Hall of Fame

Over the past century, Taft Baseball has been defined by several different eras, each leaving its mark on the program’s history. The dominant teams of the 1930s took down a powerhouse Bakersfield High, while the mid-90s squads reached the Valley Championship finals, battling four future Major League players. However, the late 1960s teams cemented Taft’s presence in the South Sequoia League and on the Valley Championship stage. 

Led by legendary Coach Monty Reedy and a roster filled with future professional talent, these teams had one goal—to bring a Valley Championship back to Taft for the first time since 1941. But the path to that title was anything but easy. The Wildcats faced relentless adversity: squaring off against future first-round MLB draft pick Lloyd Allen, losing Coach Reedy to a broken leg in a ranching accident, and starting the Valley Championship game without their ace on the mound. Yet, through it all, one player remained a steady force of leadership and resilience—Harlan Keller. 

Born in Keota, Oklahoma, Keller moved to Taft with his family at a young age. While he enjoyed playing multiple sports, baseball was always his greatest passion. His connection to  the game began as a bat boy for the Taft Merchants alongside Doug Hunt, igniting a 20-plus-year relationship with the team. As a Little Leaguer, he played for the Indians and was selected to the Taft All-Star team at age 12, coached by H.L. McNinch and Forrest Beerbower. This group of young players, who would later form the foundation of Taft’s 1969 Valley Championship team, was already making a name for itself. 

Their journey began with a dominant run through the Area 1 tournament, defeating Wasco, Pixley, and Avenal. However, the District tournament in Hanford presented a greater challenge. Starting at second base, Keller and his team stunned Hanford American in front of 350 fans with a 3-0 upset victory behind an outstanding performance from Allen Jennings. The dream run ended in heartbreak against Tulare, despite a no-hitter thrown by Darrell Sanders, Steve Lackey, and Dan Beerbower. A baserunning miscue cost them the game by a single run, a moment that stung but also fueled the players’ determination for years to come. 

As Keller progressed through the ranks, his work ethic and steady improvement became evident. He played Babe Ruth baseball for the Taft Rotary Club, earning a spot on the All-Star team coached by Jim Green and Bob Hamlin. By his sophomore year, he had caught the attention of Coach Monty Reedy, who saw his potential and gave him a varsity roster spot as the only sophomore on the team. Playing third base, left field, and serving as a relief pitcher, Keller made an immediate impact. In a crucial playoff game against Exeter, he showcased his hitting ability, going 3-for-3 with a triple, double, single, and a walk. 

Taft’s playoff run led them to a showdown with the defending Sequoia Valley Champions, Selma, and their ace, future first-round MLB draft pick Lloyd Allen. Despite the Wildcats’ best efforts—including an RBI single from Keller—they fell in extra innings, 5-4. 

That near-miss in 1967 only strengthened Keller’s resolve. As a junior, he stepped into a leadership role, guiding the Wildcats to an undefeated South Sequoia League season. Their toughest competition came from Arvin, led by Junior Kennedy, who would go on to be drafted 10th overall by the Baltimore Orioles and play six years in the majors. Keller’s outstanding performance, including a .450 batting average, earned him First-Team All-SSL honors. 

But the Valley Championship still eluded him. In the semi-final playoff game, Taft once again faced Lloyd Allen, whose dominant pitching—17 strikeouts in a one-hit shutout—proved too much for the Wildcats. 

Entering his senior season in 1969, Keller had one goal left—winning a Valley Championship. With a veteran team built around many of the same players from the Taft All-Star squad that had been eliminated years before, the Wildcats were ready. Coach Reedy had high expectations, telling The Bakersfield Californian, “Keller is our No. 1 ballplayer.” To take full advantage of his skillset, Keller was moved to catcher, where he could better direct the team’s pitching staff. 

The season was filled with intense battles, especially against Wasco, their fiercest rival. The two teams clashed in Wasco’s Spring Break Tournament, with Keller playing a pivotal role in Taft’s extra-inning victory over Wasco in the championship game. In the 14th inning, he led off with a walk, advanced to third on a single, and scored the game-winning run on a bang-bang play at the plate. 

That rivalry culminated in a dramatic matchup in the final South Sequoia League game. With the league title and playoff berth on the line, Taft defeated Wasco 2-0 in front of 300 fans at Franklin Field, securing the South Sequoia League Championship and setting the stage for a championship run. 

The Wildcats dominated their playoff opener, routing Dinuba 13-1 behind Keller’s 4-for-5 performance. That win propelled them to the Valley Championship against San Joaquin Memorial, the undefeated North Sequoia League champions. 

Anticipation was high—extra bleachers were brought into Franklin Field for the game. However, the Wildcats faced major concerns. The day before the game, Coach Reedy was struck by a line drive from his own son, breaking a rib. Despite the injury, he refused to miss the game. On the mound, Taft’s ace, Stan Hamlin, was sidelined with a sore elbow, forcing the Wildcats to rely on the 6-6 right hander, Bob Beyn. 

Keller’s leadership behind the plate proved crucial. He instilled confidence in Beyn, who responded with a masterful complete-game performance—11 strikeouts, two walks, and just three hits allowed. Keller’s aggressive baserunning also played a key role. In the second inning, he was thrown out at home on a delayed steal but remained undeterred. In the fourth, he reached first on a broken-bat single, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, barreling over the pitcher covering home plate. 

The Wildcats went on to win the Valley Championship 4-1, bringing the title back to Taft for the first time since 1941. 

Keller’s stellar play earned him numerous accolades, including First-Team All-SSL, All-American Team honors, and a selection in the third round of the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, during his time with the Williamsport Astros in 1970, an arm injury requiring surgery ended his professional baseball career. 

Despite his career being cut short, Keller’s love for the game never faded. He continued playing for the Taft Merchants in County League, eventually managing the team. He also played high-level fastpitch softball, starring as a third baseman for teams like Toppers, the Belridge Oilers, and C&C Trophy. 

Harlan Keller’s story is one of perseverance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His legacy serves as an inspiration for all Wildcats, proving that hard work, tenacity, and a passion for the game are the defining traits of a champion.