april july american starting pitcher major_league_baseball played career chicago_white_sox team star pitcher decade posted best record major leagues received year award american_league runner seven time star led american_league complete games times despite slight build wins earned run average era strikeouts pitched hitters seven hitters career june came batter left years throw perfect game principal figures chicago fierce rivalry new_york_yankees particularly notable left opposing starters times pierce record suffered pitching new_york faced team yankees dynasty peak career record new_york slightly better mark compiled national_league championship teams world series yankees period joining san_francisco_giants pierce played pivotal role helping win pennant going home games getting hit shutout save game playoff los_angeles_dodgers clinch title career strikeouts fifth left retired total ranked ninth league history ranked tenth left career wins sixth games started games pitched eighth ninth innings pitched holds franchise record career strikeouts club marks wins innings starts team records left retired number unveiled statue honor cellular field selected early baseball career youth baseball son wife julia grew michigan showed interest baseball age recalled refused removed folks offered major league baseball good glove operation took thrill throw league ball starting baseman switched pitching emulate hero detroit_tigers star like pierce slight build attended highland park community high school teammates included future major league pitcher pitched junior earning nickname zero starting winning pitcher east west american boys game sponsored magazine held august polo grounds new_york managing pierce east stars reporter wrote fast ball amazing considers weighs pounds civilian attire slender west team included catcher future hall_of_fame center fielder bats pierce game held benefit world war community memorials days prior event participating players guests weekly radio program pierce voted game outstanding player winning year scholarship college choice sports editor new_york later told fellow writer saw clean living trip new_york east west game billy kept diary morning found open entry clock hasn gone bed pierce experience pitching major league stadium stating nervous polo grounds pitched games home worked tigers phillies interested folks decided mind playing pro ball graduated high school considering studying medicine university_of_michigan signed hometown tigers bonus major_league_baseball detroit_tigers tigers team spring training finishing high school having played minor leagues sat bench making major league debut june weeks 18th birthday relief appearances month september month stint international_league manager detroit roster team victory world series appear games remarkably presence catcher tigers later recalled occasionally going neighborhood day pierce went practice asked richards talked store richards didn know pierce talking pierce answered family richards slowly realized pierce clerk counter time went pierce sent buffalo season manager harris having moved team office missed year injury attributed season buffalo richards manager returned detroit spending season bullpen making starts posting record added little weight high school days pounds start earned major league victory august washington senators pitching innings striking victory drove run triple scored pierce issued walks innings year concerns pitching control led tigers trade november catcher baseball historians consider sided trades baseball history talks initially centered chicago acquiring pierce high school teammate sources differ general manager detroit counterpart switched focus pierce tigers tried deal day completed fully realizing given offering pierce lane intention giving steal accomplished trade general manager chicago white seasons pierce control problems continued walks tied fourth left seasons included indications developing excellence struggles face gaining run support sixth start chicago 11th career year old pierce matched year old negro league legend road game defending world series champion cleveland indians pitchers duel went 11th inning pierce walked hitter followed singles pierce replaced batter lined shortstop singled cleveland win pierce scored chicago run eighth inning june world series champion yankees pierce got career shutout hitter interrupted rain delays second fourth fifth innings totaling hour half hit single fifth inning early 1950s development style seasons ace pitching staff leading team wins times strikeouts times chicago opening day starter seven times started home opener outstanding fastball excellent added motion curve fastball strong pitch worked quickly motion dropping shoulder style similar later noted pierce early style tendency delivery makes ball spin takes life curve yankees knew throwing curve mainly bill didn want throw fast balls old days laughed change pace strong right hand hitters laying waiting fast ball middle pierce finally tried yankees great effect richards noted began throwing finally learned today pierce pitch ball game throw fast balls certain days yankees star praising pierce ability reportedly remarking little marvel little speed mean speed got fastball ninth needed richards chicago manager worked pierce develop new pitches slow pace significantly improve control pierce later recalled learned control fastball better developing helped gave pitch threw hard fastball throw strikes better fast ball good curve richards work took years consistent issuing walks innings pierce gave walks