Looking back: Braves outfielder Ryan Klesko

Atlanta Braves

Looking back: Braves outfielder Ryan Klesko

Outfielder and first baseman Ryan Klesko’s career in Atlanta lasted until 1999, filled with big hits and some towering home runs.

Outfielder and first baseman Ryan Klesko’s career in Atlanta lasted until 1999, filled with big hits and some towering home runs. He was nicknamed “Thumper’’ but he wasn’t supposed to be a power hitter, instead a Steve Avery-type who threw a nasty fastball. | Whatever happened to Klesko?

Drafted in the fifth round of the 1989 draft as a pitcher, the Braves talked Klesko out of going to Arizona State after he displayed his hitting prowess in a batting practice in the summer of ’89.

A key contributor to Braves lineups, Kelsko was part of a Braves teams that included the likes of Javy Lopez, David Justice, Chipper Jones and more.

Klesko's best season in a Braves uniform was 1996 when he hit 34 homers, 93 RBIs and hit .282.

In his second full season in the majors, Klesko played a significant role in the World Series, hitting home runs in three consecutive games in Cleveland.

Klesko always loved adventure off the field, his biggest hobby being hunting and fishing. Here he is bowhunting with his wife, Kelly, in New Zealand. Klesko says, "Like (John) Smoltz has a black book of golf courses, I have a black book of places to hunt and fish.

In 1999, Klesko was making $4.75 million and was traded to San Diego. "I remember when (Braves general manager) John (Schuerholz) told me about the trade. He said, 'Ryan, I think you are going to be happy.' I knew then that I was going to San Diego, Anaheim or Los Angeles. It was fun going back home and I had good seasons there."

Back near home, Klesko played for the San Diego Padres for seven seasons, including making his only All-Star Game appearance in 2001 when he smashed a career-high 31 homers and 113 RBIs.

In 16 major league seasons, 8 with Atlanta, Klesko hit .279, with a .370 on-base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage.

Nearly 19 years after being drafted by the Braves and $60 million in salaries, Ryan Klesko would retire never throwing a pitch in the major leagues. | Whatever happened to Klesko?

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Outfielder and first baseman Ryan Klesko’s career in Atlanta lasted until 1999, filled with big hits and some towering home runs. He was nicknamed “Thumper’’ but he wasn’t supposed to be a power hitter, instead a Steve Avery-type who threw a nasty fastball. | Whatever happened to Klesko?

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