Billy Klusman

William F. Klusman

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut June 21, 1888
• Final Game May 8, 1890
• Born March 24, 1865 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died June 24, 1907 in Cincinnati, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

" . . . one of the best second basemen that ever wore a uniform." - from Billy Klusman's obituary in the Sporting Life

Billy Klusman played in the minors from at least 1886-1898, and came to the majors as a second baseman in 1888 and 1890. The Complete History of the Home Run states that Klusman in 1888 was the first National League player to hit two inside-the-park home runs in one game.

The 1888 Boston Beaneaters could not settle on a second baseman, using Joe Quinn in 38 games at the position, Billy Nash in 31 games, Klusman in 28 games, Jack Burdock in 21 games, Bill Higgins in 14 games and a few other players occasionally. In 1889 Hardy Richardson had the job for 86 games while Quinn appeared in 47 games.

Klusman, for his part, played for four separate teams in 1889 and then came back to the majors for part of 1890. With the 1890 St. Louis Browns of the 1890 American Association, he appeared in 15 games at second base. Bill Higgins, a former teammate from Boston, was in 67 games at second base, while Pete Sweeney was in 23 games and Joe Gerhardt was in 20 games.

Higgins, like Klusman, had a long minor league career but was in the majors only in 1888 and 1890. He umpired one National League game in 1893.

The Sporting Life issue of July 6, 1907, carried his obituary. It said he died of consumption. The paper stated that he managed at Kansas City after finishing his playing career.