Joe Kelley
| Birthdate | 12/9/1871 |
| Death Date | 8/14/1943 |
| Debut Year | 1891 |
| Year of Induction | 1971 |
| Teams | Braves, Dodgers, Orioles (NL), Pirates, Reds |
| Positions | First Base, Left Field |
Joe Kelley started his big league career in style with a base hit in his first at bat off of future Hall of Famer Mickey Welch on July 27, 1891.
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Joe Kelley hit over .300 each year from 1893-1903
Joe Kelley hit over .300 each year from 1893-1903
Cooperstown man Joe Kelley started his big league career in style with a base hit in his first at bat off of future Hall of Famer Mickey Welch on July 27, 1891.
Kelley played for the great National League Baltimore Oriole teams before the turn of the century. Though his teammates included future Hall of Famers John McGraw, Wee Willie Keeler, and Hughie Jennings, it was Kelley who earned the nickname, “Kingpin of the Orioles”.
In 1894 Kelley hit .393 with a .502 on-base percentage and a .602 slugging mark. Kelley’s six-year run from 1894-1899 Kelley hit .355, averaging 111 RBI, 126 runs, 48 steals, and only 25 strikeouts per season.
Kelley had five seasons of 100 or more runs batted in, 8 years with an on-base percentage of at least .400, and 7 campaigns of at least 30 steals.
In his 17-year big league career, Kelley hit .317 with 2,200 hits, 1,421 runs scored, 1,194 RBI, 493 stolen bases, a .402 on-base percentage and 133 OPS+.
He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
In the collection is this vintage autograph from the turn-of-the-century great.
