Header - Baseball by the Letters

1970 Milwaukee Brewers

Max Alvis Saw Few Dividends In Brewers Trade

by
My Alvis autograph
on his letter is a
LETTER PERFECT
match to this card!

Max Alvis got in on the ground floor with Milwaukee. The new Brewers needed tested talent fast. How did he see the transaction?

“My trade to the Brewers was a surprise, but it probably should not have been. I had knee surgery in 1969 and it was untested, plus the Indians had gotten (Graig) Nettles. It should have been an opportunity for me, but I got off to a slow start and did not contribute much.”

I don’t think Alvis wants any sympathy, however. He concluded:

“I was a hard worker and I was always trying to improve, especially as a fielder. I enjoyed every minute that I was a major league baseball player and I have no regrets.”

I just found a memorable essay of a Cleveland fan who wanted to look like Max Alvis as a boy. Be sure to check out the prize package the Plain Dealer may offer this essayist: a Bob Feller autographed baseball and more!

Tomorrow: Rubber-armed reliever Ken Frailing remembers.

Lew Krausse’s Greatest Win Came Off the Field!

by
Lew still has that
ornate “L” in his sig!

Same name.
Both pitchers.
Both Athletics.

Like father, like son.

The second Lew Krausse enjoyed a longer career than Dad. I asked if Lew’s father (who died in 1988) ever got to attend.

“Yes, he was at my first game and many more.”

Krausse bypassed an invitation to brag, when I asked for details on any of his six home runs.

“I think the first was the most memorable.”

With thanks to http://www.retrosheet.org/, I see that Krausse is referring to a blast off White Sox pitcher Jim O’Toole July 22, 1967.

Milwaukee fans remember Krausse as the team’s 1970 Opening Day pitcher. The Brewers had him back in 2010 for a 40th anniversary celebration. Memories of 1970?

“It was difficult being on an expansion team.”

I didn’t ask about his greatest achievement as a player, but Lew added this career reflection:

“It was a great experience. I met my wife on a flight.”

Tomorrow: Speaking of Jim O’Toole, enjoy the Reds Hall of Famer’s memory of announcer Waite Hoyt!