Bob Kelly, baseball player, 1951-1958

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

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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 teams’ 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

Career ERA 4.50 vs. league average 3.93 across their career seasons — 14.4% worse than league average.

Season-by-Season Pitching

Year Team Lg W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER BB SO ERA Lg ERA Pitcher PIV
1951 CHC NL 7 4 35 11 4 0 0 123.7 130 64 55 48 4.66 4.04 (-15%) -
1952 CHC NL 4 9 31 15 3 2 0 125.3 114 50 46 50 3.59 3.70 (+3%) -
1953 CHC NL 0 1 14 0 0 0 0 17.0 27 18 9 6 9.53 4.14 (-130%) -
1953 CIN NL 1 2 28 5 0 0 2 66.3 71 32 26 29 4.34 4.14 (-5%) -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 3.86 (-35%) -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

Career AVG .178 vs. league average .259 across their career seasons — 31.3% below league average.

Career OBP .196 vs. league average .331 across their career seasons — 40.9% below league average.

Career SLG .178 vs. league average .387 across their career seasons — 54.0% below league average.

Career OPS 0.373 vs. league average 0.718 across their career seasons — 48.0% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS 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