innings averaged walks innings seasons afterward era fourth best league ranked sixth mark september broke club record strikeouts left ending season april second game season chicago home opener pierce pitched second hitter victory allowed seventh inning double gained singles contest scored walk sacrifice hit error sacrifice fly pierce chosen start pitcher allowed hit innings single boston_red_sox star recalled game hot day field remember concerned little billy probably threw harder anybody guy size real big delivery nice look overcome lot understand pulling nervous little guy starting star game park tough pitch boot pierce held palm hand day threw ball right everybody early 1950s richards preferred arrange rotation pierce started fifth sixth day holding weaker teams big games powerful yankees indians catcher later observed essentially compliment pierce ability picked victories won games sooner career faced opponent equally hitter washington august won run ninth inning hit batter error sacrifice fly pierce began streak consecutive scoreless innings longest streak inning streak remains fifth longest left longest streak ended allowed runs sixth inning august additional earned runs tenth inning ended streak dating july innings earned run gave loss led league strikeouts second era september started final game history winning innings seven season second left matched total progress interrupted pierce season interrupted reported pain left arm win cleveland days difficulty determining problem oral surgery remove infected wisdom tooth adjacent june pitch june lack arm strength caused ineffective start slowly coming relief appearances poor start finally picking wins consecutive july fourth career hitter later reported tooth problem possibly existed early spring training pierce initially suffered arm problems recorded wins season pitchers defeat indians times league record victories having pitchers defeat champion yankees times playing yankees june rare defensive shift leading ninth inning moved base entering relief pinch hitter barely beat single base pierce recorded base retook mound issuing walk gained final outs finish victory set record game pierce excellent pinch runner times scoring substitute time stolen base champion victory yankees june late 1950s peak years pierce started going star break record spite era starts break suffered losses indians allowed innings single red thrown steal attempt lead national_league came win innings scoring runs seventh eighth innings pierce ended season league lead era record mark lowest major league pitcher led major leagues nearly thirds run ford having best mark total baseball rated pierce best pitcher major leagues having placed pitchers year started star game charged loss despite allowing run innings arrival rookie shortstop sparked team leading league stolen bases enjoyed month offensive surge june august averaged runs pierce starts won games losing immediately star break loss ford yankees pitcher win games second career high strikeouts team record left named year ford edged close vote margin finished fifth voting valuable player award pierce pitcher red earn victories consecutive seasons tied league lead voting year consecutive complete game victories june total era victories innings including sixth career hitter june scored total runs games stretch despite presence popular players second baseman pierce chosen player popular fans spring training poll separate poll managers coaches writers broadcasters named chicago best fielding pitcher best pitcher holding runners base best pitcher crucial games team nervous player field end peak second league wins era seventh hitter win june baltimore_orioles scored run inning followed greatest game career june senators retired batters pinch hitter lined pierce pitch base line opposite field double landed foot foul line pierce struck pitches end game twice ball count lone hit marred remarkable accomplishment left pitched perfect game left pitched hitter disappointed near miss pierce praised teammates defensive work saying plenty credit mixed beautifully big thing won capitol lunch players following year pennant race vice president richard_nixon told pierce watched game television saying washington fan night interview pierce said book fastball hitter ball liked inside pull threw curve away hit right solid hit didn feel badly didn mean moment wish got nice streak consecutive scoreless innings ended run seventh inning july pierce tied league lead complete games year selected star team year appeared game retired batters allowing runs june pitched fourth final hitter victory washington allowed inning double scored walks won run double ninth inning senators starter longest outing career august road game pitching innings contest ended tie frames proved time career pitched extra innings losing starts pulling muscle right hip inning august action win kansas_city september manager decision start pierce world series los_angeles_dodgers highly controversial young award winner started chicago game chose start regular season contests lost scores pierce held game relieved final games series allowing hits runs innings work game entered fourth inning chicago trailing pitched innings pulled pinch hitter seventh inning tied game dodgers went win game entered eighth inning protect lead issued intentional walk changed pitchers held win chose start game days rest ineffective chicago time pierce brought start eighth inning dodgers later added run ninth inning complete win capture series championship bullpen deep pierce said interview guys early