Charlie Keller

Played For
New York Yankees (1939-1949)
Detroit Tigers (1950-1951)
New York Yankees (1952)

All-Time Rankings
Charlie Keller ranks #24 among the Top 50 all-time at LF. Rankings ⇒

Description
Though Keller was known for his great physical strength, he was a skilled all-around athlete. He could run very well, for example. In 1943, in a 60-yard dash prior to a game against the Indians, Keller ran the distance in seven seconds flat, beating every runner, including teammate Snuffy Stirnweiss, who had stoled more than 70 bases the previous season.

Scouting Report
"The kid isn't much of a catcher and never will be, but he certainly can hit that ball." — former big leaguer Bill Bradley, scouting a young Kiner in the minors

Born
Charles Ernest Keller was born on September 12, 1916, in Middletown, MD.

Died
May 23, 1990, Frederick, MD

Batted:  Left
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  OF

Primary Team:  NYA

Major League Debut
April 22, 1939

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1939
Ted Williams
Mickey Vernon
Bob Elliott
Bob Kennedy
Early Wynn
Hal Newhouser
Dizzy Trout
Fred Hutchinson
Johnny Hopp

Nicknames
King Kong

Hall of Fame Voting Year Election Votes Pct 1953 BBWAA 1 .4% 1956 BBWAA 2 1.0% 1958 BBWAA 9 3.4% 1960 BBWAA 7 2.6% 1962 BBWAA 1 .6% 1968 BBWAA 11 3.9% 1969 BBWAA 14 4.1% 1970 BBWAA 7 2.3% 1971 BBWAA 14 3.9% 1972 BBWAA 24 6.1%

Post-Season Appearances
1939 World Series
1941 World Series
1942 World Series
1943 World Series

Batting Feats

• October 7, 1939: 2 HR in WS Game...


• July 28, 1940: 3 HR...

Notes
On September 25, 1948, at Yankee Stadium, friends and fans of Keller held "Charlie Keller Day." Keller had refused to allow the day, unless a scholarship fund was set up to benefit students to attend his alma mater, the University of Maryland.

All-Star Selections
1940 AL
1941 AL
1943 AL
1946 AL
1947 AL

Learn More about Charlie Keller
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View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