George Kelly
A power-hitting first baseman who led the National League in home runs in 1921, George Kelly finished in the top six in that category six times. He was the primary RBI-man in the middle of John McGraw's Giant lineup that won four straight pennants from 1921-1924. At 6'4", Kelly was known as "Highpockets," and was a fan favorite in New York and everywhere else he played. With Frankie Frisch, Travis Jackson and Freddie Lindstrom, Kelly formed an all-Hall of Fame infield for the Giants in the 1920s.
Quotes About Kelly
"We have frequently mentioned that if Kelly had the theatrical instinct such as Babe Ruth is fortunately blessed with, "Highpockets" would become as popular and well-known as a slugger as is "Babe." But Kelly... is more of a retiring disposition." — sportswriter Sam Crane
Played For
New York Giants (1915-1917)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1917)
New York Giants (1920-1926)
Cincinnati Reds (1927-1930)
Chicago Cubs (1930)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1932)
Best Season: 1921
"Long George" clubbed 23 homers, which led the league, and his 122 RBI were second in the loop. He hit .308 with 42 doubles, nine triples and 95 runs scored. The Giants won the National League flag and defeated the Yankees in the World Series.
1924 World Series Scandal
Five years after the infamous "Black Sox Scandal" rocked baseball, another gambling and bribery scandal struck during the 1924 World Series, between the Giants and Senators. This scandal involved the Giants - specifically outfielder Jimmy O'Connell and coach Cozy Dolan - who were investigated by commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for having offered a bribe to Phillies' shortstop Heinie Sand at the end of the season. After O'Connell claimed teammates Frankie Frisch, George Kelly and Ross Youngs were in on the scam, Landis interviewed those players but exonerated them. O'Connell and Dolan were banned for life, and American League president Ban Johnson reacted with his usual blustering, threatening to boycott the World Series against those "cheating Giants." The Series was played, and was won by the American League's Senators.
Born
George Lange Kelly was born on September 10, 1895, in San Francisco, CA.
Died
October 13, 1984, Burlingame, CA
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: NY1
Major League Debut
August 18, 1915
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1915
Sam Rice
Rogers Hornsby
Joe Judge
George Sisler
Dave Bancroft
Dazzy Vance
Charlie Jamieson
George Kelly
Baby Doll Jacobson
Nicknames
Highpockets, Long George, Kell
Similar Players
Frank McCormick, Steve Garvey, Tony Perez, Bob Watson. All of these players except possibly McCormick, were better than Kelly. Billy Goodman was another fine-hitting first baseman who also played several games at other infield positions, like Kelly. McGraw's opinion of Kelly is similar to Sparky Anderson's assessment of Perez on the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s. McGraw felt that even though Kelly didn't always put up the biggest numbers on his team, he was the guy he wanted at the plate in clutch situations.
Related Players
Frankie Frisch, Travis Jackson, Bill Terry
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1947 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.6% |
1948 |
BBWAA |
2 |
1.7% |
1949 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.7% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
2 |
1.0% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.8% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
5 |
1.9% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.6% |
1973 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1921 World Series
1922 World Series
1923 World Series
1924 World Series
Feats
Kelly was a streaky power hitter. In July of 1924 he set an NL record with seven long balls in six games, and at least one in six straight. He also clubbed three homers in a game twice (an NL record until surpassed by Johnny Mize), and once batted in all eight of his team's runs in one of those three-homer games.
Batting Feats
- September 17, 1923: 15 Total Bases...
Notes
Elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1973.
Transactions
The Giants tried Kelly at second base in 1925 to get young Bill Terry into the lineup. It was Terry's arrival that precipitated Kelly's trade to the Reds in 1927, for future Hall of Famer Edd Roush... Released by the Reds in July 1930, Kelly returned to the big leagues when Cubs' first baseman Charlie Grimm was injured in late August.
Replaced
Kelly replaced Fred Merkle and later Hal Chase, as the Giants' everyday first baseman.
Learn More about George Kelly
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