Fred Kovner’s future was bright when he graduated from Old Dominion University in the Spring of 1965. He set virtually every batting record at the college and was an exceptional centerfielder. His 1964 team won the NCAA College Division East Regional at historic Yankee Stadium and Fred was named All American in his final two years at the Norfolk (VA) school. Evansville College was in NCAA’s College Division and won its NCAA Basketball Championship the same year.

Fred Kovner gave the victory sign from the dugout at Yankee Stadium in 1964. Showing his batting form in an ODU uniform from his college yearbook, The Troubadour.

Kovner had all the tools. The Chicago White Sox were quick to sign him as a minor league player for a $24,000 bonus, an exceptional sum at the time.

Signing a White Sox contract in June 1965.

Old Dominion’s college yearbook is named The Troubadour. Fred fit the books title while sitting in with the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra as a cellist during his college years.

Kovner’s professional baseball career began in the Florida State Rookie League and Instructional League in 1965. He earned a promotion to Class A Lynchburg (VA) in the Carolina League the following year but was injured in an automobile accident there that probably affected his playing ability. After spending all of 1966 and part of 1967 at Lynchburg, he was called up to the Class AA Evansville White Sox, where he finished the 1967 season hitting a paltry .160. His picture leaning on the Bosse Field dugout railing (taken at camera day) is on the front cover of my first book.

Kovner (second from left) with some of 1967 Esox teammates at Bosse Field.

The White Sox weren’t ready to give up on the former college phenom. Evansville owner/general manager Tom Fleming sent Fred a contract offer to start 1968 with Evansville. The outfielder responded to Fleming’s contract letter in mid-March in a most peculiar way. “I’m satisfied with the terms,” wrote Kovner, “but I’m committed to the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra until June.”  

“That’s the first time I’ve ever lost a player to a symphony orchestra,” lamented Fleming to Bill Fluty of the Evansville Courier, “He’s a left-handed cello player.”

Kovner never played another inning of professional baseball after his season in Evansville. Once a great ball player. Always a great cellist.