Frank Kalin

Frank Bruno Kalin (Fats)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.
• Debut September 25, 1940
• Final Game May 6, 1943
• Born October 3, 1917 in Steubenville, OH USA
• Died January 12, 1975 in Weirton, WV USA

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Biographical Information

Frank Kalin was an outfielder for fifteen seasons in the minor leagues (mostly in the American Association and the Pacific Coast League), and had cups of coffee with the 1940 Pirates and 1943 White Sox. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was DOA from natural causes at age 57 at General Hospital in Weirton, WV and is buried at St. Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Weirton, WV.

He hit .304 for the 1942 Hollywood Stars, a team which also featured Johnny Dickshot (.303) and Babe Herman (.322). Kalin led the team in homers.

In 1948 he played on the 1948 Indianapolis Hoosiers, a team which went 100-54. He hit .325 (in 46 games), one of the highest averages on the team, and in spite of limited play his seven home runs tied for third-best on the team. Kalin played 5+ seasons for Indianapolis.

In 1953 his .293 average was one of the best for the San Francisco Seals (no one on the team hit over .300), and his 16 home runs were second-best.

There is (through 2008) no other major leaguer with the last name Kalin, with the closest name being Al Kaline.