Joe Kuhel

Joe Kuhel was born in 1906 in Cleveland.  For 18 years, 1930-47, Kuhel, played first base for Washington and the Chicago White Sox. 

Originally managed by Walter Johnson in Washington, Kuhel was a steady presence in the Senators’ lineup.  He was considered an outstanding defensive first baseman.  He played in the 1933 World Series and enjoyed his best season was 1936 when he hit .321 with 16 home runs and 118 runs batted in.

In 1938, he was sent to Chicago where he continued his consistent play.  Kuhel hit .280 with 27 home runs and 94 RBIs in 1940.  Now in his thirties, Kuhel continued to play in the major leagues during World War II.  After the 1943 season, the White Sox sold Kuehl back to Washington.

Kuhel had one more season as a regular, in 1945, when he hit .285.  He played part of the 1946 season with the Senators and White Sox and finished with the White Sox in 1947.  For his 18-year career, he hit .277 with 131 home runs and 1,049 RBI.

After retiring, Kuhel managed the Class C Hot Springs (AR) Bathers.  In 1948, he managed the Senators to a seventh-place finish and an eighth-place finish in 1949.  He 

managed the KC Blues in the American Association in 1950 before again retiring.

Kuhel died in Kansas City, in 1984 at the age of 87.

For more, read Joe Kuhel’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.