Bill Parsons
Encyclopedia
William Raymond "Bill" Parsons (born August 17, 1948) was a 6' 6" right handed baseball pitcher from Riverside, California
. He had a four-year career as a major league pitcher.
in 1968, and worked his way through the minors at Newark, Billings, and Clinton in the Pilots' organization during 1968-69. At Clinton, he posted a 1.57 ERA with his 5-4 record..
In 1970, he came to the Milwaukee Brewers
organization, pitching for Portland of the Pacific Coast League
, going 3-0, 2.25.
Parsons was 22 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 13, 1971, with the Brewers. He was the number-two starter for the last-place Brewers, going 13-17 with a 3.20 ERA as a rookie in 1971, while 7th in the league with 4 shutouts and 8th in the AL with 93 walks. Parsons was second in the 1971 BBWAA Rookie of the Year voting, losing out to Chris Chambliss
, and was named The Sporting News
AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year.
He went 13-13, 3.91 the next year while going 3rd in the AL in home runs allowed (27) and earned runs allowed (93), as the Brewers again finished in last place. In both seasons, he was second on the team in victories. In 1973, he was in only 20 games with an ERA of 6.79.
In 1974, after being traded to the Oakland Athletics
with cash for Deron Johnson
, he pitched only 2 innings in the majors.
He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
in July 1975, but never appeared in the majors with them. In July 1975 he was traded by the Cardinals with cash to the White Sox for Buddy Bradford
.
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
. He had a four-year career as a major league pitcher.
Baseball career
Parsons was drafted in the 7th round by the Seattle PilotsSeattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
in 1968, and worked his way through the minors at Newark, Billings, and Clinton in the Pilots' organization during 1968-69. At Clinton, he posted a 1.57 ERA with his 5-4 record..
In 1970, he came to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization, pitching for Portland of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, going 3-0, 2.25.
Parsons was 22 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 13, 1971, with the Brewers. He was the number-two starter for the last-place Brewers, going 13-17 with a 3.20 ERA as a rookie in 1971, while 7th in the league with 4 shutouts and 8th in the AL with 93 walks. Parsons was second in the 1971 BBWAA Rookie of the Year voting, losing out to Chris Chambliss
Chris Chambliss
Carroll Christopher Chambliss is a former Major League Baseball player who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
, and was named The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year.
He went 13-13, 3.91 the next year while going 3rd in the AL in home runs allowed (27) and earned runs allowed (93), as the Brewers again finished in last place. In both seasons, he was second on the team in victories. In 1973, he was in only 20 games with an ERA of 6.79.
In 1974, after being traded to 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....
with cash for Deron Johnson
Deron Johnson
Deron Roger Johnson was an American professional baseball player. Born in San Diego, California, he played seventeen seasons in Major League Baseball as an infielder, outfielder, and designated hitter for the New York Yankees, Kansas City & Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox,...
, he pitched only 2 innings in the majors.
He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in July 1975, but never appeared in the majors with them. In July 1975 he was traded by the Cardinals with cash to the White Sox for Buddy Bradford
Buddy Bradford
Charles William Bradford is a former outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals...
.