Willie Keeler

Willie "Wee Willie" Keeler was one of baseball’s most consistent contact hitters and a pioneer of the dead-ball era. Standing just 5'4", Keeler played with remarkable skill and intelligence, relying on speed, precision, and a unique ability to “hit 'em where they ain't.”

He made his Major League debut in 1892 and played 19 seasons, most notably with the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. Keeler amassed 2,932 career hits and had eight consecutive seasons batting over .360. His 44-game hitting streak in 1897 stood as a National League record for more than a century. Keeler's mastery at the plate and disciplined eye made him nearly impossible to strike out.

Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, he remains a symbol of baseball's early brilliance and finesse.

Keeler's Awards and Records

• 2× NL batting champion (1897, 1898)
• Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame (1939)
• Career batting average: .341
• 8 seasons batting .360 or higher
• 44-game hitting streak (1897) – stood as NL record until 1978
• 2,932 career hits
• One of the toughest players to strike out in MLB history
• Member of 5 pennant-winning teams

MLB Teams:

New York Giants (1892–1893)
Brooklyn Grooms (1893)
Baltimore Orioles (1894–1898)
Brooklyn Superbas (1899–1902)
New York Highlanders (1903–1909)
New York Giants (1910)

MLB Stats

Games Played
2,123
At Bats
8,591
Hits
2,932
Batting Average
.341
Runs Scored
1,719
Runs Batted In (RBI)
810
Home Runs
33
Doubles
241
Triples
145
Stolen Bases
495
Walks
524
On-Base Percentage
.388
Slugging Percentage
.415
OPS (On-base + Slugging)
.802