View source for Joe Kelley

{{Short description|American baseball player (1871–1943)}}
{{For|other people with a similar name|Joe Kelly (disambiguation){{!}}Joe Kelly}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Joe Kelley
|image=Baseball player, Joe Kelley, Cincinnati Reds, standing at West Side Grounds.jpg
|width=240px
|caption=Kelley with the Cincinnati Reds in 1903
|position=[[Left fielder]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{birth date|1871|12|9}}
|birth_place=[[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|1943|8|14|1871|12|9}}
|death_place=[[Baltimore]], Maryland, U.S.
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|debutleague=MLB
|debutdate=July 27
|debutyear=1891
|debutteam=Boston Beaneaters
|finalleague=MLB
|finaldate=October 8
|finalyear=1908
|finalteam=Boston Doves
|statleague=MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.317
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,220
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=65
|stat4label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=1,194
|stat5label=[[Stolen base]]s
|stat5value=443
|stat6label=Managerial record
|stat6value=338–321
|stat7label=Winning %
|stat7value=.512
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[Boston Beaneaters]] ({{baseball year|1891}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{baseball year|1892}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles (19th century)|Baltimore Orioles (NL)]] ({{baseball year|1892}}–{{baseball year|1898}})
* [[Brooklyn Superbas]] ({{baseball year|1899}}–{{baseball year|1901}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles (AL)]] ({{baseball year|1902}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{baseball year|1902}}–{{baseball year|1906}})
* [[Boston Doves]] ({{baseball year|1908}})
'''As manager'''
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{baseball year|1902}}–{{baseball year|1905}})
* [[Boston Doves]] ({{baseball year|1908}})
|highlights=
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders|NL stolen base leader]] (1896)
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[1971 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1971]]
|hofmethod=Veterans Committee
}}

'''Joseph James Kelley''' (December 9, 1871 – August 14, 1943) was an American [[left fielder]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) who starred in the outfield of the [[Baltimore Orioles (19th century)|Baltimore Orioles]] teams of the 1890s. Making up the nucleus of the Orioles along with [[John McGraw]], [[Willie Keeler]], and [[Hughie Jennings]], Kelley received the nickname "'''Kingpin of the Orioles'''".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1871392302.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+15%2C+1943&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=JOE+KELLEY%2C+%27KINGPIN%27+OF+ORIOLES%2C+DEAD&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730062522/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1871392302.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+15,+1943&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=JOE+KELLEY,+'KINGPIN'+OF+ORIOLES,+DEAD&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Joe Kelley, 'Kingpin' Of Orioles, Dead |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun|The Sun]] |date=August 15, 1943 |access-date=April 8, 2012 }}{{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref>

In his MLB career, Kelley played in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) for the [[Boston Beaneaters]] (1891), [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] (1892), Baltimore Orioles (1892–1898), and [[Brooklyn Superbas]] (1899–1901), before he jumped to the upstart [[American League]] to play for the [[Baltimore Orioles (1901–02)|Baltimore Orioles]] (1902). He returned to the NL with [[Cincinnati Reds]] (1902–1906) and [[Boston Doves]] (1908). Kelley served as [[player-manager]] of the Reds (1902–1905) and Doves (1908). After extending his career in the minor leagues, he coached the [[Brooklyn Robins]] (1926), and [[scout (sport)|scouted]] for the [[New York Yankees]] (1915–1916).

Kelley was regarded as an excellent batter, a good base runner, and a great leader. Over his seventeen-season MLB career, Kelley had a .317 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], and batted over .300 in eleven consecutive seasons. Kelley stole a career-high 87 bases in the 1896 season, which led MLB. He finished in the league's top ten in categories such as batting average, [[home run]]s, [[runs batted in]] (RBI), and [[stolen base]]s numerous times. He served as [[captain (sports)|team captain]] of the Orioles and the Superbas. In recognition of his career achievements, Kelley was elected a member of the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] by the [[Veterans Committee]] in 1971.

