King Kelly: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1945

Born: December 31, 1857

1873: Played amateur ball

1873-75: Played Semi-pro

Debut: May 1, 1878 (Cincinnati Reds)

1878: Began a Vaudeville career

1879: Signed with Chicago White Stockings

1881: Began to “cut” bases (there was only one umpire)

1887: Purchased by Boston Beaneaters

1887: Managed Beaneaters (49-43)

1888: “Casey at the Bat” is published. Kelly may have been the inspiration.

1888: Published his autobiography

1889: Inspired the song “Slide Kelly Slide” (one of the first pop hits)

1890: Jumped to Boston Reds

1890: Managed Reds (81-48): Won Pennant

1891: Signed with Cincinnati Kelly’s Killers

1891: Managed Kelly’s Killers (43-57)

1891: Signed with Boston Reds

1891: Jumped to Beaneaters

1893: Signed with New York Giants

1893: Sent to Beaneaters, but retired

1894: Died of pneumonia

1927: Slide Kelly Slide becomes a film

1945: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:
Credited with creating the hit-and-run and hook slide

Popularized the autograph

2x batting champ

.308 career average

69 home runs

950 RBI

368 stolen bases

Led league in runs: 3x

100+ Runs: 5x

Led league in doubles: 3x

30+ doubles: 4x

41 doubles in 1889

10+ triples: 4x

Hit .300+: 8x

Hit .350+: 2x

Led league in OBP: 2x

.400+ OBP: 5x

.500+ slugging: 2x

1.018 OPS (1886)

Postseason: .241 with 1 HR and 1 RBI (15 games)

As a manager: 173-148 (.539)- 1 pennant