Billy Wilson--1973
A right-hander with a long history of arm
problems, Billy Wilson had a couple of
nice seasons for the NL East doormat
Phillies of the early 1970s.
He even played third base in a moment
of managerial wizardry.
After his Phillies scored a pair of runs to
take a 3-2 lead over the division leading
Pirates on August 6, 1971, manager
Frank Lucchesi watched as Wilson
induced Roberto Clemente to bounce
out to third to open the bottom of the
eighth inning. With future Hall of Famer
Willie Stargell striding to the plate,
Lucchesi went to work, calling for lefty
Joe Hoerner, while Wilson stepped off
the mound and headed to third base.
One can only imagine the feeling Wilson
had standing over at third base and
staring into the plate where Stargell
resided.
Luckily, Hoerner would fan Stargell as
Lucchesi summoned Wilson back to the
mound. The 28-year-old would retire
Manny Sanguillen on a ground ball that
he handled himself.
The righty would then wriggle out of a
ninth inning jam to nail down the victory.
Believe it or not, all this happened with a
Phillies club that was 20 games out of
first place at the time.
You just gotta love Frank Lucchesi.
Editor's Note: We theorize that the
Topps photographer took this photo of
Wilson just moments after he learned
that his middle name was Harlen. Wilson
would go 9-15, 4.22 in five seasons
(1969-1973) with the Phillies.
(4/15/11)
problems, Billy Wilson had a couple of
nice seasons for the NL East doormat
Phillies of the early 1970s.
He even played third base in a moment
of managerial wizardry.
After his Phillies scored a pair of runs to
take a 3-2 lead over the division leading
Pirates on August 6, 1971, manager
Frank Lucchesi watched as Wilson
induced Roberto Clemente to bounce
out to third to open the bottom of the
eighth inning. With future Hall of Famer
Willie Stargell striding to the plate,
Lucchesi went to work, calling for lefty
Joe Hoerner, while Wilson stepped off
the mound and headed to third base.
One can only imagine the feeling Wilson
had standing over at third base and
staring into the plate where Stargell
resided.
Luckily, Hoerner would fan Stargell as
Lucchesi summoned Wilson back to the
mound. The 28-year-old would retire
Manny Sanguillen on a ground ball that
he handled himself.
The righty would then wriggle out of a
ninth inning jam to nail down the victory.
Believe it or not, all this happened with a
Phillies club that was 20 games out of
first place at the time.
You just gotta love Frank Lucchesi.
Editor's Note: We theorize that the
Topps photographer took this photo of
Wilson just moments after he learned
that his middle name was Harlen. Wilson
would go 9-15, 4.22 in five seasons
(1969-1973) with the Phillies.
(4/15/11)
