George Kelly (baseball)
George Kelly | |
---|---|
San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
Died: October 13, 1984 Burlingame, California, U.S. | (aged 89)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 18, 1915, for the New York Giants | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 27, 1932, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .297 |
Home runs | 148 |
Runs batted in | 1,020 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1973 |
Election method | Veterans Committee |
George Lange Kelly (September 10, 1895 – October 13, 1984), nicknamed "Long George" and "High Pockets",
Kelly was a two-time World Series champion (
Playing career
Kelly began his professional career for the
Finding success in Rochester, Kelly was purchased by the Giants in 1919 when
In the final series of the 1924 season, the Giants were playing the Philadelphia Phillies at the Polo Grounds and battling for the pennant with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jimmy O'Connell offered Phillies shortstop Heinie Sand $500 to intentionally lose the games. Sand rejected the bribe and reported it to Phillies manager Art Fletcher. It eventually led to the lifetime suspension of O'Connell and Giants coach Cozy Dolan by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. O'Connell implicated Kelly, Frankie Frisch, and Ross Youngs as co-conspirators.[12] However, Commissioner Landis cleared Kelly, Frisch, and Youngs of any wrongdoing.[13]
That following offseason, Kelly, Sam Bohne, and other Major League Baseball (MLB) players agreed to play professional basketball with O'Connell.[14] National League (NL) president John Heydler insisted that anyone who played with O'Connell could be suspended.[15] The Giants were also displeased with Kelly's arrangement, as they were concerned about the chance he could injure himself in non-baseball activity.[14] However, Kelly had not played in any games at that point. He was removed from the roster and thus avoided suspension by MLB.[16]
Kelly, naturally a first baseman, saw regular time as a second baseman in 1925 when Frisch injured his hand, while backup Bill Terry began playing first base.[2] With the emergence of Terry, who requested a trade so that he could receive more playing time,[17] and Giants manager John McGraw desiring an improvement in the outfield, Kelly was traded to the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 1927 season for Edd Roush.[18] The Reds traded Roush due to a contract dispute.[19] With Wally Pipp at first base for the Reds, Kelly was slated to play center field.[19] The Reds released Pipp before the 1929 season, and Kelly returned to first base.[20]
Kelly was released by the Reds on July 10, 1930, and signed by the minor-league
In April 1932, the Millers traded Kelly to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Pea Ridge Day.[1] With the Dodgers, he filled in for the injured Del Bissonette.[8] Kelly played his final MLB game on July 27, 1932.[1] He returned to the International League to finish the 1932 season with the Jersey City Skeeters, and played the 1933 season for the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League before retiring.[7]
Player profile
In 1,622 games over 16 seasons, Kelly posted a .297
Kelly was known as an excellent defensive first baseman. His positioning and footwork on hits to the outfield became the standard method for teaching future first basemen to handle relays.[2] Frisch considered Kelly the finest first baseman he had seen.[22]
Kelly also had a reputation as a clutch hitter. McGraw said there was no player he preferred to have bat in a big situation.[2] Waite Hoyt considered him dangerous in clutch situations.[22]
Hall of Fame induction
His arm was so tremendous that he was directed to be the relay man on throws from the outfield. His arm was better, in fact, than any of today's players I can think of.
—Frankie Frisch, January 29, 1973[22]
To be inducted into the
The selection of Kelly was controversial, as many felt Kelly was not worthy of enshrinement in the Hall.
Coaching career
Kelly served as a
Personal life
A native San Franciscan, Kelly remained in the San Francisco Bay Area, living in Millbrae, California, following his playing career.[24] Kelly's brother, Ren Kelly, uncle, Bill Lange, and cousin, Rich Chiles, also played in MLB.[24]
Kelly suffered a
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "High Pockets Kelly Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Stewart, Mark. "The Baseball Biography Project: George Kelly". SABR.com. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c Booth, Clark (August 12, 2010). "The good news: Baseball Hall looking at electoral revamp". Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Baseball Brouhaha Brewing". The Evening Independent. January 19, 1977. p. 1C. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ The San Diego Union Tribune. p. D.1. Archived from the originalon February 2, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-7432-2722-0.
- ^ a b c d "High Pocket Kelly Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ a b Burns, John (August 1, 1932). "'High Pockets' Comes Back". Rochester Evening Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "Giants Go High For Earl Smith". The Morning Leader. January 3, 1919. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "Cantu runs streak to 10". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 16, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "Mets Win, 5-2; Gooden Reaches 200 Strikeouts". Schenectady Gazette. Associated Press. August 23, 1984. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ Jordan, David M. (2002). Occasional Glory: The History of the Philadelphia Phillies. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 64.
- ^ "O'Connell Scored in Baseball Report; Possible Indictment Depends on Conference Between Brothers and Judge Landis. Frisch Fully Exonerated: Assistant District Attorney Finds Nothing to Connect Him or Kelly and Young With the Case". The New York Times. February 5, 1925. Retrieved November 3, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ The Evening Independent. January 6, 1925. p. 32. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- The Hartford Courant. Associated Press. January 6, 1925. p. 11. Retrieved November 3, 2011. (subscription required)
- The Meridian Daily Journal. January 6, 1925. p. 8. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ Daniel, Daniel M. (September 28, 1933). "Terry Asked To Be Traded By Giants 8 Years Ago". The Meriden Daily Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "George Kelly is Traded for Eddie Roush". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. February 10, 1927. p. 5. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "The Milwaukee Sentinel - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Stabler turns down $1 million USFL offer". St. Joseph Gazette. Associated Press. January 3, 1984. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Teammates Praise New 'Famer Kelly". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. January 29, 1973. p. 2C. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ Jaffe, Jay (July 28, 2010). "Prospectus Hit and Run: Don't Call it the Veterans' Committee". Baseball Prospectus. Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Oakland Signs New Coach For Season". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. December 27, 1948. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "'High Pockets' Kelly dies of stroke at age 88". Mohave Daily Miner. United Press International. October 15, 1984. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
External links
- George Kelly at the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- George Kelly at Find a Grave
- George Kelly Oral History Interview (1 of 2) - National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection
- George Kelly Oral History Interview (2 of 2) - National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection