Bill Caudill
Encyclopedia
William Holland Caudill (born July 13, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers
from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras
' first client.
out of Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, California
in the eighth round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
. After three seasons in their farm system, in which he went 21-23 with a 3.57 earned run average
, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds
for Joel Youngblood
just before the start of the season. He went 15-6 with a 4.04 ERA his only season in the Reds' farm system. After which, he and Woodie Fryman
were traded to the Chicago Cubs
for Bill Bonham
.
of the American Association
. He split the season between Wichita and the Cubs, making his major league debut on May 12. Though he had been used almost exclusively as a starter
in the minors, he made his major league debut in relief
. Already down 10-3 to the Houston Astros
, Caudill was called upon for mop up duty. He pitched the rest of the game, giving up only one unearned run. Splitting his time between the bullpen
and the starting rotation, Caudill went 1-7 with a 4.80 ERA and 104 strikeouts his rookie season.
In , Caudill went 4-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 112 strikeouts. He earned his first major league save on September 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, and was second only to Dick Tidrow
with 70 appearances out of the bullpen for the Cubs. His numbers dipped to 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in . On April 1, , he was the "player to be named later" from a 1981 mid-season deal in which the Cubs acquired Pat Tabler
from the New York Yankees
for a player to be named later. The Yankees then sent him, Gene Nelson
and a player to be named later to the Seattle Mariners
for Shane Rawley
.
loudspeakers when he was summoned from the Mariners' bullpen.
Despite his antics, Caudill emerged as one of the American League
's top relievers his first season in Seattle. He felt snubbed when 1982 AL All-Star team
manager Billy Martin
left him off the AL squad. His record stood at 8-3 with a 1.95 ERA and a team record seventeen saves when selections were made. For the season, he went 12-9 with a 2.35 ERA, 26 saves and 111 strikeouts.
His 26 saves in mirrored his previous season's production, however, his record dipped to 2-8 while his ERA ballooned to 4.71. Following the season, he and Darrel Akerfelds
were dealt to the Oakland Athletics
for Dave Beard
and Bob Kearney
.
named him to his AL squad
. With the NL leading 2-1, Caudill was brought in to pitch the seventh inning
. He struck out all three batters he faced (Tim Raines
, Ryne Sandberg
& Keith Hernandez
).
From there, things seemed to turn around on Caudill. He went 1-6 in the second half with a 3.60 ERA while blowing four saves. He finished the season with a career-high 36 saves, which was second in the American League only to the Kansas City Royals
' Dan Quisenberry
who had 44. Following the season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
for Dave Collins
and Alfredo Griffin
.
's top closer
upon his arrival in Toronto
, however, lost his job to Tom Henke
by the end of the season. The formula worked as the Jays won the American League East
by two games over the Yankees.
The Jays jumped to a 3-1 series lead in the 1985 American League Championship Series
against the Kansas City Royals, however, was the first post-season that the championship series was expanded to seven games. KC came back to win the series in seven games. Caudill did not make an appearance.
A shoulder injury limited Caudill to 40 appearances in . He went 2-4 with a 6.19 ERA and just two saves as the Blue Jays fell to 86-76 and fourth place in their division under new manager Jimy Williams
. He was released during Spring training
the following season. Shortly afterwards, he signed with the A's.
Caudill currently coaches and works for his former agent, Scott Boras, who is also a former minor league teammate and close friend.
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
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
' first client.
Early years
Caudill was drafted by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
out of Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.Redondo Beach was originally part of...
in the eighth round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
1974 Major League Baseball draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
. After three seasons in their farm system, in which he went 21-23 with a 3.57 earned run average
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...
, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Joel Youngblood
Joel Youngblood
Joel Randolph Youngblood III is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants from to . Youngblood was a versatile player who could play many different positions, as well as pinch hit...
just before the start of the season. He went 15-6 with a 4.04 ERA his only season in the Reds' farm system. After which, he and Woodie Fryman
Woodie Fryman
Woodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
were traded to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Bill Bonham
Bill Bonham
William Gordon Bonham was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds...
.
Chicago Cubs
Caudill spent the season with the Wichita AerosWichita Aeros
The Wichita Aeros was a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the AAA American Association from 1970 through 1984....
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. He split the season between Wichita and the Cubs, making his major league debut on May 12. Though he had been used almost exclusively as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in the minors, he made his major league debut in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Already down 10-3 to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, Caudill was called upon for mop up duty. He pitched the rest of the game, giving up only one unearned run. Splitting his time between the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
and the starting rotation, Caudill went 1-7 with a 4.80 ERA and 104 strikeouts his rookie season.
