Rick Kreuger
| Rick Kreuger | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: November 3, 1948 Grand Rapids, Michigan | |
| Died: May 7, 2026 (aged 77) Hudsonville, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 1975, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last appearance | |
| May 7, 1978, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–2 |
| Earned run average | 4.47 |
| Strikeouts | 20 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–1 |
| Earned run average | 4.66 |
| Strikeouts | 16 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Richard Allen Kreuger (November 3, 1948 – May 7, 2026) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1975 through 1978 for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. Listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 185 lb (84 kg), he batted right-handed and threw left-handed.
College career
Krueger began his college career at Grand Rapids Junior College, where he earned All-American honors,[1] before transferring to Michigan State University for the 1970 season. He had a 5–3 season in his one season for the Spartans and was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1971.[2]
Professional Career
After four seasons in the minors (he missed all of 1972 with back issues),[2] Kreuger made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on September 6, 1975. Over the next two seasons he bounced between the majors and minors, memorably taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 21, 1976,[3] before being traded by Boston to the Cleveland for Frank Duffy during spring training in 1978. He began the season with the Indians, pitching in six games before being sent back down to Cleveland AAA affiliate, the Portland Beavers.
Krueger pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan in 1979 and then in the Puerto Rican league for the Criollos de Caguas before retiring from playing. His final Major League stats were a 2–2 record over 17 games (four starts) and a 4.47 ERA.
Post baseball career
Following his playing career, Kreuger worked in real estate.[4] He later was the head baseball coach at Cornerstone College (1996–97) and then operated Kreuger’s Baseball School in Hudsonville, Michigan.[2]
Kreuger died in Hudsonville on May 7, 2026, at the age of 77.[5]
References
- ^ VanderVeen, Don (May 14, 2012). "Rick Kreuger helps celebrate 100-year anniversary of Fenway Park". mlive. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ^ a b c Pearson, Mike. "Spartifacts". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ^ Kaminski, Steve (May 5, 2020). "Meet the 32 Grand Rapids area players who made it to the Major Leagues". mlive. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ^ "Rick Kreuger – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ^ "Pitcher for Red Sox World Series team dies at 76". The Big Lead. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- Rick Kreuger at SABR (Baseball BioProject)