Bill Traffley

Bill Traffley was a professional baseball player born in 1859, who played primarily as a position player during the early years of Major League Baseball. His career spanned from 1878 until July 29, 1886. Traffley appeared in a total of 179 games, during which he compiled a batting average of .175. Over his career, he recorded 116 hits, including one home run, and drove in 36 runs. Traffley also showcased his speed on the base paths, stealing 8 bases. Playing during a formative era of baseball, Traffley's career coincided with the transition from the Deadball Era, when pitchers often dominated the game, to a more offensive-oriented style of play. While his individual statistics may not reflect the prolific hitting common in today’s game, Traffley's contributions were part of the foundational years of professional baseball, helping to shape the sport's early landscape. His time in the league exemplifies the challenges faced by players of that time, as they navigated a rapidly evolving game with varying rules and styles of play.