Bobby Kline

Kline's career began in 1947 at the Class C level of minor league baseball. By 1950, he was part of the New York Yankees' organization.[1] In 1954 he was the All-Star shortstop of the Double-A Southern Association, and at the end of that season he was selected by Washington in the Rule 5 draft. He was the starting shortstop for the home side in the annual Presidential Opener at Griffith Stadium on April 11, 1955; he was hitless in two at bats against Lou Kretlow of the Baltimore Orioles and left the game for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.[2] He then started four more games at shortstop for Washington, but by April 20, he was still looking for his first MLB hit, having gone 0-for-13. After a spell on the bench, Kline's playing time increased in May and June, and by June 7, he had raised his batting average to .263, his high-water mark for the year. He fell into another drought at the plate, however, and started only one game for the Senators after July 17.[3]

He finished his one major league season with a .221 batting average in 77 games played and 140 at bats, with nine career runs batted in; his 31 hits included five doubles. He started 44 games at shortstop (second to José Valdivielso) and three at second base. At shortstop he compiled a fielding percentage of .943 with 15 errors in 265 total chances. In February 1956, the Senators traded him back to the Yankees as part of a six-player transaction. Kline retired from the game in 1958, having played 11 seasons in the minor leagues for ten teams.

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)