Russ McKelvy

After attending Allegheny College[1][2] from 1873 through 1877, McKelvy signed with the Indianapolis Blues of the National league for the 1878 season.[2] He became the first player from Allegheny College to make it to the Major League level, as well the first to hit a home run.[1]

It came against Bobby Mitchell on June 1, 1878, in the top of the third inning, when he hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run.[1] It was the only home run Mitchell surrendered during his four-year career.[3]

McKelvy played in a league leading 63 games that season,[2] 62 of them in center field, which also led all National league center fielders in games played.[4] His two home runs were third, and his 36 runs batted in were seventh amongst the league leaders.[2] He pitched in a total of four games as a pitcher, one of which was a start, and the other three came in relief.[4]

1878 was the only year that the Blues were at the Major League level,[5] and McKelvy did not reappear in the Majors until he made a one-game return, for the 1882 Pittsburgh Alleganys.[4] In that game, played on August 24, 1882, he played right field, batted four times, and did not have a hit. This was his last appearance in the Majors.[4]

McKelvy died at the age of 61 in Omaha, Nebraska, and is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha.[4]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)