Lou Klein – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Louis Frank Klein, or just Lou Klein to most folks, made his mark as one of baseball’s more controversial figures in the 1940s and early 1950s. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1918, and played five seasons in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Athletics before wrapping up his career in 1951.

Klein was among 22 major league players who “jumped” to the Mexican League in 1946, earning a five-year ban from organized baseball, which really changed the course of his career. When he left the Cardinals mid-season for a big contract in Mexico, the move made headlines and stirred up one of baseball’s biggest controversies of that decade.

The ban eventually got shortened, and Klein returned to the majors in 1949. Still, that gap in his career took a toll on what might have been a much bigger run in the big leagues.

But there’s more to Klein’s story than just the Mexican League drama. He served in World War II, found winter league success in Cuba, and spent years in the minors both playing and managing. His journey from a hotshot rookie on the 1943 National League champion Cardinals to his final years as a utility man really shows just how unpredictable and tough pro baseball could be during those wild years.

Early Life and Background

Louis Frank Klein Jr. arrived on October 22, 1918, in New Orleans. His parents valued hard work and education, and that rubbed off on him.

Klein’s athletic skills started to shine in high school at S.J. Peters, where he led the baseball team to state and regional titles.

Family Origins

Lou Klein grew up in a working-class New Orleans family with German-Irish roots. His dad, Louis Frank Klein Sr., was a city native who married Florence E. Spaulding in December 1917.

Klein Sr. served in World War I, registering for the draft in June 1918. After the war, he built a career in banking, first as a teller at Canal Bank & Trust Co., then moving to Hibernia National Bank’s bonding and security department.

The family settled into an $8,000 house, which was a pretty big deal back then. Lou Jr. had a younger brother, Warren L. Klein, and the family’s stable home life gave Lou a solid base for his baseball dreams.

High School Baseball Career

Klein graduated from Samuel J. Peters High School in 1936. He quickly stood out on the school’s baseball team, both at the plate and in the field.

But he didn’t stop there. Klein played for the New Orleans Jesuit Blue Jays, an American Legion Junior squad that racked up major wins while he was on the roster.

With Klein’s help, the Blue Jays took home state and regional American Legion Junior championships. These wins really put him on the radar for scouts looking for the next big thing.

Path to Professional Baseball

Klein’s amateur success got the attention of big league scouts. In 1940, St. Louis Cardinals scout Wid Matthews signed him as an amateur free agent.

That moment kicked off Klein’s pro career. He was 5’11”, 167 pounds—pretty standard for infielders back then—and his high school track record showed he had the chops for the next level.

Klein’s rise from New Orleans standout to pro prospect followed the usual path, but his championship pedigree made him a real catch for the Cardinals.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Stardom

Lou Klein’s start in the Majors looked like the beginning of something big, though it would end up being a rollercoaster. When he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1940, he set the stage for a stellar rookie season in 1943.

Signing with St. Louis Cardinals

In 1940, Wid Matthews from the Cardinals signed 21-year-old Klein as an amateur free agent. The kid from New Orleans had already impressed during his high school days at Samuel J. Peters.

Klein’s first pro season was a hit. Playing for Class D Daytona Beach in the Florida State League, he batted .348 with 23 doubles, 18 triples, nine homers, and 81 RBIs.

He moved up fast. In 1941, Klein joined the Class A Columbus Red Birds and nearly snagged the batting title with a .367 average, missing it by just three points. The Cardinals thought so highly of him that Branch Rickey turned down a $100,000 offer from the New York Giants.

Breakout 1943 Rookie Season

Klein’s rookie year in 1943 made people take notice. He hit .287 with 28 doubles, 14 triples, seven home runs, and 62 RBIs over 154 games.

Cardinals management loved his durability. Klein played every inning that year, first filling in at shortstop for Marty Marion, then taking over at second base when Jimmy Brown left for the military.

He came through in the clutch, too. On September 18, Klein drove in both runs in a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds that clinched the pennant. In the ninth, he hustled down the line to break up a double play, letting Ray Sanders score the winning run.

