Dick Kelley – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Kelley’s baseball story is really about a determined lefty who fought through early struggles just to make it to the majors, only to have injuries cut his career short. Born in Boston in 1940, Kelley climbed through the minors even though he had some major control problems that almost ended his pro dreams. His journey from Brighton’s sandlots to the big leagues shows just how much persistence it takes to make it in professional baseball.

Kelley pitched for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres from 1964 to 1971. He put up an 18-30 record with a 3.39 ERA over 520 innings, then retired because of a shoulder injury. There were some memorable moments and tough setbacks along the way—he tied a National League record for consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher, but he also battled arm injuries that eventually ended his playing days.

Kelley’s career ran alongside a changing era in baseball during the 1960s. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta, and then he got picked by the expansion San Diego Padres. He bounced between starting and relieving, fought through injuries, and finally retired in 1971. His story gives a glimpse into what life was like for pro ballplayers back then.

Early Life and Background

Richard Anthony Kelley was born on January 8, 1940, in Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts. The youngest of six, he grew up in a working-class family and found his baseball talent at Saint Columbkille High School.

He pitched two no-hit games there and made the All-Boston baseball team.

Family and Hometown

Dick Kelley was the youngest of six, born to Lawrence and Clara Kelley in Brighton. His dad, Lawrence, worked as a salesman selling electrotype plates, which wasn’t exactly glamorous but kept the family afloat.

Brighton had a strong local baseball scene. Sandlot games were everywhere, and that’s where Kelley first stood out.

He played in the City Park League as a kid and even hit well enough to play first base and outfield before focusing on pitching.

Education and High School Baseball

Kelley went to Saint Columbkille High School and graduated in 1957. He didn’t just stick to baseball—he was in the choir and lettered in basketball too.

On the mound, he was a standout. Two no-hitters for the school team got him noticed.

Those games earned him a spot on the All-Boston baseball team, which put him among the city’s best high school players.

Funny enough, his yearbook listed his main ambition as graduating college. Maybe the scouts weren’t exactly banging down his door yet.

Path to Professional Baseball

Kelley didn’t get discovered through formal scouting. Instead, he got noticed pitching in Brighton’s sandlot games.

Who helped get him signed:

• Herb Shankman: A former Braves pitcher who first saw his talent
• John Mullen: Braves farm director who heard about Kelley
• Jeff Jones: Area scout who checked him out

Shankman spotted him and told the Braves. The team sent Jeff Jones to watch Kelley pitch.

Jones gave him a basic tryout offer. “I’ll give you a tryout and if you look like you’ve got a chance, I’ll send you to spring training with the farm clubs at Waycross, Georgia,” Jones said.

Jones liked what he saw and even visited the Kelley house to talk with his dad. With no other offers, Kelley signed for just $750.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Dick Kelley pitched in the majors for seven seasons, from 1964 to 1971. He finished with an 18-30 record and a 3.39 ERA over 520 innings, playing for three teams as the Braves franchise moved and MLB expanded.

He shifted from reliever to starter when he joined the Padres.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Kelley made his MLB debut on April 15, 1964, with the Milwaukee Braves against the San Francisco Giants. That first game didn’t go well—he didn’t get an out and gave up four runs on two hits and three walks.

Soon after, he developed severe numbness in his pitching hand. Team doctors were stumped at first, but they eventually figured out it was a circulatory problem. He landed on the disabled list on May 7, 1964.

He missed most of his rookie season. After a short stint with Triple-A Denver, he got back for a final appearance on October 2, tossing two shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Recovery and Winter Ball

• Played for Las Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League
• The warm weather helped him bounce back
• Returned to Triple-A Atlanta to start 1965

Milwaukee Braves and Atlanta Braves Tenure

Kelley broke through in 1965, dominating Triple-A with an 11-2 record and a 2.16 ERA. That got him called up to Milwaukee on June 3, replacing the injured Denny Lemaster.

His first strong start came on June 25 against Cincinnati. He threw nine innings, allowed just four hits and one run, and afterward said, “The way my arm feels now, you would never know there had been anything wrong.”

1966: Peak Performance
The Braves’ move to Atlanta lined up with Kelley’s best season. He started the year in Richmond, then got called up and joined the rotation on July 31.

He credited his improvement to learning the screwball and pitching inside. “A right-handed hitter, for some reason, always expects a lefty to pitch him outside,” he said. “Now I do and it helps.”

He finished 1966 with a 7-5 record and a 3.22 ERA—his best numbers. His strikeout-to-walk ratio hit a career-high 2.38.

Record-Setting Relief Appearance
On September 8, 1967, Kelley tied the National League record for consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher. He fanned six straight Phillies: Bobby Wine, Rick Wise, Tony Taylor, John Briggs, Johnny Callison, and Tony Gonzalez.

