Wee Willie Keeler

[beefkowski]

What team is Wee Willie Keeler inducted into the HOF as? It says the New York Yankees on the official Hall of Fame page, but he never played an inning for them. Can someone please clarify for me?

[Brooklyn]

What team is Wee Willie Keeler inducted into the HOF as? It says the New York Yankees on the official Hall of Fame page, but he never played an inning for them. Can someone please clarify for me?

He did play for the Yankees, from 1903 to 1909.

He played 5 years for the Baltimore Orioles (since defunct NL team), 4 1/2 years for Brooklyn (before they changed their name to the Dodgers), and parts of three seasons for the New York Giants.

The Yankees seem as logical a choice as any

[Dalkowski110]

Technically, Keeler played for the New York Highlanders. However, since the change was only in name and not in city (yes, I know they played in Manhattan and not the Bronx, but it's still New York City), I don't see a huge problem with it.

[beefkowski]

My fault...I didn't realize the Yankees were known as the Highlanders previously.

Thanks.

[Brooklyn]

Technically, Keeler played for the New York Highlanders. However, since the change was only in name and not in city (yes, I know they played in Manhattan and not the Bronx, but it's still New York City), I don't see a huge problem with it.

Thanks for the correction

[DoubleX]

The Hall of Fame website (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/enterworkflow.do?flowId=playerDetails.playerDetail s&searchType=alphabet&sortType=K)lists his primary team as the Yankees.

[Brian McKenna]

"Yankees" is a nickname period. Baseball teams are often known by several nicknames during their histories. They do not define the franchise - they are merely words used to refer to a team.

The NY AL franchise is the same one that began as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901 whether there is a change in city or whatever nickname happens to be in fashion.

Jeter played for the Yankees and so did Ruth, Keeler and John McGraw.