Billy Goodman

From SoSH

Billy Goodman

Born:	March 3, 1926
Birthplace:	Concord, NC
Hometown:	Sarasota, FL
Height:	5'11"
Weight:	165
Bats:	Left
Throws:	Right
Drafted:	N/A
College:	N/A
High School:	N/A
Other Teams:	Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Houston Colt .45's
Years with Boston:	1947-57

William Dale Goodman was an extremely versatile player for the Red Sox that could play a number of positions while consistently producing at the plate. The 1950 Batting Champion, Billy was a key component in a record breaking Boston offense. That '50 team was stacked with the likes of Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams, not to mention guys having career years such as Vern Stephens and Walt Dropo. Nevertheless, Goodman played in 110 games compiling a .354 average, besting Detroit's George Kell (.340) and teammate DiMaggio (.328) for the batting crown.

1 Overall Career
2 Moment in the Sun
3 Career Stats
4 Trivia
5 External Links

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Overall Career

For 11 years in Boston, Billy Goodman was a player that could fill in at virtually any position. He showed this ability with unbelievable success in 1950, winning the batting title without a permanent position. Billy played 21 games at first, five at second, one at short, 27 at third, and 45 in the outfield while accumulating the 400 at-bats necessary to be eligible for the crown.

While the .354 he hit in 1950 was a career best by 41 points, Goodman hit above .300 five times while in Boston, never dipping below the .293 mark. Billy was also able to collect more than 22 doubles every season in a Sox uniform.

Goodman's lack of homerun power was a big reason he was moved from position to position. His 14 career Red Sox homers are a good depiction of what a light-hitting lefty can face at Fenway Park, an expansive right field that doesn't give up many cheap longball's.

Traded at the beginning of the 1957 season, Billy never reached the .300 plateau again in his career. He did put together a decent year in 1958 as he hit .299 with the Chicago White Sox, scoring 41 times and driving in 40 runs in 425 at-bats. Goodman finished up his playing days with the Houston Colt .45's of the National League.

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