Dennis Kluss showed confidence in college; Played two pro campaigns, made short-season

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Dennis Kluss 1990 Watertown Indians card

Linn-Benton Community College looked ahead to the regional baseball tournament in May 1988 and outfielder Dennis Kluss looked for his team to perform well, The Albany Democrat-Herald wrote.

"We feel real good, real confident," Kluss told The Democrat-Herald. "I am, (teammate) Ken (Nielson) is, (teammate) Gary (Boyer) is. We're going in there right now like there's no way we can lose. We're that good."

Kluss went on from Linn-Benton to turn pro the next year. His pro career lasted two campaigns. He topped out at short-season.


Kluss' career began in 1989, taken by the Indians in the 20th round of the draft out of Linn-Benton and Oregon State.

He started with the Indians in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into 59 games and hit .228.

He then moved to short-season Watertown. He saw 40 games there and hit .237. He knocked in a June run on a triple. He also pitched a scoreless inning on the mound late in the season. That campaign, however, marked his last as a pro.

Dennis Kluss 1990 Watertown Indians card

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,222
Made the Majors:1,384-32.8%
Never Made Majors:2,838-67.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345

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