San Diego Padres Expansion and Final Seasons

The 1968 expansion draft shifted Kelley’s career when San Diego picked him with their 14th pick. The Padres gave him what Atlanta couldn’t—a real shot at starting.

“I just had a mental block, I think. I didn’t know how to warm up as a relief pitcher,” Kelley admitted.

1969: Starting Opportunity
Kelley started 23 games for San Diego, finishing with a 4-8 record and a 3.57 ERA. He didn’t get much run support—just a little over three runs per start.

His career highlight came on July 6, 1969, when he threw a one-hit shutout against the Houston Astros. Denis Menke’s infield single in the second was the only hit.

Injury and Final Years
Shoulder tendinitis ended his 1969 season early. The injury got worse in 1970 spring training, and he went to Salt Lake City after just four innings.

“Salt Lake City still feels like a nightmare,” Kelley said. “The second time I pitched I could feel a tear in my shoulder. The pain got so bad I cried.”

He rested and followed a strict exercise program, then came back for the 1971 season. He made 48 appearances, mostly in relief, before calling it quits after the 1972 minor league season.

1969 Season as an Original San Diego Padre

Dick Kelley became one of San Diego’s original players when they picked him in the 1968 expansion draft. He switched from relief with Atlanta to a full-time starting role, ending up with a 4-8 record and a 3.57 ERA in 23 starts.

Expansion Draft and Team Role

The Padres grabbed Kelley with their 14th pick in the October 14, 1968 expansion draft after Atlanta left him unprotected. For Kelley, it was a big chance—he hadn’t gotten steady playing time in Atlanta.

San Diego needed experienced pitchers who could start, and Kelley fit that bill. He’d already admitted that relief pitching just didn’t work for him.

The Padres put him right into the starting rotation. He made 23 starts in 1969, way more than he’d ever had in Atlanta. This gave him the chance to show what he could do over longer outings.

Notable Performances and Pitching Record

Kelley’s best game came on July 6, 1969, when he threw a one-hit shutout against the Astros. The only hit he allowed was an infield single by Denis Menke.

His final stats for the year: 4-8 record, 3.57 ERA—right at the league average. The win-loss record says more about the Padres’ lack of offense than his pitching. His teammates barely gave him three runs per start.

Shoulder tendinitis ended his season in early September. That injury would really limit his future. Still, he’d shown he could be a reliable starter for the new franchise.

Impact on Padres’ Inaugural Season

Kelley was one of the few experienced pitchers on a roster mostly made up of castoffs. His steadiness gave the rotation some much-needed veteran leadership during that first year.

The Padres finished 52-110, scoring only 468 runs and giving up 746. Kelley’s league-average ERA stood out on a team that struggled on both sides of the ball.

Manager Preston Gomez valued Kelley, saying, “Kelley has one of the best arms in the majors and, on a given day when he’s right, can beat anyone.” High praise, and probably true when Kelley’s arm held up.

1971 Season and Retirement

Dick Kelley’s last season in the majors came with the Padres in 1971, where he pitched in 47 games out of the bullpen. His retirement closed out an eight-year MLB run that started with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964.

Pitching Contributions in Final Year

Kelley worked only as a reliever for the Padres in his final season. He appeared in 47 games during 1971, splitting his time between home and away.

He showed the same durability he’d had throughout his career. At home, he pitched in 22 games with a 3.62 ERA over 27.1 innings. He allowed 18 hits and 12 walks, striking out several batters.

On the road, he pitched in 25 games with a 3.77 ERA across 31 innings. He gave up 32 hits and walked 11 on the road.

Key 1971 Stats:

• Games: 47 total
• Home ERA: 3.62 (22 games, 27.1 innings)
• Road ERA: 3.77 (25 games, 31 innings)
• Role: Relief pitcher

He kept his control throughout the year—hit only four batters and didn’t throw a single wild pitch.

Transition Out of Major League Baseball

After the 1971 season, Kelley left the majors. He wrapped up his MLB career with 18 wins, 30 losses, and 189 total games.

He pitched 520 innings for three teams, finishing with a 3.39 ERA, which was just a bit above average for his era.

After leaving San Diego, Kelley played a bit more in the minors, staying active through the 1972 season before finally hanging up his cleats.

That was the end of a journeyman career that took him from the Milwaukee Braves to the Atlanta Braves and then to the Padres. In his last few years, he became a steady bullpen arm.

Legacy of Retirement in 1971

Kelley wrapped up his career in 1971, joining a handful of National League players who also called it quits that year. When he retired, it really felt like the end of an era for a pitcher who’d seen baseball change in big ways.

He retired just as MLB started shifting strategies and using pitchers differently. Around this time, teams began to rely more on specialized relief pitching.

Kelley’s minor league record stood out—he went 69-45, which is a .605 winning percentage. He even put up an impressive 11-2 record with a 2.16 ERA in Triple-A back in 1965.

He played for three different franchises, which kind of mirrored how much professional baseball was changing in the 1960s. Kelley’s career shows how many players made a mark during the expansion era.

