In 1916, The Newspaper Enterprise Association ran a series of brief articles called “One Minute Talks with Ballplayers.”
George Lange “High Pockets” Kelly was a 20-year-old who hit .158 the previous season in 38 at-bats and was in the process of putting up the identical average in 76 at-bats. The New York Giants outfielder talked about the pressure of having an uncle who was a famous former player:
High Pockets Kelly
“It’s sometimes hard to live down a name or a relationship. I don’t mean to imply when I make this statement that I am sorry I am the nephew of Bill Lange, but you know when you are the nephew of one of the greatest stars the game ever produced you are more apt to be in the public eye while there is a lot more expected of you.
“No matter where I happen to be somebody invariably points me out with the illuminating remark: ‘That’s Bill Lange’s nephew.’ But I’m going to stick to baseball and hope someday to make a name for myself just as did Uncle Bill.”
Uncle Bill
Kelly finally became a regular with the Giants after hitting .356 for the Rochester Hustlers in the International league in 1919. He hit .297 over 16 major league seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1973. “Uncle Bill” hit .330 over seven seasons for the Chicago Colts/Orphans before retiring at age 28.
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