Today would be the 141st birthday for Hall of Fame OF Willie Keeler. Keeler had the highest batting average in a single season for a left hand hitter in the history of baseball, hitting .424 in 1897, when he was a teammate of John McGraw. His 5 ft 4 stature was small even for that time, hence the nickname "Wee Willie". He played that way, as a slap hitter, and was known for not striking out. The way the game was played back then, it was frowned upon to strike out excessively, as none did. Keeler was in a league of his own, though, as he struck out just 136 times in his 19 year MLB career which went from 1892-1910.
Other than that, he was slightly above average. However, he perfected a hitting style that would increase the odds of getting a hit. He would hit the high chopper that once the middle infielder would get to it, there would be no chance to get him at first. That was also part of the reason he was able to keep his strikeouts down. He was not known for his extra base hits, as he slugged just .415 for his career. Out of his 2932 career hits, he had 241 2Bs, 145 3Bs and 33 HRs.
He had an eight year stretch that was like few others. This was from 1894-1901, playing for the NL Baltimore Orioles and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. He had over 200 hits all eight seasons, scored over 100 runs each season, including seasons of 165 and 162 RS and hit well over .300 each season. He did all this by playing in more than 136 games just once over this stretch.
You can make the case that Keeler was the player who signified the "dead ball era" before the dead ball era started. Most players did not try to hit the ball as far as they could, but Keeler made the best example of "hit em where they ain't". If he could get to first before you can throw him out, he'd make a habit of doing that time again.
It is fair to say a guy like Ty Cobb could have looked up to a player like Keeler. Cobb was more of an extra base threat and was capable of doing more offensively, but had to mirror his game after Keeler. Putting the two careers against each other, Keeler would be considered a poor man's Ty Cobb. Keeler had seven straight .350 or higher batting seasons, something only Cobb surpassed. It is no surprise Keeler made the Baseball Hall of Fame in its 3rd year of existence.
Other than that, he was slightly above average. However, he perfected a hitting style that would increase the odds of getting a hit. He would hit the high chopper that once the middle infielder would get to it, there would be no chance to get him at first. That was also part of the reason he was able to keep his strikeouts down. He was not known for his extra base hits, as he slugged just .415 for his career. Out of his 2932 career hits, he had 241 2Bs, 145 3Bs and 33 HRs.
He had an eight year stretch that was like few others. This was from 1894-1901, playing for the NL Baltimore Orioles and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. He had over 200 hits all eight seasons, scored over 100 runs each season, including seasons of 165 and 162 RS and hit well over .300 each season. He did all this by playing in more than 136 games just once over this stretch.
You can make the case that Keeler was the player who signified the "dead ball era" before the dead ball era started. Most players did not try to hit the ball as far as they could, but Keeler made the best example of "hit em where they ain't". If he could get to first before you can throw him out, he'd make a habit of doing that time again.
It is fair to say a guy like Ty Cobb could have looked up to a player like Keeler. Cobb was more of an extra base threat and was capable of doing more offensively, but had to mirror his game after Keeler. Putting the two careers against each other, Keeler would be considered a poor man's Ty Cobb. Keeler had seven straight .350 or higher batting seasons, something only Cobb surpassed. It is no surprise Keeler made the Baseball Hall of Fame in its 3rd year of existence.
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