Old Folks Kinder didn’t pitch in the majors until he was over thirty, but he went on to an occasionally spectacular 12-year career. After two ordinary years with the Browns, he was traded to the Red Sox following the 1947 season. In 1949 he was a sensational starter, going 23-6 with league highs of six shutouts and a .793 winning percentage. With the Red Sox and Yankees tied before the last game of the season, Kinder vowed to win if given three runs. He left after eight innings, trailing 1-0, and New York bombed his relief to take the game 5-4 and win the pennant. He became a top reliever in 1951, saving 14 and winning 10 out of the bullpen, both top AL marks. In 1953 he made a then-record 69 appearances, again leading in relief wins (10) and saves (27). He retired with 102 career saves.
