"The 23-year-old rookie righthander considerably brightened the Yankees' future last year. Steve made a brilliant debut last July 10, pitching a complete game against the Washington Senators, although New York lost, 2-1, on a two-run homer by Frank Howard.
Steve was immediately tagged 'another Mel Stottlemyre.' But the young pitcher has enough talent and equipment to get by on his own name. Not an overpowering pitcher, the 6-3, 195-pounder throws a fastball that moves, a roundhouse curve, a sinker, a sharp-breaking slider and a changeup.
Steve compiled a 6-6 record and pitched five complete games in 15 starts last season. In 100 innings he walked only 24, and his ERA was 3.42. Steve spent four years in the minors and had an 8-2 record with Syracuse in 1970 before being called up."
-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971
"Big (6 foot 3, 200 pounds) Steve Kline is a sturdy, all-around athlete whose determination to become a Yankee impressed Ralph Houk from the very beginning. Kline, a resident of Chelan, Washington, transferred from the University of Washington to Miami University so he could continue his education and pitch in spring training a couple of years back. The hard-throwing right-hander, who looks like singer Glen Campbell's kid brother, was 8-2 with Syracuse the first half of the season and showed sure signs of the pitcher Houk truly expected him to become.
Brought up to the Yankees in mid-season of 1970, Steve pitched 100 innings, with a 6-6 won-lost record and a 3.42 ERA. He gave up two homers in his first two games. That unsettled him and Houk used him sparingly until he was assigned to pitch against the Mets in the Mayor's Trophy Game. He started, pitched a strong complete-game victory, gained confidence in himself and made a strong late-season bid at a regular starting assignment.
In regular rotation, young Steve pitched fine ball. He's being counted on in 1971 and in the years ahead."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Kline reached the potential that was always expected of him during the '70 season. He began the year at Syracuse and burned up the International League with an 8-2 won-lost record and 2.54 ERA before being recalled to the Yankees on July 8. He was immediately inserted into the starting rotation and was very impressive in his first two outings, losing a tough 2-1 decision to Washington on July 10 on a two-run homer by Frank Howard and beating the A's 7-2 on a 5-hitter on July 18. Steve failed to go more than five innings in his next four starts, however, and was relegated to bullpen duty.
Steve turned himself around when he started the Mayor's Trophy Game (the annual exhibition against the Mets) on August 17 and hurled a complete game 9-4 victory. He was re-inserted into the regular rotation for the remainder of the season and won five of his last eight decisions. Two of his three losses were by scores of 1-0 and 3-1, and his ERA over his last nine starts was 2.25.
His style of pitching reminds many of Mel Stottlemyre, also a product of the state of Washington and scout Eddie Taylor. Kline figures to be one of the five starting pitchers on the '71 Yankee staff along with Stottlemyre, Peterson, Bahnsen and Kekich. He helps himself on the mound as he is a fine fielder, and as a batter is adept at moving the runner over with his bunting.
An all-around athlete, Steve was captain of both the baseball and basketball teams at Chelan High School. He has attended three years of college at Washington State and Miami.
Steve is one of the most eligible bachelors on the Yankees. His hobbies are hunting and fishing."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"To young Steve Kline went the honor of pitching the Yankees' 6,000th major league win. The feat was accomplished at Chicago on May 8 with Steve besting Chicago ace Tom Bradley, 2-1.
The Yankees are the only American League team to reach the 6,000 level. The Giants won their 6,000th last fall, but have played three more seasons [since 1900] in the National League than the Yanks have in the American League."
-1971 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
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