2016 Honor Roll Inductee: Jerry Klemm, DC MSBL

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications

Jerry Klemm is a 60 year old chiropractor who resides in Falls Church, Virginia and also doubles as the commissioner of the long-standing DC MSBL located in our nation’s capital. He is old enough to idolize the likes of Frank Howard and Cal Ripken but young enough to appreciate the remarkable talents of their successor Bryce Harper. 

For Jerry’s hard work behind the scenes at the DC MSBL and his passion for the game, MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler has honored Jerry as a 2016 recipient of the MSBL Honor Roll award. Jerry took a moment to fill in some blanks for us.

Biographical Information:

Your name: Jerry Klemm, D.C.

City or town of residence: Falls Church, VA

Age: 60

League name: DCMSBL

Town where league is based: Washington, DC Metro Area

Where did you grow up? Vienna, VA

What do you do for a living? Chiropractor

Family information: Wife Mariana Carroll Klemm, daughter Jenifer, sons Jeremy & Chris, and granddaughter Caileigh.

General Questions:

Describe your baseball resume: Played one year of college ball at George Mason U. 

What is your greatest baseball moment, either watching or playing? Watching my son Jeremy double in the go-ahead and eventual winning run late in a Father/ Son Tournament playoff game; playing on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown with my son, Chris; helping daughter Jenifer’s high school softball team win their only game of her four seasons on the varsity team.

When did you start playing for MSBL and how did you hear about it? Began in 1982 after a patient told me that he was playing hardball. I was just hoping to make his 30+ Fairfax Mudhens roster and was stunned to find myself starting at shortstop and becoming the 4 and 5 spot hitter a month into the season.

Do you still play? No

What is the best thing about your league? We try very hard to give everyone a “level playing field” and do whatever we can to make our coaches’ jobs as easy as possible.

Do you participate in any MSBL national tournaments? Played for the DC Nationals Father/ Son team in the MSBL Arizona World Series from 1999-2012. Played and coached various other World Series tournament teams those same seasons.

Questions just for fun:

Who is your favorite player of all time and why? I grew up watching Frank Howard of the Washington Senators so he will always be near the top of my favorite player list. Cal Ripken made the most of his physical skills and always showed respect for the game. Bryce Harper may well be my favorite player by the end of his career.

Are there any comments about MSBL you wish to share? I’m very thankful to Steve Sigler and others with the vision to find ways for grown men to play hardball, to Larry Lombardi, Roger Stanley and the late, great Jim Beck for laying the groundwork for DCMSBL and allowing me to help run the league. Also to the players and coaches of both DCMSBL and the various Arizona tournament teams for putting up with me, and especially my family for their love and support as I continue to be a big kid.