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iujapander · (This post was last modified: 01-09-2012, 04:01 PM by iujapander.)

(01-08-2012, 01:46 PM)jacobystealshome Wrote: that was me that brought him up....my pops was a huge tigers fan, but the one guy not on the tigers he liked was ted. dude was a freaking lumberjack

nice cut sigs....

Thanks! From what I have read, he seemed like a pretty likable guy.

(01-08-2012, 02:30 PM)beatles guy Wrote: Us vintage guys are very familiar with Big Klu.

Yes I've learned, especially if it is in a PSA holder. He has been in some of the iconic Topps sets and high graded cards go for shocking amounts.

(01-08-2012, 06:44 PM)zeprock Wrote: Ted Kluszewski was the reason I cut all the sleeves off my sweatshirts.
Ted Kluszewski was the reason my wife threw all my sleeveless sweatshirts away.

That is pretty funny!

(01-08-2012, 07:44 PM)sparty78 Wrote: Here's Teds Iconic 1957 Topps showing off the guns. His best card!

Still don't have a copy of this, but it is high on my want list.

(01-08-2012, 10:39 PM)cptnemo66 Wrote: Klu who?

Very nice, I have the white back, but no grey.

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(01-09-2012, 11:01 AM)willbbc2 Wrote: I love Klu. He was so far ahead of his time as far as creating an image/brand. If he had played in the late 90s/early oughts he would've been a legend.

All I really know is what I have read from Wikipedia and Baseball Almanac. I do know that he is in both Indiana University and the Reds HOF.

(01-09-2012, 12:32 PM)wampier Wrote: Heard a story that he was the reason that uniforms started to be made with no sleeves.. Now he would just be average size.

Probably below average size, but at the time apparently he was ripped.

Soon after the 6'-2" (1.89 m), 240-pound (108.8 kg) Ted Kluszewski joined the Reds, he cut off the sleeves of his uniform, much to the chagrin of the Reds front office. He did it because the tight sleeves constricted his large biceps and shoulders and interfered with his swing. "They got pretty upset, but it was either that or change my swing — and I wasn't about to change my swing", said Kluszewski. Kluszewski became notorious for his strength; Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher was asked to name five of the strongest players in baseball, he complied. When it was pointed out that he'd left Ted Kluszewski off his list, Durocher said: "Kluszewski? I'm talking about human beings!"

More of his accomplishments.

Kluszewski was selected as an All-Star in four seasons, and was a career .298 hitter with 279 home runs and 1028 RBI in 1718 games. In ten of his fifteen seasons, Kluszewski walked (492) more often than he struck out (365). In 1955, he hit 47 homers while striking out only 40 times. No player since him has hit 40 homers and struck out 40 or fewer times in the same season (Barry Bonds missed duplicating this feat by one strikeout in 2004).

"Big Klu" enjoyed his most productive years from 1953 through 1956, with home run totals of 40, 49, 47 and 35 while driving in over 100 baserunners in each, including a league-leading 141 RBIs in 1954. He also hit .300 or better eight times. Kluszewski also led National League first basemen in fielding percentage five straight years, a major league record.

Here are some more items that you don't see everyday.

Exhibit cards (missing one)
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