| Matt Kilroy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1866-06-21)June 21, 1866 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: March 2, 1940(1940-03-02) (aged 73) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 17, 1886, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 17, 1898, for the Chicago Orphans | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 141–133 |
| Earned run average | 3.47 |
| Strikeouts | 1,170 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Matthew Aloysius "Matches" Kilroy (June 21, 1866 – March 2, 1940) was an American left-handedpitcher inMajor League Baseball. During his rookie season in 1886, he had 513strikeouts, which remains the MLB single-season record.
Kilroy was born inPhiladelphia in 1866. He was one of 13 children of Mary Ann and Patrick Kilroy.[1] He started his professional baseball career with theSouthern League'sAugusta Browns in 1885. That season, he pitched 447 innings and had awin–loss record of 29–22 with a 0.97earned run average and 363 strikeouts.[2]
Kilroy starred as an MLB rookie during the1886 season for the last-placeBaltimore Orioles. Hestarted 68 games,completing 66 of them while throwing 583innings.[3] Although he had a disappointing record of 29wins and 34 losses, he set a mark that was unequalled in major league pitching. Kilroystruck out 513 batters that season, the most ever in a single season and far ahead of second-placeCharles "Old Hoss" Radbourn's total of 441 in1884.[4] During this period there were many differences in game play from the modern rules, such as abase on balls being awarded after sixballs rather than the modern four, and the pitcher being located 50 feet from home plate rather than the modern 60 feet 6 inches; it was also the last season in which batters could request either a high pitch or a low pitch. Because of these numerous subsequent rule changes, pitching records from that era are not officially compared to those of the modern era, which is variously regarded as beginning in 1893 (when the modern pitching distance was established) or 1901.
On August 20, Kilroy andCyclone Miller of thePhiladelphia Quakers hurled opposing one-hitters, the first time this ever occurred, though it has since been duplicated four times. Baltimore won that game 1–0 on first-inningerrors‚ but did not get ahit until the ninth.[4] During this remarkable rookie season, he hurled 5shutouts, 3 one-hitters, and 4 two-hitters, but on October 6 he pitched the only 9-inningno-hitter of his career. He pitched his gem against thePittsburgh Alleghenys, a 6–0 victory.[4]
Kilroy followed the success of his rookie season with another productive year in1887. Baltimore began to score more runs, finishing in a respectable third place; in addition, Kilroy lowered hisearned run average from 3.37 to 3.07, resulting in an outstanding win–loss record of 46–19. During his sophomore year he started 69 games, completing 66 while throwing 5891⁄3 innings with 6 shutouts. He led the league in wins and shutouts. He had this success even though his strikeout total dropped dramatically to 217.[3] Kilroy pitched and won both games of adoubleheader twice during the 1887 season, once on July 26 and the other on October 1.[4] His 46 wins is still the most ever by a left-handed pitcher in a season.[1] On September 2, heumpired his only game.[5]
After opening his career with two outstanding seasons, he pitched fewer innings and had less success in1888. Baltimore finished in fifth place, and Kilroy had a 17–21 record in only 40 games. He did complete 35 of those starts and recorded 2 shutouts.[3] Earlier, before the season started and after signing his contract with the team, he married Fanny Denny, although he did spend the honeymoon training with the Orioles.[4]
The1889 season was Kilroy's comeback season and his last productive season as a pitcher. He completed 55 of his 56 starts, while also pitching in 3relief appearances, the first of his career. He had a 29–25 record and 5 shutouts in 4802⁄3 innings.[3] On July 29 of that season, he pitched his second no-hitter, this time a 7-inning affair against theSt. Louis Browns that ended in scoreless tie. It was Kilroy's own baserunning error that negated the only run scored, when he missed third base in the 3rd inning and was called out.[4]
That season was his last for Baltimore, as he jumped to the newPlayers' League for the1890 season. He had a disappointing season, winning only 9 games against 15 losses in 2172⁄3 innings. He only completed 18 of 27 starts for theBoston Reds, and only struck out 48. After the Players' League folded, he traveled around, playing for three teams during the next four seasons, never pitching more than 451⁄3 innings. After the1894 season he disappeared from the majors until returning in1898, when he played his final season with theChicago Orphans. He finished his career with 141 wins and 133 losses in 303 games pitched.[3]
After his baseball career ended, Kilroy lived in Philadelphia and owned a saloon. He and his wife had seven children.[1] Kilroy died at the age of 73;[6] he was buried at theHoly Sepulchre Cemetery inCheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.[5]
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | No-hitter pitcher October 6, 1886 | Succeeded by |
