Kansas State University Athletics
K-State Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1990
- Class:
- 1932
In the late 20’s and early 30s, Elden Auker established himself as one of the premier athletes in K-State history. The Norcatur, Kansas native was all-Big Six in football, baseball and basketball, and was the first athlete to achieve all-American status in all three sports by College Humor Magazine.
He was named a football all-American by famed sports writer Grantland Rice. In 1989, former KSU President Dr. James McCain described Auker as “the greatest athlete in Kansas State history.” Of course, he was also freshman class marshal and president of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity as a senior.
After obtaining a degree in Pre-medical training in 1932, Auker embarked on a 10-year professional baseball career with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns. Due to a football injury suffered at K-State, Auker developed a “submarine” delivery that baffled the big leagues.
In 1934, he completed his first full season in the majors with a 15-7 record for the Detroit Tigers, and was a force behind Detroit’s drive to the American League pennant. He pitched in two World Series games that year, and was the winning hurler in the fourth game. In ’35, he posted his best win total with an 18-7 season. In ’38 he was 17-9 before being traded to the Red Sox in ’39 (where he roomed with Jimmie Fox). He joined the Browns in 1940 and retired from baseball in 1942.
His 10-year career statistics included 333 games, 130 wins, 101 losses, an earned run average of 4.53, and a particularly staggering stat today – 128 complete games.