==Early life==
Joseph James Kelley was born on December 9, 1871, in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], to Patrick Kelly and Ann Kelly ([[married and maiden names|née]] Carney) in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] on December 9, 1871.<ref name="Fleitz, p. 121">Fleitz, p. 121</ref> Kelley's parents emigrated to the United States from Ireland, and he had five siblings. According to the [[1880 United States census]], Patrick worked as a marble cutter.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/17b00755|title=Joe Kelley|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|first=Jimmy|last=Keenan|access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>

As a child, Kelley was educated at a parochial grammar school and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Cambridge, where he starred for the school's baseball team as a [[pitcher]]. He worked for a local piano manufacturer and the John P. Lowell Arms Company. He practiced with the [[Harvard Crimson baseball|Harvard Crimson]], the [[college baseball]] team of [[Harvard University]], and played [[semi-professional]] baseball for the Lowell Arms Company.<ref name=sabr/><ref>Fleitz, p. 122</ref>

==Professional career==
===Minor leagues===
Kelley made his professional debut with the [[Lowell Indians]] of the [[New England League]] (NEL) in 1891, at age 19. During games he did not pitch, Lowell's manager put him in the lineup as an infielder.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=carroll>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OAkoAAAAIBAJ&pg=3773,4205882&dq=joe-kelley+omaha&hl=en |title=Baseball Captains of Industry: Considerable Kelley, Whose First Name was Joe |newspaper=The Carroll Herald |date=June 5, 1912 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Kelley had a 10–3 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] and a NEL-leading .323 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] with Lowell.<ref name=sabr/>

===Boston Beaneaters (1891)===
Lowell folded in July.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LOWB&p_theme=lowb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=122211F12DDB8468&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Lowell BB History |newspaper=[[The Lowell Sun]] |date=July 23, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Three days later, Kelley signed with the [[Boston Beaneaters]] of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LOWB&p_theme=lowb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11AAC2415A560CD8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Lowell BB History |newspaper=The Lowell Sun |date=July 27, 2007 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Kelley made his major league debut in August 1891 with the Beaneaters. After batting .244 in twelve [[games played]], the Beaneaters released Kelley after the season.<ref name=sabr/> Kelley began the 1892 season with the [[Omaha Omahogs]] of the Class–A [[Western League (original)|Western League]], turning down a $1,200 salary (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1200|1892}}}} in current dollar terms) from the [[Oakland Oaks (PCL)|Oakland Oaks]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]]. With Omaha, Kelley batted .316 with 19 [[stolen base]]s in 58 games.<ref name=sabr/>

===Pittsburgh Pirates (1892)===
The [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] of the NL purchased Kelley's contract from Omaha for $500 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|500|1892}}}} in current dollar terms) on July 2, 1892.

===Baltimore Orioles (NL) (1892–1898)===
[[Ned Hanlon (baseball)|Ned Hanlon]], new [[manager (baseball)|manager]] of the [[Baltimore Orioles (NL)|Baltimore Orioles]], traded [[George Van Haltren]] to the Pirates for Kelley and $2,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2000|1892}}}} in current dollar terms) in September 1892.<ref name=sabr/> Hanlon had succeeded Van Haltren as Orioles' manager during the season; remaining with the Orioles as a player, Van Haltren openly criticized Hanlon. Hanlon mentioned that he "had [his] eye on Kelley for a long time."<ref name=fleitz124>Fleitz, p. 124</ref>

