Len Koenecke
Center fielder Len Koenecke was popular with his teammates, so the news of his death, 10,000 feet in the air, came as a great shock to them in September of 1935. Released by the Dodgers, Koenecke snapped and began drinking, and on September 17, he chartered a plane for Toronto, after being refused a seat on a commercial airliner. In mid-flight, Koenecke became beligerant and threatened the two-man crew of the small plane. A struggle ensued, which tossed the plane around as the pilot tried to subdue the drunken ballplayer. Finally, faced with no alternatives, the pilot, Joe Mulqueeney, hit Koenecke over the head with a fire extinguisher, killing him. The bizarre death of Koenecke at the age of 31, shocked the baseball world.
Played For
New York Giants (1932)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1934-1935)
Best Season: 1934
In 123 games, Koenecke batted .320 with 14 homers and 73 RBI. He finished third in the National League in walks, fifth in OBP, and eighth in slugging. An excellent center fielder, he committed just two errors.
Born
Leonard George Koenecke was born on January 18, 1904, in Baraboo, WI.
Died
September 17, 1935, Toronto, ON
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: BRO
Major League Debut
April 12, 1932
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1932
Joe Medwick
Stan Hack
Arky Vaughan
Frankie Crosetti
Rip Sewell
Johnny Murphy
Johnny Allen
Monte Pearson
Debs Garms
Transactions
John McGraw sent several players and some cash, totaling a value of approximatley $70,000, for Koenecke, in the early 1930s.
Best Strength as a Player
Patience at the plate. Koenecke walked 124 times compared to 96 K's for his career. He had a .383 lifetime OBP.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Unknown
Learn More about Len Koenecke
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