better years year left handed heavy lineup dodgers threw wanted right like question disappointed understood suggestions decision undisclosed motivations noting surprise chose use pierce bullpen outfielder recalled knew didn pitch told won thought pitched pitching year hadn offensive support finished place white team speed defense pitching hitting pierce struggled offensive support time club richards chicago manager placed low emphasis offense expressing philosophy team needed pitching defense didn allow team score eventually run win game pierce roommate turned occasion picked run following scoring drought said run hold teams averaged runs game averaged runs games started pitchers averaged runs pierce starts figure drops month scoring discounted thirds losses chicago fully starts scored fewer runs averaged runs starts runs starts pennant winning averaged runs game averaged runs pierce starts regularly noted chicago offensive struggles placing pressure pitching staff wearing tense game having comfortable margin permit little pierce described pitcher majors year lack scoring contrast reasonable level offensive backing far successful posting record chicago scored runs scored september scored runs scored yankees rivalry pierce played major role keeping white competitive powerhouse yankees 1950s rough period june july dropped decisions new_york despite respectable era games held yankees posting record august season ironically turnaround fortunes yankees followed chicago crushing defeats rivals july left lead eighth inning yankees come bullpen win grand slam ninth years later pierce recalled game frustrating faced times career pitcher including loss loss innings june later year loss july loss innings september year yankees clinched pennant mantle 50th home run final frame win win innings april season washington_post expressed clear preference pierce ford writing pierce place league left read figures respond reason pierce win yankees july place stayed remainder season pennant years victory chicago breaking team record wins left broke white club records career games innings left year late sportswriter wrote primary difference pierce ford long standing duel supremacy american_league pierce pitching weak hitting team ford backed league powerful offensive machine greater fact doesn face yankees pierce described white pitcher past decade added normally lucky supported runs faces yankees yankee outfielder recalled rivalry remember games pierce ford lock great usually beat mantle hit home run new_york outfielder noted guy gave problem know gave think gave pitched yankees career played chicago half season said pierce fast good breaking ball tough years right par ford sportswriter recalled pierce like unfair matchup classic stylish left equal ford pierce came armed supported singles fact pierce duel ford terms despite odds ironically yankees tried acquire pierce early 1950s ford military general manager proposed new_york baseman second baseman exchange pierce outfielder ended talks yankees suggested yankees send minor instead later career seasons chicago pierce posted records bullpen contributed record left game lead sixth inning later times seasons failed protect lead seven times pierce seen team consistently effective starter picking complete game victories mid august june pierce broke record career strikeouts san_francisco_giants november traded san_francisco_giants exchange players pitchers spent minor leagues giants manager declared intent use pierce ace young pitching staff included developing talents unlike giants featured powerful offense included pierce took advantage improved run support new team winning starts suffering loss june start april deeply rewarding rough spring training recorded era facing cincinnati_reds retired batters allowed hits innings crowd gave ovation later said cheers got inside fans wonderful felt way deep giants credited pulling best deal year little leading team best record major leagues early june road game reds june allowed double accidentally left ankle covering base injury required pulled game inning took loss later scored giants shut injury likely cost eighth star selection return field lasted innings loss july relief appearances picking win august course year proved pitcher park winning home starts giants tied dodgers pennant record forcing game playoff dodgers august earned career victory run home run eventual young winner giving giants win ending game win streak pierce started game playoff dodgers october opposing pushed record hit victory dodgers reached second base described satisfying game pitched umpire watching press box remarked look fire fast clutch games dodgers tied series game came game october pitch ninth inning lead retired batters faced clinch giants pennant san_francisco teammates final yankees world series started game went seventh inning score allowed runs seventh inning outfield errors took loss came brilliant outing game park allowing fifth inning finishing hit victory tie series games allowed runners reach second base went ball count times series appearances came peak years pierce posted career series era innings seasons given brilliance home games surprise pierce chosen start giants home opener responded shutout career win achieved success despite primary pitches low curve saying left come park win pitch afternoon instead altered location pitches throwing outside left hit left field taking advantage wind kept ball air longer time batting champion observed pierce pitched completely differently changing leagues home win streak ended start april loss