New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-04
DECLINING BASEBALL STAR.
TIMOTHY ]. KEEFE, ONCE THE FIRST PITCHER
AMONG BASEBALL PLAYERS.

-rN,oruy T KFrFE ONCE THE FIRST PITCHER
AMONG BASEBALL PLAYERS
Probably the release Of no other BAH player by
Climb has ever caused so much general discussion as
the release of Timothy ). Keefe by the Newfork club
He ts now one OF the pitchers of the Philadelphia
League Club and his record speaks for ITSELF The
release OF this player brings up question when the
club owners Of the country Will have to consiaer'
Keefe has been one Of the principal features OF the
local baseball Institution for several years in fact his
work in 1854 virtually the championship for the
Metropolitan club snd his remarkable pitching IN 1855
and $50 did much to win the worlds championship for
the New York League Club. OF course his pitching
alone did not win the championship, but IL IS safe 10
say that without Keefe and his stategic delivery inc
local team could pever have won IT, HIS release TINS
year was a blow TO great many old-tlme DaseDai
enthusiasts who have reIgousy followed tho errauc
career Of the New-York team ever since 1t was
organized In 1884
las. year Keefe was one Of the officials OF the
PLAYERS, League being the secretary of the Ban
PLAYERS Brotherhood He one 81 the most jealous
workers IN behalf Of the baseball rebes and IL unat
orranzation had proved success Keefe would proc
ably have been benefited largely by IL than any
other one man In the country. lie and Becannon' an
other ball player established large sporting goods
store in Broadway and Of course became TIE gen
eral outhtters for the new organization. II INC
P1ayers' learue had proved n success, Kecfe womb
probaby have become wealthy, but 1t did not and SIR
Tlmothys Golfers materially drained.
II has been charged by some Of Keefc's friends or
rather some CT his old admirers, that his connection
with the PLAYERS League the real reason for his re-
lpa.s by TIE Tew-York club II Is declared that GER
tain stockholders In the local club were opposed 10
Keee for business and personal reasons, and dd every
thing In their power 10 niure his repntauon IL Is
true that Keefe did not pitch IN many games for the
local club before he released but sun ne ptched
bn IN 4bn
League in the previous season. His WORK IN the fay
crs, League year ago was only fair and the little
work that he did for the NewYork club this year was
not much better Whether he did not have far tT1a
with the local club viii always be mooed quesuoh
He now is member of rival team, and has the OPP
portuuty 10 show whether the club treated him fary
or not II he can make fine record In the Phiisdei
mia Climb then he will come of the ordeal vctor-
ous and give a stinging blow to the New-YorE club.
His record 80 far with the Philadelphia club has not
been remarkable.
Personally Keefe is an admirable man. He is OF
commanding appearance, dresses IN becoming man
ner md as he walks mp broadway mis- handsome
t,ce good azure and centlemanly bearing command
attention few wears ago he married Mrs Helm
who Is a ssrer Of Mrs. Helen Dauvray Ward BEFORE
his marriase Keefe worth considerable money ana
Mrs Helms property is also considerable heele j.
said 10 own property in NewEnssnd valued az ABOUT
$4,000.
The plbcncT II u ldNoiltV WV" =
and MS eentlemanly manners and excellent werk on
the field hive greatly endeared him TO the aVerass
follower OF baseball When he was In his prime heele
was undoubtedly the finest pitcher that had lived up 10
that time In fact his friends maintain thnt ne was
the greatest pitcher that ever lived HIS Strong
physnue Of course enabled him 70 pitch sbont as speedy
ball as any other pitcher IN the country but II was
not speed alone that mnde him the great sa,cs,'
Cha. 30 wn. he had al the curves In use ard probably
,d so "a r,uch With baseball ans other pifcher'
M. strength however. in deceivinr the ps'1mnn'
MS real effectiveness lar in bis chang, Of pace nc
could pitch speedy bail with the same prei'n'nhr,
! movements az he used vfth slow o1tcnrve' cn'e
ouentiy me bstsman never hnew Just whnt Aino % .
bnll TO expect when he wa. pitching. on.u", go
-. -nzta,ned that Keefe pitched with his head
"a ro4 With his arm Jack" Lynch. at one tine the
nltcher Of the Metropolltans. had unique idea. ne
aid that Keefe really pitched with his iee, ana GU
Jsohs could almost prove t. TOO. Lynch Always sA'a