Appalachian Figures
Introduction
Robert Burns “Bob” Conley was born in Mousie, Knott County, on February 1, 1934. He reached the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1958, starting two games in five days. His brief stay still matters here because it shows how a mountain kid from a small bend of Troublesome Creek climbed all the way to a big league mound.
Early life in Knott County
Conley’s MLB bio records Mousie, Kentucky as his birthplace. That is an unincorporated community along KY-550 not far from Lackey and Dema. For researchers who want to document the family in the record trail, the 1940 and 1950 United States Census images are available through the National Archives’ portals, with guidance pages that explain how to locate Knott County enumeration districts. Certified Kentucky vital records are held by the Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort.
Climbing the Phillies’ farm
Conley signed as a right-handed pitcher and spent most of eight seasons in the Phillies’ organization from 1953 through 1960. The minor-league register shows his assignments and cumulative record, and the MiLB player profile preserves his listed frame at 6-1 and 188 pounds.
Two big league starts in five days
Conley debuted on Thursday night, September 11, 1958, at Connie Mack Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He worked seven innings and allowed three earned runs. Philadelphia trailed 3–1 when he was lifted for a pinch hitter, then rallied late to win 4–3 behind reliever Turk Farrell. Contemporary box scores confirm the result, attendance, and time of game.
Five days later, on Tuesday night, September 16, 1958, Conley started again against the Chicago Cubs. Chicago scored four runs in the second and chased him after 1⅓ innings. The Cubs eventually won 10–8 in ten innings. The inning-by-inning line and pitcher usage are detailed in the official box score transcripts.
Those two appearances would be his entire major-league log. The club pages and statistical registers agree that his MLB line closed at 2 games, 8⅓ innings, 7.56 ERA, 0 decisions, and no strikeouts.
After baseball
Secondary notes compiled by researchers indicate that Conley later worked in the restaurant business and lived in New Jersey. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association’s necrology lists his death on February 14, 2022, at Whiting, New Jersey. Baseball-Reference’s register and Baseball Almanac likewise record the same death information. For formal documentation, New Jersey death certificates can be ordered through the state Office of Vital Statistics.
Where to look for local context
For family, photographs, and community history that surround the Conley name in Knott County, start nearby. The Hindman Settlement School oral-history index and the Kentucky Historical Society catalogs hold relevant regional materials, and both are searchable online. Cemetery leads for the Conley and Triplett families along KY-550 at Mousie can be found in volunteer transcriptions and photo guides, which are useful as pointers but should be verified against vital records and census pages.
Legacy
Bob Conley’s major-league moment was brief, yet it bridges a long Appalachian road. From Mousie to Connie Mack Stadium, his story is one of persistence, travel, and the old farm-to-show path that so many mountain ballplayers tried to walk. For Knott Countians, it is a reminder that big league nights can start along the headwaters at home.
Sources and further reading
MLB.com player bio for Robert Burns “Bob” Conley. Birthplace Mousie, KY, debut 9-11-1958. MLB.com
Box score, Sep 11, 1958, Dodgers at Phillies, Phillies 4–3. Attendance and result. Baseball Reference
Box score, Sep 16, 1958, Cubs at Phillies, Cubs 10–8. Result and usage. Baseball Reference
MLBPAA Necrology 2022, noting death on Feb 14, 2022, Whiting, NJ. MLB.com
Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, how to order certified birth records. Cabinet for Health and Family Services
New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics, how to order certified death records. NJ.gov
National Archives, 1940 and 1950 census research guides. National Archives+1
Baseball-Reference player and minor-league register pages. Career overview and dates. Baseball Reference+1
MiLB.com profile, physical listing and summary. MLB.com
Baseball Almanac player page and 1958 game logs. Baseball Almanac+1
Hindman Settlement School oral-history index for Knott County context. passtheword.ky.gov
Kentucky Historical Society catalogs, search gateway for Knott County materials. Kentucky Historical Society