Alex Kellner
A durable left-handed pitcher who anchored the Athletics' rotation for a decade, known for his workhorse reliability and a deceptive pickoff move.
1924–1996 (age 72)·American baseball player·Birthday: August 26·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born in Tucson, Arizona, Alex Kellner broke into the majors with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948, quickly establishing himself as a mainstay in a starting rotation that often lacked support. His career unfolded during a transitional period for the franchise, moving from Philadelphia to Kansas City, where his consistency was a rare constant. Kellner wasn't a flashy strikeout artist; his value lay in eating innings and giving his team a chance to win, a trait that earned him the respect of managers and peers. After over a decade with the Athletics, his journey concluded with brief stops in Cincinnati and St. Louis. His legacy is that of a dependable arm in an often-chaotic baseball era, a pitcher who took the ball every fourth day and competed.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Alex was born in 1924, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alex Was Born
The biggest hits of 1924
#1 Movie
The Sea Hawk
Alex's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1924Born
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1929Started school
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1937Became a teenager
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Could drive
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1942Could vote
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1945Turned 21
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1954Turned 30
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 40
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 50
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 60
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 70
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Died at 72
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
Key Achievements
- Pitched over 200 innings in four separate seasons for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics.
- Recorded a career-best 20 wins for the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics, leading the team in victories.
- Finished his major league career with 1,486 innings pitched and 101 complete games.
- His younger brother, Walt Kellner, also pitched in the major leagues.
Did You Know?
He was a right-handed batter but threw left-handed, a somewhat uncommon combination for a pitcher.
He was born in Tucson, Arizona, long before it became a common site for MLB spring training.
He led the American League in hit batsmen in 1951 with 11.
“You pitch with what you have that day, and you keep your team in the game.”
