Bill Bagwell
Encyclopedia
William Mallory Bagwell nicknamed "Big Bill", was a pinch hitter
and left fielder
in Major League Baseball
. He played for the Boston Braves
and Philadelphia Athletics
during the 1920s. Bagwell was 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighed 175 pounds.
, in 1895. He started his professional baseball career in 1920 in the Louisiana State League. That season, he had a .344 batting average
in 33 games. Bagwell then spent two years in the Southwestern League
. In 1921, he batted .357, and in 1922, he batted .402 and led the league in batting average, hits
(217), and total bases (323).
In October 1922, Bagwell was drafted by the Boston Braves in the rule 5 draft. He played for both the Braves and the Eastern League's Worcester Panthers
in 1923. With Boston, he batted .290 in 56 games; with Worcester, he batted .453 in 49 games to lead the Eastern League in batting average.
The Braves released Bagwell in April 1924. He spent one season in the Texas League
, batted .367 with a career-high 37 home run
s there, and then returned to the majors in 1925 with the Philadelphia Athletics. Bagwell spent nearly the whole season as a pinch hitter for Philadelphia. He appeared in 36 games and went 15 for 50 (.300) at the plate.
In 1926, Bagwell played for the Pacific Coast League
's Portland Beavers
. He batted .391 to lead his league in batting average for the third time. In 1927, however, Bagwell's average fell to .292 for Portland. He bounced around various minor leagues for the next few years before retiring from professional baseball after the 1930 season.
In his 11-year career, Bagwell hit .294 in the major leagues and .360 in the minor leagues. He died in Choudrant, Louisiana, in 1976.
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
and left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He played for the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
during the 1920s. Bagwell was 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighed 175 pounds.
Career
Bagwell was born in Choudrant, LouisianaChoudrant, Louisiana
Choudrant is a village in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 582 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.Former U.S...
, in 1895. He started his professional baseball career in 1920 in the Louisiana State League. That season, he had a .344 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
in 33 games. Bagwell then spent two years in the Southwestern League
Southwestern League
The Southwestern League was the name of three former minor league baseball leagues that operated in the Southwestern United States. The first league, also known as the Oklahoma State League, was in operation for the 1904 season. The second league operated from 1921 to 1926...
. In 1921, he batted .357, and in 1922, he batted .402 and led the league in batting average, hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(217), and total bases (323).
In October 1922, Bagwell was drafted by the Boston Braves in the rule 5 draft. He played for both the Braves and the Eastern League's Worcester Panthers
Worcester Panthers
The Worcester Panthers were an Eastern League baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts. They existed from 1923 to 1925.They were managed by Hall of Fame baseball player Jesse Burkett in 1923 and 1924. He led them to a79-74 record in 1923, and a 70-82 record in 1924...
in 1923. With Boston, he batted .290 in 56 games; with Worcester, he batted .453 in 49 games to lead the Eastern League in batting average.
The Braves released Bagwell in April 1924. He spent one season in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, batted .367 with a career-high 37 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s there, and then returned to the majors in 1925 with the Philadelphia Athletics. Bagwell spent nearly the whole season as a pinch hitter for Philadelphia. He appeared in 36 games and went 15 for 50 (.300) at the plate.
In 1926, Bagwell played for the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
's Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. He batted .391 to lead his league in batting average for the third time. In 1927, however, Bagwell's average fell to .292 for Portland. He bounced around various minor leagues for the next few years before retiring from professional baseball after the 1930 season.
In his 11-year career, Bagwell hit .294 in the major leagues and .360 in the minor leagues. He died in Choudrant, Louisiana, in 1976.