Books and articles about Bill Killefer

Image provided by Matthew Fulling

SHOPPING » Look for Bill Killefer books at BN.com » Look for Bill Killefer books at Amazon.com Your purchases keep BaseballLibrary.com online. Thank you!

RELATED LINKS Around the Web » Bill Killefer from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Bill Killefer was Grover Alexander's batterymate, first with the Phillies and then with the Cubs, to whom the two were traded in 1917. He became the Cubs' manager during the 1921 season, led them until 1925, and managed the Browns in 1930-33. In nine years he had just one first-division finish, when the Cubs came in fourth in 1923. Killefer fared better in developing catchers, bringing Bob O'Farrell and Gabby Hartnett to stardom with the Cubs. Bill was the younger brother of utility player Red Killefer. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 5, 1915: Against Pittsburgh, the Phillies lose, 1–0, when Quaker backstop Bill Killefer throws wildly past 3B in the 9th. Alexander is saddled with the loss. » August 2, 1916: Phils star Grover Alexander wins his 20th of the season, pitching a 12-inning 10 shutout over the Cubs. In the 12th, Alex intentionally walks two and then fans pitcher Iron Mike Prendergast with the bases. Bill Killefer strolls then home with the winning run while the Cubs are arguing a call at third base. Alexander has now won more games than the cross-town A's (19). » October 5, 1916: With the Braves ahead 4–1 in the 8th inning, Phils manager Pat Moran puts pudgy Billy Maharg in as a pinch hitter. Maharg grounds out and then plays LF before returning to his real duties as chauffeur for Phils C Bill Killefer. Maharg also appeared in two innings as a replacement Tiger in 1912. » December 11, 1917: The Phils sell star pitcher Grover Alexander, twice a 30-game winner, and his personal catcher "Reindeer" Bill Killefer to the Cubs for righthander "Iron" Mike Prendergast, C Pickles Dillhoefer, and $55,000. Phils owner William Baker later admits he made the trade because, "I needed the money." The 5th-place Cubs expect the addition of Alexander to greatly strengthen their staff, but Alex will be drafted in the Army. » August 7, 1921: The Cubs replace manager Johnny Evers with Bill Killefer. With Pete Alexander, the former batterymate of "Reindeer Bill" the mound, the Cubs lose to the Giants, 7–2, at Cubs Park. New York third sacker Frankie Frisch is knocked out by a deflected ground ball. » July 7, 1925: The seventh-place Cubs install Rabbit Maranville as manager, replacing Bill Killefer. » December 28, 1926: The National League's 1926 MVP Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Hornsby as Cards manager. The job was reportedly first offered to Bill Killefer who, out of loyalty to Hornsby turned it down, and quit. Killefer will sign on as a coach of the Browns. » October 6, 1929: While the 3rd-place Indians lose two to the 4th-place Browns, 4–2 and 4–1, Cleveland's Joe Sewell finishes a 152-game schedule with just four strikeouts. The Browns bid farewell to Dan Howley as Bill Killefer is signed to manage the Browns next year. The Reds will hire Howley as their manager on October 15.