40 years ago today, in the bottom of the first inning of an Indians-White Sox game, Duane Kuiper stepped into the batter’s box against future Cy Young winner Steve Stone and launched his first career major league home run. It was also, of course, his last career major league home run, and as Jayson Stark pointed out in a great excerpt from a book of his that came out three years ago, he’s the only player in baseball history with 3,000 at bats and only one home run. Stark also tells the story of the only close call that Kuip remembers, also against Steve Stone, and why he’s glad it didn’t go out.
It’s the 40th anniversary of Duane Kuiper’s home run
