George Keefe
Encyclopedia
George Washington Keefe (January 7, 1867 in Washington, D.C.
– August 24, 1935 in Washington, D.C.) was a left-handed professional baseball starting pitcher who played for the Washington Nationals
, Buffalo Bisons and Washington Statesmen
from 1886 to 1891.
Keefe made his major league debut on July 30, 1886 at the age of 19. The sixth youngest player in the league, he went 0-3 with a 5.17 ERA in four games in his first big league season.
In 1887, Keefe appeared in only one game. Despite allowing 16 hits, four walks and 20 runs (only eight of which were earned), Keefe managed to complete (and lose) his only game of the season. He was also the sixth youngest player in 1887.
Keefe went 6-7 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts in 1888. In 1889, he went 8-18 with a 5.13 ERA, finishing fifth in the league in walks allowed (143) and seventh in losses. On May 1, 1889, Keefe set the National League
record for most walks in an inning, when he walked seven batters in the fifth inning. The record was subsequently tied by Bob Ewing
and Tony Mullane
, and Dolly Gray
walked eight batters in an inning in 1909. Gray was an American League
pitcher, however.
Following the 1889 season, Keefe went to play for the Buffalo Bisons of the Players' League. He went 6-16 that year, posting a 6.52 ERA. He was ninth in the league in home runs allowed (11), 10th in the league in losses and 10th in the league in earned runs allowed (142). In 196 innings, he walked 138 batters and struck out only 55.
Keefe played his final season in 1891 for the Washington Statesmen of the American Association
. With them, he went 0-3 with a 2.68 ERA in five games (four starts). His one save was third in the league. He played his final big league game on April 28.
Overall, Keefe went 20-48 in 78 games, 71 of which he started. He completed 68 games, shutting out one of them. In 616 1/3 innings, Keefe posted a 5.05 ERA, 360 walks and 213 strikeouts. In 250 career at-bats, Keefe hit .172.
According to the Similarity Scores at Baseball-Reference.com, Keefe is most statistically similar to Mike Morrison
.
Following his death, Keefe was buried in Cedar Hills Cemetery
in Suitland, Maryland.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
– August 24, 1935 in Washington, D.C.) was a left-handed professional baseball starting pitcher who played for the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals (1886-89)
The Washington Nationals, sometimes referred to as the Washington Statesmen, was a professional baseball team in the mid to late 1880s. They existed for a period of four years as a member of the National League from to . During their four-year tenure they had six different managers and compiled a...
, Buffalo Bisons and Washington Statesmen
Washington Senators (1891-1899)
The Washington Senators were a 19th century baseball team. The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The team played at Boundary Field....
from 1886 to 1891.
Keefe made his major league debut on July 30, 1886 at the age of 19. The sixth youngest player in the league, he went 0-3 with a 5.17 ERA in four games in his first big league season.
In 1887, Keefe appeared in only one game. Despite allowing 16 hits, four walks and 20 runs (only eight of which were earned), Keefe managed to complete (and lose) his only game of the season. He was also the sixth youngest player in 1887.
Keefe went 6-7 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts in 1888. In 1889, he went 8-18 with a 5.13 ERA, finishing fifth in the league in walks allowed (143) and seventh in losses. On May 1, 1889, Keefe set the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
record for most walks in an inning, when he walked seven batters in the fifth inning. The record was subsequently tied by Bob Ewing
Bob Ewing
George Lemuel "Bob" Ewing , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in the majors from 1902-1912 for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals....
and Tony Mullane
Tony Mullane
Anthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
, and Dolly Gray
Dolly Gray (left-handed pitcher)
William Denton "Dolly" Gray was a left-handed professional baseball who played from 1909 to 1911 for the Washington Senators. One source says he was born in Ishpeming, Michigan.-Before the big leagues:Dolly Gray began his professional career during or before the 1902 season...
walked eight batters in an inning in 1909. Gray was an American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pitcher, however.
Following the 1889 season, Keefe went to play for the Buffalo Bisons of the Players' League. He went 6-16 that year, posting a 6.52 ERA. He was ninth in the league in home runs allowed (11), 10th in the league in losses and 10th in the league in earned runs allowed (142). In 196 innings, he walked 138 batters and struck out only 55.
Keefe played his final season in 1891 for the Washington Statesmen of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
. With them, he went 0-3 with a 2.68 ERA in five games (four starts). His one save was third in the league. He played his final big league game on April 28.
Overall, Keefe went 20-48 in 78 games, 71 of which he started. He completed 68 games, shutting out one of them. In 616 1/3 innings, Keefe posted a 5.05 ERA, 360 walks and 213 strikeouts. In 250 career at-bats, Keefe hit .172.
According to the Similarity Scores at Baseball-Reference.com, Keefe is most statistically similar to Mike Morrison
Mike Morrison (baseball)
Michael Morrison was a right-handed professional baseball pitcher who played from 1887 to 1888 and in 1890 for the Cleveland Spiders, Syracuse Stars and Baltimore Orioles....
.
Following his death, Keefe was buried in Cedar Hills Cemetery
Cedar Hill Cemetery (Maryland)
Cedar Hill Cemetery, was originally known as Forest Lake Cemetery. It was formerly known as Nonesuch Plantation. Its current name was implemented in 1913. It is over in size and the oldest tombstone reads "Philenia W. Patte, Nov. 19, 1871, 58 years". There is a mass grave for the victims of the...
in Suitland, Maryland.