Friday Jun 06, 2025

No Gloves, No Rules, All Legend: The Story of King Kelly

Step back in time to the wild, rule-bending days of 1880s baseball.

In this episode of Rounding Third from BadderSports, Peter Lemieux uncovers the fascinating and nearly unbelievable life of Michael “King” Kelly — the first true celebrity in baseball history.


From playing barehanded to inventing the hook slide, cutting bases when the ump wasn’t looking, and subbing himself mid-play, King Kelly did it all before baseball had gloves, fences, or even clear rules. He led the league in hits, stolen bases, and personality — and became the $10,000 man without ever seeing a dime of it.


If you’re a fan of baseball history, sports legends, or just a great underdog story, this one’s for you.


00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:07 Life in the 1880s: A Glimpse into the Past

02:18 The Evolution of Baseball Equipment

03:53 The Rise of King Kelly

07:05 King Kelly's Impact and Legacy

10:33 The Final Years of King Kelly

13:43 Conclusion and Call to Action


🎙 Hosted by Peter Lemieux

🧢 Presented by BadderSports – Sports Stories With a Side of Salary

Music by PremiumBeat / Envato


👋 Let us know in the comments: What’s your favorite wild story from early baseball?




🔗 More from BadderSports

Website: https://baddersports.com

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