Performance in the National League

The Cardinals ran away with the National League in 1943, finishing 18 games ahead. Klein’s steady play at second base was a huge part of that.

He put together a 21-game hitting streak, showing he could rack up hits day after day. Manager Billy Southworth counted on his versatility to cover multiple infield spots whenever needed.

The World Series against the Yankees didn’t go as planned for Klein. He went 3-for-22 in the five games, and the Yankees beat the Cardinals four games to one. Still, Klein made the All-Rookie Team and took home a loser’s share of $4,231.96.

Military Service and Impact of World War II

Lou Klein’s baseball career hit a huge speed bump when he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1945. That time away changed his baseball path for good.

Service in U.S. Coast Guard

Klein joined the Coast Guard on November 26, 1943, right after his strong rookie season with the Cardinals. He worked as a Specialist 1st Class at St. Augustine, Florida, and Curtis Bay, Maryland.

At Curtis Bay, Klein repaired ships, helping keep Coast Guard vessels ready for action.

He served for nearly two years, finishing up on August 31, 1945. That meant he missed all of 1944 and most of 1945 with the Cardinals.

But Klein didn’t hang up his spikes completely. He played baseball for the 1945 Curtis Bay Coast Guard Cutters, who posted a 50-13 record with Klein out in the outfield.

Baseball During Wartime

Klein stayed sharp by playing on Coast Guard teams during his service. He batted .370 for the Curtis Bay Cutters, proving he could still hit even with less competition.

Those Coast Guard teams could hang with the pros. They beat both the Phillies and the Athletics in exhibitions, which says a lot about the talent on military squads back then.

Klein played outfield instead of his usual infield spots, stepping up wherever the team needed him.

His military team’s success showed just how many pro players were serving but still playing ball. It let Klein stay in game shape for when he finally returned to the majors.

Return to MLB After Service

Klein came back to the Cardinals on September 1, 1945, as soon as he was discharged. The team had finished second to the Cubs while he was away, missing out on another playoff shot.

He just couldn’t get back to his rookie form. Klein managed only 89 hits in 410 at-bats (.217 average) over 151 games with the Cardinals, Indians, and Athletics between 1945 and 1951.

That long break clearly threw off his timing and consistency. He saw less playing time, especially with Red Schoendienst taking over at second base.

Military service pretty much ended his shot at becoming a regular big leaguer. His .259 career average tells the story—a hot rookie season at .287, then a big drop-off after the war.

Career Controversies and the Mexican League Jump

In 1946, Klein’s career took a wild turn when he joined 21 other major leaguers who “jumped” to the Mexican League for higher salaries. That move led to a five-year ban from organized baseball and totally changed his path.

Jump to the Mexican League

On May 23, 1946, Klein got a call from Jorge Pasquel, a wealthy Mexican businessman pouring money into Liga Mexicana de Baseball. Klein was getting limited playing time behind Red Schoendienst, so the timing was interesting.

“We were in New York when I received a call from Jorge Pasquel asking me if I wanted to play in Mexico,” Klein remembered. “When I expressed interest, he told me, ‘Name a figure.'”

Klein threw out a salary and bonus number three times bigger than what he got from St. Louis. “I was really bluffing, but Pasquel agreed and that was it. I called Sam Breadon and told him, ‘I quit.'”

Of course, there were major risks. Commissioner Happy Chandler had warned that anyone jumping to Mexico would get a five-year ban from organized baseball.

Klein didn’t go alone. Cardinals teammates Max Lanier and Fred Martin joined him, and the trio headed for Mexico City. Klein said, “I have a five-year contract at a much higher figure than I could possibly earn playing ball in the States.”

MLB Ban and Reinstatement

Things in the Mexican League fell apart pretty fast. By 1947, the financial backing dried up and players stopped getting paid. Klein bounced around teams and finally left Mexico in 1949 after he couldn’t get treatment for a hand injury.

Commissioner Chandler softened his stance in 1949. Klein asked for reinstatement and signed with St. Louis for $6,500 on June 15.

