Josh Billings (billijo01)
From BR Bullpen
John Augustus Billings
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 165 lb.
- School Oklahoma State University
- Debut September 9, 1913
- Final Game August 24, 1923
- Born November 30, 1892 in Grantville, KS USA
- Died December 30, 1981 in Santa Monica, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Josh Billings was the first player from Oklahoma State University to come to the majors. He had an eleven-year career in the big leagues, all with two teams, although he never had as many as 200 at-bats in any one season.
The book Baseball in Baton Rouge has a photo of Billings when he was manager of the Kenosha Comets, an entry in the AAGPBL in 1943. He is pictured with Ann Harnett, said to be the first player signed by the AAGPBL. The book also mentions that at age 38 he was an all-star catcher with Vicksburg, and that he was president of the Baton Rouge Solons in 1933 (along with being player-manager).
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Alexandria Reds | Cotton States League | 35-30 | -- | none | Team disbanded on June 17 | |
| 1932 | Baton Rouge Senators | Cotton States League | 51-20 | 1st | none | League disbanded on July 13 | |
| 1933 | Baton Rouge Solons | Dixie League | 77-47 | 1st | none | League Champs | |
| 1934 | Baton Rouge Red Sticks/Clarksdale Ginners | East Dixie League | 47-82 | 6th | none | ||
| 1935 | Lake Charles Skippers | Evangeline League | 44-84 | 8th | Cincinnati Reds | ||
| 1936 | Columbia Senators | South Atlantic League | -- | none | replaced by Blackie Carter | ||
| 1940 | Clinton Giants | Three-I League | 62-57 | 5th | New York Giants | ||
| 1941 | Clinton Giants | Three-I League | 57-68 | 6th | New York Giants |
