Speed Kelly
Born: 8/19/1884 in Bryan, OH, USA
Died: 5/6/1949 in Goshen, IN, USA
MLB Debut: 1909-07-13 | Final Game: 1909-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: R. B. Kelly
Biography
Speed Kelly, born in 1884, was a position player who made a brief appearance in Major League Baseball during the early 20th century. His career spanned from July 13, 1909, to October 1, 1909, during a period characterized by a transition in baseball styles and strategies, as the game began to evolve from the deadball era toward a more offensive approach. Although Kelly's time in the majors was limited to just 17 games, he made an impact that reflected the hustle and determination typical of players of his era.
In his short stint, Kelly recorded 6 hits with a batting average of .143. He contributed 1 run batted in and demonstrated his speed on the bases with 1 stolen base. Despite not achieving significant power numbers, as evidenced by his lack of home runs, Kelly's involvement in the game during a time when players were beginning to explore the possibilities of speed and agility on the field helps to contextualize his role in baseball history. His legacy, while modest, is a reminder of the many players who contributed to the rich tapestry of the sport during its formative years.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 42 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 0.143 | 0.200 | 0.238 | 0.438 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | WSN | AL | 17 | 42 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 3B | 10 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 2 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | WS1 | 2B | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 1909 | WS1 | 3B | 10 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 2 |
| 1909 | WS1 | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 3 |
| Third Base | 9 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago | IL | 1903, 1904 |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette | IN | 1906 |