Joe Kelley
Joe Kelley | |
---|---|
Left fielder / Manager | |
Born: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. | December 9, 1871|
Died: August 14, 1943 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | (aged 71)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 27, 1891, for the Boston Beaneaters | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 8, 1908, for the Boston Doves | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .317 |
Hits | 2,220 |
Home runs | 65 |
Runs batted in | 1,194 |
Stolen bases | 443 |
Managerial record | 338–321 |
Winning % | .512 |
Teams | |
As player
As manager
| |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1971 |
Election method | Veterans Committee |
Joseph James Kelley (December 9, 1871 – August 14, 1943) was an American
In his MLB career, Kelley played in the
Kelley was regarded as an excellent batter, a good base runner, and a great leader. Over his seventeen-season MLB career, Kelley had a .317
Early life
Kelley was born to Patrick Kelly and Ann Kelly (
As a child, Kelley was educated at a parochial grammar school and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Cambridge, where he starred for the school's baseball team as a
Career
Early career: Minor leagues and Boston Beaneaters (1891)
Kelley made his professional debut with the Lowell Indians of the New England League (NEL) in 1891, at age 19. During games he did not pitch, Lowell's manager put him in the lineup as an infielder.[3][5] Kelley had a 10–3 win–loss record and a NEL-leading .323 batting average with Lowell.[3]
Lowell folded in July.
Pittsburgh Pirates and NL's Baltimore Orioles (1892–1898)
The
Hanlon taught Kelley how to play
These Orioles teams, led by John McGraw, were known to break the rules in order to win, including tampering with their bats and the playing field.[11] Kelley hid baseballs in the outfield, using the closest hidden ball instead of finding the ball batted into the outfield.[12] Kelley hit ten home runs in 1895, a then-franchise record,[13] tying him for fifth in the NL with five other players. He also tied Brodie for second with 134 RBI, finished fourth with 54 stolen bases, fifth with a .546 SLG, and sixth with a .456 OBP.[14] In 1896, Kelley finished seventh in the NL in batting average (.364), fourth in runs scored (148), fourth in SLG (.543), fifth in OBP (.469), ninth in hits (189), and tied Gene DeMontreville for eighth in home runs (8).[15]
In 1897, Kelley agreed to serve as the coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, the college baseball team of Georgetown University.[16] That year, he finished fifth in the NL in batting average (.362) and RBI (118), seventh in OBP (.447), and eighth in SLG (.489).[17]
By 1898, Kelley earned an annual salary of $2,500 ($91,560 in current dollar terms), plus a $200 ($7,325 in current dollar terms) bonus for serving as
Brooklyn Superbas and AL's Baltimore Orioles (1899–1902)
With McGraw remaining in Baltimore, Hanlon named Kelley team captain.[19] The Superbas won the NL pennant in 1899 and 1900, as Kelley finished tenth in RBI (93), OBP (.410), and tied several players for tenth in home runs (6) in 1899[20] and led the team with a .319 batting average in 1900,[19][21] while finishing fourth in the league in SLG (.485), tying Hickman for seventh in RBI (91), and tying Jimmy Collins and Buck Freeman for tenth in home runs (6).[22]
Kelley moved back to the infield, becoming the regular first baseman in 1901.
Kelley was named Orioles' captain and received some stock in the team.
Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Doves (1902–1908)
The Superbas lodged a complaint against the Reds, claiming that Kelley was still under their control, seeking compensation from the Reds.
With rumors that Kelley was negotiating to become the Reds' manager, incumbent manager Bid McPhee resigned, and Kelley succeeded him.[33] Kelley served as manager of the Reds from 1902 until 1905. In 1903, Kelley finished ninth in the NL in OBP (.402).[34] He was dismissed as manager after the 1905 season, and replaced by Hanlon.[35] He remained as a Reds player for the 1906 season. He batted .228 during the 1906 season, and the Reds released him.[35]
Kelley signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Class–AA International League (IL) in 1907, receiving a $5,000 salary ($163,500 in current dollar terms), the highest for a minor league player to date.[3] Kelley batted .322 for the Maple Leafs as a part-time player, spending time in left field and first base.[35] The Maple Leafs won the IL pennant that season.[3]
With
Later career (1909–1926)
Maple Leafs president James McCafferey secured Kelley's return to the club in 1909.[38][43] He played with the Maple Leafs through 1910, managing the Maple Leafs from 1912 to 1914, winning a second pennant in 1912.[3]
After the 1914 season, the Maple Leafs released Kelley. The
Legacy
Joe had no prominent weakness. He was fast on the bases, could hit the ball hard and was as graceful an outfielder as one would care to see. He covered an immense amount of ground and had that necessary faculty, so prominent in Speaker and others, of being able to place himself where the batter would be likely to hit the ball.
As a player, Kelley had 11 consecutive .300-plus seasons during his MLB career. Kelley was also known as a good base runner and stole a career-high 87 bases in 1896. He retired with a career .317 batting, .402 OBP, 65 home runs, 1,421 runs, 1,194 RBI and 443 stolen bases in 1,853 career games. His 194 triples ranks him ninth all-time.[47] Kelley tied Fred Carroll's MLB record with nine hits in a doubleheader,[48][49] which he presently shares with eight other players.[50]
Additionally, he was known as a great leader.[51] He compiled a 338–321 win–loss record as an MLB manager.
