Bob Will

From BR Bullpen

Robert Lee Will (Butch)

Bats Left, Throws Left
Weight 175 lb.
School Minnesota State University, Mankato, Northwestern University
Debut April 16, 1957
Final Game June 12, 1963
Born July 15, 1931 in Berwyn, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Seventeen year old Bob Will was the Chicago representative in the annual Hearst High School All-Star Classic at the Polo Grounds in 1949. He was awarded the game's Most Valuable Player Trophy by the widow of Lou Gehrig after picking up a pair of hits and three RBIs for the United States Team against the New York City stars. After playing for Hall of Famer Fred Lindstrom at Northwestern University Will signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs on May 16, 1954 and worked his way up.

A left-hander all the way Bob started his pro career with the Magic Valley Cowboys of the class C Pioneer League hitting at a .359 clip in 96 games with eight home runs. The hard-hitting outfielder would have six straight years in the minors (1954-59) and never hit under .304. He was up with the Cubs for 70 games in 1n 1957, hitting only .223 and again for six games in 1958 and was sent to the Fort Worth Cats of the Texas League where he finished out the season with a .313 average.

Will was named the leagues Most Valuable Player After hitting .336 and leading the American Association in hits with 203 and runs with 101 along with 11 homers and also making the All-Star team for Fort Worth in 1959, he would get another shot at the major league pitchers in 1960 where he hit .255 for the Cubs in 1960 and .257 in 1961. Bob led the National League in pinch hit appearances with 52 in '61 and had 17 base hits off the bench in 1962. In 1963 he tailed off to .239 in 87 games and would finish out his major league career in 1963 with a .174 average and sign out of the big leagues with a career .247 average over six years.

Will would give the minor leagues one more shot in 1964 at age 32 and play in 90 games with the AAA Jacksonville Suns and appear in 36 with the AAA Salt Lake City Bees and he would hit for a combined average of .334 and six homers. He would bow out of pro baseball after this season ending his minor league run with a .333 average over eight seasons.

After baseball Will became a bank vice-president in Chicago, IL and as of last word (2009) is now retired in Naples, FL.