The next day, Klein became the first of the reinstated players to get into a game. He pinch-hit a single that sparked a four-run rally in a 6-2 win over Brooklyn at Sportsman’s Park.

Klein’s return gave the Cardinals a boost in their pennant chase. On June 24, he hit two homers in an 8-4 win over Boston, putting St. Louis in first place. Owner Fred Saigh gave him a $2,500 raise for his play.

Even with Klein’s help, the Cardinals came up short in the pennant race. The team gave the three Mexican jumpers half-World Series shares of $572.77 each.

Impact on Career Trajectory

The Mexican League mess really changed Klein’s career. He lost three prime years (1946-1948)—years he should have been at his best.

When he got back to the majors, Klein never won his starting job again. The Cardinals traded him after 1949, and he bounced between Cleveland and Philadelphia before retiring in 1951.

His major league stats took a hit. Klein played only five seasons in the majors instead of what could have been eight. His .278 career average reflected limited chances, not a lack of talent.

But the controversy brought some unexpected upsides. Klein set a Cuban Winter League home run record with 16 in 1952-53 and later made it into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

Klein’s story really shows how restrictive baseball’s reserve clause system could be. His willingness to challenge the status quo made him a key figure in baseball’s labor history.

Later MLB Career and Final Seasons

Klein came back to Major League Baseball in 1949, kicking off a wandering stretch where he suited up for three different teams. He brought value as a utility player—his glove and experience counted, even as his bat cooled off.

Return to the St. Louis Cardinals

On June 15, 1949, Klein found himself back with the St. Louis Cardinals after Commissioner Happy Chandler let the Mexican League jumpers return. The Cardinals gave him $6,500 to sign, which was $1,500 more than the minimum for reinstated players.

He wasted no time making an impact. On June 16, Klein became the first reinstated player to get into a game. His pinch-hit single set off a four-run rally in the seventh, helping the Cardinals beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-2 at Sportsman’s Park.

Fans and management liked what they saw early on. On June 24, he hit home runs off Vern Bickford and Johnny Antonelli in an 8-4 win over Boston, which nudged St. Louis into first place. He filled in for shortstop Marty Marion, who kept hurting his back.

Cardinals owner-president Fred Saigh bumped Klein’s pay up by $2,500 on June 29 to show his appreciation. But injuries caught up with Klein later, and he played just one full game in September as the Cardinals fell short of the pennant.

Stints with Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics

In December 1949, the Cardinals traded Klein and Ron Northey to Cincinnati for Harry Walker. The Reds never put Klein on the field, and they sold him to the Chicago Cubs on May 2, 1950.

The Cleveland Indians picked up Klein in the Rule 5 Draft on November 16, 1950. He didn’t stick around long, as the Indians traded him to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 10, 1951, along with Allie Clark for Sam Chapman.

For six weeks in 1951, Klein started at second base for the Athletics. His run got cut short by health problems, including pneumonia that kept him out for 10 days and a nasty sprained ankle that sidelined him for five weeks.

These setbacks really limited his playing time. In his last three MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Indians, and Athletics, he played only 151 games total.

Roles at Second, Shortstop, Third, and Outfield

Klein’s ability to play just about anywhere in the infield became his calling card late in his MLB career. He mainly held down second base (2B) and shortstop (SS), using his smarts and experience to make up for lost speed.

He jumped in at third base (3B) when needed and even saw time in the outfield, both left field (LF) and right field (RF).

Managers leaned on him for defensive help and as a pinch-hitter. Even when his bat faded, Klein stuck around as a steadying influence for younger teammates.

Transition Out of Major League Baseball

Klein’s last MLB season came in 1951 with the Philadelphia Athletics. His post-war numbers dropped off sharply from his rookie year—he hit just .217 in 151 games over four seasons.

In December 1951, the Athletics sold Klein to the Pacific Coast League’s San Diego Padres for $10,000. That move ended his big league career, though he kept playing in the minors and abroad for several more years.

