After a brilliant career as a football,
basketball, and baseball star at Ambridge High School, Fred Klages
went on to a nine year professional baseball career that included
stints in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox and
Washington Senators. His high school prowess as a fullback and end earned him 33 college scholarship
football offers.
Fred initially accepted an offer from the University of Tennessee in
1962 but changed his mind and signed a baseball contract with the
White Sox. Fred's pitching talent caught the eyes of pro baseball
scouts when he led the American Legion team to the state American
Legion baseball title in 1961. He beat Scranton, 7-2, with a
three hitter in the title game. Starting in 1962, Fred saw minor
league action with the Harlan (KY) team in the Appalachian League
and later Lynchburg (VA). In 1966, he pitched for Indianapolis in
the AAA International League and was called up by the White Sox in
September. He started the 1967 season at Indianapolis but was called
up again by the Sox in June. On August 23, with Chicago in the thick
of a pennant race, he pitched a 5-3 win over the New York Yankees.
After pitching for the Hawaii and Tucson the next two seasons,
Fred was traded to the Washington Senators, where he pitched briefly and then was released, ending his professional baseball
career. Fred then served as part owner and president of Titan
Plastic Pipe International of Conroe, Texas.
After a brilliant career as a football,
basketball, and baseball star at Ambridge High School, Fred Klages
went on to a nine year professional baseball career that included
stints in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox and
Washington Senators. His high school prowess as a fullback and end earned him 33 college scholarship
football offers.
Fred initially accepted an offer from the University of Tennessee in
1962 but changed his mind and signed a baseball contract with the
White Sox. Fred's pitching talent caught the eyes of pro baseball
scouts when he led the American Legion team to the state American
Legion baseball title in 1961. He beat Scranton, 7-2, with a
three hitter in the title game. Starting in 1962, Fred saw minor
league action with the Harlan (KY) team in the Appalachian League
and later Lynchburg (VA). In 1966, he pitched for Indianapolis in
the AAA International League and was called up by the White Sox in
September. He started the 1967 season at Indianapolis but was called
up again by the Sox in June. On August 23, with Chicago in the thick
of a pennant race, he pitched a 5-3 win over the New York Yankees.
After pitching for the Hawaii and Tucson the next two seasons,
Fred was traded to the Washington Senators, where he pitched briefly and then was released, ending his professional baseball
career. Fred then served as part owner and president of Titan
Plastic Pipe International of Conroe, Texas.