Bill Dawley
Encyclopedia
William Chester Dawley is a former professional baseball
pitcher
. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball
, from 1983 to 1989, for the Houston Astros
, Chicago White Sox
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Philadelphia Phillies
, and Oakland Athletics
. He was used exclusively as a relief pitcher
during his major league career, appearing in 275 games as a reliever.
in the seventh round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Cincinnati Reds
. Over the next six seasons, he worked his way up through the Reds' farm system as a starting pitcher
, pitching substantially in relief only in 1980 with the Indianapolis Indians
. During spring training
in 1983, he was traded to the Astros along with infielder
Tony Walker
in exchange for backup catcher
Alan Knicely
.
after going 5-2 with a 1.88 earned-run average before the All-Star break. Dawley finished his rookie season with a 6-6 record and a 2.82 ERA and 14 saves.
In the All-Star Game itself, Dawley took the mound for the National League
with two outs in the bottom of the third inning after the American League
's Fred Lynn
hit the first grand slam in All-Star history off Atlee Hammaker
. Dawley retired Jim Rice
on a pop fly to end the third, then retired George Brett
on a flyout and struck out
Lance Parrish
. After giving up a single to Dave Winfield
, he got Manny Trillo
to fly out to end the inning. Dickie Thon
, his teammate with the Astros, then batted for him in the fifth inning.
During the next offseason, Dawley was traded to the Cardinals for infielder Fred Manrique
. Dawley's numbers continued to decline as he posted an ERA of 4.47 while losing a career-high eight games against five wins, and he was left off the team's postseason roster.
He was released by the Cardinals that winter, signing with the Phillies. He started the season with two losses in his first five appearances, posting an ERA of 17.05 before being sent to the minors in mid-May. He spent most of 1988 season with the minor league Maine Phillies before returning to the majors in September, but appeared in just three more games, then was released again.
Prior to the 1989 season, Dawley signed a minor league contract with Oakland. He started the season with the Tacoma Tigers, where he earned a return trip to the majors by posting a 3-1 record with 3 saves and a 2.56 ERA along with 44 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched
. On June 23, he threw four scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays
. On July 4, however, he gave up four runs in just two-thirds of an inning against the Kansas City Royals
. He was returned to Tacoma, then released on July 27. He was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers
the next day. He finished the season with their top farm club, the Denver Zephyrs and became a free agent after the season, ending his professional career.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
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...
. He played all or part of seven seasons 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...
, from 1983 to 1989, for 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...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and 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....
. He was used exclusively as a relief pitcher
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...
during his major league career, appearing in 275 games as a reliever.
Reds farm system
Dawley was drafted out of Griswold High SchoolGriswold High School (Connecticut)
Griswold High School is the only public education institute in Griswold, Connecticut. Surrounding towns have opportunity to send their students that attended their secondary schools to Griswold. Other schools that these towns may send their students to are: Norwich Free Academy, Ella T...
in the seventh round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
1976 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
by 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....
. Over the next six seasons, he worked his way up through the Reds' farm system as a starting pitcher
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....
, pitching substantially in relief only in 1980 with the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. 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...
in 1983, he was traded to the Astros along with infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Tony Walker
Tony Walker
Anthony Bruce Walker was a Major League Baseball player. Walker played in the 1986 season with the Houston Astros. He played the outfield and batted and threw right-handed.-External links:...
in exchange for backup catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Alan Knicely
Alan Knicely
Alan Lee Knicely is a former professional baseball catcher. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1979 until 1986...
.
1983: All-Star rookie
Dawley made the Astros roster out of spring training as a relief pitcher. Despite having little experience out of the bullpen, Dawley got off to a great start, being chosen for and playing in the All-Star GameAll-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
after going 5-2 with a 1.88 earned-run average before the All-Star break. Dawley finished his rookie season with a 6-6 record and a 2.82 ERA and 14 saves.
In the All-Star Game itself, Dawley took the mound for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with two outs in the bottom of the third inning after 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 Fred Lynn
Fred Lynn
Fredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame...
hit the first grand slam in All-Star history off Atlee Hammaker
Atlee Hammaker
Charlton Atlee Hammaker is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played the majority of his career for the San Francisco Giants from 1982 to 1990. He also played for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox...
. Dawley retired Jim Rice
Jim Rice
James Edward "Jim" Rice , nicknamed "Jim Ed", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder.Jim Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1989...
on a pop fly to end the third, then retired George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
on a flyout and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
Lance Parrish
Lance Parrish
Lance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , and the Toronto Blue Jays...
. After giving up a single to Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...
, he got Manny Trillo
Manny Trillo
Jesús Manuel Marcano Trillo , also nicknamed "Indio", is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from to...
to fly out to end the inning. Dickie Thon
Dickie Thon
Richard William "Dickie" Thon is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball.- Early life :Thon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame.- Professional career :He...
, his teammate with the Astros, then batted for him in the fifth inning.
Remaining career
In 1984, Dawley set career highs in several categories, going 11-4 with a 1.93 ERA. However, he never again matched the success of his first two seasons. After slumping to a 5-3 record and a 3.56 ERA in 1985, he was released at the end of spring training in 1986. He signed with the White Sox, and although his ERA did bounce back slightly to 3.32, he failed to win a game, going 0-7 with 2 saves.During the next offseason, Dawley was traded to the Cardinals for infielder Fred Manrique
Fred Manrique
Fred Eloy Manrique Reyes [man-RE-kay] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics...
. Dawley's numbers continued to decline as he posted an ERA of 4.47 while losing a career-high eight games against five wins, and he was left off the team's postseason roster.
He was released by the Cardinals that winter, signing with the Phillies. He started the season with two losses in his first five appearances, posting an ERA of 17.05 before being sent to the minors in mid-May. He spent most of 1988 season with the minor league Maine Phillies before returning to the majors in September, but appeared in just three more games, then was released again.
Prior to the 1989 season, Dawley signed a minor league contract with Oakland. He started the season with the Tacoma Tigers, where he earned a return trip to the majors by posting a 3-1 record with 3 saves and a 2.56 ERA along with 44 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. On June 23, he threw four scoreless innings against 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 ....
. On July 4, however, he gave up four runs in just two-thirds of an inning against 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...
. He was returned to Tacoma, then released on July 27. He was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
the next day. He finished the season with their top farm club, the Denver Zephyrs and became a free agent after the season, ending his professional career.