World War II and the Mexican League mess really shaped the end of his career. Klein finished his MLB run with a .259 average, 16 home runs, and 101 RBIs across 305 games.

Minor League Journey and Coaching Legacy

After the majors, Klein found new life in the minor leagues, shifting from player to manager and instructor. His managerial success with teams like the Lafayette Oilers and Des Moines Bruins led him to an innovative role in the Chicago Cubs’ College of Coaches during the 1960s.

Notable Minor League Teams and Achievements

Klein bounced around some respected leagues and clubs. He started with the Class D Daytona Beach team in 1940, where he hit .348 with 23 doubles, 18 triples, and nine home runs.

His big break came with the Columbus Red Birds in the American Association in 1941. He nearly grabbed the batting title with a .367 average, missing out to Lou Novikoff by just three points after a scoring change.

After his time in Mexico, Klein joined the Pacific Coast League with the Los Angeles Angels in 1950. He raked, hitting .332 with 24 doubles, 14 home runs, and 76 RBIs in only 97 games. By July 1st, he’d already hit three grand slams.

Later, Klein played for the San Diego Padres in the PCL, fighting through ankle problems. Even so, he managed a .280 average in 122 games.

He wrapped up his playing days in the Southern Association with the New Orleans Pelicans in 1953. That year, he hit .311 with 33 doubles, 14 home runs, and 89 RBIs in 143 games.

Managerial Career and the College of Coaches

Klein’s managing days began with the Lafayette Oilers in the Evangeline League in 1955. As player-manager, he led the club to a playoff title, even though they finished just half a game out of first in the regular season.

The Oilers got hot, winning 24 of their last 31 games with Klein at the helm. He helped on the field, too, batting .342 with 23 home runs and filling in at multiple spots, plus pitching in eight games.

In 1956, Klein moved to the Western League with the Des Moines Bruins. The team stumbled early, and fans let him hear it, but he rallied the squad to a 72-67 finish and hit .333 with 17 home runs himself.

That success got him a shot with the Memphis Chickasaws in the Southern Association in 1957. The Chicks started with nine straight wins and stayed in the hunt, ending just a half-game behind Atlanta.

Klein’s most unusual job came with the Chicago Cubs’ College of Coaches. In 1965, he served as head coach in this experiment, where the Cubs tried rotating instructors instead of a single manager.

Influence on Player Development

Klein joined the Cubs organization in 1955 as an instructor and minor league manager. He brought a wide range of experience from different leagues and countries, which helped him teach young players.

With the College of Coaches, Klein shared what he’d learned in the Mexican League and Cuban Winter League—places with their own baseball styles and tactics.

He liked to focus on physical conditioning and the basics. At Des Moines, he ran tough spring training sessions, saying, “One thing’s for sure, this squad is going to be in good physical condition.”

His coaching style mixed technical drills with building mental toughness. Klein’s knack for turning things around with struggling teams showed he understood how to motivate players.

The Cubs valued Klein as a teacher and mentor. Because he’d played all over the field, he could coach guys at nearly any position.

Playing Style and Position Versatility

Lou Klein earned a reputation as a reliable infielder who could handle multiple spots, mostly anchoring second base but also helping at shortstop and third. At the plate, he focused on making contact instead of swinging for the fences, which kept his numbers steady through his five-year career.

Primary Positions Played

Klein made his mark as a dependable second baseman in his rookie year, 1943, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He started 119 games at second base, showing good fundamentals and locking down the position.

He also played shortstop in 51 games that year, handling 152 chances with a .941 fielding percentage. That flexibility made him a real asset for Cardinals manager Billy Southworth.

Klein filled in at third base when needed. His ability to move around gave managers more options during games and when building their roster.

The Cardinals put Klein wherever they needed him most. His range factor of 5.21 per game at second base in 1943 came pretty close to the league average of 5.76, which shows he held his own defensively.

Batting and Fielding Analysis

Klein’s approach at the plate was all about contact and getting on base. He finished with a .259 career batting average, and in 1943, he hit .287 with 180 hits.