He died in Northridge, California, at 51. He left a legacy as a dedicated pro who squeezed the most out of his talent at every level of the game.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Over seven seasons in the majors, Dick Kelley put together an 18-30 record with a 3.39 ERA in 189 games. He found more success in the minors, where he went 69-45. His biggest highlight? Tying the National League record with six straight strikeouts as a reliever in 1967.

Win–Loss Record and ERA

Kelley finished with an 18-30 record and a 3.39 ERA over 520 innings in the majors. His top season came in 1966, when he went 7-5 with a 3.22 ERA for the Atlanta Braves.

His ERA hovered just above league average for most of his career. In 1968, he posted his lowest single-season ERA at 2.75, showing he could limit runs even though control sometimes gave him trouble.

Season-by-Season MLB Record:

• 1964: Limited action because of injury
• 1965: 3.00 ERA in 45 innings
• 1966: 7-5 record, 3.22 ERA (career best)
• 1967: 2-9 record, 3.77 ERA
• 1968: 2.75 ERA (career low)
• 1969: 4-8 record, 3.57 ERA
• 1971: Final season appearance

Strikeouts, Shutouts, and Saves

Kelley racked up 369 strikeouts in his MLB career. Even with his control issues, he could definitely make hitters miss. In 1966, his strikeout-to-walk ratio hit 2.38—his best year for command.

On September 8, 1967, Kelley struck out six Philadelphia Phillies in a row as a reliever. That tied the National League record for consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher.

One of his best days on the mound came July 6, 1969. He tossed a one-hit shutout against the Houston Astros—Denis Menke’s infield single in the second inning was the only hit. He came so close to a no-hitter.

Minor League Success

Kelley found much more success in the minors, putting together a 69-45 record at different levels. His breakout came in 1961 with Cedar Rapids, where he finished 15-5 with a 2.43 ERA and 200 strikeouts over 186 innings.

In 1965, he dominated Triple-A Atlanta: 11-2 record and a 2.16 ERA in 14 starts. That year, he finished second in ERA among International League starters and soon got called back up to Milwaukee.

He also shined in Richmond during 1966, running off a six-game winning streak of complete games and lowering his ERA to 2.08. These standout minor league performances kept earning him shots in the majors.

Notable Milestones

Kelley made his MLB debut on April 15, 1964, against the San Francisco Giants. It was a short outing and didn’t go well, but he got his first taste of the big leagues. The Padres picked him 14th overall in the 1968 expansion draft.

A circulatory disorder hit him in 1964, making his pitching hand go numb. That forced him onto the disabled list a few times and sent him to winter ball in the Dominican Republic for rehab.

He made his last MLB appearance on September 28, 1971, again facing the Giants. A shoulder injury in 1970 ended his big league days, and he wrapped up his pro career after the 1972 minor league season.

Personal Life, Later Years, and Legacy

After baseball, Richard Anthony Kelley faced some tough challenges. His career ended early because of shoulder injuries, and he spent his final years in California, passing away at 51 in 1991.

Life After Baseball

Dick Kelley’s life after baseball wasn’t easy. The physical toll from pitching stuck with him after he retired in 1972. He settled in California, eventually moving to Northridge.

That shoulder injury that ended his career kept bothering him. He once said the pain was so bad, it made him cry when he tried to pitch at the end.

He stopped playing at 32 and had to figure out what to do next. Unlike a lot of ex-players who go into coaching or broadcasting, Kelley seems to have stepped away from the game for good.

He lived quietly and didn’t seek out the spotlight in his later years. The guy who once tied a National League record for strikeouts kept a low profile in the Los Angeles area for nearly twenty years after hanging up his glove.

Community Involvement and Impact

There’s not much info about Kelley’s community involvement after his playing days. He kept to himself and didn’t really use his MLB fame to stay in the public eye.

While some of his peers ran clinics or worked with kids, Kelley went a different route. Maybe his shoulder troubles played a role in that decision.

His main impact on baseball happened while he was on the field, not after. Coming from Brighton, Massachusetts, he showed that local sandlot players could make it all the way to the majors.

Recognition and Remembrance

Dick Kelley passed away on December 11, 1991, in Northridge, California. He was just 51.

He left the game less than 20 years after his last season in pro baseball. It’s tough to think about how quickly time moves.

People still remember his baseball achievements. In 1967, he struck out six batters in a row as a relief pitcher, which tied the National League record back then.

That streak put him in the record books. Pretty impressive, right?

Kelley’s story shows both the opportunities and tough breaks players faced in his era. He went from Boston sandlots all the way to the majors.

Then he had to deal with career-ending injuries. That’s a reality a lot of pro athletes know too well.

He spent 14 years in professional baseball, including seven seasons in the big leagues. You can really see the dedication it took to compete at the highest level, even when his body didn’t always cooperate.