reach at the plate. Team scouts were similarly impressed, but Kluszewski, who also was a standout tight end on the Hoosiers football squad, was reluctant to sign a contract because he did not want to jeopardize his collegiate eligibility. Instead, he waited until after graduation in . After Kluszewski produced .325 and .377 batting averages in two minor league seasons, it was only a matter of time for his big promotion. Trademark fashion statement Not long after the , Kluszewski became a regular early in the 1948 season, his immense strength already was the talk of major league baseball. Asked to name five of the strongest players in baseball, Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher conspicuously left the big first baseman off his list. "(Why not) Kluszewski?" Durocher defended himself. "I'm talking about human beings!" Much to the chagrin of team management, Kluszewski made a bold fashion statement when he cut off both sleeves of his jersey. The reason being, they constricted his enormous biceps and shoulders and limited his ability to swing a baseball bat freely. "They got pretty upset, but it was either that or change my swing — and I wasn't about to change my swing," he explained. Major League Career Cincinnati Reds (1947-1957) In 1947, Kluszewski earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and remained with the Reds in the first month of the season. After a four-month stint at Class AAA Memphis, he returned to the parent club in September. Kluszewski recorded his first hit on Sept. 23 at Crosley Field, an RBI single off Chicago Cubs starter Hank Wyse in the fifth inning. One year later, he nailed down the starter job that would be his for nine seasons. It wasn't long before Kluszewski gained the reputation as one of the most unique hitters of his time, one who combined immense power with the ability to make contact on a consistent basis. In 10 of his 15 major league seasons, the first baseman walked (492) more often than he struck out (365). In 1953, Kluszewski hit 40 homers and struck out a mere 34 times. The following season he upped this to 49 homers against just 35 strikeouts. In 1955 he parked 47 home runs and struck out an even 40 times, the last time a major leaguer has hit 40 homers and struck out 40 or fewer times in the same season.