Fred Ketchum

Frederick L. Ketchum

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 157 lb.

• Debut September 12, 1899
• Final Game May 4, 1901
• Born July 27, 1875 in Elmira, NY USA
• Died March 12, 1908 in Cortland, NY USA

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Biographical Information

Fred Ketchum played right field for the Louisville Colonels in 1899, competing for playing time with Honus Wagner, who split his time between the outfield and third base. Ketchum was two years younger than Wagner. Ketchum thereafter played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1901, in the first year of the American League. On the A's, he was one year younger than Nap Lajoie.

The book Honus: The Life and Times of a Baseball Hero indicates that Ketchum was one of several players brought over to the Pittsburgh Pirates (along with Honus and Fred Clarke) when the Colonels closed down. However, Ketchum was later released and never played with the Pirates.

One source states that Ketchum played all his games in 1899 on the road. In 1900, he was leading the Atlantic League in hitting when the league folded. After his time with the A's, he played well in the Western League for several years. He died, supposedly of a heart attack, at age 32. Fred Ketchum.

Through 2007, the only other major leaguer with the last name Ketchum is Gus Ketchum.