A resilient journey from college football cut to major league baseball first baseman
In short: Craig Kusick navigated a winding path to the major leagues, evolving from a college football wide receiver into a professional baseball player. Known for his toughness at the plate, he eventually transitioned into a long-standing coaching career, leaving a lasting impact on Minnesota high school baseball before his untimely passing.
Born in Milwaukee in 1948, Craig Kusick initially pursued athletics at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. His collegiate sports career was marked by versatility; he played wide receiver for the football team and joined the track squad after being cut from the baseball team during his freshman year. Despite that early setback, he returned to baseball, eventually posting a .307 batting average over three seasons. His professional trajectory began in 1970 when he signed with the Minnesota Twins, eventually debuting in September 1973.
Kusick spent the bulk of his major league career with the Twins, where he gradually assumed first base responsibilities from Harmon Killebrew. By the mid-1970s, his role shifted toward designated hitter duties to accommodate Rod Carew. His resilience was perhaps best illustrated on August 27, 1975, when he matched a league record by absorbing three pitches in a single 11-inning contest against the Milwaukee Brewers. His statistical peak arrived in 1977, a season defined by 12 home runs and 45 runs batted in.
Following his stint with the Twins, Kusick played briefly for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979, a tenure that included a rare appearance as a relief pitcher during a lopsided loss to the California Angels. After his professional playing days concluded, he dedicated over two decades to coaching at Rosemount High School, leading seven teams to state tournament appearances between 1982 and 2004. Kusick passed away in 2006 at age 57, just months after the death of his wife, Sarabeth. His legacy continued through his son, Craig Kusick Jr., who achieved distinction as a championship-winning quarterback in Division III football.
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