Bill James (jamesbi02)

From BR Bullpen

William Lawrence James (Seattle Bill)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 196 lb.
School Saint Mary's College of California
Debut April 17, 1913
Final Game June 4, 1919
Born March 12, 1892 in Iowa Hill, CA USA
Died March 10, 1971 in Oroville, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Bill James is remarkable for owning a 26-win season, yet having only eleven more career wins. He pitched for Saint Mary's College of California for two years, the Boston Braves for four years and the minor leagues another nine seasons. He is best known for being one of the three pitchers responsible for the unexpected world championship of the "Miracle Braves" in 1914. He went 26-7 that year, alongside Dick Rudolph and Lefty Tyler and won two games in the World Series against the Philadelphia Athletics. He never had another season anywhere near as good. He is almost an exact contemporary of another Bill James, known as Big Bill James, who pitched for five American League teams from 1911 to 1919.

During World War I Bill James was an instructor at bomb-throwing for the U.S. Army. He was an appraiser for Butte County CA. He was also an avid fisherman. He died from a stroke two days short of his 79th birthday and is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oroville, CA.