Before managing, Bill Killefer enjoyed a successful 12 year major league career from 1909 to 1921 as a catcher for the Browns, Phillies, and Cubs. He retired from playing at age 33, becoming the manager of the Cubs shortly after. He was fired after 75 games in 1923, and after five years away from managing, he was hired by the Browns in 1930. His major league managerial record was 524-622 (.457) in nine seasons. He then came to Sacramento in 1936 to manage the Solons in the PCL. Always seeming to play in the shadow of his older brother and PCL Hall of Famer, Wade "Red" Killefer, who managed the Los Angeles Angels from 1917 to 1922, the Seattle Rainiers from 1923 to 1927, the Missions from 1928 to 1930, and the Hollywood Stars from 1938 to 1939, Bill Killefer was entitled to recognition in his own right for managing Sacramento to a first place finish in 1937.
