pro teams.

Life After Baseball

Kravec built a solid post-playing career as a baseball scout. He worked for a bunch of Major League teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays.

Scouting took him all over the country to check out amateur and pro talent. That job called for a lot of travel and a deep understanding of player development.

His experience as a pitcher gave him valuable insight into what teams want in prospects. Being a lefty himself probably helped when sizing up other southpaws.

Kravec finished his playing days with 43 wins and 56 losses and a 4.47 ERA. He struck out 557 batters in 858⅔ innings, threw six shutouts, and completed 24 games.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Ken Kravec left his mark on baseball through eight seasons as a player and later as a scout and front office guy. His impact went beyond numbers, earning respect from teammates and continuing to shape the game through player development.

Reputation Among Peers

Ken Kravec built a reputation as a reliable left-handed starter. He led his team in strikeouts year after year.

When he played for the Chicago White Sox from 1975 to 1980, he topped the pitching staff in strikeouts for three straight seasons, from 1977 to 1979.

His teammates appreciated his work ethic and professionalism. That 15-win season in 1979? Definitely the high point for him, with a 3.74 ERA and 132 strikeouts.

Players around the league noticed his competitive spirit, especially when things got tough. One moment that stands out—his last face-off with Yankees catcher Thurman Munson on August 1, 1979, when Kravec struck him out. The memory hits harder knowing Munson died in a plane crash the next day.

Kravec finished his career with 43 wins and 56 losses over 161 games. He racked up 557 career strikeouts in 858⅔ innings pitched.

Influence in the MLB Community

After he retired in 1982, Kravec moved into baseball operations and scouting. He scouted for several organizations, including the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, and Chicago Cubs.

He also spent time coaching. Kravec worked as pitching coach for the GCL Royals in 1986. The next year, he coached the Fort Myers Royals, then joined the Memphis Chicks in 1988.

By 2011, Kravec held the job of Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Chicago Cubs. He’d been in that role since at least 2008. It gave him a real say in player development and organizational decisions.

His scouting helped spot and develop future big league talent. Having played for both the White Sox and Cubs, Kravec brought valuable perspective to talent evaluation in Chicago.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Ken Kravec was born on July 29, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. He’s kept his personal life pretty private during his baseball career and after. His net worth sits around $5 million, at least according to the latest estimates.

Family and Personal Background

Kenneth Peter Kravec grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he first fell for baseball. He went to Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, and that’s where people started noticing his athletic ability.

After high school, Kravec played college ball at Ashland University. Scouts took notice, and the Chicago White Sox picked him in the third round of the 1973 MLB draft, 69th overall.

He stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds, pitching left-handed through his whole career. The Midpark High School Athletic Hall of Fame inducted him for his impact on their baseball program.

He’s kept details about his family life, marriage, or kids away from the public eye. Even now, Kravec prefers to keep his personal relationships private.

Financial Standing

Ken Kravec has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Several sources back this up, like Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.

Most of his wealth came from his baseball career, which ran from 1975 to 1982. Back then, Kravec pitched for the Chicago White Sox and later the Chicago Cubs.

He earned his salary on the mound as a starting pitcher. Over 160 games, he racked up a 43-56 win-loss record and struck out 557 batters.

After he hung up his glove, Kravec found ways to keep earning in the baseball world. He scouted for teams such as the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays.

He didn’t stop there, either. Kravec coached pitchers for the GCL Royals in 1986, took on the Fort Myers Royals in 1987, and joined the Memphis Chicks in 1988.