All-Time Indians: Jim Kern

Prior to the change in the 1970’s and 80’s towards the modern pitching staff, it was considered an insult to be a relief pitcher and generally if a team was in a tight spot late in the game, the manager would choose to use one of the other starters rather than trust the less-than elite bullpen. For the Indians, the situation was no different and going into the 1960’s only Ray Narleski had recorded more than ten saves in multiple seasons. Don McMahon would join him in the mid-60’s and it wasn’t until 1975 that the Indians had a player designated as the primary closer for multiple seasons. This first “modern” closer was Dave LaRoche and he was supplanted by the subject here, Jim Kern.

Kern began his professional baseball career when he signed with Cleveland in 1967. This was a time of great pitching for the Tribe and with Luis Tiant, Sam McDowell and Sonny Siebert in the rotation, there was no room for Kern. He ultimately labored as a starter in the minors for six years before finally breaking through in 1974. In that first year, he made just three spot starts (including a complete game, one run effort in his debut), posting a 4.70 ERA across four appearances. Having shown some promise, the Indians started the 1975 season with Kern in the bullpen, where he made six appearances (including four games of at least four innings) before joining the rotation. Again, he threw a complete game in his first start, then was unable to continue his success. After allowing just five runs in his first three starts (24.1 innings) he finished the year with just a 3.77 ERA and major doubts of whether he could be a Major League starter.

Heading into 1976 and entering what should have been his prime, the starting experiment was ended and Kern joined the bullpen full time. As often happens when a struggling starter is moved into relief, he excelled and quickly took over part of the closer’s role from LaRoche. In an amazing 117.2 innings, 105.2 of which came in relief, Kern allowed just a 2.37, a number that, if qualified by another 42 innings would have been second in the Majors to Mark Fidrych in his Rookie of the Year season. In addition, he struck out 111 and kept batters to a .206 average. In the end, his innings that season would be more than a quarter of his total as an Indian and his strike outs almost a third. Despite that, he allowed less than 20% of his total runs in this, his first full relief season.

The next season would be the end of LaRoche’s success as he would pitch in just 13 games, allowing Kern to become the full time closer. He would save 18 of 27 chances, throwing another 92 innings and striking out 91. He did this with a respectable ERA of 3.42 and a great BAA of .235. Kern followed that up with a similar 1978 season, earning his second consecutive All-Star selection with another 13 saves and 99.1 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.09 and his BAA back to .206.

By this time, Kern had spent three years as at least the part time closer and accrued 46 saves, the second most in Indians history (behind Narlseki) to that point (he now ranks ninth, tied with Sid Monge). In addition, he also still ranks in the top ten in K/9 (7.96) among pitchers with at least 300 career innings. While his save totals may not be impressive by modern standards (Jose Mesa saved 46 in a single shortened season in 1995), it is important to note that Kern was a multiple inning closer and that he played on some very poor offensive teams during the 1970’s. The simple fact that the Indians rarely had a lead while he played in Cleveland lead to a severe deficiency in save opportunities. While this would have kept a modern closer out of the game entirely, it never stopped Kern from adding up the innings and he never had the modern closer’s mental break down in non-save situations.

Immediately following the 1978 season, Kern was traded to Texas in what can only be called a fleecing. In exchange for the closer, the Indians picked up future ace Len Barker and five tool outfielder, Bobby Bonds. Of course, the Rangers got something of their own to brag about as Kern was about to pitch his greatest season ever. In 1979, he threw a career high 143 innings (all in relief) in 71 appearances, setting career bests with 29 saves, 136 strike outs, 13 wins and a 1.57 ERA. Unfortunately, this would be his final great season as he allowed an ERA of 4.60 in his final seven seasons, throwing just 254.1 innings after throwing 539 in his first six seasons. Over this time he pitched for Reds, White Sox, Phillies and Brewers before heading back to Cleveland for the 1986 season.

For old time’s sake, Jim Kern signed back with the Indians for his final season, more than a decade after he originally broke out in Cleveland. He pitched just 16 games that season and allowed an ERA of 7.90 proving with finality that his best seasons were behind him. Following this season, Kern retired and has stayed away from baseball for the most part, moving on to other ventures in his new home of Texas, where he had the greatest season of his career.