Thinking About Baseball & Keithsburg Hall Of Famer John ‘Bid’ McPhee

Here’s another local history lesson. Keithsburg is home to a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. John “Bid” McPhee grew up in the Mississippi River town in the 1860’s and attended Keithsburg schools through the 8th grade. He would later play for 18 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds from 1882 through 1899. McPhee was the last 2nd baseman to play without a glove. Late Mercer County historian Stephanie Braucht spoke about McPhee’s Mercer County roots during a 2014 interview with WRMJ.

 

McPhee was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 by the Veterans Committee. He was inducted into the Mercer County High School Hall of Fame in 2014.