Billy Pierce, baseball player, 1945-1964

Billy Pierce

Born: 4/2/1927 in Detroit, MI, USA

Died: 7/31/2015 in Palos Heights, IL, USA

MLB Debut: 1945-06-01 | Final Game: 1964-10-03

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs

Full name: Walter William Pierce

Biography

Billy Pierce was a prominent American pitcher who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball from 1945 until his retirement in 1964. Born in 1927, Pierce's career was marked by his exceptional left-handed pitching, which garnered him a record of 211 wins and 169 losses, along with an impressive earned run average of 3.27. Over the course of his career, he recorded 1,999 strikeouts and notched 32 saves, showcasing his versatility and effectiveness on the mound. Pierce was selected as an All-Star seven times, highlighting his status as one of the leading pitchers of his era. Pierce played primarily during the post-World War II era, a time of transition in baseball that saw the integration of the game and the rise of powerful hitters. His pitching style was characterized by a smooth delivery and a keen ability to control the game, making him a valuable asset to every team he played for, including the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. His contributions to the sport extended beyond statistics, as he was respected by teammates and opponents alike for his competitive spirit and sportsmanship. Billy Pierce’s legacy in baseball remains significant, as he is remembered not only for his impressive numbers but also for his role in shaping the game during a pivotal time in its history.

Career Pitching Statistics

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA Pitcher PIV
211 169 585 432 193 38 32 3306.7 2989 1201 284 1178 1999 3.27 0

Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
616 1102 94 203 13 4 0 69 1 65 232 0.184 0.232 0.203 0.435 -7106.5

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.000

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1962 WS SFN 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.000
1959 WS CHA 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Playoff Career Pitching

W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1 1 5 2 0 19.0 10 4 4 8 1.89

Playoff Pitching by Year

Year Round Team W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1962 WS SFN 1 1 2 2 0 15.0 8 4 2 5 2.40
1959 WS CHA 0 0 3 0 0 4.0 2 0 2 3 0.00

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 1 0 1 0 0 0
P 585 280 123 487 28 32

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Pitcher 585
First Base 1

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1962 Cy Young Award ML 3rd 1.0 20 1
1957 Most Valuable Player AL 11th 35.0 336 0
1956 Most Valuable Player AL 5th 75.0 336 0
1955 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 8.0 336 0
1953 Most Valuable Player AL 10th 55.0 336 0
1952 Most Valuable Player AL 29th 3.0 336 0