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William Killefer (October 10, 1887 – July 3, 1960) was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager who had a 48-year career in Major League Baseball. Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.〔〔(Bill Killefer at Baseball Reference )〕 He is remembered for being Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander's favorite catcher and for being one of the finest defensive catchers of his era.〔〔(''Deadball stars of the National League'', Thomas P. Simon, Brassey's, 2004, ISBN 1-57488-860-9, ISBN 978-1-57488-860-7 )〕 ==Major League career== Killefer made his major league debut on September 13, 1909 with the St. Louis Browns.〔 After the 1910 season in which the Browns finished in last place, Killefer was released to the Buffalo Bisons of the Eastern League.〔 Under the tutelage of Bisons' manager George Stallings, Killefer developed into a refined catcher.〔 His contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on August 19, 1911, and he played his first game as a starter on October 3.〔 The Phillies pitcher on that day was Grover Cleveland Alexander, and the game marked the first of 250 times the pair teamed up as a battery in the major leagues.〔 Although he was a light hitter, Killefer became known for his strong defensive skills.〔 In 1913, he led National League catchers with 166 assists, 130 baserunners caught stealing, a 50.6% caught stealing percentage, and finished second in putouts and fielding percentage.〔(1913 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference )〕 In 1914, Killefer made news when it was reported that he had signed with the Chicago Whales of the Federal League, although he denied the report.〔 When the Phillies offered him a salary increase, he decided to sign with the Phillies, which led the Federal League to file a lawsuit against him and the Phillies.〔 A judge ruled against the Federal League and Killefer remained with the Phillies.〔 From 1915 to 1917, Alexander and Killefer solidified their reputation as the best battery in baseball, with Alexander posting three consecutive 30-win seasons.〔〔(Grover Cleveland Alexander at Baseball Reference )〕 Killefer had one of his best seasons for the Phillies in 1917. He led National League catchers with a .984 fielding percentage, as well as in putouts, double plays, and total chances.〔(1917 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference )〕 He also had one of his best seasons offensively with a .274 batting average.〔 After the 1917 season, in one of the most lopsided trades in major league history, the financially strapped Phillies sent Killefer and Alexander to the Chicago Cubs for two players and $55,000 in cash.〔〔(Baseball Digest, October 1987, Vol. 46, No. 10, ISSN 0005-609X )〕 With the Cubs, Killefer was credited with strengthening their pitching staff.〔(''Babe Ruth and the 1918 Red Sox'', Allan Wood, iUniverse, 2000, ISBN 0-595-14826-3, ISBN 978-0-595-14826-4 )〕 The Cubs won the 1918 National League pennant before losing to the Boston Red Sox in the 1918 World Series.〔(1918 World Series at Baseball Reference )〕 Killefer had another strong season in 1919, hitting a career-high .286 batting average and leading National League catchers in fielding percentage, putouts and assists.〔〔(1919 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference )〕 He served as player-manager for the Cubs in 1921 before retiring as a player at age 33. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Bill Killefer」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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