Bob Kelly
Born: 10/4/1927 in Cleveland, OH, USA
Died: 11/27/2024 in Old Lyme, CT, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-05-04 | Final Game: 1958-06-04
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Robert Edward Kelly
Biography
Bob Kelly was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1951 to 1958. Born in 1927, Kelly made his mark during an era of significant change in Major League Baseball, as the sport was transitioning into the modern age characterized by an increase in offensive production and the emergence of new pitching techniques. Over his seven-season career, he compiled a record of 12 wins and 18 losses, with a career earned run average (ERA) of 4.5, showcasing his ability to navigate the challenges of the mound during a competitive period in baseball history.
Throughout his career, Kelly struck out 146 batters and recorded 2 saves, contributing to his team's efforts in high-pressure situations. Known for his tenacity and competitive spirit, Kelly played a pivotal role in his teamsโ pitching rotations, often taking the mound in crucial moments. While his win-loss record may not fully reflect his contributions, his presence in the league during the 1950s highlights an era when pitchers were continually adapting to the evolving nature of the game. After retiring on June 4, 1958, Kelly left a lasting impression on those who witnessed his performances, embodying the perseverance required of a pitcher during a transformative time in baseball.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 18 | 123 | 35 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 362.0 | 374 | 181 | 28 | 152 | 146 | 4.50 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | CHC | NL | 7 | 4 | 35 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 123.7 | 130 | 64 | 55 | 48 | 4.66 | - |
| 1952 | CHC | NL | 4 | 9 | 31 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 125.3 | 114 | 50 | 46 | 50 | 3.59 | - |
| 1953 | CHC | NL | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17.0 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 9.53 | - |
| 1953 | CIN | NL | 1 | 2 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 66.3 | 71 | 32 | 26 | 29 | 4.34 | -214.0 |
| 1958 | CIN | NL | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4.50 | 0.0 |
| 1958 | CLE | AL | 0 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27.7 | 29 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 5.20 | -796.7 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | 90 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 0.178 | 0.196 | 0.178 | 0.373 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | CHC | NL | 35 | 31 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.161 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | CHC | NL | 31 | 37 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.216 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | CHC | NL | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | CIN | NL | 28 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.118 | 0.0 |
| 1958 | CIN | NL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1958 | CLE | AL | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 123 | 4 | 24 | 71 | 5 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | CHN | P | 35 | 0 | 13 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| 1952 | CHN | P | 31 | 0 | 8 | 27 | 2 | 1 |
| 1953 | CHN | P | 14 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1953 | CIN | P | 28 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| 1958 | CIN | P | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | CLE | P | 13 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 123 |