He didn’t hit for much power. Over five seasons, Klein had just 16 home runs, with a career-high seven in 1943. He did better with doubles, racking up 48 2b in his career, including 28 as a rookie.

Triples weren’t really his thing—he had only 15 3b total, and 14 of those came in 1943.

On defense, Klein was solid but not flashy. In 1943, his .973 fielding percentage at second base edged out the league average of .969. His range numbers showed he covered enough ground to get the job done.

Key Career Statistics

Klein peaked in 1943, playing 154 games and logging 696 plate appearances. He scored 91 runs and drove in 62, helping the Cardinals a lot that year.

His best season included 180 hits, 28 doubles, 14 triples, and seven home runs. He showed some patience too, drawing 50 walks and striking out 70 times.

His numbers dropped in later years. In 1946, he hit just .194 in 23 games, and in 1951, he managed a .226 average between Philadelphia and Cleveland.

Klein wrapped up his career with 269 hits, 101 RBIs, and 162 runs scored in 305 games. His versatility and steady play made him a useful role player during his time in the majors.

Life After Baseball, Personal Life, and Legacy

After baseball, Lou Klein returned to New Orleans, staying close to the game while building a family legacy that reached beyond his playing days. He passed away on June 20, 1976, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a talented player and a key figure in the Mexican League controversy.

Personal Life and Family

Klein married Estelle M. Bourda on August 7, 1940, in Volusia County, Florida. Estelle, a New Orleans native and St. Marie Academy grad, became his partner for life. They had three kids: Nerlyn, born in 1941, and two sons, Louis III in 1946 and Gerald in 1950.

The family kept close ties to New Orleans while Klein played ball. They lived next door to Klein’s parents. His dad, Louis Frank Klein Sr., worked as a bank teller and later handled security at Hibernia National Bank.

Klein’s German-Irish roots and New Orleans upbringing really shaped who he was. He graduated from Samuel J. Peters High School in 1936, starring on the baseball team. Even as his career took him far from home, those local connections stayed important.

Post-Baseball Involvement

After retiring in 1951, Klein took a break from baseball and got into commercial fishing in New Orleans. He ran a 27-foot shrimp boat on the Gulf of Mexico, catching shrimp, crabs, and even taking people out for fishing trips.

He came back to baseball in 1955 with the Cubs organization as a player-manager. Klein led the Class C Lafayette Oilers of the Evangeline League to a playoff title and hit .342 with 23 home runs, playing all over the field and even pitching eight games.

Klein kept managing in the minors through 1959. He worked his way up with the Cubs, managing the Class A Des Moines Bruins in 1956 and the Class AA Memphis Chickasaws in 1957. His managerial career showed off his baseball knowledge and leadership.

Death and Burial

Lou Klein died on June 20, 1976, when he was just 57. His family buried him in St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans, which really shows how deep his roots ran in his hometown.

That cemetery, established back in 1854, stands out as one of New Orleans’ famous above-ground cemeteries. It’s a classic example of the city’s unique burial traditions.

Klein’s death closed the book on a life that touched both baseball’s golden age and its more controversial times. Baseball historians and fans took note, remembering his talent and his part in the Mexican League saga.

Impact on Baseball History

Klein made his mark as one of just 22 major league players who jumped to the Mexican League in 1946. When he did that, Commissioner Happy Chandler slapped him with a five-year ban from organized baseball.

Klein’s move turned into a symbol of player rights and the struggle between baseball’s strict control and the idea of player freedom. You can really see how his story stirred up debates about autonomy.

He shined in Cuban winter leagues, and people eventually recognized that. In 1998, the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him.

Klein smashed a single-season home run record with 16 homers in the 1952-53 Cuban Winter League. That kind of international recognition showed off his skills well beyond the American leagues.

Baseball historians tend to see Klein as a gifted player whose career got sidetracked by the whole Mexican League mess. As a rookie with the 1943 National League champion St. Louis Cardinals, he hit .287, which showed he had real potential.

His story kind of sums up the tough choices players faced as baseball’s labor relations shifted in the 1940s.