Bill Beckmann
Encyclopedia
William Aloysius Becmann (December 8, 1907 - January 2, 1990) was a professional baseball
pitcher
. He pitched all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball
, from 1939 until 1942. He pitched mostly for the Philadelphia Athletics
, but appeared in his last two major league games for the St. Louis Cardinals
.
Beckmann spent twelve years in the minor leagues
before his MLB debut. His professional career began in 1927 with the Danville Veterans of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. He remained in the minors until the Athletics selected him from the Atlanta Crackers
in the rule 5 draft
following the 1938 season. After the end of his MLB career, he pitched just one more season in the minors, playing for the Columbus Red Birds
in 1943.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He pitched all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, from 1939 until 1942. He pitched mostly for the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, but appeared in his last two major league games for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Beckmann spent twelve years in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
before his MLB debut. His professional career began in 1927 with the Danville Veterans of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. He remained in the minors until the Athletics selected him from the Atlanta Crackers
Atlanta Crackers
The Atlanta Crackers were minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1901 and 1965. The Crackers were Atlanta's home team until the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966....
in the rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
following the 1938 season. After the end of his MLB career, he pitched just one more season in the minors, playing for the Columbus Red Birds
Columbus Red Birds
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
in 1943.