[fredbeene]

Originally Posted by Mannyw

I hate the bad rap Bill got, it really is grossly unfair. He hit .289 across 22 seasons, only struck out 453 times in those 22 seasons, had a career .992 fielding % at first base, exactly the league average. For his career he only struck out once every 20.7 ab, and lead the league in first basemen assists four times, including 1986. And he wasn't a natural first baseman, he was an outfield and did a solid job there as well. MLB Ref lists him as similar in batting stats with Al Oliver, Steve Garvey, Mark Grace, Buddy Bell and Jose Cruz, to name a few of them, pretty good company I think. He should have been an All-Star a number of times. He played with heart, grit, and did whatever was asked, in short, the kind of guy you want on your team.

Rest in Peace Bill and bless your family, you were a good man and a great ballplayer for my two cents.

this was really sad news....so young and such an underrated player.....amazing eye....there should be PT card and he should have 100 avoiding Ks : )