William V. Kelly
Baseball
Graduation Year
1971
Induction Year
1998
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
Harvard Athletic Achievements
Kelly, a multi-sport athlete for Harvard, excelled as a pitcher while with the Crimson baseball team. Kelly notched the win in Harvard’s first ever victory in the College World Series, 4-1, over BYU allowing only 4 hits in the game. Coach Loyal Park remarked that Kelly “refuses to lose.” His efforts on the field helped Harvard win Ivy League Championship in 1971 and he earned the Dana P. Wingate Award that same year. Kelly is also played football for Harvard recovered the onside kick of 29-29 ‘win’ in Miracle of ’68. Kelly was selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 45th Round (789th overall) of 1971 amateur entry draft. He played one year of rookie ball with the GCL Cardinals making appearances in 22 games, going 5-0 with a 2.02 ERA in 49.0 innings.
Hall of Fame
Remembering Harvard Athletics
Harvard is all about challenges and opportunities… and it was the athletic challenges which I enjoyed most. Sports enabled me to express and define myself in a positive, joyous way, to measure my abilities against others, to realize goals, and to experience the valuable lessons of success and failure. I am very proud of whatever individual and team successes I may have achieved while at Harvard, and I will always have fond memories and embellished stories to pass along. Yet I am most thankful for the opportunity I had to play alongside fellow Harvard athletes who have become extraordinary people and wonderful friends and who have been so influential in general and in my life particularly.
