Background
He was born in Enterprise, Ohio.
He was born in Enterprise, Ohio.
Listed at 6" 3", 200 pounds, Kline batted and threw right-handed. A fastball thrower, Kline started and filled various relief roles coming out from the bullpen as a closer, middle reliever, and set-up manitoba He entered the majors in 1930 with the Boston Red Sox, playing for them four years before joining the Philadelphia Athletics (1934) and Washington Senators (1934).
On October 1, 1933, Kline was the opposing pitcher at Yankee Stadium during the last pitching appearance for Babe Ruth.
He split the season with Philadelphia and Washington, collecting seven relief wins to lead the American League pitchers. In a five-season career, Kline posted a 30-28 record with 87 strikeouts and a 5.05 earned run average in 148 appearances, including 37 starts, eight complete games, one shutout, seven saves, and 441⅔ innings of work.
Following his playing career, Kline managed the 1947 Johnson City Cardinals. He died in Westerville, Ohio, at age 77.