[[File:Stars players of the Baltimore Orioles.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Kelley ''(sitting, left)'' with [[Baltimore Orioles (19th century)|Baltimore Orioles]] teammates [[Hughie Jennings]] ''(sitting, right)'', [[Willie Keeler]] ''(standing, left)'', and [[John McGraw]] ''(standing, right)'']]
Hanlon taught Kelley how to play [[Center fielder|center field]].<ref name=fleitz124/> During the 1893 season, Kelley batted .305, with 120 [[run (baseball)|runs scored]], and stole 33 bases.<ref name=fleitz124/> He finished ninth in the NL with a .476 [[slugging percentage]] (SLG), and tied [[Eddie Burke (baseball)|Eddie Burke]] for ninth in [[home run]]s with 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1893-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1893 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref> The Orioles won the NL pennant in 1894, 1895, and 1896. Kelley moved to [[left field]] in 1894 with the acquisition of [[Steve Brodie (baseball)|Steve Brodie]], who played center.<ref name=fleitz124/> That year, he batted .393 with 111 [[run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI), 199 [[hit (baseball)|hits]], and 165 runs scored, tying teammate [[Willie Keeler]] for second in runs and finishing sixth in batting average and eighth in hits.<ref name=nl1894>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1894-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1894 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> Combined with 107 [[base on balls|walks]], which were tied for second most in the NL with [[Cupid Childs]] and behind only [[Billy Hamilton (baseball, born 1866)|Billy Hamilton]], Kelley posted a .502 [[on-base percentage]] (OBP), finishing second in the NL to Hamilton, and hit 48 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], good for second in the NL, behind only [[Hugh Duffy]].<ref name=nl1894/> His .602&nbsp;SLG was the fourth best in the NL.<ref name=nl1894/>

These Orioles teams, led by [[John McGraw]], were known to break the rules in order to win, including tampering with their bats and the playing field.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/344132921.html?dids=344132921:344132921&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+05%2C+2003&author=Mike+Klingaman&pub=The+Sun&desc=Cheats+in+cleats+make+fair+play+slippery+business+%3B+Bat+corkers%2C+spin+doctors+owe+debt+to+1896+Orioles%2C+other+tricksters+of+trade&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712142057/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/344132921.html?dids=344132921:344132921&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+05,+2003&author=Mike+Klingaman&pub=The+Sun&desc=Cheats+in+cleats+make+fair+play+slippery+business+;+Bat+corkers,+spin+doctors+owe+debt+to+1896+Orioles,+other+tricksters+of+trade&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=Cheats in cleats make fair play slippery business; Bat corkers, spin doctors owe debt to 1896 Orioles, other tricksters of trade |first=Mike |last=Klingaman |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 5, 2003 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Kelley hid baseballs in the outfield, using the closest hidden ball instead of finding the ball batted into the outfield.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kARKAAAAIBAJ&pg=1148,1240432&dq=joe-kelley|title=The Hall of Fame ... the great and merely good|first=Rick|last=Cornfeld|newspaper=The Michigan Daily|page=7|date=February 2, 1971|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref> Kelley hit ten home runs in 1895, a then-franchise record,<ref>Fleitz, p. 128</ref> tying him for fifth in the NL with five other players. He also tied Brodie for second with 134 RBI, finished fourth with 54 stolen bases, fifth with a .546 SLG, and sixth with a .456 OBP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1895-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1895 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> In 1896, Kelley finished seventh in the NL in batting average (.364), fourth in runs scored (148), fourth in SLG (.543), fifth in OBP (.469), ninth in hits (189), and tied [[Gene DeMontreville]] for eighth in home runs (8).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1896-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1896 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref>

In 1897, Kelley agreed to serve as the [[coach (baseball)|coach]] of the [[Georgetown Hoyas]], the [[college baseball]] team of [[Georgetown University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wDxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5715,3635878&dq=joe-kelley+georgetown&hl=en |title=Yanigans Swamped, Baltimore Colts Snowed Under by the Regulars, Joe Kelley Reaches Macon |page=9 |newspaper=The Morning Herald |date=March 27, 1897 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> That year, he finished fifth in the NL in batting average (.362) and RBI (118), seventh in OBP (.447), and eighth in SLG (.489).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1897-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1897 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref>

