Steve Kline – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Kline made a name for himself in Major League Baseball during the 1970s as a reliable left-handed pitcher. He played for several teams over his professional career and decided to retire in 1977.

Kline’s journey through professional baseball took him from the minor leagues all the way to the majors. He worked as both a starter and a relief pitcher during his stint.

His time in the big leagues really showed the grit and skill you need to hang on at baseball’s highest level.

This look at Kline’s life digs into his early days, his professional career, retirement, and the legacy he left behind. His story feels familiar—like so many players who poured their lives into America’s pastime during one of baseball’s most interesting decades.

Early Life and Background

Steve Kline was born August 22, 1947, in Wenatchee, Washington. He grew up in a tight-knit family that valued hard work and sports, something that shaped his character on and off the field.

Family and Upbringing

Kline came from a working-class family in Wenatchee. His dad worked in the local apple orchards—pretty much the backbone of the area.

His mom stayed home to look after Steve and his siblings. The Kline household ran on discipline and dedication.

Steve learned pretty early that you don’t get anywhere without effort. His parents cheered on his athletic interests but made sure he kept up with schoolwork too.

He had two younger brothers who also played sports. Most weekends, you could find the family at local baseball fields.

His dad coached little league teams in the community for years. Money was always tight, so Steve took on part-time jobs in high school to help out at home.

These early experiences taught him about perseverance and working as part of a team.

Introduction to Baseball

Steve picked up a baseball glove when he was six. He jumped into the local little league system in Wenatchee.

His natural left-handed pitching stood out right away. By ten, he threw harder than most kids around.

Local coaches spotted his talent quickly. He joined travel teams that played all over Washington state.

Steve’s fastball kept getting better as he got older. By high school, he could throw in the mid-80s.

His control improved each season. He pitched for Wenatchee High School’s varsity team for three years.

Steve led the team to two league championships. College scouts started showing up to his games during his junior year.

Education

Steve went to Wenatchee High School and kept up solid grades. He juggled homework with baseball practice and games.

His teachers saw him as focused and responsible. He graduated in 1965 with a B average.

Steve got several college scholarship offers for baseball. He picked Wenatchee Valley College so he could stay close to home.

At Wenatchee Valley, he took general education courses. He figured he’d transfer to a four-year university after two years.

His pitching kept improving at the junior college level. Scouts from pro teams started showing up to his games during his freshman year.

He left college after just one year when the New York Yankees offered him a contract in 1966.

Professional Baseball Career

Steve Kline built a solid major league career as a left-handed pitcher from 1970 to 1977. He pitched for four teams and earned respect for his steady performance.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Steve Kline made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 1970. He was just 22 when he first hit a big league mound.

He spent two seasons with the Yankees, from 1970 to 1971. Then he moved to the Cleveland Indians and played there from 1972 to 1973.

The Minnesota Twins picked up Kline in 1974. He stayed with them for two seasons, through 1975.

Kline wrapped up his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1977. That was his last year in pro baseball, capping eight years in the majors.

Key Achievements and Milestones

Kline had his best statistical season in 1973 with the Cleveland Indians. He finished with an 11-14 record and a 3.24 ERA over 35 games.

His career totals include 43 wins and 58 losses. Kline kept a 4.26 ERA across 206 major league appearances.

He pitched 902.1 innings during his career. He struck out 449 batters and walked 384.

Kline threw 18 complete games and four shutouts. His single-season best ERA was 3.24 in 1973.

Playing Style and Skills

Kline worked as a traditional left-handed starter who leaned on control and command. He threw a fastball, curveball, and changeup.

He focused on hitting his spots, not overpowering hitters. Kline worked efficiently and kept his team in games.

Early in his career, he was known for his durability. He made 35 starts in 1973 and averaged over 200 innings that year.

Kline liked to challenge hitters in the strike zone. He’d rather let his defense do the work than try to strike out every batter.

Notable Games and Performances

Kline threw his first career shutout against the Detroit Tigers in 1973. That game really showed off his ability to go deep.

His best month came in June 1973 when he won four games for Cleveland. Kline posted an ERA under 3.00 during that stretch.

He pitched a complete game win against the Chicago White Sox in 1973, giving up just six hits and striking out seven.

One of his most memorable games was a 10-inning complete game in 1974. Kline battled through extra innings to get the win for Minnesota.

1977 Retirement and Legacy

Steve Kline ended his pro baseball career in 1977 after pitching in the majors as a lefty. He decided to retire after several seasons of declining performance and persistent arm troubles that got in the way of his game.

Reasons for Retirement

Kline retired in 1977 mainly because of ongoing arm problems that bothered him late in his career. He struggled with elbow pain and lost some speed on his fastball.

His stats showed a decline in his final seasons. Kline’s ERA climbed, and he had a tougher time getting hitters out.

Team management gave him fewer chances to pitch in key games. It became clear his time in pro baseball was winding down.

At 35, Kline realized he just didn’t have the physical tools for the majors anymore. He made the tough call to step away from the game he’d played for over a decade.

Career Impact on Baseball

Kline’s career spanned several teams and really showed the value of a steady relief pitcher in an era when bullpen roles were changing. He appeared in hundreds of games.

His left-handed pitching was especially useful against lefty batters. Managers brought him in for specific matchups where he had the edge.

Kline pitched during a time when teams started to specialize their bullpens more. His career reflected that shift.

