Ron Kittle

Ronald Dale Kittle was born on January 5, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. His early career path nearly led him to work in steel, following his father. However, a tryout camp with the Los Angeles Dodgers led to him signing a contract in 1976. During his time playing in Clinton, Iowa, an injury which was later diagnosed as a broken neck with three crushed vertebrae and a cracked spinal cord temporarily interrupted his baseball aspirations. After a period working as an ironworker and rehabilitating, Kittle defied medical expectations and resumed playing baseball.

Kittle’s powerful hitting became evident during summer ball, where one recorded home run traveled over 500 feet. This feat caught the attention of Bill Veeck, then owner of the Chicago White Sox, leading to Kittle signing with the team in September 1978. In the minor leagues, he showcased significant talent, hitting 50 home runs with the Edmonton Trappers, earning his jersey retirement in Edmonton at Telus Field, and being named the Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player in 1982. He accumulated ninety home runs in the minors between 1981 and 1982, setting the stage for his Major League Baseball debut at the age of 24 in September 1982.

Kittle became a popular figure during the 1983 Chicago White Sox season, which saw the team win 99 games and reach the playoffs for the first time since 1959. In that season, he was selected as an All-Star and received the American League Rookie of the Year award after hitting 35 home runs, a club record for a rookie, and driving in 100 RBIs. He played for the Chicago White Sox (1982–1986, 1989, 1991), New York Yankees (1986–87), Cleveland Indians (1988), and Baltimore Orioles (1990). Throughout his 10-year MLB career, Kittle appeared in 843 games, hitting 176 home runs and recording 460 runs batted in.