Perhaps you’ve heard the name Smiling Tim or Sir Timothy. This is Tim Keefe. He was a dominant pitcher in baseball’s early years. He was born Timothy John Keefe in Cambridge Massachusetts.
Tim Keefe’s story is one of skill. It is also about fighting for players’ rights. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. His career spanned baseball’s formative stages.
Keefe’s father Patrick was an Irish immigrant. He served in the Union Army. All four of Patrick’s brothers were killed in the war. Tim was named after two of them. After the war, Patrick wanted his son to pursue something other than baseball. But Tim persisted.
By 1876, Tim Keefe was known as a standout local pitcher. His early career included minor league stints. He played in Lewiston, Clinton, New Bedford, Utica and Albany. Tim Keefe entered the major leagues in 1880 with the Troy Trojans. He quickly became a talented pitcher. He posted an astounding 0.86 ERA in 105 innings pitched. That record still stands.
In 1883, the Trojans folded. Keefe rose to stardom with the New York Metropolitans. That year, on July 4th, he pitched both ends of a doubleheader against Columbus. He won the first game with a one-hitter. He won the second with a two-hit gem. He went 41 and 27 over 619 innings. He had a 2.41 ERA. He also had 361 strikeouts.
Keefe joined the New York Giants in 1885. In 1886, he won a career-high 42 games. His best year was 1888. He led the Giants to their first pennant. He led the league in complete games, ERA, strikeouts, shutouts, and wins. That included a streak of 19 consecutive victories.
Keefe helped establish the Players League. He protested player salary ceilings. After retiring, he umpired in the National League for two years. Later, he coached baseball for Harvard, Princeton, and Tufts. Tim Keefe died in Cambridge in 1933.
Keefe was one of the first to use a change-of-pace delivery. Some called it a change-up. He won 342 games against 225 losses. He recorded a lifetime ERA of 2.62. Keefe was a leading member of the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players. It was an early players’ union. He assisted his brother-in-law Monte Ward. Together, they formed the Players’ League for the 1890 season.
Keefe started a sporting goods business in New York. He partnered with W. H. Becannon. They manufactured the Keefe ball. It was the official baseball of the Players’ League.
Let’s acknowledge Tim Keefe’s impact on baseball. His skills on the field and his advocacy for players’ rights make him a true legend. Next time you watch a baseball game, remember Tim Keefe. He was Smiling Tim. He was Sir Timothy. He was one of the game’s greats. He left an enduring legacy.