MLB: Top 100 Players in Baseball History (70-61)
By David Hill
69. Willie Keeler
Listed as being 5’4″ tall and 140 pounds, Wee Willie Keeler proved that size alone cannot measure talent.
One of the stars at the turn of the century, Keeler had an amazing ability to put the bat on the ball and place the ball where he wanted it. From his first full season in the majors in 1894 through 1900, Keeler had a batting average of at least .370, with only Ty Cobb having more consecutive seasons at or above that mark. His .424 batting average in 1897 is the third highest in a single season, trailing only Ross Barnes and Hugh Duffy.
Overall, Keeler had an excellent .341/.388/.415 batting line. Known more for putting the ball in play and slapping singles, Keeler had 2,932 hits, 36th all time. His 2,513 career singles are the sixth best in MLB history, and he has the best mark for at bats per strikeout, striking out only once per 63.2 at bats.
Defensively, Keeler was a solid outfielder with a strong arm. He had 258 outfield assists, the 20th best of all time. Keeler also ranks 17th with 60 double plays, as he used that excellent arm to cut down any baserunner looking to advance on those potential sacrifice flies.
One of the best pure hitters in the history of the game, Willie Keeler once said that he “hit them where they ain’t.” He proved to be able to build quite the impressive career doing just that.
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