Josh Billings (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Haskell Clark "Josh" Billings (September 27, 1907 – December 26, 1983) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for the Detroit Tigers
. He was born in New York City
, New York
and attended Brown University
. He joined the Tigers in 1927 and made his major league debut on August 17, becoming the 3rd youngest player in the American League
that season. In 1927, he pitched in ten games and 67 innings for the Tigers, and was credited with five wins against 4 losses. His earned run average
of 4.87 was worse than the league average. He had more than twice as many walks (39) as strikeout
s (18).
Despite his underwhelming statistics in 1927, Billings was the Tigers' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1928. The Tigers lost that game by a score of 4–1 to the St. Louis Browns
at Briggs Stadium. In total, Billings pitched in 21 games and 110 2/3 innings for the Tigers in 1928. He was once again credited with five wins, this time against ten losses. Once again, he had a worse than league average earned run average of 5.12. And once again he had more walks (59) than strikeouts (48). He also had the fourth highest number of wild pitches in the American League, with seven. As a 20 year old, he was still the eighth youngest player in the American League in 1928.
1929 was Billings's last season in the Major Leagues. As a 21 year old, he only pitched in eight games and 19 1/3 innings for the Tigers. He had no wins and one loss. His earned run average was again 5.12, again worse than league average. He surrendered nine walks against a single strikeout. He played in his final game on August 5, 1929.
For his career, Billings pitched in 39 games and 197 innings. He won 10 games against 15 losses. His career earned run average was 5.03, and he had 107 walks and 67 strikeouts. As a batter, he had 17 hits
in 68 at bat
s for a batting average
of .250. He also was credited with three doubles
, one triple
, 11 runs scored
and six runs batted in
.
Billings died on December 26, 1983 at the age of 76 in Greenbrae, California
.
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...
who played for 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...
. He was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and attended Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. He joined the Tigers in 1927 and made his major league debut on August 17, becoming the 3rd youngest player in the 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...
that season. In 1927, he pitched in ten games and 67 innings for the Tigers, and was credited with five wins against 4 losses. His 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 4.87 was worse than the league average. He had more than twice as many walks (39) as strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (18).
Despite his underwhelming statistics in 1927, Billings was the Tigers' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1928. The Tigers lost that game by a score of 4–1 to the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Briggs Stadium. In total, Billings pitched in 21 games and 110 2/3 innings for the Tigers in 1928. He was once again credited with five wins, this time against ten losses. Once again, he had a worse than league average earned run average of 5.12. And once again he had more walks (59) than strikeouts (48). He also had the fourth highest number of wild pitches in the American League, with seven. As a 20 year old, he was still the eighth youngest player in the American League in 1928.
1929 was Billings's last season in the Major Leagues. As a 21 year old, he only pitched in eight games and 19 1/3 innings for the Tigers. He had no wins and one loss. His earned run average was again 5.12, again worse than league average. He surrendered nine walks against a single strikeout. He played in his final game on August 5, 1929.
For his career, Billings pitched in 39 games and 197 innings. He won 10 games against 15 losses. His career earned run average was 5.03, and he had 107 walks and 67 strikeouts. As a batter, he had 17 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 68 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s for a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .250. He also was credited with three doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 11 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and six runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
.
Billings died on December 26, 1983 at the age of 76 in Greenbrae, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.