When Joe DiMaggio left for the Army Air Forces before the 1943 season, the Yankees needed somebody to scare opposing pitchers. Charlie Keller -- built like a linebacker with a left-handed swing that could clear any fence in the American League -- answered the call with 31 home runs and 106 walks. He led the league in OPS and walks, and he did it at 26 years old with the kind of power-and-patience combination that would make a modern front office weep with joy.
King Kong Steps Forward
They called him "King Kong" -- partly for his stocky, muscular build, and partly because opposing pitchers seemed about as comfortable facing him as they would a charging gorilla. Keller had been a productive hitter alongside DiMaggio for several seasons, but in 1943 he wasn't the supporting actor anymore. He was the headliner.
The 31 home runs accounted for nearly a third of the Yankees' 100 total as a team. Think about that for a second. One man, responsible for 31 percent of the club's long balls. When Keller came to the plate, pitchers had a choice: challenge him and risk watching the ball leave the park, or pitch around him and put a baserunner on. Most chose door number two -- hence the 106 walks, tops in the American League.
The Complete Hitter
Keller's game wasn't just raw power. The 106 walks reflected genuine plate discipline -- an understanding of the strike zone that turned at-bats into wars of attrition. He worked counts. He fouled off pitches. He waited for his pitch and then didn't miss it. In 141 games, he produced an OPS that led the entire American League, combining an on-base percentage swollen by all those walks with a slugging percentage driven by the home runs.
| Home Runs | 31 (team leader) |
| Walks | 106 (led American League) |
| OPS | Led American League |
| Games | 141 |
| Team HR Share | 31 of 100 team home runs (31%) |
that year, and rightfully so -- you don't post a 1.64 ERA and lose that vote. But Keller was the offensive engine. Without his production, the would've been a pitching-and-defense team scraping for runs. Keller made sure they weren't.
The DiMaggio Shadow
Every discussion of Keller's 1943 season runs into the same question: how much did wartime talent dilution inflate his numbers? It's a fair question. Plenty of good pitchers were in uniform overseas instead of on the mound. But Keller had been hitting for power since his debut in 1939, and he'd posted strong seasons with DiMaggio in the lineup drawing attention. The 1943 numbers weren't manufactured by a weak league -- they were the peak of a player who'd always been this good, finally getting the chance to be the guy.
Without DiMaggio batting nearby, pitchers couldn't strategically pitch around Keller to get to the Clipper. They had to deal with Keller directly. And dealing with Keller directly, in 1943, meant watching a lot of baseballs leave the yard.
He's the strongest man on this team. When he connects, the ball doesn't come back.
What Came After
Keller's story doesn't have a clean ending. He served in the military himself in 1944 and 1945, then returned to the Yankees with back problems that gradually eroded his power. A herniated disc cut his career shorter than it should've been. By 1949, he was done as an everyday player. The 1943 season stands as the clearest snapshot of what Keller could do when healthy and given the stage -- 31 home runs, 106 walks, and the best OPS in the American League from a 26-year-old who hit the ball harder than anyone in pinstripes.
DiMaggio Enlists
Joe DiMaggio enters the Army Air Forces. Keller moves from supporting slugger to the primary offensive threat in the Yankees' lineup.
King Kong Takes Over
Keller opens the season as the most feared hitter in the Yankees' order, with no DiMaggio to share the attention.
Power Surge
Keller racks up home runs and walks at a historic pace, leading the AL in OPS while opposing pitchers try -- and fail -- to find a safe way to attack him.
31 Home Runs
Keller finishes the regular season with 31 home runs and 106 walks, accounting for nearly a third of the team's total home run output.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many home runs did Charlie Keller hit in 1943?
Charlie Keller hit 31 home runs in 1943, leading the Yankees and accounting for 31 of the team's 100 total home runs. He also drew 106 walks (leading the American League) and posted the highest OPS in the AL. His power-and-patience combination anchored the Yankees' offense during Joe DiMaggio's absence due to military service.
Why was Charlie Keller called King Kong?
Keller earned the nickname "King Kong" due to his stocky, muscular build and raw physical strength. He was one of the most powerful hitters in the American League during the early 1940s, and his compact left-handed swing generated exceptional home run distance. The nickname stuck throughout his career with the Yankees.
What happened to Charlie Keller after 1943?
Keller lost the 1944 and 1945 seasons to military service during World War II. He returned to the Yankees but developed chronic back problems, including a herniated disc, that gradually diminished his power. By 1949, he was no longer an everyday player. The 1943 season remains the peak of his career -- 31 home runs, 106 walks, and the AL's best OPS.