As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers (1952–1959), Cleveland Indians (1960), San Francisco Giants (1961–1965), Chicago Cubs (1965–1966), and Philadelphia Phillies (1966).

Kuenn was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, but raised in neighboring Milwaukee and attended Lutheran High School.

Signed by Detroit as an amateur free agent in 1952, Kuenn was named the starting shortstop after joining the team late in the season.

In 1956, he set career highs with 12 home runs and 88 RBIs and raised his average to .332, surpassed only by Mickey Mantle (.353) and Ted Williams (.345) in the batting race.

But he rebounded in 1958 with .319, ending third in the league behind Williams (.328) and Pete Runnels (.322), and surpassing Al Kaline, Vic Power, Bob Cerv, Mantle, Rocky Colavito, Minnie Miñoso and Nellie Fox.

He experienced a series of medical complications beginning in the mid-1970s, including heart and stomach surgeries, and in February 1980, he had his right leg amputated just below the knee after a blood clot cut circulation.

[6] In 1982, Kuenn managed the Milwaukee Brewers to their only World Series appearance to date after taking over the team in mid-season.

Milwaukee then won the AL pennant after rallying from a 2–0 deficit and beating the California Angels in the best-of-five American League Championship Series.

At the time, the Brewers' roster included Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas, and future Hall of Famers Paul Molitor, Ted Simmons and Robin Yount.