By 1898, Kelley earned an annual salary of $2,500 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2500|1898}}}} in current dollar terms), plus a $200 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1898}}}} in current dollar terms) bonus for serving as [[captain (sports)|team captain]].<ref name=sabr/> He finished third in the league with 110 RBI and ninth with a .438&nbsp;SLG.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1898-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1898 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> Due to insolvency, the [[Brooklyn Superbas]] purchased the Orioles after the 1898 season and transferred Kelley, Hanlon, Keeler, [[Joe McGinnity]], and [[Hughie Jennings]] to Brooklyn.<ref name=fleitz130>Fleitz, p. 130</ref> Wanting an opportunity to manage, and to remain near Baltimore, Kelley requested a transfer to the [[Washington Senators (1891–99)|Washington Senators]], but Washington did not have enough talent to send to Brooklyn to make a trade.<ref name=fleitz130/>

===Brooklyn Superbas (1899–1901)===
With McGraw remaining in Baltimore, Hanlon named Kelley [[captain (sports)|team captain]].<ref name=fleitz130/> The Superbas won the NL pennant in 1899 and 1900, as Kelley finished tenth in RBI (93), OBP (.410), and tied several players for tenth in home runs (6) in 1899<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1899-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1899 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> and led the team with a .319 batting average in 1900,<ref name=fleitz130/><ref name=fleitz131>Fleitz, p. 131</ref> while finishing fourth in the league in SLG (.485), tying Hickman for seventh in RBI (91), and tying [[Jimmy Collins]] and [[Buck Freeman]] for tenth in home runs (6).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1900-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1900 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref>

Kelley moved back to the infield, becoming the regular first baseman in 1901.<ref name=fleitz131/>

===Baltimore Orioles (AL) (1902)===
After the 1901 season, Kelley denied reports that he would jump from the Superbas to the [[Detroit Tigers]] of the [[American League]] (AL), the former Western League which had decided to compete with the NL by creating franchises in east coast cities that housed NL franchises.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B10FF3E5B11738DDDAB0994DA415B818CF1D3 |title=No Trust in Baseball&nbsp;— Clubs Vote Down John T. Brush's Scheme by 5 Votes to 1. League a Perpetual Body: Election of Officers Postponed for Some Unknown Reason&nbsp;— Hanlon to Stay With Brooklyn |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 12, 1901 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> However, the opportunity to return to Baltimore proved irresistible to Kelley, and after the AL's successful 1901 season, he jumped from the Superbas to the [[Baltimore Orioles (1901–02)|Baltimore Orioles]] AL.<ref name=fleitz131/><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1901/12/23/archives/baseball-player-in-demand.html |title=Baseball Player in Demand|date=December 23, 1901|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Kelley's father-in-law, [[John Mahon (baseball)|John Mahon]], was president and principal share holder of the AL's Orioles.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/02/18/101936815.pdf |title=Baltimore's New Baseball President |date=February 18, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:JoeKelley.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Kelley's 1909 [[American Tobacco Company]] [[baseball card]]]]
Kelley was named Orioles' captain and received some stock in the team.<ref name=fleitz131/> McGraw, player-manager of the Orioles, resigned from the team to take over as manager of the [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] on July 7, 1902. In his absence, Kelley and [[Wilbert Robinson]] took over in the interim.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/08/archives/mgraw-for-new-york-baltimore-baseball-player-will-manage-the-local.html |title=M'Graw for New York&nbsp;— Baltimore Baseball Player Will Manage the Local 'Team. $20,000 the Consideration: National League in the Deal to Get This Player Away from the American League |date=July 8, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Under indefinite suspension by [[Ban Johnson]] by July 1902 for fighting with [[umpire (baseball)|umpires]],<ref name=sabr/> Kelley entertained the idea of leaving the Orioles with McGraw, who was becoming frustrated with Johnson, and had begun negotiating to join the [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] of the NL.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/03/archives/mcgraw-accuses-ban-johnson.html |title=McGraw Accuses Ban Johnson |date=July 3, 1903 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> With the team in financial straits,<ref name=exodus>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pP8aAAAAIBAJ&pg=3096,2862270&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Kelley Predicts Exodus to the National League |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=July 31, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Kelley sold his shares of the Orioles to Mahon, who had purchased McGraw's shares when he left for New York, becoming principal shareholder of the Orioles.<ref name=sabr/> Mahon then sold controlling interest in the Orioles to [[Andrew Freedman]], principal owner of the Giants, and [[John T. Brush]], principal owner of the [[Cincinnati Reds]], on July 17.<ref name=sabr/> On the day they owned the franchise, they released the best players on the Orioles from their contracts so that they could be signed by [[National League (baseball)|National League]] teams: Kelley and [[Cy Seymour]] signed with the Reds, while McGinnity, [[Roger Bresnahan]], [[Dan McGann]], and [[Jack Cronin]] signed with the Giants.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8hdAAAAIBAJ&pg=2808,3737042&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=Clean Sweep of Baltimore Club: National Leaguers Graft the Star Players |page=1 |newspaper=Baltimore American |date=July 17, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Total Ballclubs: The Ultimate Book of Baseball Teams|first1=Donald|last1=Dewey|first2=Nicholas|last2=Acocella|isbn=1-894963-37-7|publisher=Sportclassic Books|year=2005|page=37}}</ref> Johnson, along with Orioles minority owners, took control of the Orioles franchise, which had to forfeit their game that day as they did not have enough players.<ref name=sabr/> Kelley stated that the Orioles owed $12,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|12000|1902}}}} in current dollar terms), and that selling his shares was the only way Mahon could pay the team's debts.<ref name=sabr/>

