the White Sox left the 36-year-old Kluszewski unprotected in the expansion draft. The Los Angeles Angels chose him at the 45th overall pick, the second first baseman taken, on the belief that he would be a good fit for the short power alleys of that city's minor league Wrigley Field the team would use for its inaugural season. Los Angeles Angels (1961) Kluszewski continued to be slowed by back and leg problems in the 1961 season, but his last hurrah produced several historic firsts. In a telephone interview on the eve of the season opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Kluszewski was asked about his expectations. “If that Milt Pappas is pitching, I'll do alright," The Sporting News quoted him. "I’ve always been able to hit him." On April 11, with Albie Pearson on first base, Kluszewski stepped to the plate against Pappas in the first inning. “Big Klu stands in ... On this chilly day, he has that heavy sweatshirt on, no muscles bare here this afternoon,” noted Don Wells on the Angels radio broadcast. Then Kluszewski launched a drive deep into the right-field bleachers for the first home run in franchise history. "Here's the stretch again ... And the pitch to Klu ... A swing ... A long, long belt! Stay fair!" Wells begged. "Out there! It is ... good-bye, baseball! Kluszewski gets one!" The Angels went on to win their first game by a 7-2 count. One inning later, Kluszewski hit his second homer in as many innings, this one off rookie reliever John Papa with two runners on base. Kluszewski spent the season as part of a lefty-righty platoon with veteran Steve Bilko at first base. He finished the season with a .243 batting average, 15 homers and 39 RBI in 107 games. Personal life In 1958, Kluszewski became a partner in Ted Kluszewski's Steak House in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati, a business venture that lasted 21 years. The popular eatery had five locations at both sides of the Ohio River and reportedly served more than 1,000 pounds of beef on a weekly basis. After his retirement as a player, Kluszewski returned to the Cincinnati Reds as batting coach in 1970 and remained in that capacity for nine seasons. It was under his tutelage that the so-called Big Red Machine became one of the most potent offenses of the expansion