Harvey Kuenn, baseball player, 1952-1966

Harvey Kuenn

Born: 12/4/1930 in West Allis, WI, USA

Died: 2/28/1988 in Peoria, AZ, USA

MLB Debut: 1952-09-06 | Final Game: 1966-10-02

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 187 lbs

Full name: Harvey Edward Kuenn

Biography

Harvey Kuenn was a prominent American baseball player whose career spanned from 1952 to 1966. Born in 1930, he made a significant impact in Major League Baseball as a position player, known for his exceptional hitting ability and versatility on the field. Over the course of 1,833 games, Kuenn amassed 2,092 hits, resulting in an impressive career batting average of .303. He demonstrated consistent offensive production with 87 home runs and 671 RBIs, as well as contributing 68 stolen bases, showcasing his agility and speed. Kuenn's talents did not go unnoticed, as he was named the Rookie of the Year and also received the TSN Rookie of the Year award, highlighting his immediate impact in the league. His skill earned him 10 All-Star selections throughout his career, illustrating his status as one of the top players of his era. Kuenn played during a time when the game was evolving, transitioning from the deadball era to a more offense-driven style, and he remained a key figure in shaping the offensive landscape of the sport. His legacy endures as one of the premier hitters of his generation, reflecting the excellence and competitive spirit of baseball in the 1950s and 1960s.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1833 6913 951 2092 356 56 87 671 68 594 404 0.303 0.357 0.408 0.765 9594.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
3 12 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.083

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1962 WS SFN 3 12 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.083

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 33 16 170 15 4 16
3B 140 130 119 171 26 13
OF 826 759 1396 43 32 8
SS 748 569 1343 2116 129 431

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 34
Third Base 141
Shortstop 747
Left Field 353
Center Field 164
Right Field 343

Awards & Honors

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
University of Wisconsin at Madison Madison WI 1951, 1952

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1962 Most Valuable Player NL 18th 5.0 280 0
1960 Most Valuable Player AL 24th 3.0 336 0
1959 Most Valuable Player AL 8th 64.0 336 0
1958 Most Valuable Player AL 13th 24.0 336 0
1957 Most Valuable Player AL 22th 2.0 336 0
1956 Most Valuable Player AL 4th 80.0 336 0
1955 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 8.0 336 0
1954 Most Valuable Player AL 8th 37.0 336 0
1953 Most Valuable Player AL 15th 23.0 336 0
1953 Rookie of the Year AL 1st 23.0 24 23