Art Kleck ’53 wound up at Denison by accident. In the early ’50s, his future was up in the air. A star athlete in high school, Art was sure he wanted to play professional baseball. But his high school coach and biggest mentor said he wouldn’t let him do that without trying college for one year. That’s how Art found himself at Denison University and writing a book about the sport he loves.
“I loved that school,” said Art, “I liked learning there, and I decided it made a lot of sense to stay in school. My coach said all it takes is one ball, one wrong hit, and you’re done.”
It turns out Art learned that lesson a few years later while playing for an Army baseball team. He shattered his elbow, and his throw was never the same again.
“Those little, tiny things that our lives turn on, I’ll tell you,” he said.
And one of those little, tiny things that made all the difference for Art was joining Kappa Sigma. “Kappa Sigma was immensely important to me,” he said. “I came from this little town in Ohio, and I was naïve as all get out. So Kappa Sigma became enormous to me from a human relations and a friendship standpoint.”
At the time, Art said that Denison was a very Greek-oriented place. “You almost had to consider joining a fraternity,” he said. “And I was forever happy that I did.”
Art went on to do it all. He served in the Army, then became a salesman, a science and German teacher, a coach, a school principal, and a real estate agent. Although he never did get to play professional baseball, it ended up changing his life anyway.
It was baseball great, Stan Musial, who first suggested Art write a book when the two met after a St. Louis Cardinals game in 1954.
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“Time rushes by – Art Kleck ’53 |
Art asked him, “Mr. Musial, did you ever try to bat right-handed?”
“Soldier, I tried that. I just couldn’t see the ball,” Musial answered.
“Well, it’s probably because you’re right-eyed,” said Art.
As Art explained what he meant, Musial was floored.
“Soldier, you’ve gotta write a book about this,” Musial exclaimed. “Nobody knows about this stuff!”
| Art Kleck – 1953 |
Ever since that meeting, Art had writing the book at the top of his bucket list. Sixty years later, he’s finally crossed it off. His book, What You See is What You Hit, is being sold by Amazon. It has five-star ratings across the board. And while Art is touched by the rave reviews, he’s mostly happy he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream.
“Time rushes by faster than you think,” said Art. But one thing that hasn’t changed after all these years is his love and gratitude for Kappa Sigma and his brothers. “I have many, many lifetime friends from my fraternity,” said Art, “Several that I still keep in touch with today.”
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