The Texas Rangers today issued the following statement.
The Texas Rangers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Klein, who died early this morning at Philadelphia's Temple University Hospital at the age of 75. Mr. Klein spent the first 23 years of his nearly six decades in professional baseball with the Senators/Rangers franchise.
After seven seasons as a Washington Senators minor league infielder from 1962-68, Mr. Klein was a minor league manager and team executive during the franchise's next 16 years. As assistant farm director and later head of the Rangers' minor league operations, the Rangers signed and developed such players as Steve Buechele, Ron Darling, Danny Darwin, Jose Guzman, Tom Henke, Oddibe McDowell, Pete O'Brien, Kenny Rogers, and Ruben Sierra under his watch.
Mr. Klein then served as the Rangers' General Manager from October 1982-November 1984 and during that time was integral in the development of a young baseball executive named Tom Grieve, who succeeded him as General Manager.
Mr. Klein went on to be the General Manager for the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers before a long run as Executive Director of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Joe Klein was a dedicated and distinguished employee of the Washington/Texas franchise for more than 20 years. The Rangers extend their deepest sympathies to Mr. Klein's family and friends at this difficult time.