Bill Moisan
Encyclopedia
William Joseph Moisan, Jr. (July 30, 1925 - April 9, 2010) was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played briefly for the Chicago Cubs
during the season. Listed at 6' 1", 170 lb., he batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
Moisan was the son of William J. and Beatrice A. (Currier) Moisan. He was born in Bradford, Massachusetts
, and grew up in Newton, New Hampshire
. In his youth he was interested in baseball, and aspired to become a major leaguer. He graduated at Sanborn Seminary
, Kingston
, and went on to attend MacIntosh Business College before entering military service
in December 1943.
A decorated veteran of World War II
, Moisan was stationed at Fort Benning
, Georgia
, and then Fort Bragg
, North Carolina
, before going overseas with Company G of the 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. As a technician fifth grade, he served in France
in 1944, and was part of the Allied advance into Germany
in May 1945
, earning the Silver Star
at Jagstfeld. He also received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart
, Combat Infantryman Badge
, and battle ribbons with two stars. After being captured by the German forces and as a prisoner of war
, Moisan endured a 32-day forced march across Germany into Austria
. He suffered frozen feet and his weight dropped from 185 pounds to just 95 pounds. When he was discharged in December 1945, his feet were so tender that he was unable to cope with the infield
work required around first base, his normal position, but still wanted to pursue a career in professional baseball.
Following his military discharge, Moisan signed with the Chicago Cubs organization as a free agent in the spring of 1946. Due to the nature of his injury and his inability to remain as a first baseman, he had the Cubs support when he made the decision to transition to a pitcher. Basically a knuckleball
er, he also was used in pinch-hitting
duties.
In his professional debut, Moisan posted a combined record of 15-12 and a 3.11 earned run average
in 36 games while pitching in the PONY and Tri-State
leagues. He would spend the next six years in the minor leagues before gaining a promotion to the majors with the 1953 Cubs
. In three-relief appearances, he allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks
while striking out
one batter in 5.0 innings of work
. He did not have a decision.
Moisan continued pitching in the minors until 1956. His most productive years came in the Pacific League
with the PCL Los Angeles Angels
, averaging for them 12 wins per season from 1950 to 1953, with a career-high 16 wins in 1952. In ten minor league seasons, he had a 98-96 record with a 3.81 ERA in 329 games, 135 as a starter. A .222 lifetime hitter, he enjoyed his best season in 1953, posting career numbers in average
(.284), runs (15), hits (40), home run
s (four), RBI
(23), OBP (.327) and SLG (.418).
Following his playing retirement, Moisan remained involved with baseball for a significant number of years, mainly coaching teams near his home in Hampshire. He also served as the nuclear materials manager at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
, retiring in 1985.
Moisan died in Brentwood, New Hampshire
at the age of 84.
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...
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...
who played briefly for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
during the season. Listed at 6' 1", 170 lb., he batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
Moisan was the son of William J. and Beatrice A. (Currier) Moisan. He was born in Bradford, Massachusetts
Bradford, Massachusetts
Bradford is a former town in Essex County, Massachusetts. The name currently refers to the area on the south side of the Merrimack River in Haverhill, Massachusetts that was once Bradford...
, and grew up in Newton, New Hampshire
Newton, New Hampshire
Newton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,603 at the 2010 census.- History :The sixth town to be granted from the Masonian land purchase of 1746, Newton was originally part of Salisbury, Massachusetts; later, part of Amesbury, Massachusetts; then...
. In his youth he was interested in baseball, and aspired to become a major leaguer. He graduated at Sanborn Seminary
Sanborn Seminary
Sanborn Seminary was built in Kingston, New Hampshire, in 1883 by Major Edward S. Sanborn as the main building of a secular secondary boarding school. The school ran continuously until 1966 when it was sold to the Town of Kingston. The campus became known as Sanborn Regional High School and served...
, Kingston
Kingston, New Hampshire
Kingston is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population at the 2010 census was 6,025.- History :Kingston was the fifth town to be established in New Hampshire. Originally, it was a part of Hampton, New Hampshire...
, and went on to attend MacIntosh Business College before entering military service
Military service
Military service, in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft . Some nations require a specific amount of military service from every citizen...
in December 1943.
A decorated veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Moisan was stationed at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and then Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, before going overseas with Company G of the 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. As a technician fifth grade, he served in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1944, and was part of the Allied advance into Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in May 1945
Victory in Europe Day
Victory in Europe Day commemorates 8 May 1945 , the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not...
, earning the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
at Jagstfeld. He also received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, and battle ribbons with two stars. After being captured by the German forces and as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
, Moisan endured a 32-day forced march across Germany into Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He suffered frozen feet and his weight dropped from 185 pounds to just 95 pounds. When he was discharged in December 1945, his feet were so tender that he was unable to cope with the infield
Infield
Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on the sport in which it is used.- In baseball :In baseball the baseball diamond plus a region beyond it , has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield...
work required around first base, his normal position, but still wanted to pursue a career in professional baseball.
Following his military discharge, Moisan signed with the Chicago Cubs organization as a free agent in the spring of 1946. Due to the nature of his injury and his inability to remain as a first baseman, he had the Cubs support when he made the decision to transition to a pitcher. Basically a knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
er, he also was used in pinch-hitting
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
duties.
In his professional debut, Moisan posted a combined record of 15-12 and a 3.11 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 36 games while pitching in the PONY and Tri-State
Tri-State
Tri-State may refer to:*Tri-State Airport, a public airport located in West Virginia, USA*Tri-state area, an area where three states meet at one point*Tri-State Christian Television, a network of several religious TV stations...
leagues. He would spend the next six years in the minor leagues before gaining a promotion to the majors with the 1953 Cubs
1953 Chicago Cubs season
- Notable transactions :* June 4, 1953: Toby Atwell, Bob Schultz, Preston Ward, George Freese, Bob Addis, Gene Hermanski, and $150,000 were traded by the Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ralph Kiner, Joe Garagiola, Catfish Metkovich, and Howie Pollet....
. In three-relief appearances, he allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
while striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
one batter in 5.0 innings of work
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. He did not have a decision.
Moisan continued pitching in the minors until 1956. His most productive years came in the Pacific League
Pacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
with the PCL Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
, averaging for them 12 wins per season from 1950 to 1953, with a career-high 16 wins in 1952. In ten minor league seasons, he had a 98-96 record with a 3.81 ERA in 329 games, 135 as a starter. A .222 lifetime hitter, he enjoyed his best season in 1953, posting career numbers in average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.284), runs (15), hits (40), home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (four), RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(23), OBP (.327) and SLG (.418).
Following his playing retirement, Moisan remained involved with baseball for a significant number of years, mainly coaching teams near his home in Hampshire. He also served as the nuclear materials manager at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
, retiring in 1985.
Moisan died in Brentwood, New Hampshire
Brentwood, New Hampshire
Brentwood is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 4,486. Brentwood has been the county seat of Rockingham County since 1997...
at the age of 84.