===Cincinnati Reds (1902–1906)===
The Superbas lodged a complaint against the Reds, claiming that Kelley was still under their control, seeking compensation from the Reds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8yZCAAAAIBAJ&pg=6039,653617&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Pretty Tough on Brooklyn: National Leaguers Rule That They May Freely Raid Ranks of American League |newspaper=Baltimore American |date=August 13, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NshdAAAAIBAJ&pg=5200,4938725&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=Ebbitts Says it is a Finish Fight: Says Nationals Ask For and Give No Quarter to Men of American League |newspaper=Baltimore American |date=July 24, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> However, the other NL owners saw the situation as a coup for their league, and compelled Hanlon to drop his complaint.<ref name=fleitz133>Fleitz, p. 133</ref> Kelley did not immediately report to Cincinnati, instead traveling to Boston to attempt to convince members of the [[Boston Americans]] to join him in the NL.<ref name=fleitz133/> Kelley joined the Reds on July 31.<ref name=exodus/>

==Managerial career==
With rumors that Kelley was negotiating to become the Reds' manager, incumbent manager [[Bid McPhee]] resigned, and Kelley succeeded him.<ref name=fleitz133/> Kelley served as manager of the Reds from 1902 until 1905. In 1903, Kelley finished ninth in the NL in OBP (.402).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1903-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1903 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> He was dismissed as manager after the 1905 season, and replaced by Hanlon.<ref name=fleitz134>Fleitz, p. 134</ref> He remained as a Reds player for the 1906 season. He batted .228 during the 1906 season, and the Reds released him.<ref name=fleitz134/>

Kelley signed with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs (International League)|Toronto Maple Leafs]] of the Class–AA [[International League]] (IL) in 1907, receiving a $5,000 salary (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5000|1907}}}} in current dollar terms), the highest for a minor league player to date.<ref name=sabr/> Kelley batted .322 for the Maple Leafs as a part-time player, spending time in left field and first base.<ref name=fleitz134/> The Maple Leafs won the IL pennant that season.<ref name=sabr/>

