Roberto Kelly
From BR Bullpen
Roberto Conrado Kelly Gray (Bobby)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 192 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Roberto Kelly was a base-stealing center fielder for the New York Yankees as a young player, and then spent many years as a journeyman outfielder, ending his career back with the Yankees in 2000.
Kelly was signed as a free agent for the Yankees by scout Fred Ferreira on February 21, 1982. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 1992 season, netting the Yankees long-time fixture Paul O'Neill in return. He hit over .300 with four different teams, and appeared in post-season play four times with three different teams.
He tried to make a comeback with both the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002 and the San Diego Padres in 2003 but failed to make the team out of spring training both times. He had continued to be active in the meantime, hitting .250/.368/.281 for Panama in the 2002 Intercontinental Cup. His team finished third but was stripped of its Bronze Medal when Kelly and 3 teammates tested positive for banned substances.
He played one season as "Bobby Kelly". As of 2007, he is in the top six among Panama-born players in terms of major league at-bats.
After his playing career ended, he became a minor league coach in the San Francisco Giants organization and managed the Panamanian team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. In 2005 and 2006, he was the skipper of the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic League. In 2006 he won the South Atlantic League Manager of the Year Award after producing a league-best record of 92-47, and in 2007 he was promoted to hitting and first base coach with the San Francisco Giants.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time All-Star (1992 & 1993)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1991)
