Joe Kmak
Joseph Robert Kmak (born May 3, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player who played catcher in Major League Baseball from 1993 to 1995. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs. He stands 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall and weighs 200 pounds (91 kg). He bats and throws right-handed.
| Joe Kmak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: May 3, 1963 Napa, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 6, 1993, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 27, 1995, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .227 |
| Hits | 37 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 13 |
| Stolen bases | 6 |
| Teams | |
Early life
Kmak was born on May 3, 1963, in Napa, California. He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. As a sophomore on the junior varsity team, Kmak lead the league in scoring and was the WCAL scoring champion in 1979. Kmak grew up and played baseball with Barry Bonds, where they won the 1980 West Catholic Athletic League Championship.[1] In his junior season, Kmak won the league batting championship after leading the league in batting average and was a First Team All-WCAL selection 1980. In his senior year, Kmak was a Second Team All-WCAL selection and was named the recipient of the Blanket Award as the varsity MVP in 1981. Kmak won back-to-back First Team All-San Mateo County honors in 1980 and 1981. He graduated in 1981 and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
College career
Kmak attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and played college baseball for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
On June 3, 1985, Kmak was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the tenth round of the 1985 amateur draft, and he signed on June 6, 1985. In 1985, Kmak played for the A-Everett Giants of the Northwest League.
In 1986, Kmak played for the Class A Fresno Giants of the California League.
In 1987, Kmak played for the AA Shreveport Captains of the Texas League and Class A Fresno. In 1988, Kmak played for Shreveport.
In 1989, Kmak played for the Class A Reno Silver Sox of the California League.
On January 20, 1990, Kmak signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1990, Kmak played for two different teams in two different leagues and at two different levels. He played for the AAA Denver Zephyrs of the American Association and the AA El Paso Diablos of the Texas League.
In 1991 and 1992, he played for Denver. In 1993, he started with the AA New Orleans Zephyrs of the American Association.
Milwaukee Brewers (1993)
On April 6, 1993 at Anaheim Stadium, Kmak made his Major League debut against the California Angels. In the bottom of the third inning, in his first Major League career plate appearance and at bat, Kmak hit a line drive single on the first Major League pitch he saw to center field off of 1993 AL All-Star pitcher Mark Langston for his first career Major League hit. He would proceed to steal second base for his first career Major League stolen base. Leading off the top of the ninth inning against Langston, Kmak drew his first career Major League base of balls. On April 9 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, in a 6-5 win over the Oakland Athletics, Kmak knocked in his first career Major League run batted in. In the top of the second inning, Kmak hit a line drive RBI single off of Bobby Witt into right field that scored John Jaha. On April 12 at Milwaukee County Stadium, Kmak scored his first career Major League run against the California Angels. National Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Yount hit a ball off of pitcher Julio Valera that was grounded to the third baseman Rene Gonzales forcing the out to second baseman Damion Easley, getting left fielder Darryl Hamilton out as Kmak scored. On April 21 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, in a 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins in 10 innings, Kmak hit his first career Major League double. In the top of the tenth inning, Kmak hit an RBI double ground ball off of pitcher Mike Hartley into left field that scored Jaha.
New York Mets
In 1994, Kmak played for the AAA Norfolk Tides of the International League.
Chicago Cubs (1995)
On December 24, 1994, Kmak signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs.
Kmak started 1995 with the AAA Iowa Cubs of the American Association. On July 29, 1995 at Wrigley Field, in an 8-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Kmak hit a solo home run to deep left field off of 1995 NL All-Star pitcher Tyler Green in the bottom of the sixth inning. This was his first and only career Major League home run.
Cincinnati Reds
In 1996, Kmak played for the AA Indianapolis Indians of the American Association.
Florida Marlins
In 1997, Kmak played for the AAA Charlotte Knights of the International League.
Cincinnati Reds
In 1997, Kmak played for Indianapolis.
Kansas City Royals
In 1998, Kmak played for the AAA Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League.
Post-playing career
He was an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater, Junípero Serra High School, and at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, California.[2] As an assistant coach on the varsity team, Kmak was a seven–time WCAL champion as an assistant coach in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, meaning every one of his student–athletes got to win at least one WCAL championship each. Kmak helped coach the Padres to the CIF-CCS championship in 2009, helping send Serra Hall of Fame varsity baseball head coach Pete Jensen out on top.
References
- Nolan, Michelle (July 15, 1994). "Serra High's Baseball Star Tradition". San Francisco Examiner. p. P12 – via Newspapers.com.
- Reid, John (September 10, 2009). "Serra baseball decision still festering". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)