Born in Bloomingdale, Michigan, Killefer attended the University of Michigan from 1904 to 1907 before joining the Detroit Tigers in September 1907. Killefer led the American League and the National League in being hit by pitches in 1910 (16) and 1915 (19). Killefer batted .248 with 3 home runs in 467 career games. Though he played on the Tigers' American League pennant winning teams in 1907 and 1908, Killefer did not play in either World Series. On August 13, 1909, the Tigers traded Killefer and Germany Schaefer to the Washington Senators for Jim Delahanty.
Red with the Pacific Coast League.
On July 20, 1916, Killefer was traded by the Reds with Buck Herzog to the New York Giants for three future Hall of Famers: Christy Mathewson, Edd Roush, and Bill McKechnie. After the trade, Killefer had only one at bat for the Giants before retiring.
In 467 major league games, Killefer was a versatile player who logged time at every position except pitcher: 135 games as a center fielder, 135 games as a left fielder, 129 games as a second baseman, 27 games as a right fielder, 11 games as a third baseman, 8 games as a shortstop, 3 games as a catcher, and 2 games as a first baseman.
Killefer is noted as being the first ever batter in a National League game at Wrigley Field (Wrigley had been a Federal League park in its first two years), as a visiting team batter for the Cincinnati Reds. After his playing career ended, Killefer was a minor league manager for 25 years, (1917–1941). His managerial career included stints with the following teams:
Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League (1917–1922). He led the Angels to second-place finishes in his first three years with the team and finally to a PCL championship in 1921.
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Red Killefer at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
Photograph of Killefer in Seattle, circa 1925
August 21, 2023
killefer, wade, hampton, killefer, april, 1885, september, 1958, outfielder, second, baseman, major, league, baseball, played, seven, seasons, with, detroit, tigers, 1907, 1909, washington, senators, 1909, 1910, cincinnati, reds, 1914, 1916, york, giants, 1916. Wade Hampton Red Killefer April 13 1885 September 4 1958 was an outfielder and second baseman in Major League Baseball who played seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers 1907 1909 Washington Senators 1909 1910 Cincinnati Reds 1914 1916 and New York Giants 1916 Red KilleferOutfielderBorn 1885 04 13 April 13 1885Bloomingdale Michigan USDied September 4 1958 1958 09 04 aged 73 Los Angeles California USBatted RightThrew RightMLB debutSeptember 16 1907 for the Detroit TigersLast MLB appearanceAugust 19 1916 for the New York GiantsMLB statisticsBatting average 248Home runs3Runs batted in116TeamsDetroit Tigers 1907 1909 Washington Senators 1909 1910 Cincinnati Reds 1914 1916 New York Giants 1916 Life and career EditBorn in Bloomingdale Michigan Killefer attended the University of Michigan from 1904 to 1907 before joining the Detroit Tigers in September 1907 Killefer led the American League and the National League in being hit by pitches in 1910 16 and 1915 19 Killefer batted 248 with 3 home runs in 467 career games Though he played on the Tigers American League pennant winning teams in 1907 and 1908 Killefer did not play in either World Series On August 13 1909 the Tigers traded Killefer and Germany Schaefer to the Washington Senators for Jim Delahanty Red with the Pacific Coast League On July 20 1916 Killefer was traded by the Reds with Buck Herzog to the New York Giants for three future Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson Edd Roush and Bill McKechnie After the trade Killefer had only one at bat for the Giants before retiring In 467 major league games Killefer was a versatile player who logged time at every position except pitcher 135 games as a center fielder 135 games as a left fielder 129 games as a second baseman 27 games as a right fielder 11 games as a third baseman 8 games as a shortstop 3 games as a catcher and 2 games as a first baseman Killefer is noted as being the first ever batter in a National League game at Wrigley Field Wrigley had been a Federal League park in its first two years as a visiting team batter for the Cincinnati Reds After his playing career ended Killefer was a minor league manager for 25 years 1917 1941 His managerial career included stints with the following teams Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League 1917 1922 He led the Angels to second place finishes in his first three years with the team and finally to a PCL championship in 1921 Seattle Indians in the Pacific Coast League 1923 1927 He won a PCL championship with them in 1924 Mission Reds in the PCL 1928 1930 Indianapolis Indians in the American Association 1933 1937 1941 Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League 1938 1939 He was inducted in the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame Killefer s brother Bill Killefer was a major league catcher from 1909 to 1921 with the St Louis Browns Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs Death EditKillefer died in Los Angeles at age 73 in 1958 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors Red Killefer at SABR Baseball BioProject Photograph of Killefer in Seattle circa 1925 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Red Killefer amp oldid 1153916674, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
