Bill Laxton
Encyclopedia
William Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .
in the 7th round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
in December along with Woodie Fryman
and Don Money
in exchange for future-Hall of Famer Jim Bunning
. He made his major league debut for the Phillies on September 15, 1970, when he pitched an inning in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, ending the season with a total of two relief appearances. He was selected by the San Diego Padres
in the rule 5 draft
the next offseason, then pitched in parts of two seasons for them before being released, finishing with an 0-2 record in 18 relief appearances in the season and an 0-1 record in 1974 in 30 appearances, all but one in relief. He signed with the New York Mets
, who subsequently traded him to the Detroit Tigers
along with Rusty Staub
in exchange for Mickey Lolich
and Billy Baldwin
. He pitched in 26 games for the Tigers in the season, three of them as a starter, ending the season with an 0-5 record.
in the expansion draft
. On April 8, 1977, Laxton earned his first career win as the winning pitcher in the Mariners' first ever win. Laxton pitched the top of the ninth, and the Mariners scored two in the bottom of the inning for a come-from-behind, 7-6 win over the California Angels
.
, and after the 1977 season would never pitch in the majors again. He started the 1978 season in the minor leagues with the Portland Beavers
. The Indians traded him in midseason, sending him back to the Padres for Dave Freisleben
. He finished the year with the Hawaii Islanders
, then retired.
Laxton's son, Brett
, pitched in the major leagues in 1999-2000 for the Oakland Athletics
and Kansas City Royals
.
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. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .
Early career
Laxton was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the 7th round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
1966 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in December along with Woodie Fryman
Woodie Fryman
Woodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
and Don Money
Don Money
Donald Wayne Money is a retired major league baseball player. He currently serves as the special instructor of player development for the Milwaukee Brewers....
in exchange for future-Hall of Famer Jim Bunning
Jim Bunning
James Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
. He made his major league debut for the Phillies on September 15, 1970, when he pitched an inning in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, ending the season with a total of two relief appearances. He was selected by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
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...
the next offseason, then pitched in parts of two seasons for them before being released, finishing with an 0-2 record in 18 relief appearances in the season and an 0-1 record in 1974 in 30 appearances, all but one in relief. He signed with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, who subsequently traded him 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...
along with Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
in exchange for Mickey Lolich
Mickey Lolich
Michael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...
and Billy Baldwin
Billy Baldwin (baseball)
Robert Harvey Baldwin was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1975 through 1976 for the 1975 Detroit Tigers and the 1976 New York Mets. Listed at 6'0", 175 lb., he batted and threw left handed....
. He pitched in 26 games for the Tigers in the season, three of them as a starter, ending the season with an 0-5 record.
Expansion
In , Laxton was drafted from the Tigers by the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the expansion draft
1976 MLB expansion draft
The 1976 MLB Expansion Draft was held November 5, 1976. This expansion draft was conducted by Major League Baseball to stock the major league rosters of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners, new major league expansion franchises that were set to start play in the ...
. On April 8, 1977, Laxton earned his first career win as the winning pitcher in the Mariners' first ever win. Laxton pitched the top of the ninth, and the Mariners scored two in the bottom of the inning for a come-from-behind, 7-6 win over the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Career's end
Before season's end, Laxton had been traded to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and after the 1977 season would never pitch in the majors again. He started the 1978 season in the minor leagues with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. The Indians traded him in midseason, sending him back to the Padres for Dave Freisleben
Dave Freisleben
David James Freisleben is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1974–79, for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays.-External links:*...
. He finished the year with the Hawaii Islanders
Hawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
, then retired.
Laxton's son, Brett
Brett Laxton
Brett William Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched in three games for the Oakland Athletics during the 1999 Oakland Athletics season and six games for the Kansas City Royals during the 2000 Kansas City Royals season. He is the son of former major...
, pitched in the major leagues in 1999-2000 for the Oakland Athletics
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....
and 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...
.