| Bill Killefer | |
|---|---|
 Reindeer Bill Killefer, Philadelphia Phillies, Library of Congress photograph | |
| Catcher /Manager | |
| Born:(1887-10-10)October 10, 1887 Bloomingdale, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: July 3, 1960(1960-07-03) (aged 72) Elsmere, Delaware, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 13, 1909, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 1921, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .238 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 240 |
| Managerial record | 524–622 |
| Winning % | .457 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| As player As manager As coach | |
William Lavier Killefer (October 10, 1887 – July 3, 1960), nicknamed "Reindeer Bill", was an American professionalbaseball player,coach, andmanager. He played inMajor League Baseball as acatcher from 1909 to 1921 for theSt. Louis Browns,Philadelphia Phillies, andChicago Cubs.[1][2] Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, is notable for being the favorite catcher ofHall of Fame pitcherGrover Cleveland Alexander and, for being one of the top defensive catchers of his era.[1][3] After his playing career, he continued to work as a coach and a manager for a Major League Baseball career that spanned a total of 48 years.
Killefer made his major league debut at the age of 21 with theSt. Louis Browns on September 13, 1909.[2] After the 1910 season in which the Browns finished in last place, Killefer was released to theBuffalo Bisons of theEastern League.[1] Under the tutelage of Bisons' managerGeorge Stallings, Killefer developed into a refined catcher.[1]
His contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on August 19, 1911, and he played his first game as a starter on October 3.[1] The Philliespitcher on that day wasGrover Cleveland Alexander, and the game marked the first of 250 times the pair teamed up as abattery in the major leagues.[1] Although he was a light hitter, Killefer became known for his strong defensive skills.[1] In 1913, he ledNational League catchers with 166assists, 130 baserunnerscaught stealing, a 50.6% caught stealing percentage, and finished second inputouts andfielding percentage.[4]
In 1914, Killefer made news when it was reported that he had signed with theChicago Whales of theFederal League, although he denied the report.[1] When the Phillies offered him a salary increase, he decided to sign with the Phillies, which led the Federal League to file a lawsuit against him and the Phillies.[1] A judge ruled against the Federal League and Killefer remained with the Phillies.[1]
From 1915 to 1917, Alexander and Killefer solidified their reputation as the best battery in baseball, with Alexander posting three consecutive 30-win seasons.[1][5] Killefer had one of his best seasons for the Phillies in 1917. He led National League catchers with a .984 fielding percentage, as well as in putouts,double plays, andtotal chances.[6] He also had one of his best seasons offensively with a .274batting average.[2]
After the 1917 season, in one of the most lopsided trades in major league history, the financially strapped Phillies sent Killefer and Alexander to the Chicago Cubs for two players and $55,000 in cash.[1][7] With theCubs, Killefer was credited with strengthening their pitching staff.[8] The Cubs won the 1918National League pennant before losing to theBoston Red Sox in the1918 World Series.[9] Killefer had another strong season in 1919, hitting a career-high .286 batting average and leading National League catchers in fielding percentage, putouts and assists.[2][10] He served asplayer-manager for the Cubs in 1921 before retiring as a player at age 33.
In a thirteen-year major league career, Killefer played in 1,035games, accumulating 751hits in 3,150at bats for a .238 career batting average along with 4home runs and 240runs batted in.[2] He had a career fielding percentage of .977.[2] While he was not a powerfulhitter, he possessed a strong throwing arm and a talent for working with pitchers.[8] Killefer ledNational League catchers infielding percentage four consecutive seasons from 1916 to 1919.[2][11] He also led the league three times in putouts, assists and in baserunners caught stealing.[2] Killefer caught 115shutouts in his career, ranking him 16th all-time among major league catchers.[12]
Killefer's reputation as a defensive standout is enhanced because of the era in which he played. In theDeadball Era, catchers played a huge defensive role, given the large number ofbunts andstolen base attempts, as well as the difficulty of handling thespitball pitchers who dominated pitching staffs.[13] Richard Kendall of theSociety for American Baseball Research devised a study that ranked Killefer as the most dominating fielding catcher in major league history.[14]
After his playing career ended, Killefer continued as manager of the Cubs until he was fired after 75 games in 1925.[1] He was hired by St. Louis Cardinals managerRogers Hornsby as a coach for the 1926 season.[1] The Cardinals went on to win the1926 World Series with Killefer receiving credit for his help with the pitching staff.[1] In 1927, he was hired by the St. Louis Browns as a coach, and he became their manager in 1930.[15] Killefer enjoyed little success as the Browns' manager, never finishing above fifth place as the depression-era team had cut its payroll significantly.[1] He was fired in 1933 and took two years off from organised baseball.[1]
Killefer accepted a role as manager for theSacramento Solons in thePacific Coast League, leading them to a first-place finish in 1937.[1] He later coached for theBrooklyn Dodgers and managed the minor leagueMilwaukee Brewers.[1] His managerial record was 524–622 (.457) in nine seasons.[15] Killefer's last on-the-field position in the major leagues was as a coach for the1942 Philadelphia Phillies.[1] He also served as ascout for theCleveland Indians, the Phillies and the Dodgers.[16] As a scout for the Indians, Killefer was involved in the signing ofLarry Doby in 1947 (theAmerican League's first black player).[1] Killefer was credited with helping the development of such catching standouts asBob O'Farrell,Gabby Hartnett,Rick Ferrell, andWalker Cooper.[1]
He died inElsmere, Delaware, at age 72.[16] His brother,Red Killefer, was also a major league baseball player. Political economistNancy Killefer is a granddaughter.
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| CHC | 1921 | 57 | 23 | 34 | .404 | 7th in NL | – | – | – | – |
| CHC | 1922 | 154 | 80 | 74 | .519 | 5th in NL | – | – | – | – |
| CHC | 1923 | 154 | 83 | 71 | .539 | 4th in NL | – | – | – | – |
| CHC | 1924 | 153 | 81 | 72 | .529 | 5th in NL | – | – | – | – |
| CHC | 1925 | 75 | 33 | 42 | .440 | fired | – | – | – | – |
| CHC total | 593 | 300 | 293 | .506 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
| SLB | 1930 | 154 | 64 | 90 | .416 | 6th in AL | – | – | – | – |
| SLB | 1931 | 154 | 63 | 91 | .409 | 5th in AL | – | – | – | – |
| SLB | 1932 | 154 | 63 | 91 | .409 | 6th in AL | – | – | – | – |
| SLB | 1933 | 91 | 34 | 57 | .374 | fired | – | – | – | – |
| SLB total | 553 | 224 | 329 | .405 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
| Total | 1146 | 524 | 622 | .457 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
· Baseball Almanac