chicago_cubs gradually moved bullpen course season exclusively relief september dodgers later called billy kid fight start year career pitching innings gaining win appearance relief october falling short announced retirement day season came end season career pierce posted record era innings twice post era higher season innings completed starts including saves total games pitched career victories rank fourth club time list hall red record career games left broken listed pounds pierce pitchers enjoy great success likely smallest pitcher 1920s win games catcher years chicago noted lack size didn diminish velocity noting isn big wonderful coordination sure pretty watch way pumps rocks throws catching game watch pitch noted pierce achieved maximum potential equipment nature gave pierce size pitchers feet height lead league complete games 1920s inch taller pierce pounds pitchers feet tall lead league early 1930s remains pitcher lead complete games years row mlb stats awards achievements stats awards star achievements american_league leader era american_league leader wins american_league leader complete games american_league leader strikeouts american_league leader strikeouts innings pitched american_league leader fielding average pitcher american_league pennant team world series champion team game wins hitter hitter chicago white century team retirement 1950s pierce generally spent offseason helping father run family detroit pursue coaching career spring training poll named managerial prospect giants leaving baseball television color analyst briefly partner worked sales public relations representative company retiring worked scout discovering rookie year ron retired number players honored named inducted october pierce threw pitch game division series win began postseason culminated world series title championship years inducted july unveiled statue pierce honor center field cellular field joining borrowed photographs measured face leading comment don know isn measurement 50s adding hoped statues hall_of_fame shortstop pitcher stars 1930s 1940s added future nonetheless admitted excitement honor saying think times come park going years book said best chicago white stories told pierce published march pierce married dated high school october children born july born october born july pierce told interviewer wife loyal fan smart day manager tell better change sign stolen likely opposition stealing traded giants following season relocated birmingham michigan southwest chicago suburb park years maintained summer residence south landmark lake apartments teammate family lived remained member community relations department late 80s making frequent public appearances chicago area addition beginning headed profit cause began supporting death age june gave pierce fans day game cleveland_indians threw ceremonial pitch pierce died illinois july age cancer pierce 33rd degree mason funeral held gardens south cemetery hall_of_fame candidacy statistical pierce far overlooked election october selected time overview committee candidates ballot possible induction candidates including teammate fell short selection committee meets votes candidates selected era years pierce received votes required votes committee mlb winter meeting december elected hall committee received votes committee previous election prior pierce considerable credentials comparable pitchers eligible elected new members years pierce stuck voting pitchers eventually elected years pitching stars eligible likely drew votes away pierce pierce dropped ballot discussing criticisms voting years editor wrote wonder example writers elect pitchers hall fame barely giving recognition years ballot pierce drew percent votes cast record compiled teams deserved respect voters competition actually beat ford times ford beat ford backed stronger teams actually elected far better pierce coming votes election pierce left career strikeouts time retirement elected average strikeouts innings pitched 1950s highest pitcher innings decade average hits innings ranking ford era ranking ford final total ranked 15th pitchers retired pitchers strikeouts time elected hall comparing pierce left hall consistently stands middle group ranking eleventh wins ninth strikeouts games pitched starts seventh tenth innings pierce seven star team selections tie eligible pitchers hall_of_fame eligible pitchers started star games star starts lasting innings pierce allowed run hits innings career star record included era strikeouts innings pierce blue eligible pitchers won games named pitcher year pierce record career regular season starts pierce decision lone start earned decision star starts pierce struck batters times career achieved career high strikeouts times low run support won games hit shutout kansas_city september recorded career recorded strikeouts inning loss july inning scoreless tie tigers loss baltimore pitched innings career starts pitched extra innings pierce record despite era complete game losses yankees compiled era strikeouts innings rate slightly higher career average highly effective pitcher relief role recording career saves possibly compared blown saves success rate nearly career wins relief resulted blown save averaged innings pitched era mvp voting results historical surveys analysis historian projected pierce won given time award created national_league don won award unanimous vote awards given leagues baseball historian chose pierce having tenth greatest career value left ahead hall hand shows pierce career wins replacement stand typical hall_of_fame starting pitcher
Billy Pierce