===Boston Doves (1908)===
With [[Fred Tenney]] set to leave the [[Boston Doves]] of the NL for the Giants,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A13FA3C5C15738DDDA80994DA415B878CF1D3 |title=Baseball Owners Meet at Waldorf&nbsp;— Deals for Players Excite More Interest Than Annual Conclave. Tenney May Come Here. Joe Kelley Almost Sure to Manage Boston Team&nbsp;— Dan McGann is Talked of for Cincinnati |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 11, 1907 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref> the Doves claimed Kelley from the Maple Leafs,<ref name=fleitz134/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=khobAAAAIBAJ&pg=3803,3264976&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Jimmy Casey is Wanted to Succeed Joe Kelley: Brooklyn Third Baseman May Be Manager of the Toronto Club |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=November 14, 1907 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> signing Kelley to a two-year contract<ref name=dovesrelease>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8yFjAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2540544&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=New Manager of Doves; Kelley to Be Given Release |newspaper=The Sunday Tribune |date=November 25, 1908 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> with an annual salary of $5,500 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5500|1908}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref name=sabr/> Kelley announced that he would play left field.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lAkbAAAAIBAJ&pg=4549,2808156&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=Joe Kelley in Left Garden: Beaumont in Center and Brown in Right for Boston Nationals |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=January 15, 1908 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Kelley feuded with Doves' owner [[George Dovey]], as Dovey wanted [[George Browne (baseball)|George Browne]] fined for "indifferent play", which Kelley refused to do.<ref name=dovey/> Dovey fired Kelley in December 1908.<ref name=fleitz134/> Kelley threatened legal action against Dovey, stating in the press that Dovey was releasing him to cut salary.<ref name=dovey>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2AobAAAAIBAJ&pg=1720,6721600&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Joe Kelley Pans the Boston Owner: Declares that Dovey Merely Wants to Get Rid of Him to Reduce Club's Expenses |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=November 30, 1908 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/409445841.html?dids=409445841:409445841&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+30%2C+1908&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=JOE+KELLEY+APPEALS+HIS+CASE.&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713131201/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/409445841.html?dids=409445841:409445841&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+30,+1908&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=JOE+KELLEY+APPEALS+HIS+CASE.&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=Joe Kelley Appeals His Case |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=December 30, 1908 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Kelley and Dovey settled their case, freeing Kelley from the second year of his Doves contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KhhJAAAAIBAJ&pg=2405,883872&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Kelley and Dovey Settle Difficulties |newspaper=The Meriden Daily Journal |date=January 15, 1909 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

==Later career==
Maple Leafs president James McCafferey secured Kelley's return to the club in 1909.<ref name=dovesrelease/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/01/28/archives/eastern-league-board-meets-here-directors-discuss-plans-for-season.html |title=EASTERN LEAGUE BOARD MEETS HERE; Directors Discuss Plans for Season and Announce the Umpire Staff. YALE HAS BIG SCHEDULE Three Games with the Giants&nbsp;– Roger Bresnahan to Get Loving Cup&nbsp;– Yankees' Revised Dates |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 28, 1909 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> He played with the Maple Leafs through 1910, managing the Maple Leafs from 1912 to 1914, winning a second pennant in 1912.<ref name=sabr/>

After the 1914 season, the Maple Leafs released Kelley. The [[New York Yankees]] considered hiring Kelley as their manager after the 1914 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1761541022.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+19%2C+1914&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=MAGEE+NAMED+MANAGER&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713044517/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1761541022.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+19,+1914&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=MAGEE+NAMED+MANAGER&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=Magee Named Manager |newspaper=The Sun |date=December 19, 1914 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{Subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Kelley [[scout (sport)|scouted]] for the Yankees in 1915 and 1916.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0D15F63A55157A93C7A9178FD85F448285F9 |title=Giants Get Day's Rest in Knoxville; Resume Northward Trek with Red Sox—Chance of BarrowHuggins Deal Less Bright |page=18 |date=April 5, 1920 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Former teammate [[Wilbert Robinson]], then manager of the [[Brooklyn Robins]], hired Kelley and McGinnity to join his [[coach (baseball)|coaching staff]] for the [[1926 Brooklyn Robins season|1926 MLB season]].<ref name=sabr/> Kelley and McGinnity were not retained after the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harrison |first=James R. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/12/15/archives/national-leaguers-move-for-peace-committee-chosen-to-confer-with.html |title=National Leaguers Move For Peace&nbsp;— Committee Chosen to Confer With Landis mid Similar American League Group. Resin Ball is Endorsed: Robins Release Kelley and McGinnity&nbsp;— Trading Dull&nbsp;– Magnates Go to Chicago Today |newspaper=The New York Times |page=23 |date=December 15, 1926 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{quote box|align=right|width=33%|quote=Joe had no prominent weakness. He was fast on the bases, could hit the ball hard and was as graceful an outfielder as one would care to see. He covered an immense amount of ground and had that necessary faculty, so prominent in [[Tris Speaker|Speaker]] and others, of being able to place himself where the batter would be likely to hit the ball.|source=– [[John McGraw]]<ref name="Fleitz, p. 121"/>}}

