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Oakland A’s: Lew Krausse passes away at 77 years old

By David Hill|
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 17: Lew Krausse, who was the starting pitcher in the first Oakland Athletics game, throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 17, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the White Sox 10-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lew Krausse
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 17: Lew Krausse, who was the starting pitcher in the first Oakland Athletics game, throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 17, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the White Sox 10-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lew Krausse

Lew Krausse will always hold a place in Oakland A’s history, and in the history of the Athletics’ franchise, for that matter. He was just 18 years old when he made his debut while the team was in Kansas City, staying with the organization as they moved out to the west coast.

Tragedy has hit the A’s family hard over the past few days. Krausse became the third member of the organization to pass away over the last week, as he passed away at 77 years old.

Lew Krausse and his impact on the Oakland A’s

Krausse made history before he even threw a pitch. He signed for a $125,000 bonus in 1961, the largest for an amateur free agent at the time. He would make his debut that season, posting a respectable 4.85 ERA considering that he was 18 years old. Krausse fired a shutout that season as well, but his 7.4 BB/9 and 5.2 K/9 rates showed that he needed more time in the minors.

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He would spend much of the next four seasons in the minors, getting brief callups in 1964 and 1965. He finally stuck in the majors in 1966, appearing to be a future star as he posted a 14-9 record with a 2.99 ERA and a 1.165 WHiP over his 177.2 innings, striking out 87 batters with 63 walks. Most impressively, he allowed just eight homers – his 0.4 HR/9 leading the American League.

While he would never reach those heights again, he was still a solid arm for the A’s. He was tabbed to pitch the first game the franchise played in Oakland, taking the loss as Oakland fell to the Orioles juggernaut 4-1. Fifty years later, Krausse was back, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on April 17 to mark the anniversary of that game.

Krausse had a decent career overall. Over his dozen years in the majors, he posted a 68-91 record with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.323 WHiP in his 1283.2 innings, striking out 721 batters with 493 walks. He split his time between the rotation and the bullpen, notching 21 saves over his career as well.

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Lew Krausse has passed away at 77 years old. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

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