Lew Krausse, Sr.

Who was Lew Krausse, Sr.?

Lewis Bernard Krausse was an American pitcher and scout in Major League Baseball from Media, Pennsylvania. He pitched in parts of the 1931 and 1932 seasons for the Philadelphia Athletics. When he was called up to the Athletics in 1931, he was the American League's youngest player.

Krausse was used mostly as a relief pitcher by the Athletics, with four of his 23 appearances being starts. He compiled a lifetime record of 5–1.

Krausse's most memorable start was on July 10, 1932, at Cleveland's League Park. Athletics manager Connie Mack, with the team coming off three straight home doubleheaders and playing a single game series in Cleveland before returning home for another doubleheader, wished to save both trainfare and the arms of his pitchers, and brought only two pitchers with him—Krausse and veteran Eddie Rommel--both pitchers little used by the Athletics. Krausse was knocked out after one inning, surrendering three runs. Rommel pitched 17 innings in relief of Krausse, winning 18–17 in 18 innings.

Krausse never returned to the Major Leagues after 1932. Despite that, Krausse's rights were acquired by the Brooklyn Dodgers, who traded him to the St.