Bill Bevens
Encyclopedia
Floyd Clifford "Bill" Bevens (October 21, 1916 – October 26, 1991) was a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher. He stood 6' 3" and weighed 210 lb. Bevens was signed by the New York Yankees
at the age of 20 in , and spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, where he threw two no-hitter
s for the Wenatchee Chiefs
. He debuted in the Major Leagues with the Yankees on May 12, at the age of 27.
In his third season as a professional, Bevens pitched an 8-0 no-hitter
on September 21, 1939, against the Tacoma Tigers, with the only opponent reaching base on an error. The win gave the Wenatchee Chiefs its first playoff win in a series in which it had lost the first three games to Tacoma.
Bill Bevens played in the Major Leagues for 4 years and had a career record of 40-36 with a 3.08 ERA
. His best year was when he had a 16-13 record and a 2.23 ERA. In , his last year in the Majors he had a 7-13 record, however, in the World Series that year against the Brooklyn Dodgers
he would pitch one of the most memorable games in baseball history (see "The Cookie Game").
For 8 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series
Bevens did not allow a single hit. He did, however, give up a World Series record 10 walks and the Yankees were nursing a 2-1 lead over the Dodgers. Walks to Carl Furillo
and Pete Reiser
(Al Gionfriddo
was brought in to pinch run for Furillo and Eddie Miksis
was brought in to pinch run for the injury-slowed Reiser) brought aging pinch hitter
Cookie Lavagetto
to the plate. With 2 outs and 2 on in the bottom of the ninth Lavagetto lined a double to right field scoring both runners and winning the game for the Dodgers with their only hit.
"The Cookie Game" was played on October 3, 1947 and evened the Series at 2-2. On October 6, 1947 Bevens went on to pitch 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the deciding Game 7 of that Series and helped the Yankees win the World Championship. Game 7 of the 1947 World Series was the last game Bevens pitched in the Major Leagues. He was 30 years old.
"I do not use anything odd or unorthodox. I have a sinker, but it is a natural delivery. Fast ball, curve, change, and change in speeds. That is my repertoire." - Bill Bevens in Baseball Magazine (June 1947, Daniel M. Daniel)
Bevens earned a spot on the Cincinnati Reds roster in 1952 but was sold to the San Francisco team of the Pacific Coast League without getting into a game.
Bill Bevens died on October 26, 1991 in Salem, Oregon
at the age of 75.
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...
pitcher. He stood 6' 3" and weighed 210 lb. Bevens was signed by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
at the age of 20 in , and spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, where he threw two no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s for the Wenatchee Chiefs
Wenatchee Chiefs
The Wenatchee Chiefs were a minor league baseball team based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team was founded in 1937, and was a part of the Western International League from its founding until 1954, although the team did not operate in 1941 and the entire league was suspended during World War II,...
. He debuted in the Major Leagues with the Yankees on May 12, at the age of 27.
In his third season as a professional, Bevens pitched an 8-0 no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
on September 21, 1939, against the Tacoma Tigers, with the only opponent reaching base on an error. The win gave the Wenatchee Chiefs its first playoff win in a series in which it had lost the first three games to Tacoma.
Bill Bevens played in the Major Leagues for 4 years and had a career record of 40-36 with a 3.08 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. His best year was when he had a 16-13 record and a 2.23 ERA. In , his last year in the Majors he had a 7-13 record, however, in the World Series that year against the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
he would pitch one of the most memorable games in baseball history (see "The Cookie Game").
For 8 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series
1947 World Series
The 1947 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning the Series in seven games for their first title since , and the eleventh championship in team history...
Bevens did not allow a single hit. He did, however, give up a World Series record 10 walks and the Yankees were nursing a 2-1 lead over the Dodgers. Walks to Carl Furillo
Carl Furillo
Carl Anthony Furillo , nicknamed "The Reading Rifle" and "Skoonj," was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Pete Reiser
Pete Reiser
Harold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St...
(Al Gionfriddo
Al Gionfriddo
Albert Francis "Al" Gionfriddo was a slightly built 5' 6" and 165 lb. professional baseball outfielder who batted and threw left-handed. He made his major league debut on September 23, at the age of 22 with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
was brought in to pinch run for Furillo and Eddie Miksis
Eddie Miksis
Edward Thomas Miksis was an American Major League Baseball player. Born in Burlington, New Jersey, he stood 6' 0" and weighed 185 lbs...
was brought in to pinch run for the injury-slowed Reiser) brought aging pinch hitter
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...
Cookie Lavagetto
Cookie Lavagetto
Harry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
to the plate. With 2 outs and 2 on in the bottom of the ninth Lavagetto lined a double to right field scoring both runners and winning the game for the Dodgers with their only hit.
"The Cookie Game" was played on October 3, 1947 and evened the Series at 2-2. On October 6, 1947 Bevens went on to pitch 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the deciding Game 7 of that Series and helped the Yankees win the World Championship. Game 7 of the 1947 World Series was the last game Bevens pitched in the Major Leagues. He was 30 years old.
"I do not use anything odd or unorthodox. I have a sinker, but it is a natural delivery. Fast ball, curve, change, and change in speeds. That is my repertoire." - Bill Bevens in Baseball Magazine (June 1947, Daniel M. Daniel)
Bevens earned a spot on the Cincinnati Reds roster in 1952 but was sold to the San Francisco team of the Pacific Coast League without getting into a game.
Bill Bevens died on October 26, 1991 in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
at the age of 75.