Bill Ayers
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Bill Ayers | |
| William Oscar Ayers | |
 | |
| Bat/Throw: | R/R |
|---|---|
| Height: | 6' 3" |
| Weight: | 185 |
| Born: | 1919-9-27 at Newman, GA (US) |
| Died: | 1980-9-24 at Newman, GA (US) |
| Interred: | Oakhill Cemetery in Newnan, GA (US) |
| More info | |
| Statistics: | Retrosheet |
|---|---|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Bill Ayers | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
 | There is uncertainty about some of the demographic information reported about this person. Please see the talk page for details. |
William "Bill" Ayers was highly recommended by Giant scout Hank DeBerry who was so impressed with his style and form that he recommended his purchase in June of 1946. The year Bill had just begun to piece together the record that was to establish him as the Southern Association's outstanding pitcher for Atlanta in 1946. Bill was the key player in the deal that also added Lloyd Gearhart and pitcher Earl McGowan to the Giants roster. Overall the transaction involved the expenditure in cash and players of approximately $75,000. Prior to his Atlanta splurge, his minor league record had been spotty. He withdrew from organized baseball in 1938 after an early trial at Gastonia, but attracted attention with a winning "comeback" effort at Savannah in 1942. He moved up to Atlanta after three years of service in the military during WWII.
Contents |
Profile
Personal
- Resided in Newnan, Georgia in 1952 and 1953.
- Listed hobby as hunting.
- Played every position on the diamond, but turned to pitching when he could not hit well enough.
Pre-professional career
- Attended Newnan High School.
- Played baseball in high school.
- Played sandlot ball in Newnan.
Achievements
- Was selected on the 1946 Southern Association All Star team after establishing all kinds of season marks.
- Led the 1946 Southern Association in ERA with 1.95, most batters faced with 1,099, most innings pitched with 296 and most complete games with 26.
- Pitched 21 innings against Mobile with the score ending 4-4 with the last 18 frames being scoreless.
- Won two games in the 1946 Dixie Series for Atlanta.
Career notes
- "Voluntarily Retired" for the 1939, 1940 and 1941 seasons.
- In the armed forces during the 1943, 1944 and 1945 seasons.
Contract signing
- Signed with Gastonia of the North Carolina State League in 1938 after playing sandlot ball.
- Was obtained from Minneapolis at the close of the 1950 season.
Sources
- 1952 Pacific Coast League Thumbnail Sketches.
- 1953 Pacific Coast League Sketch Book.
- Social Security Death Index (SSN: 253-05-8236). shows he was born on August 27, 1917.
- The Giants of New York. New York,NY: National Exhibition Company, 1947.
