Ted Kubiak

[Michael Trzinski]

Theodore Rodger Kubiak was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and graduated from Highland Park (NJ) High School in 1960 and signed as an amateur free agent with the Kansas City Athletics that fall. The switch-hitting shortstop reported to Class D Sarasota in the Florida State League in 1961. Kubiak moved up the minor league ladder with the A’s before making his major league debut with Kansas City in 1967. He never played in another minor league game.

Kubiak played as a backup in 1967, and in 1968-1969 after the team had moved to Oakland.  In his three years behind shortstop Bert Campaneris and second baseman John Donaldson, Kubiak slashed .231/.293/.288 across 527 at-bats. In December, Kubiak was traded to the Brewers.

The 1970 season was Kubiak’s best campaign by far. He played in 158 games, slashed .252/.340/.313 across 540 at-bats. His nine doubles, four homers, and 41 RBIs were career highs. Per Baseball-Reference, Kubiak made $21,000 that season.

Kubiak continued at second base to start the 1971 season but switched to shortstop in late June. One month later, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Kubiak was relegated to pinch-hitter and defensive replacement in September. In November Kubiak was traded to the Texas Rangers.

Once again, Kubiak was traded mid-season as he was sent to Oakland in July 1972. Coming back to his original team was a good thing for Kubiak as the A’s won three straight World Series, in which Kubiak played in 1972 and 1973. Playing strictly as a defensive replacement after starter Dick Green was pinch-hit for, Kubiak batted .167 (1-for-6) over eight games. Kubiak missed out on the 1974 Fall Classic due to a calf injury.

Kubiak began the 1975 season with Oakland but was traded to the San Diego Padres in mid-May. He continued as a quality backup through 1976. During spring training in 1977, the Padres cut his pay and Kubiak walked out of camp and never played again.

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