1977 Topps Baseball #389 - Ken Kravec

• Ken Kravec was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1973. Ken pitched for AA Knoxville from 1973-1975. After a good season in 1975 (14-7, 2.41 ERA), Ken was brought up in September and made one start and one relief appearance (0-1, 6.23 ERA)
• In 1976 Kravec was in the minors (8-5, 4.33 ERA in 24 games for the AAA Iowa Oaks) until mid-August. He was with the White Sox for the rest of the season and was 1-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 8 starts.
• At 0:40 there is some footage of Ken warming up in the bullpen during one of the "shorts" games the White Sox played in 1976

• Kravec was in Iowa to begin the 1977 season. After pitching well for the Oaks, Ken was brought up in late May. At the time of his recall Ken was leading the American Association in strikeouts
• Ken pitched well for the White Sox and won 11 games in 1977.
• Kravec struggled a bit in 1978 and was sent to the minors for a couple of weeks in May after starting the season 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA. Ken was recalled on May 16 and spent the rest of the season with the White Sox. Kravec pitched better after his minor league stint and was 11-16 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 starts.
• Ken had his best year in 1979, leading the White Sox in victories. He was 15-13 with a 3.74 ERA in 35 starts and had a save in his only relief appearance. It looks like wildness was a problem for Kravec -- he led the AL in hit batsmen both in 1978 (10) and in 1979 (14).
• Ken lost his arbitration case before the 1980 season. He asked for $175,000 and the White Sox offered $150,000.
• In 1980 Kravec struggled with muscle spasms behind his shoulder in spring training and started the season coming back from a pinched nerve in his back. Ken was a starter until early July, but after posting a 6.19 ERA he was put in the bullpen. He made two appearances before going on the disabled list in late July. Kravec missed about a month and then made a few more appearances in August and September. Ken ended up with a 3-6 record and a 6.94 ERA.
• During spring training in 1981 Kravec was traded to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Dennis Lamp. The White Sox had a surplus of young left-handed starters. Ken started the year as a starter and had a good first start. But Kravec was roughed up in his next two starts and went to the bullpen. After the strike Ken was put back in the starting rotation. For the season Kravec was 1-6 with a 5.06 ERA in 24 games (12 starts).
• In 1982 Kravec split the season between AAA (2-6, 6.98 ERA in 14 starts) and the Cubs (1-1, 6.12 ERA in 13 games). After the 1982 season Ken became a free agent.
• Kravec pitched in AA for the Oakland A's organization but he hung 'em up after the season. 
• Ken made two appearances for the Class A Fort Myers Royals in 1987. 
• Kravec was a scout for the Kansas City Royals in 1989 when he signed to play in the Senior League.

• 1977 Stats: 
• Chicago White Sox: 11-8, 4.10 ERA in 26 games (25 starts)
• Iowa Oaks (AAA): 4-4, 2.59 ERA in 9 starts
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 18 - Allowed no runs on four hits and struck out 11 batters in 7 2/3 innings as the White Sox beat Vida Blue and the Oakland A's 2-0.
• July 23 - Allowed three runs in a complete game 10-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. It was Ken's sixth win in a row.
• Aug 30 - After losing four straight games, Kravec came within one out of pitching a shutout. The White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 2-0.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980