Bill Barrett (barrebi02)
From BR Bullpen
William Joseph Barrett (Whispering Bill)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut May 13, 1921
- Final Game May 31, 1930
- Born May 28, 1900 in Cambridge, MA USA
- Died January 26, 1951 in Cambridge, MA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Originally a shortstop and a pitcher, Bill Barrett began his major league career with a cup of coffee with the 1921 Philadelphia Athletics. However, he struggled defensively, making 3 errors in 8 games at short, and on the mound, giving up 4 earned runs over 5 innings, and was sent back to the minors by Connie Mack.
Barrett was acquired by the Chicago White Sox in 1923 and recorded two hits and a stolen base in his Comiskey Park debut on August 19th against the New York Yankees. Seeing regular playing time as an outfielder, he hit .272 with 12 steals in 44 games that year. The next year, he was moved to shortstop when Harvey McClellan had to have surgery and posted a .904 fielding percentage, lowest in the league. However, on May 1st of that year, he had his finest day at the plate, getting four hits and stealing home twice in a game against the Cleveland Indians.
Barrett was moved back to the outfield, but knee injuries limited his playing time somewhat in 1925 and 1926. He bounced back and saw his most playing time in 1927, hitting .286 and stealing 20 bases while appearing in 147 games.
A Massachusetts native, Barrett always wanted to play for a team closer to home, and after pressuring General Manager Harry Grabiner for a trade, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Doug Taitt in 1929. After about a year with the Red Sox, he was traded to the Washington Senators, for whom he played the last 6 games of his big league career.
He was later a scout for the Red Sox.
