Mike Kelly (kellymi01)

Michael J. Kelly

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 178 lb.

• Debut September 3, 1926
• Final Game September 16, 1926
• Born November 9, 1902 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died April 26, 1982 in Modesto, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mike Kelly pitched 4 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1926.

He lived a rather colorful life, including standing trial for murder in the death of one Louis Friedman in Sioux City, IA in 1930. The victim was a Russian immigrant who operated a grocery store. On December 12, 1930, two men armed with revolvers entered the store around 8:20 AM while Friedman was serving a client. One of the two robbers called him by his first name and threatened him, but Friedman refused to give up his money and a struggle ensued. The two men ended up wrestling on the floor amidst overturned shelves and cans as the noise attracted more witnesses; one of them phoned police. The robber eventually shot Friedman twice in the abdomen then escaped with his accomplice. They jumped into a nearby getaway vehicle which another accomplice was driving. The witnesses were able to provide police with good descriptions of the two men and their car, but the investigation could not come up with suspects.

However, the following March, Kelly was indicted for the murder. He was known to police for having been arrested as an accomplice to a robbery in 1929 and was identified by witnesses of the Friedman murder, although this was called into question by the defense. Some friends of his also testified that he was with them at a pool hall at the time of the crime. As a result, he was acquitted by the jury. He left the state and the murder case was never solved.

Further Reading

• "Mike Kelly", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, November/December 2018, pp. 1-2.

Related Sites

• Article on the Friedman murder