MLB History: Tim Keefe Wins 300th Career Game

Only one player won his 300th MLB game in a league that no longer exists. On this day in 1890, Tim Keefe, pitching in the Player’s League, became that player.

One of the top starters in the early days of the game, Tim Keefe was a true workhorse. He won at least 30 games in six consecutive seasons, and had just four years where he threw less than 300 innings. Armed with what was considered to be the first great changeup in MLB, Keefe dominated the 1880’s.

By the time 1890 came about, he was one of the multitude of stars to jump over to the Player’s League. Despite having most of the stars of the day, and the games being well attended, ownership was loathe to invest in the league itself. That concern about whether or not the league would continue to have success led to its disbanding after that one year.

And yet, the Player’s League saw history in that one year. On this day, Keefe, pitching for the New York Giants, won his 300th game, defeating the Boston Reds 9-4. Keefe allowed just eight hits, striking out seven batters in the victory.

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However, Keefe also had his adventures on the mound in this contest. He committed four errors on the day, undermining his solid performance when it came to throwing the ball. Yet, as an astonishing 14 errors were made in the contest, those fielding woes were not just Keefe’s problem on the day.

Overall, Keefe was solid in that one season. While the Giants finished third, eight games behind the Reds for the league title, Keefe was a decent pitcher. He was 17-11 that year, with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.371 WHiP. In his 229 innings, Keefe struck out 89 batters with 86 walks. It may not have been up to his previous standards, but Keefe was still able to mostly get the job done on the mound.

Keefe was also a part of MLB history two years later. When he faced off against Pud Galvin in 1892, it marked the first time that two members of the 300 win club faced one another. It took until 2005, when Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens faced one another, for that to happen again.

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On this day in 1890, Tim Keefe became the second player in MLB history to win his 300th career game. He also became the only player to notch that milestone in a league that would later become defunct.