Bill Fischer (baseball)
Encyclopedia
William Charles Fischer (born October 11, 1930, at Wausau, Wisconsin
) is a former American
Major League Baseball
pitcher
for five American League
teams in his nine-year career (1956–64). He later was a longtime pitching coach
for three MLB clubs. He stood 6' (183 cm) tall, weighed 190 pounds (86 kg) and threw and batted right-handed.
As a pitcher, Fischer won 45 games and lost 58 (.437), with a career earned run average
of 4.34. He appeared in 281 games, starting
78, and compiled 16 complete games and 13 saves. Fischer made his debut on April 21, with the Chicago White Sox
. In the middle of the , he was traded along with Tito Francona
to the Detroit Tigers
for Ray Boone
and Bob Shaw
. He was eventually claimed by the Washington Senators
, who traded him back to Detroit in for Tom Morgan
.
Fischer was later traded to Kansas City
with Ozzie Virgil
for Jerry Staley and Reno Bertoia
. There, he set a major league record that still stands by pitching 84 1/3 consecutive innings without issuing a walk in .
This didn't keep Fischer in Kansas City for long, however. After one more season with the A's, the Minnesota Twins
drafted Fischer in the Rule 5 Draft
in , and he concluded his major league career with the club. The White Sox resigned Fischer as a free agent following his stint with the Twins, but he never returned to the majors and was released by the White Sox in .
In , he joined the fledgling Kansas City Royals
as a scout and minor league
pitching instructor, beginning a long-time association with then-Royals executive John Schuerholz
. Although he never was MLB pitching coach of the Kansas City club, he held that post with the Cincinnati Reds
(1979–83), Boston Red Sox
(1985–91) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000–01). At Boston, he was a favorite of star right-hander Roger Clemens
. After his firing by the Red Sox, he rejoined Schuerholz with the Atlanta Braves
and served many years as the Braves' minor league pitching coordinator.
He entered the baseball season still active in the game. He rejoined the Royals in 2007, and enters the new campaign, at age 79, as special assistant to player development and roving minor league pitching coordinator, his third season with that assignment.
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
) is a former American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for five American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
teams in his nine-year career (1956–64). He later was a longtime pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for three MLB clubs. He stood 6' (183 cm) tall, weighed 190 pounds (86 kg) and threw and batted right-handed.
As a pitcher, Fischer won 45 games and lost 58 (.437), with a career earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.34. He appeared in 281 games, starting
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
78, and compiled 16 complete games and 13 saves. Fischer made his debut on April 21, with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. In the middle of the , he was traded along with Tito Francona
Tito Francona
John Patsy "Tito" Francona is a former outfielder/first baseman in professional baseball. He is the father of former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.-Career:...
to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Ray Boone
Ray Boone
Raymond Otis Boone was an American Major League Baseball player. He batted and threw right-handed.Boone was born in San Diego, California. An infielder, he broke into the major leagues on September 3, , with the Cleveland Indians...
and Bob Shaw
Bob Shaw (baseball)
Robert John Shaw was a Major League Baseball pitcher.His career lasted a decade, and he pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs. He won 18 games with the American League pennant-winning White...
. He was eventually claimed by the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, who traded him back to Detroit in for Tom Morgan
Tom Morgan (baseball)
Tom Stephen Morgan was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of El Monte, California, the 6'2", 195 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season...
.
Fischer was later traded to Kansas City
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
with Ozzie Virgil
Ozzie Virgil, Sr.
Osvaldo José Virgil broke the color barrier for Detroit in 1958. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1950 to 1952...
for Jerry Staley and Reno Bertoia
Reno Bertoia
Reno Peter Bertoia was an Italian-Canadian professional baseball player, playing infield for the Detroit Tigers , Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Athletics ....
. There, he set a major league record that still stands by pitching 84 1/3 consecutive innings without issuing a walk in .
This didn't keep Fischer in Kansas City for long, however. After one more season with the A's, the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
drafted Fischer in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
in , and he concluded his major league career with the club. The White Sox resigned Fischer as a free agent following his stint with the Twins, but he never returned to the majors and was released by the White Sox in .
In , he joined the fledgling Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
as a scout and minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
pitching instructor, beginning a long-time association with then-Royals executive John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
. Although he never was MLB pitching coach of the Kansas City club, he held that post with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1979–83), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1985–91) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000–01). At Boston, he was a favorite of star right-hander Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. After his firing by the Red Sox, he rejoined Schuerholz with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and served many years as the Braves' minor league pitching coordinator.
He entered the baseball season still active in the game. He rejoined the Royals in 2007, and enters the new campaign, at age 79, as special assistant to player development and roving minor league pitching coordinator, his third season with that assignment.