As a player, Kelley had 11 consecutive .300-plus seasons during his MLB career. Kelley was also known as a good base runner and [[stolen base|stole]] a career-high 87 bases in 1896. He retired with a career .317 batting, .402 OBP, 65 [[home run]]s, 1,421 runs, 1,194 RBI and 443 stolen bases in 1,853 career games. His 194 [[triple (baseball)|triples]] ranks him ninth all-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/3B_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Triples |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> Kelley tied [[Fred Carroll]]'s MLB record with nine hits in a [[doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]],<ref name=hof1964/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7JeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2049,777913|title=Lee Thomas Ties Major Hit Record|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Kansas City, Missouri|page=8|agency=Associated Press|date=September 6, 1961|access-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref> which he presently shares with eight other players.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://addins.whig.com/blogs/schucksclipboard/2012/03/spring-training-trivia-double-duty|title=Spring Training Trivia: Double duty|first=Matt|last=Schuckman|newspaper=Quincy Herald-Whig|date=March 11, 2012|access-date=June 22, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224017/http://addins.whig.com/blogs/schucksclipboard/2012/03/spring-training-trivia-double-duty|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Additionally, he was known as a great leader.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qP8aAAAAIBAJ&pg=3569,3640171&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=Baseball Gossip |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=August 4, 1902 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> He compiled a 338–321 win–loss record as an MLB manager.

Kelley was considered by the [[Veterans Committee]] for induction into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[1964 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1964]],<ref name=hof1964>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UnBFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7152,3453849&dq=joe-kelley+baseball&hl=en |title=Veterans Committee Votes: Oldtimers in Line for Hall |date=January 29, 1964 |newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> but was not selected. He was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in [[1971 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1971]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8AUrAAAAIBAJ&pg=3742,277311&dq=joe-kelley&hl=en |title=Remember Rube?&nbsp;... Chick Hafey? Seven Oldies Make it to Cooperstown |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=Reading Eagle |date=February 1, 1971 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Kelley married Margaret Mahon on October 26, 1897. Keeler served as Kelley's best man, and McGraw and Jennings served as groomsmen.<ref>Fleitz, p. 129</ref> Kelley is buried at [[New Cathedral Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.newcathedralcemetery.org/history |website=newcathedralcemetery.org |publisher=NEW CATHEDRAL CEMETERY |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{div col}}
*[[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball triples records]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball player-managers]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4nROXhSvZo0C&q=%22joe+kelley%22&pg=PA121|title=More ghosts in the gallery: Another sixteen little-known greats at Cooperstown|first=David L.|last=Fleitz|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7864-3133-5|access-date=March 24, 2012}}

===In-line citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{bbhof|kelley-joe}}
*{{baseballstats|br=k/kellejo01|brm=kelley002jos|fangraphs=1006776|mlb=116926}}
*{{baseball-reference manager|kellejo01}}
*{{find a Grave}}

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{{Cincinnati Reds managers|width=100}}
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{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelley, Joe}}
[[Category:1871 births]]
[[Category:1943 deaths]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles (NL) players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles (1901–02) players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Boston Beaneaters players]]
[[Category:Boston Doves managers]]
[[Category:Boston Doves players]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Dodgers coaches]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds managers]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Georgetown Hoyas baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Lowell Lowells players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
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[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National League stolen base champions]]
[[Category:Omaha Omahogs players]]
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[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) managers]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players]]
[[Category:Burials at New Cathedral Cemetery]]