In , Caudill went 4-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 112 strikeouts. He earned his first major league save on September 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, and was second only to Dick Tidrow
Dick Tidrow
Richard William Tidrow was a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and New York Mets from 1972 to 1984. He was primarily known as a setup man, or pitcher before the closer; however, on occasion he would also start games...
with 70 appearances out of the bullpen for the Cubs. His numbers dipped to 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in . On April 1, , he was the "player to be named later" from a 1981 mid-season deal in which the Cubs acquired Pat Tabler
Pat Tabler
Patrick Sean "Pat" Tabler is a former Major League Baseball player and currently a color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays on the Canadian sports television network Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with Rod Black on TSN....
from 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...
for a player to be named later. The Yankees then sent him, Gene Nelson
Gene Nelson
Gene Nelson was an American dancer, actor, screenwriter, and director.-Biography:Born Leander Eugene Berg in Astoria, Oregon, he moved to Seattle when he was one year old. He was inspired to become a dancer by watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films when he was a child...
and a player to be named later to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Shane Rawley
Shane Rawley
Shane William Rawley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from 1978 through 1989, for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.Rawley was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1986 as...
.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners introduced a nautically themed bullpen "car" called the Tugboat for the 1982 season. It got off to a rocky start on Opening Day when Caudill stole the keys during pregame festivities, leaving the Tugboat stranded on the left-field line and delaying the start of the game. On another occasion, when brought in to pitch in a one-sided game, Caudill appeared from the bullpen sporting a half-shaved beard. He acquired the nickname "the Inspector" after inspecting the Mariners bats for unused hits and discarding those he deemed empty. The team began playing the Pink Panther Theme over the KingdomeKingdome
The Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
loudspeakers when he was summoned from the Mariners' bullpen.
Despite his antics, Caudill emerged as one of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's top relievers his first season in Seattle. He felt snubbed when 1982 AL All-Star team
1982 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1982 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 53rd midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1982 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, home of the...
manager Billy Martin
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
left him off the AL squad. His record stood at 8-3 with a 1.95 ERA and a team record seventeen saves when selections were made. For the season, he went 12-9 with a 2.35 ERA, 26 saves and 111 strikeouts.
His 26 saves in mirrored his previous season's production, however, his record dipped to 2-8 while his ERA ballooned to 4.71. Following the season, he and Darrel Akerfelds
Darrel Akerfelds
Darrel Wayne Akerfelds is the current bullpen coach of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. He has held this position since...
were dealt to the Oakland 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....
for Dave Beard
Dave Beard
Charles David Beard is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers from to ....
and Bob Kearney
Bob Kearney
Robert Henry Kearney , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and Seattle Mariners from to ....
.
Oakland A's
Caudill returned to form with the A's in the first half of the season. His record stood at 8-1 with a 1.97 ERA and eighteen saves when AL manager Joe AltobelliJoe Altobelli
Joseph Salvatore Altobelli is an American former player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. In , he succeeded Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and led the team to their sixth American League pennant and their third World Series championship.- Personal life...
named him to his AL squad
1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 55th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 10, 1984 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, home of the...
. With the NL leading 2-1, Caudill was brought in to pitch the seventh inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
. He struck out all three batters he faced (Tim Raines
Tim Raines
Timothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
& Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
).
From there, things seemed to turn around on Caudill. He went 1-6 in the second half with a 3.60 ERA while blowing four saves. He finished the season with a career-high 36 saves, which was second in the American League only to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
' Dan Quisenberry
Dan Quisenberry
Dan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals...
who had 44. Following the season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for Dave Collins
Dave Collins
David S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
and Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Claudino Griffin is a former Major League Baseball player, who played shortstop for four teams from 1976 to 1993. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
.
Toronto Blue Jays
Caudill was manager Bobby CoxBobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
's top closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
upon his arrival in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, however, lost his job to Tom Henke
Tom Henke
Thomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...
by the end of the season. The formula worked as the Jays won the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
by two games over the Yankees.
The Jays jumped to a 3-1 series lead in the 1985 American League Championship Series
1985 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, OntarioThe Toronto Blue Jays entered the series as the favorite to win the series. The first game featured Toronto pitcher Dave Stieb and Kansas City pitcher Charlie Leibrandt at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto...
against the Kansas City Royals, however, was the first post-season that the championship series was expanded to seven games. KC came back to win the series in seven games. Caudill did not make an appearance.
A shoulder injury limited Caudill to 40 appearances in . He went 2-4 with a 6.19 ERA and just two saves as the Blue Jays fell to 86-76 and fourth place in their division under new manager Jimy Williams
Jimy Williams
James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...
. He was released during Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
the following season. Shortly afterwards, he signed with the A's.
Final season
Trying to rebound from a subpar season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986, Caudill began the season pitching for Oakland's triple A affiliate, the Tacoma Tigers. He pitched effectively enough to earn a call to the majors, however, after just a month with the A's, he suffered a broken hand after punching a man who was reportedly trying to accost his wife in a hotel parking lot in 1987. It effectively ended his big league career at age 30.Caudill currently coaches and works for his former agent, Scott Boras, who is also a former minor league teammate and close friend.