Bob Keely

Robert William Keely

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut July 25, 1944
• Final Game September 29, 1945
• Born August 22, 1909 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died May 20, 2001 in Bradenton, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Bob Keely played in the minors for several years before leaving baseball and becoming a plasterer. However, due to a shortage of players during World War II, he returned to the game, reaching the majors briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944 and 1945. He was on the Cardinals' roster for the 1944 World Series as their third-string catcher, even though he had one game of Major League experience at the time, but was not used during any of the games.

After his playing career ended, he joined the Boston Braves as bullpen coach in 1946 and remained with the team (which later became the Milwaukee Braves) until 1957. He was also a scout for the Cardinals in the 1960s and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1970s.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944 (he did not play in the World Series)

Further Reading

• Gregory H. Wolf: "Bob Keely", in Gregory H. Wolf, ed.: Thar's Joy in Braveland: The 1957 Milwaukee Braves, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 226-230. ISBN 978-1933599717

Related Sites

• Bob Keely at the SABR Bio Project