Bill Killefer

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Bill Killefer

Reindeer Bill Killefer, Philadelphia Phillies, Library of Congress photograph
Catcher
Born: October 10, 1887(1887-10-10)
Bloomingdale, Michigan
Died: July 3, 1960(1960-07-03) (aged 72)
Batted: Right Threw: Right 
MLB debut
September 13, 1909 for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 1921 for the Chicago Cubs
Career statistics
Batting average     .238
Hits     751
Runs batted in     240
Teams

William Killefer (October 10, 1887 – July 3, 1960), was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager who had a 48-year career in Major League Baseball.[1] Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.[1][2] He is remembered for being Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander's favorite catcher and, for being one of the finest defensive catchers of his era.[1][3]

Contents

[edit] Major League career

Killefer made his major league debut on September 13, 1909 with the St. Louis Browns.[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.[1][7] With the Cubs, Killefer was credited with strengthening their pitching staff.[8] The Cubs won the 1918 National League pennant before losing to the Boston Red Sox in the 1918 World Series.[9] Killefer had another strong season in 1919, hitting a career-high .286 batting average and leading National League catchers in fielding percentage, putouts and assists.[2][10] He served as player-manager for the Cubs in 1921 before retiring as a player at age 33.

[edit] Career statistics

In a 13-year career, Killefer played in 1035 games, accumulating 751 hits in 3150 at bats for a .238 career batting average along with 4 home runs and 240 runs batted in.[2] He had a career fielding percentage of .977.[2] While he was not a powerful hitter, he possessed a strong throwing arm and a talent for working with pitchers.[8] Killefer led National League catchers in fielding percentage four consecutive seasons from 1916 to 1919.[2][11] He also led the league three times in putouts, assists and in baserunners caught stealing.[2]

Killefer's reputation as a defensive standout is enhanced because of the era in which he played. In the Deadball Era, catchers played a huge defensive role, given the large number of bunts and stolen base attempts, as well as the difficulty of handling the spitball pitchers who dominated pitching staffs.[12] Richard Kendall of the Society for American Baseball Research devised an unscientific study that ranked Killefer as the most dominating fielding catcher in major league history.[13]

[edit] 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.[14] 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] He accepted a role as manager for the Sacramento Solons in the Pacific Coast League, leading them to a first place finish in 1937.[1] He later coached for the Brooklyn Dodgers and managed the minor league Milwaukee Brewers.[1] His managerial record was 524–622 (.457) in nine seasons.[14] Killefer's last on-the-field position in the major leagues was as a coach for the 1942 Philadelphia Phillies.[1] He also served as a scout for the Cleveland Indians, the Phillies and the Dodgers.[15] As a scout for the Indians, Killefer was involved in the signing of Larry Doby in 1947 (the American League's first black player).[1] Killefer was credited with helping the development of such catching standouts as Bob O'Farrell, Gabby Hartnett, Rick Ferrell, and Walker Cooper.[1]

He died in Elsmere, Delaware, at age 72.[15] His brother, Red Killefer, was also a major league baseball player. Political economist Nancy Killefer is a granddaughter.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Weatherby, Charlie. "The Baseball Biography Project: Bill Killefer". Society for American Baseball Research. http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&bid=2580&pid=7496. Retrieved 17 July 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Bill Killefer at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ Deadball stars of the National League, Thomas P. Simon, Brassey's, 2004, ISBN 1574888609, 9781574888607
  4. ^ 1913 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ Grover Cleveland Alexander at Baseball Reference
  6. ^ 1917 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Baseball Digest, October 1987, Vol. 46, No. 10, ISSN 0005-609X
  8. ^ a b Babe Ruth and the 1918 Red Sox, Allan Wood, iUniverse, 2000, ISBN 0595148263, 9780595148264
  9. ^ 1918 World Series at Baseball Reference
  10. ^ 1919 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
  11. ^ Baseball Digest, July 2001, Vol. 60, No. 7, ISSN 0005-609X
  12. ^ For Catchers, The Name of the Game is Defense, by George Vass, Baseball Digest, May 2005, Vol. 64, No. 3, ISSN 0005-609X
  13. ^ Dominating Fielding Catchers at The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers
  14. ^ a b Bill Killefer Manager record at Baseball Reference
  15. ^ a b Bill Killefer New York Times Obituary at thedeadballera.com

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Johnny Evers		 Chicago Cubs Manager
1921-1925		 Succeeded by
Rabbit Maranville
Preceded by
Dan Howley		 St. Louis Browns Manager
1930-1933		 Succeeded by
Allen Sothoron
Chicago White Stockings (1870–1889)
Chicago Colts (1890–1897)
Chicago Orphans (1898–1901)
Chicago Cubs (1902–present)
Milwaukee Brewers (1901)
St. Louis Browns (1902–1953)
Baltimore Orioles (1954–present)
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