Kenneth Kraynak

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Graduating in 1953 from Larksville High School, Ken earned 7 letters, 2 in football as punter/ kicker/end, 2 basketball, 3 baseball. Ken was voted Outstanding Senior Athlete, second team All-Scholastic and All-Star in football, playing in the East-West Shrine Football Game. He attended Mansfield State Teachers College, where he was offensive/defensive end, punter, kicker on the football team. 1951-1953 he played for local semipro teams Larksville, Dallas, and Plymouth. He served in US Marine Corps 1954-1956 and was named MVP in Japan 1955. Ken signed a pro contract in 1956 with the Cleveland Indians as pitcher/outfielder and played Rookie League Baseball in North Platte, Nebraska, hitting 12 homeruns with a batting average of .314. In 1957 he played with Batavia, New York Class D at first base and was selected on the All-Star Team, voted league MVP, and Triple Crown Winner. His batting average improved to .341, with 24 home runs, 101 runs batted in. In 1958 he moved to Burlington/Graham, NC Class B as an All-Star first baseman. 1959 he played with Reading, PA Class A, being promoted to San Diego AAA (Pacific Coast League) during the 1960 he played with Mobile, Alabama Class AA in the Southern Association League and 1961 Portsmouth, Virginia as player/coach. The following season he retired from pro ball; however, in 1964 started playing again with the NJ Metropolitan League, voted MVP, winning league batting championship and Triple Crown Award 1964, 1966. Ken retired from semipro baseball in 1970. Ken was first inductee into State of New Jersey Bergen County Metropolitan League Hall of Fame 1978. Residing in Hurley NY, he is married to the former Arlene Pastula. They have two children: Kimberly Ann and Krista.