King Kelly

Michael Joseph "King" Kelly (December 31, 1857 – November 8, 1894) was an American baseball outfielder, catcher, and player-manager whose career spanned sixteen seasons across several professional leagues, including the National League, the International Association, the Players' League, and the American Association. Also known as "$10,000 Kelly," he spent the majority of his playing career with the Chicago White Stockings and the Boston Beaneaters.

Kelly served as a player-manager three times. In 1887 he managed the Beaneaters, and in 1890 he led the Boston Reds to the pennant in the only season the Players' League existed. In 1891 he managed the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers. He retired in 1893.

Beyond his record on the field, Kelly is often credited with helping to popularize several strategies and techniques of the game, among them the hit and run, the hook slide, and the catcher's practice of backing up first base.

In 1945, Kelly was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.