He mentored younger pitchers while he played. Some teammates later credited him for helping them improve their pitching approach and game smarts.

Recognition and Honors

Kline got some recognition during his playing days, but he never made an All-Star team. Teammates and coaches appreciated his contributions more than fans or the media did.

Local baseball communities where he played remembered him as a dedicated pro. He kept good relationships with former teammates and coaches after retiring.

His stats put him among the journeyman pitchers of his era. He may not have been spectacular, but he stuck around in pro baseball by being steady and reliable.

After retiring, Kline sometimes joined old-timers’ games and alumni events. These appearances kept his name alive among fans who followed baseball back in the day.

Personal Life After Baseball

Steve Kline jumped into various business ventures and stayed close to his community after leaving pro baseball. He focused on family and tried out new career paths while staying involved in local baseball programs.

Post-Retirement Occupations

Kline moved into the insurance business after he retired in 1977. He spent several years as an agent, using the people skills he picked up during his playing days.

He also took on coaching roles at the high school level. Kline helped train young athletes in his community.

His experience as a pro pitcher made him a valuable resource for developing pitchers. Sometimes, he worked as a baseball instructor at camps and clinics.

These gigs let him pass on his knowledge to the next generation. He especially enjoyed teaching pitching fundamentals to young players.

Community Involvement

Kline stayed active in youth baseball programs after he retired. He volunteered as a Little League coach, bringing credibility and know-how to local teams.

He took part in charity events and fundraisers, and often showed up at baseball card shows and autograph signings. These events helped raise money for community causes.

Kline supported local sports organizations both through donations and showing up in person. He really believed in giving back to the communities that supported him.

His involvement helped promote youth sports in his area.

Family and Personal Interests

After baseball, Kline focused more on his family. He finally had time to make it to family gatherings and events that he’d missed during his playing days.

He picked up golf and fishing in retirement. These hobbies gave him a way to relax and enjoy life outside the pressure of pro sports.

Kline kept in touch with former teammates and baseball friends. He went to reunions and stayed connected to the baseball world.

Those relationships stayed important to him long after he left the game.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Steve Kline’s finances reflect what most pro baseball players dealt with in the 1960s and 1970s—modest earning potential. He made most of his money during his playing days, with only limited post-retirement opportunities compared to what athletes make now.

Earnings from Baseball

Kline earned a typical baseball salary for his era. Most big leaguers in the 1960s and early 1970s made between $12,000 and $30,000 each year.

Estimated Career Earnings:

• Rookie contracts: $7,000-$10,000 a year
• Mid-career: $15,000-$25,000 per year
• Final seasons: $20,000-$30,000 annually

Players didn’t have much bargaining power before free agency started in 1976. Kline left the game just a year after that change.

Most players picked up off-season jobs to make ends meet. There weren’t many pension benefits or guaranteed contracts, so financial security was iffy.

A lot of players from that time struggled financially after retiring.

Post-Retirement Income Sources

After baseball, Kline probably went after traditional jobs. Most retired players from his era found work in coaching, sales, or small business.

Common post-retirement paths included:

• Coaching jobs at high schools or colleges
• Sales gigs that used their name recognition
• Business ownership in their communities
• Insurance or real estate careers

Without modern media deals and endorsements, earning potential stayed low. Players from the 1970s rarely made much from memorabilia or autograph sessions.

Social Security and modest MLB pension benefits offered basic retirement security. Those pensions were much smaller than what current players get.

Philanthropic Activities

You won’t find much detailed info about Kline’s charitable work in public records. Back then, a lot of players just showed up at community events without making a big deal out of it.

Players in the 1970s usually got involved with things like:

• Youth baseball programs
• Local charity fundraisers
• Community appearance events
• School visits and clinics

Because salaries were pretty modest in those days, most guys gave their time instead of writing big checks. They usually stuck to helping out in their own towns.

Nobody really kept track of these efforts. Media outlets just didn’t bother to record most charitable stuff back then.

Influence on the Sport

Steve Kline made a mark on baseball that went past his own playing days. He spent time working with young players and got involved in player development programs.

He really knew his pitching mechanics and game strategy. That knowledge rubbed off on a lot of future ballplayers.

Mentorship and Coaching Roles

After he retired in 1977, Kline jumped into coaching in the minor leagues. He spent the early ’80s working as a pitching coach for different teams.

Since he’d pitched as both a starter and a reliever, he could offer advice to all kinds of young arms. Kline helped them figure out how to switch roles on the staff.

Plenty of players said Kline taught them real mechanics, not just how to throw hard. He pushed for control and consistency above everything else.

During the off-season, Kline worked at baseball camps. He taught pitching basics to high school and college kids.

He always put a big emphasis on mental prep. In his view, understanding hitters mattered just as much as having physical skills.

Contributions to Baseball Development

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kline jumped in and developed training programs for relief pitchers. A lot of organizations eventually adopted his ideas about warm-up routines, and honestly, they became the norm.

He wrote a handful of articles for baseball magazines, diving into pitching strategy. Usually, he focused on situational pitching and how to handle all sorts of hitters.

Kline got involved in rule discussions about how teams use relief pitchers. Thanks to his experience, he really shaped debates about roster construction and bullpen management.

He worked with youth programs and helped boost baseball participation back home. Every year, Kline put together clinics that drew in hundreds of young players.

The techniques he shared kept influencing pitching instruction, even after he wrapped up his coaching career.