Bill Landis

From SoSH

Bill Landis was a left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox from 1967 to 1969. In 101 games with the Sox (including 7 starts), he compiled a 4.50 ERA and a 9-8 record with 4 saves. Overall, Landis pitched 168 innings for Boston, giving up 154 hits, 90 walks, and 84 earned runs while striking out 132. Bill Landis wore uniform number 29 for the Red Sox.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Landis's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

Although Landis signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Athletics in 1961, he did not pitch in the major leagues until September 28, 1963. Making his major league debut at age 20, Bill Landis pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings in relief, walking one and striking out three in his only appearance. Apparently, his efforts did not earn him a spot on the major league roster the next spring, however. In fact, Landis would never again pitch in the majors for the Kansas City A's.

In November of 1966, the Boston Red Sox selelcted Bill Landis in the Rule V draft, and he spent the 1967-1969 seasons pitching for Boston. In 1967, Landis appeared in 18 games, compiling a 1-0 record and a 5.26 ERA over 25 2/3 innings. His 23 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings were impressive; his 11 walks, however, were not. Nevertheless, Landis returned for the 1968 season and appeared in 38 games, going 3-3 with 3 saves and a 3.15 ERA. Once again, he posted an impressive strikeout total, with 59 in 60 innings pitched, but he walked 30 batters over that span as well. 1969 would be Landis's final year with the Sox, and he contributed 82 1/3 innings, allowing 82 hits, 49 walks, and 48 earned runs for a 5.25 ERA. His strikeout total plummeted to just 50 in 82 1/3 innings (giving him a 5.47 K/9, compared to 8.85 K/9 in 1968). Unfortunately for Landis, that was to be his final season in the major leagues.

In October of 1970, Bill Landis was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Billy McCool, but he never appeared on the Cardinals' major league roster.

Landis's Moments in the Sun

• September 28, 1963: In his major league debut, Landis pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings in relief for the Kansas City Athletics, although Cleveland won the game 7-0.
• August 31, 1968: Landis pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Jim Lonborg, allowing three hits and striking out 7, to earn the save as Boston beat the Washington Senators 6-4.
• April 12, 1969: Landis pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, giving up just 1 hit and striking out 7, to earn the win as Boston beat Cleveland 5-3.
• June 27, 1969: Bill Landis started the game and pitched six innings, allowing three hits and one run, to earn the win as Boston beat Washington 4-2.

Trivia

• Although Landis was a member of the 1967 Red Sox, he missed the World Series due to an "army commitment".
• Landis did not have a hit in his 19 major-league at-bats, although he did walk three times and score one run.

Transactions

• Spring 1961: Signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent
• November 28, 1966: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox from the Kansas City Athletics in the 1966 rule V draft
• October, 1970: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals for Billy McCool (exact date is uncertain)

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis