Bill Butland
From BR Bullpen
Wilburn Rue Butland
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut May 29, 1940
- Final Game May 10, 1947
- Born March 22, 1918 in Terre Haute, IN USA
- Died September 19, 1997 in Terre Haute, IN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Bill Butland was the roommate of future Hall of Famer Ted Williams during 1942, his only full season in the majors. He entered the Army in December 1942, serving in the Pacific during World War II. Butland was discharged in January 1946 and briefly returned to the majors in 1946 and 1947.
Bill would appear in 32 games during his major league run, winding up with a career record of 9-3 and a 3.88 ERA. His best year came in 1942 when he went 7-1 with a 2.51 ERA. After the 1947 season Bill was drafted by the Chicago White Sox from the Boston Red Sox in the Rule V Draft.
He was with the Toledo Mud Hens in 1949 and 1950. He pitched in the Northern League in 1937 and 1938, leading the league in strikeouts in 1938. Bill spent eleven seasons in the minors between 1936 and 1950, appearing in 295 games, winning 100 times and losing 66. He also had six double-digit winning seasons with his best marks coming in 1939, when he went 19-10 with a 3.96 ERA for the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association.
After baseball Bill was a machine operator for Ethel Visqueen and retired from Commercial Solvents Corporation as a pipefitter.
Wilburn Rue Butland passed away on September 19, 1997 at Union Hospital in his home town of Terre Haute, IN.
