Bill Bruton
From BR Bullpen
William Haron Bruton
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 169 lb.
- Debut April 13, 1953
- Final Game October 2, 1964
- Born November 9, 1925 in Panola, AL USA
- Died December 5, 1995 in Marshallton, DE USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Centerfielder Bill Bruton played 12 seasons in the majors, leading the league three times in stolen bases, twice in triples, and once in runs scored. He posted a line of .412/.545/.588 in the 1958 World Series. Overall, Bruton was a very capable hitter, good fielder and excellent baserunner.
On August 2, 1959, he hit two triples with the bases loaded.
When Bruton began in organized ball in 1950 his age was given as 20 because it was thought there would be no interest in him at his actual age of 24. He was nearly 28 when he finally reached the big leagues. When he retired in 1964 he revealed this after playing in 1610 games for the Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers. Both The Baseball Necrology and Biographical Encyclopedia of Baseball report that he was in the Army during World War II before beginning his baseball career. (TSN 6/14/50 & 10/10/64)
His brother Jack Bruton played in the Negro Leagues.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL At Bats Leader (1955)
- NL Runs Scored Leader (1960)
- 2-time NL Triples Leader (1956 & 1960)
- 3-time NL Stolen Bases Leader (1953-1955)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1955 & 1960)
- Won a World Series with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 (he did not play in the World Series)
