Managing AA Harrisburg in 1996, Pat Kelly knew he had a good outfielder in Vladimir Guerrero."The thing that amazes you about Guerrero is that he can contribute in all facets of the game," Kelly told The Day of New London, Conn., adding later, "He does things other people just can't do."
It was high praise from a manager who'd already managed a decade in the minors, including 1990 in Las Vegas. Kelly's current managerial tally is 21 seasons, with this year his 22nd.
Kelly was named this past off season as the manager of the Reds single-A affiliate the Lynchburg Hillcats. He'd spent the past three seasons with the Reds' rookie-level Gulf Coast League team.
Kelly has been almost continuously in baseball since 1973. He was drafted in the third round that year by the Angels. He made it to AA in 1977 and AAA in 1978, by then with the Blue Jays system.
The catcher was called up to the big club May 27, 1980, debuting the next day at Fenway Park going 2 for 4. For a major league career that spanned a total of only three games, he played in the right parks. Two days later, he was in Yankee Stadium, going 0 for 3. His third, and what would be his final game, was June 3 at Exhibition Stadium. He got to bat in the 10th inning, grounding out.
Kelly has since returned to the majors. He spent part of 2007 in Cincinnati as a Reds bench coach.
These days, Kelly's baseball interests aren't limited to his own team, they also include his son, Casey Kelly. His son was taken by the Red Sox in the first round in 2008.
When the son was younger, he also often accompanied his dad on road trips, he told The Journal. He would even do his part in keeping the players loose. When he was six, in 1996, Casey Kelly told The Journal of testing his arm against the same Vlad Guerrero that so amazed his dad.
Casey Kelly described his manager dad to The Journal as a help, someone who's there to answer questions.
"That’s the kind of relationship we have," Casey Kelly told the paper. "We have a great relationship, and obviously I wouldn’t have the career I have if it weren’t for him and my family."
- Providance Journal's Jan. 22, 2010: Sox prospect Casey Kelly's roots run deep
- AP photo of Pat Kelly working this spring in fielding practice
Cards Reviewed: 85/880 - 9.7%
Made the Majors: 50 - 59%
Never Made the Majors: 35 - 41%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 17
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 30
I was trying to get the whole Vegas team to sign a ball, and I had everyone except one guy on the ball. I talked to Pat and he took the ball on the bus and made the guy sign it.
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