Billy Pierce obit

Former White Sox great Billy Pierce dies

He was not on the list.



Billy Pierce, one the most dominant left-handed pitchers in White Sox history died Friday in Palos Heights at 88.


The cause of death was gallbladder cancer, his son Robert said.

Pierce, whose No. 19 the Sox retired in 1987, was on the Hall of Fame Golden Era Committee ballot last year but failed to get in. The left-hander remains atop the franchise's career strikeouts list with 1,796, and is fourth in victories with 186 of his 211 overall.

"Generations of White Sox fans lost one of their heroes today," Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "It was an absolute privilege to consider Billy a friend. He epitomized class, not just as a ballplayer on those great Go-Go White Sox teams of the 1950s, but as a gentleman and as a human being who devoted so much of his life to helping others."

Pierce is one of 13 pitchers to start three or more All-Star games (1953, '55, '56), and finished third in the 1962 Cy Young voting and fifth the 1956 AL MVP balloting. He led the AL with a 1.97 ERA in 1955 and with 186 strikeouts in 1953, and recorded 20-victory seasons in 1956 and '57.

Born April 2, 1927, Pierce was signed by his hometown Tigers before he finished high school.

Pierce made his major-league debut in June 1945, with three relief appearances that month and two more in September after spending two months with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League at the age of 18.

Pierce grew up in suburban Highland Park, Mich. as the son of a pharmacist. He was on the Tigers' roster for the team's triumph over the Cubs in the 1945 World Series, although he did not appear in any games.


The Tigers, concerned about the left-hander's early control issues, traded Pierce to the Sox on Nov. 10, 1948, for catcher Aaron Robinson and $10,000. The Tigers soon regretted the decision and tried to call off the trade, but to no avail.

Pierce pitched for the White Sox from 1949-1961 and was a member of the 1959 American League champions. He also pitched for the Giants (1962-64). He was a seven-time All-Star and finished with a career record of 211-169 with 1,999 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.27, leading the league in 1955.

One of the most dominant pitchers of the '50s, the slightly-built Pierce perhaps was remembered best for his legendary matchups against Yankees Hall of Fame left-hander Whitey Ford. The two pitchers faced each other 14 times from 1955 to 1960.

On June 27, 1958, against the Washington Senators, Pierce came within one batter of becoming the first left-handed pitcher in 78 years to throw a perfect game. Pinch-hitter Ed Fitz Gerald spoiled the perfect game when he hit the first pitch to him for a two-out double just barely fair down the right-field line.

He was selected to the White Sox All-Century Team in 2000 and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. The White Sox unveiled a statue in Pierce's honor on July 23, 2007, on the concourse at U.S. Cellular Field.

Pierce is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria, son Bill Jr., daughter Patty, son Bob, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Services are pending. The family has asked donations be made in Pierce's name to Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities.