Jim Keenan
Encyclopedia
James William Keenan was a Major League Baseball
catcher
. He played all or part of eleven seasons in the majors, between and . He played most of his major league career with the Cincinnati Red Stockings
of the American Association
and later National League
, after they became the Cincinnati Reds
.
Keenan made his debut at age 17 with the New Haven Elm Citys
of the National Association
, but did not establish himself in the majors until , when he became the regular catcher for the Indianapolis Hoosiers
. He stayed in Indianapolis to start the season, with the city's entry
in the Western League, but the league quickly folded, and he was acquired by the Detroit Wolverines
.
Before he played a game for Detroit, however, Keenan jumped to the Red Stockings, where he split time at catcher with Pop Snyder
. Over the next four seasons, he would split the catching duties for the Red Stockings with Kid Baldwin
. In and 1891, he backed up Jerry Harrington
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He played all or part of eleven seasons in the majors, between and . He played most of his major league career with the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
and later National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, after they became the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Keenan made his debut at age 17 with the New Haven Elm Citys
New Haven Elm Citys
The New Haven Elm Citys was a professional baseball team based in New Haven, Connecticut. The existed for one season, in the National Association in . The Elm City played 47 games during their existence, and had a win–loss record of 7–40. They played their home games at the Howard Avenue Grounds...
of the National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
, but did not establish himself in the majors until , when he became the regular catcher for the Indianapolis Hoosiers
Indianapolis Hoosiers (American Association)
The Indianapolis Hoosiers were a professional baseball team who played one season at the major league level. They played in the American Association in and finished in 12th place with a 29-78 record, 46 games behind the first-place New York Metropolitans. Their home games were played at Seventh...
. He stayed in Indianapolis to start the season, with the city's entry
Indianapolis Hoosiers (minor league baseball)
At least three different teams in minor league baseball have borne the name Indianapolis Hoosiers.-Western League Hoosiers I:The first Western League, which lasted only part of the season, included an Indianapolis Hoosiers team....
in the Western League, but the league quickly folded, and he was acquired by the Detroit Wolverines
Detroit Wolverines
The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant in 1887. The team was disbanded following the 1888 season.-Franchise...
.
Before he played a game for Detroit, however, Keenan jumped to the Red Stockings, where he split time at catcher with Pop Snyder
Pop Snyder
Charles N. "Pop" Snyder was an American catcher, manager, and umpire in Major League Baseball. His 18 season playing career began in 1873 for the Washington Blue Legs of the National Association, and ended with the 1891 Washington Statesmen...
. Over the next four seasons, he would split the catching duties for the Red Stockings with Kid Baldwin
Kid Baldwin
Clarence Geoghan "Kid" Baldwin was a Major League Baseball catcher. He played seven seasons at the Major League level. In addition to playing catcher, Baldwin also played outfield, third base, second base and first base. He also pitched two games in the season.-Early life:Baldwin began to play...
. In and 1891, he backed up Jerry Harrington
Jerry Harrington
Jeremiah Peter "Jerry" Harrington was a professional baseball player whose career spanned six season, including four seasons in Major League Baseball . Harrington played the majority of his games in the majors at catcher, however, he did play first base and third base on occasion...
.