Tim Keefe

Infobox MLB retired
name=Tim Keefe
position=Pitcher

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bgcolor1=#dcdcdc
bgcolor2=#dcdcdc
textcolor1=black
textcolor2=black
birthdate=January 1, 1857
city-state|Cambridge|Massachusetts
deathdate=death date and age|1933|4|23|1857|1|1
city-state|Cambridge|Massachusetts
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=August 6
debutyear=1880
debutteam=Troy Trojans
finaldate=August 15
finalyear=1893
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Pitching Record
stat2label=Earned run average
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat1value=342-225
stat2value=2.62
stat3value=2562
teams=
*Troy Trojans (1880–1882)
*New York Metropolitans (1883–1884)
*New York Giants (1885–1889, 1891)
*New York Giants (PL) (1890)
*Philadelphia Phillies (1891–1893)
highlights=
*National League Pitching Triple Crown: 1888
*National League ERA champion: 1880, 1885, 1888
*National League wins champion: 1886, 1888
*National League strikeout champion: 1888
*American Association strikeout champion: 1883
*2-time innings pitched leader (AA & NL)
*2-time complete game leader (AA & NL)
*9th-most wins in major league history (342)
*7 20-win seasons
*6 30-win seasons
*2 40-win seasons
*6 200-strikeout seasons
*3 300-strikeout seasons
*3 sub-2.00 ERA seasons
hofdate=by|1964
hofmethod=Veteran's Committee

Timothy John "Tim" Keefe (January 1 1857 – April 23 1933) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Keefe entered the major leagues in 1880 with the Troy Trojans. He immediately established himself as a talented pitcher, posting an astounding 0.86 ERA in 105 innings pitched, a record that still stands to this day (he also posted the lowest Adjusted ERA+ in baseball history in 1880). Keefe rose to stardom in 1883 with the New York Metropolitans when he had one of the most dominating seasons in baseball's early history. He went 41-27 over 619 innings pitched with a 2.41 ERA and 361 strikeouts. In 1885 Keefe moved to the New York Giants, with whom he had arguably his greatest season in 1888, when he led the league with a 35-12 record, 1.74 ERA and 335 strikeouts (see triple crown).

Keefe moved to the Philadelphia Phillies mid-season 1891 and retired after the 1893 season. He retired with 342 wins (8th overall), a 2.62 ERA, and 2562 strikeouts. His 2562 strikeouts were a major league record at the time of his retirement. He was also the first pitcher to achieve three 300-plus strikeout seasons. Interestingly, he still holds the record for having a win in the most ballparks, 47. Current hurler Randy Johnson has a chance at reaching that record from where he now stands at 41.

Keefe was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964, and was elected by the veterans committee.

Career statistics

*Official career statistics as recognized by Baseball-Reference.
* ' * ' denotes stats that were not officially recognized during parts or all of his career, and are incomplete.

ee also

* 300 win club
* Top 100 Major League Baseball strikeout pitchers
* Triple Crown
* List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
* List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
* List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
* List of Major League Baseball wins champions
* List of most hit batsman by MLB pitcher

External links

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* [http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Keefe.Tim.Obit.html The Deadball Era]
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