One and done

Much to the surprise of Chicago White Sox pitcher Steve Stone – not to mention the hometown Cleveland crowd of 6,236 – Indians’ second baseman and No. 2 hitter Duane Kuiper finally turns on a pitch.

Hits it hard.

Hits it high.

Hits it deep.

And, for Kuiper, real deep.

This is news 47 years ago tonight, given that Kuiper goes his first three-plus seasons and 1,382 at-bats in the major leagues without hitting a home run.

That changes in career at-bat No. 1,383 as Kuiper homers off Stone with one out in the bottom of first inning to give the Indians a 1-0 lead en route to their 9-2 victory over the White Sox.

The left handed-hitting Kuiper sends his drive off the right-handed Stone into the right-field bleachers at Cleveland’s old Municipal Stadium.

Alas for Kuiper, he has another 1,996 at-bats in the majors without any more homers before his otherwise fine, 12-year career ends in 1985 with the San Francisco Giants.

Today, he remains with the Giants as a broadcaster.

Just guessing that the subject of Kieper’s one and only homer comes up in conversation during the Giants’ game this afternoon at Milwaukee.