Red Kress

Ralph Kress

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Berkeley High School
• Debut September 24, 1927
• Final Game July 17, 1946
• Born January 2, 1907 in Columbia, CA USA
• Died November 29, 1962 in Los Angeles, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Red Kress began his pro career in 1927 with the Tulsa Oilers of the Western League and joined the St. Louis Browns late in the season. He became the team's regular shortstop in 1928, and as a rookie, had the unique distinction of leading the American League in both assists and errors. he next summer, 1929, he hit .305 with 107 RBIs while leading AL shortstops in fielding. He hit .313 with 16 home runs and 112 RBIs in 1931 but again led the league in errors. He was moved to third base in 1932 and had another fine season at the plate, hitting .311 with 16 homers and 114 runs batted in.

Kress was traded to the Chicago White Sox early in the 1932 campaign and then sent to the Washington Senators about two years later but never performed as well at the plate for either club. After leading the American Association with 157 RBIs for the Minneapolis Millers in 1937, he returned to the Browns in 1938 and hit .302. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers during the 1939 season but was released about a year later. He then returned to the minors and became a pitcher, making it back to the majors for one game with the New York Giants in 1946, when he was mainly a coach.

Kress was a member of the Detroit Tigers coaching staff in 1940. He managed the 1941 St. Paul Saints and was a coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1943-1944 and the Baltimore Orioles (IL) in 1945. He was then a coach for the New York Giants from 1946 to 1949. Returning to the minors, Kress managed the 1950 Superior Blues and Sacramento Solons, 1951 El Centro Imperials and Juarez Indios and 1952 Daytona Beach Islanders. He was then a coach for the Cleveland Indians (1953-1960), Los Angeles Angels (1961) and New York Mets (1962).

Notable Achievements

• 100 RBI Seasons: 3 (1929-1931)

Related Sites

• Red Kress at the SABR Bio Project