Bill Donovan
Born: 7/6/1916 in Maywood, IL, USA
Died: 9/25/1997 in Maywood, IL, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-04-19 | Final Game: 1943-06-20
Bats: R | Throws: L | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 198 lbs
Full name: Willard Earl Donovan
Biography
Bill Donovan, born in 1916, was a professional baseball pitcher who played during a transitional period in the sport's history. His career spanned from 1942 to June 20, 1943, a time marked by the impact of World War II on Major League Baseball, as many players enlisted or were drafted into military service. Donovan's tenure in the league was characterized by his skilled pitching and competitive spirit, contributing to the game during a challenging era.
Over the course of his career, Donovan recorded a win-loss record of 4-6 and posted an earned run average (ERA) of 3.2, showcasing his ability to keep runs to a minimum. He struck out 24 batters, demonstrating his effectiveness on the mound despite a relatively brief career. While he did not achieve any saves, his contributions as a pitcher were vital for his team during the early 1940s, a time when the quality of play remained high even amidst the backdrop of wartime challenges. Donovan's legacy is remembered as part of the rich tapestry of baseball history during a unique and pivotal time.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6 | 38 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 104.0 | 114 | 37 | 2 | 41 | 24 | 3.20 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | BSN | NL | 3 | 6 | 31 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 89.3 | 97 | 34 | 32 | 23 | 3.43 | 492.1 |
| 1943 | BSN | NL | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.7 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1.84 | -287.5 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 28 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 | 0.300 | 0.250 | 0.550 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | BSN | NL | 31 | 25 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.240 | 0.0 |
| 1943 | BSN | NL | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 38 | 0 | 5 | 41 | 2 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | BSN | P | 31 | 0 | 5 | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| 1943 | BSN | P | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 38 |