Tyler Tolbert’s record was set by Kansas Citian who de-segregated Muehlebach Field
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- Tyler Tolbert tied the major-league record with 12 consecutive base hits on Tuesday.
- Johnny Kling recorded 12 straight hits in August 1902 with the Chicago Cubs.
- Johnny Kling bought the Kansas City Blues in 1933 and desegregated Muehlebach Field.
When Tyler Tolbert legged out a dribbler on Tuesday night against the New York Mets for his major-league-record-tying 12th consecutive base hit, the names of the two current record-holders flashed across the TV screen.
Walt Dropo is perhaps the more familiar. He accomplished the feat in 1952, a week after being traded to the Detroit Tigers from the Boston Red Sox. Dropo had been the 1950 AL rookie of the year and led the league with 144 RBIs that season.
The first to record 12 consecutive base hits might sound more obscure, although not to Kansas City historians.
In August 1902, while playing for the Chicago Cubs, Johnny Kling had 12 straight hits. He was in his third of 13 major-league seasons, 11 with Chicago, and was the catcher for the 1907 and 1908 World Series champions. He also served one year as manager of the Boston Braves.
Kling was born in Kansas City and is buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Baseball remained part of his post-playing day interests: He bought the Kansas City Blues minor-league team in 1933 and is credited with desegregating KC’s now long gone Muehlebach Field.
Kling sold the stadium to New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert in 1937 and Blacks and whites were again separated in the stands. The venue was renamed Ruppert Stadium in honor of the new owner.
Kling also was a champions billiards player. He opened Kling & Allen Parlor at the Dixon Hotel at 12th and Baltimore in 1913. It was considered one of the nation’s top pool halls before it closed in the 1950s.