Kelley was considered by the
Personal life
Kelley married Margaret Mahon on October 26, 1897. Keeler served as Kelley's best man, and McGraw and Jennings served as groomsmen.[53] Kelley is buried at New Cathedral Cemetery.[54]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball triples records
- List of Major League Baseball player-managers
References
Bibliography
- Fleitz, David L. (2007). More ghosts in the gallery: Another sixteen little-known greats at Cooperstown. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-3133-5. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
In-line citations
- ^ "Joe Kelley, 'Kingpin' Of Orioles, Dead". The Sun. August 15, 1943. Retrieved April 8, 2012.[permanent dead link](subscription required)
- ^ a b Fleitz, p. 121
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Keenan, Jimmy. "Joe Kelley". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ Fleitz, p. 122
- ^ "Baseball Captains of Industry: Considerable Kelley, Whose First Name was Joe". The Carroll Herald. June 5, 1912. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- The Lowell Sun. July 23, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ "Lowell BB History". The Lowell Sun. July 27, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d Fleitz, p. 124
- ^ "1893 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c "1894 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ Klingaman, Mike (June 5, 2003). "Cheats in cleats make fair play slippery business; Bat corkers, spin doctors owe debt to 1896 Orioles, other tricksters of trade". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ Cornfeld, Rick (February 2, 1971). "The Hall of Fame ... the great and merely good". The Michigan Daily. p. 7. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
- ^ Fleitz, p. 128
- ^ "1895 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "1896 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Yanigans Swamped, Baltimore Colts Snowed Under by the Regulars, Joe Kelley Reaches Macon". The Morning Herald. March 27, 1897. p. 9. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "1897 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "1898 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Fleitz, p. 130
- ^ "1899 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Fleitz, p. 131
- ^ "1900 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ "No Trust in Baseball — Clubs Vote Down John T. Brush's Scheme by 5 Votes to 1. League a Perpetual Body: Election of Officers Postponed for Some Unknown Reason — Hanlon to Stay With Brooklyn". The New York Times. December 12, 1901. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Baseball Player in Demand". The New York Times. December 23, 1901. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Baltimore's New Baseball President" (PDF). The New York Times. February 18, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "M'Graw for New York — Baltimore Baseball Player Will Manage the Local 'Team. $20,000 the Consideration: National League in the Deal to Get This Player Away from the American League". The New York Times. July 8, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "McGraw Accuses Ban Johnson". The New York Times. July 3, 1903. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "Kelley Predicts Exodus to the National League". The Pittsburgh Press. July 31, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Clean Sweep of Baltimore Club: National Leaguers Graft the Star Players". Baltimore American. July 17, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ISBN 1-894963-37-7.
- ^ "Pretty Tough on Brooklyn: National Leaguers Rule That They May Freely Raid Ranks of American League". Baltimore American. August 13, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Ebbitts Says it is a Finish Fight: Says Nationals Ask For and Give No Quarter to Men of American League". Baltimore American. July 24, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c Fleitz, p. 133
- ^ "1903 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Fleitz, p. 134
- ^ "Baseball Owners Meet at Waldorf — Deals for Players Excite More Interest Than Annual Conclave. Tenney May Come Here. Joe Kelley Almost Sure to Manage Boston Team — Dan McGann is Talked of for Cincinnati". The New York Times. December 11, 1907. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- ^ "Jimmy Casey is Wanted to Succeed Joe Kelley: Brooklyn Third Baseman May Be Manager of the Toronto Club". The Pittsburgh Press. November 14, 1907. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "New Manager of Doves; Kelley to Be Given Release". The Sunday Tribune. November 25, 1908. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Joe Kelley in Left Garden: Beaumont in Center and Brown in Right for Boston Nationals". The Pittsburgh Press. January 15, 1908. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "Joe Kelley Pans the Boston Owner: Declares that Dovey Merely Wants to Get Rid of Him to Reduce Club's Expenses". The Pittsburgh Press. November 30, 1908. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Joe Kelley Appeals His Case". Chicago Tribune. December 30, 1908. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ "Kelley and Dovey Settle Difficulties". The Meriden Daily Journal. January 15, 1909. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "EASTERN LEAGUE BOARD MEETS HERE; Directors Discuss Plans for Season and Announce the Umpire Staff. YALE HAS BIG SCHEDULE Three Games with the Giants – Roger Bresnahan to Get Loving Cup – Yankees' Revised Dates". The New York Times. January 28, 1909. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Magee Named Manager". The Sun. December 19, 1914. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ "Giants Get Day's Rest in Knoxville; Resume Northward Trek with Red Sox—Chance of BarrowHuggins Deal Less Bright". The New York Times. April 5, 1920. p. 18. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ Harrison, James R. (December 15, 1926). "National Leaguers Move For Peace — Committee Chosen to Confer With Landis mid Similar American League Group. Resin Ball is Endorsed: Robins Release Kelley and McGinnity — Trading Dull – Magnates Go to Chicago Today". The New York Times. p. 23. Retrieved April 8, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ "Career Leaders & Records for Triples". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ a b "Veterans Committee Votes: Oldtimers in Line for Hall". The Telegraph-Herald. January 29, 1964. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Lee Thomas Ties Major Hit Record". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Kansas City, Missouri. Associated Press. September 6, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Schuckman, Matt (March 11, 2012). "Spring Training Trivia: Double duty". Quincy Herald-Whig. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Baseball Gossip". The Pittsburgh Press. August 4, 1902. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Remember Rube? ... Chick Hafey? Seven Oldies Make it to Cooperstown". Reading Eagle. Associated Press. February 1, 1971. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ Fleitz, p. 129
- ^ "Our History". newcathedralcemetery.org. NEW CATHEDRAL CEMETERY. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
External links
- Joe Kelley at the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Joe Kelley managerial career statistics at Baseball-Reference.com
- Joe Kelley at Find a Grave