Bill Killefer

Reindeer Bill Killefer, Philadelphia Phillies, Library of Congress photograph

Catcher / Coach / Manager

Born: October 10, 1887
Bloomingdale, Michigan

Died: July 3, 1960 (aged 72)
Elsmere, Delaware

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

MLB debut

September 13, 1909, for the St. Louis Browns

Last MLB appearance

October 1, 1921, for the Chicago Cubs

MLB statistics

Batting average

.238

Home runs

Runs batted in

240

Games managed

1,149

Win–loss record

524–622

Winning %

.457

Teams

As player

As manager

Chicago Cubs (1921–1925)
St. Louis Browns (1930–1933)

As coach

As player

As manager

As coach

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. 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.

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.

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