Bill Killefer
Bill Killefer | ||
---|---|---|
Runs batted in | 240 | |
Managerial record | 524–622 | |
Winning % | .457 | |
Teams | ||
As player
As manager As coach |
William Lavier Killefer (October 10, 1887 – July 3, 1960), nicknamed "Reindeer Bill", was an American
Major League career
Killefer made his major league debut at the age of 21 with the St. Louis Browns on September 13, 1909.[2] After the 1910 season in which the Browns finished in last place, Killefer was released to the Buffalo Bisons of the Eastern League.[1] Under the tutelage of Bisons' manager George Stallings, Killefer developed into a refined catcher.[1]
His contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on August 19, 1911, and he played his first game as a starter on October 3.[1] The Phillies pitcher on that day was Grover Cleveland Alexander, and the game marked the first of 250 times the pair teamed up as a battery in the major leagues.[1] Although he was a light hitter, Killefer became known for his strong defensive skills.[1] In 1913, he led National League catchers with 166 assists, 130 baserunners caught stealing, a 50.6% caught stealing percentage, and finished second in putouts and fielding percentage.[4]
In 1914, Killefer made news when it was reported that he had signed with the Chicago Whales of the Federal League, although he denied the report.[1] When the Phillies offered him a salary increase, he decided to sign with the Phillies, which led the Federal League to file a lawsuit against him and the Phillies.[1] A judge ruled against the Federal League and Killefer remained with the Phillies.[1]
From 1915 to 1917, Alexander and Killefer solidified their reputation as the best battery in baseball, with Alexander posting three consecutive 30-win seasons.[1][5] Killefer had one of his best seasons for the Phillies in 1917. He led National League catchers with a .984 fielding percentage, as well as in putouts, double plays, and total chances.[6] He also had one of his best seasons offensively with a .274 batting average.[2]
After the 1917 season, in one of the most lopsided trades in major league history, the financially strapped Phillies sent Killefer and Alexander to the Chicago Cubs for two players and $55,000 in cash.
Career statistics
In a thirteen-year major league career, Killefer played in 1,035
Killefer's reputation as a defensive standout is enhanced because of the era in which he played. In the
Managing and coaching career
After his playing career ended, Killefer continued as manager of the Cubs until he was fired after 75 games in 1925.[1] He was hired by St. Louis Cardinals manager Rogers Hornsby as a coach for the 1926 season.[1] The Cardinals went on to win the 1926 World Series with Killefer receiving credit for his help with the pitching staff.[1] In 1927, he was hired by the St. Louis Browns as a coach, and became their manager in 1930.[15] Killefer enjoyed little success as the Browns' manager, never finishing above fifth place as the depression-era team had cut its payroll significantly.[1] He was fired in 1933 and took two years off from organised baseball.[1]
Killefer accepted a role as manager for the
He died in Elsmere, Delaware, at age 72.[16] His brother, Red Killefer, was also a major league baseball player. Political economist Nancy Killefer is a granddaughter.
Managerial record
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
CHC | 1921 | 57 | 23 | 34 | .404 | 7th in NL | – | – | – | – |
CHC | 1922 | 154 | 80 | 74 | .519 | 5th in NL | – | – | – | – |
CHC | 1923 | 154 | 83 | 71 | .539 | 4th in NL | – | – | – | – |
CHC | 1924 | 153 | 81 | 72 | .529 | 5th in NL | – | – | – | – |
CHC | 1925 | 75 | 33 | 42 | .440 | fired | – | – | – | – |
CHC total | 593 | 300 | 293 | .506 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
SLB | 1930 | 154 | 64 | 90 | .416 | 6th in AL | – | – | – | – |
SLB | 1931 | 154 | 63 | 91 | .409 | 5th in AL | – | – | – | – |
SLB | 1932 | 154 | 63 | 91 | .409 | 6th in AL | – | – | – | – |
SLB | 1933 | 91 | 34 | 57 | .374 | fired | – | – | – | – |
SLB total | 553 | 224 | 329 | .405 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
Total | 1146 | 524 | 622 | .457 | 0 | 0 | – |
See also
- List of Major League Baseball player–managers
- List of St. Louis Cardinals coaches
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Weatherby, Charlie. "The Baseball Biography Project: Bill Killefer". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Bill Killefer Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ISBN 978-1-57488-860-7
- ^ "1913 National League Fielding Leaders - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Pete Alexander Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1917 National League Fielding Leaders - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Baseball Digest, October 1987, Vol. 46, No. 10, ISSN 0005-609X".
- ^ ISBN 978-0-595-14826-4
- ^ "1918 World Series - Boston Red Sox over Chicago Cubs (4-2) - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1919 National League Fielding Leaders - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Baseball Digest, July 2001, Vol. 60, No. 7, ISSN 0005-609X".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The Encyclopedia of Catchers - Trivia December 2010 - Career Shutouts Caught". The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "For Catchers, The Name of the Game is Defense, by George Vass, Baseball Digest, May 2005, Vol. 64, No. 3, ISSN 0005-609X".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers - Dominating Catchers". members.tripod.com.
- ^ a b "Bill Killefer Managerial Record - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ a b "TheDeadballEra.com :: Bill Killefer's Obit". www.thedeadballera.com.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Bill Killefer at SABR (Baseball BioProject)