The Life Of Bill Topper

[Scott]

The life of Bill Topper begins in a sleepy little town in northcentral New York, the day was January 25th 1875, here would be the stepping stone for one of best pitchers of the Great Baseball League formed in 1901. Bill recalls. "I remember playing stick balL in the back lot with my neighbors, I would pitch and they would hit and we all had a very good time. " All through his schooling, Bill would play in stick ball leagues orgainized throughout the state of New York. "When I graduated from High School in 1893, I did not know what to do, there were no leagues to play in so I enlisted with the army" said Bill.

In the army, Bill honed his skills as pitcher in the newly created Military League. "I had loads of fun pitching and the batters would try to hit off me, but they had a very hard time doing so." Bill pitched in the Military League until war broke out with Spain in the Spanish-American War in 1898. Bill fought with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. He retired from the Army in 1899 with the rank of Seargent.

After the army Bill set out to do what he enjoyed, pitch baseball as it was to become. After looking for a job and finding one in New York City in the fall of 1899, Bill set out to find his passion. He found a place with the Inner Counsel League in downtown Manhatten. Using an abandoned yard, Bill and dozens of baseball hopefuls set out to play for fun. It was during this time that a new baseball league was forming across the USA. It was called The Great Baseball League. It was formed into two leagues, Federal and Allied,with 3 divisions in each league with 6 teams in each division. Only the city of Pittsburgh had the ability to field two teams.

On Jan 1st, 1901 the call went out nationwide for playwers to join this new league. "I remember getting a telegram from an agent for the league one morning." The draft was set for Feb 1st. Bill was drafted in the 1st round (8th pick overall) by the Trenton Patriots. "I was excited when they drafted me, I was in the big leagues now, I could now fulfill my passion to pitch." Bill picked up his first win on April 4th 1901. He went on to a 28-11 record, being awarded the Outstanding Pitcher Award, and to lead Trenton to a 85-77 season.

The second season saw Bill with a 28-18 record but he finished second in the award ballot. The Third season was the start of somerthing big. Bill recalls, "I had the time of my life that season, I won 31 games,was selected to my second all star game, and recorded 7 shut outs, I only had that many in the previous two seasons. and to have the icing on the cake, I was awarded the Outstanding Batter Award again." Bill surpased himself with a 31-15 record,but he was not done.

Over the next years saw Bill set records and break them again. The most ins in a season, 40 in 1905, 42 in 1906, and 43 in 1910. The most shut outs in a season, 11 in 1906 and 10 in 1907. Bill went on to win the Outstanding Pitcher award every year from 1903 until he ritired in the spring of 1914. Over 13 years years Bill complied an awesome record 443-165, 2.23, 2468K's,578 complete games and 83 shut outs. "I am honored to be named after the Outstanding Pitcher Award."

Officially now the Outstanding Pitcher Award will now be called The Bill Topper Award. Bill retired this spring and will be missed. He went back and will raise his family, with wife Sharon of 12 years and their 3 kids, in New York City.




Scott

[Rockpile]

Looks good. Keep it up.

[Scott]

Sorry
This shouldbebetter...lol

[William4192]

Bring us more!