Tim Keefe

Timothy John Keefe
(Smiling Tim or Sir Timothy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut August 6, 1880
• Final Game August 15, 1893
• Born January 1, 1857 in Cambridge, MA USA
• Died April 23, 1933 in Cambridge, MA USA

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1964

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[edit] Biographical Information

"Keefe was one of the first pitchers celebrated for his head work. Teaming with...Mickey Welch, he assured the Giants of a well-pitched game almost every day." - Lee Allen, Hall of Fame historian

Hall of Famer Tim Keefe won 342 games in the majors. He was on the same teams as fellow Hall of Fame pitcher Mickey Welch for a decade. From 1883 to 1888 he won at least 32 games each season. He led the league three times in ERA and twice in wins. In 1886, he had a 42-20 record with a 2.56 ERA. He had the first great change-up in the major leagues. He holds an obscure record, as he won games in 47 major league ballparks; second on the all-time list is Randy Johnson, with 41.

As a rookie he posted an 0.86 ERA, leading the league. The league ERA was 2.38. However, he appeared in only 12 games that season.

Tim Keefe, who used to pitch his head off for old Jim Mutrie for $3,200

Although he was born and died outside of Boston in Cambridge, MA, he never pitched for a Boston team in the majors.

He was not a strong hitter, but showed some power with 9 triples in 1883, leading his team in triples that year.

His cousin, John Keefe, pitched one season in the majors.

[edit] Notable Achievements

• NL Pitcher's Triple Crown (1888)
• 3-time NL ERA Leader (1880, 1885 & 1888)
• 2-time NL Wins Leader (1886 & 1888)
• NL Winning Percentage Leader (1888)
• 2-time League Games Pitched Leader (1883/AA & 1886/NL)
• 2-time League Innings Pitched Leader (1883/AA & 1886/NL)
• 2-time League Strikeouts Leader (1883/AA & 1888/NL)
• 2-time League Complete Games Leader (1883/AA & 1886/NL)
• NL Shutouts Leader (1888)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 7 (1883-1889)
• 30 Wins Seasons: 6 (1883-1888)
• 40 Wins Seasons: 2 (1883 & 1886)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 11 (1881-1890 & 1892)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 10 (1881-1889 & 1892)
• 400 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1881 & 1883-1888)
• 500 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1883 & 1886)
• 600 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1883)
• 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 6 (1883-1886, 1888 & 1889)
• 300 Strikeouts Seasons: 3 (1883, 1884 & 1888)
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1964

[edit] Records Held

• Lowest ERA, season (before 1893), 0.86
• Most consecutive wins, season, 19, 1888 (tied)
• Errors, pitcher, career, 166

[edit] Related Sites