Bill Singer
Encyclopedia
William Robert Singer is a former baseball
pitcher
with a 14-year career from 1964 to 1977. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers
(1964–72) and the California Angels
(1973–75), spending his final two seasons with the Texas Rangers
(1976), Minnesota Twins
(1976) and Toronto Blue Jays
(1977).
on September 24, 1964, allowing one run in 6.1 innings in a start against the Chicago Cubs
, as he had a no-decision in a 4-3 loss at Wrigley Field
. Singer made one more start in 1964, allowing 4 runs in 7.2 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Cubs at Dodger Stadium
.
During the next two seasons, Singer saw very little action with the Dodgers, pitching five innings in five games, as he spent most of his time in the minor leagues.
He had his first full season in Los Angeles in 1967, as Singer had an impressive 12-8 record with a 2.64 ERA in 32 games, 29 of them starts. In 1968, Singer had a very solid ERA of 2.88, however, he had a losing record of 13-17.
Singer had a breakout season in 1969, tying with Claude Osteen
with a club high 20 wins, as he had a 20-12 record with a club best 2.34 ERA. Singer played in the 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
held at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
, pitching two scoreless innings in the National League's 9-3 win.
He ran into injury problems in 1970, making only 16 starts, but had a record of 8-5 with a 3.13 ERA. He pitched a no-hitter
against the Philadelphia Phillies
on July 20, 1970, and was named the NL Player of the Month for July as he had a 5-0 record with a 1.84 ERA.
Singer was the Dodgers opening day starter in 1971, however he struggled throughout the season, with a 10-17 record and a 4.16 ERA. He continued to struggle throughout the 1972 season, going only 6-16 with a 3.67 ERA.
The Dodgers traded Singer, Billy Grabarkewitz
, Frank Robinson
, Mike Strahler
, and Bobby Valentine
to the California Angels for Ken McMullen and Andy Messersmith
on November 28, 1972.
held at Kauffman Stadium
in Kansas City
, where he allowed three runs in two innings as the American League lost 7-1.
Singer once again ran into injury problems, as in 1974, he made 14 starts, earning a 7-4 record with a 2.98 ERA. He struggled in the 1975 season, going 7-15 with a 4.98 ERA.
On December 10, 1975, the Angels traded Singer to the Texas Rangers
for Jim Spencer
and $100,000.
, Jim Gideon
, Roy Smalley and $250,000 to the Minnesota Twins
for Bert Blyleven
and Danny Thompson
.
drafted Singer in the 1976 MLB Expansion Draft
with the 28th overall selection.
on a snowy afternoon at Exhibition Stadium
. Singer struggled in Toronto, as he had run into injury problems, as he finished 2-8 with a 6.79 ERA before being shut down in mid-July for the rest of the season.
Singer would miss the entire 1978 season and was released from the Blue Jays on December 2, 1978. Singer would then retire, finishing his career with a 118-127 record, a 3.39 ERA and 1515 strikeouts.
, Pittsburgh Pirates
and Los Angeles Dodgers
.
of the New York Mets
following racially insensitive remarks made to Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng
in which he mocked Ng's Chinese heritage. As widely reported by ESPN
and the Los Angeles Times
the exchange went as follows:
He later apologized and blamed the Atkins diet and being drunk as the reasons for his remarks.
He was later hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks
as a Major League scout in February 2005, with the Diamondbacks GM Joe Garagiola Jr stating "We satisfied ourselves by talking to him, to other people about him and doing a thorough background check." In November 2006, he was added to the Washington Nationals' scouting roster where he coordinates scouting operations in Asia.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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...
with a 14-year career from 1964 to 1977. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1964–72) and the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1973–75), spending his final two seasons with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1976), Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1976) and Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(1977).
Los Angeles Dodgers
Singer made his major league debut with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on September 24, 1964, allowing one run in 6.1 innings in a start against 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...
, as he had a no-decision in a 4-3 loss at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. Singer made one more start in 1964, allowing 4 runs in 7.2 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Cubs at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
.
During the next two seasons, Singer saw very little action with the Dodgers, pitching five innings in five games, as he spent most of his time in the minor leagues.
He had his first full season in Los Angeles in 1967, as Singer had an impressive 12-8 record with a 2.64 ERA in 32 games, 29 of them starts. In 1968, Singer had a very solid ERA of 2.88, however, he had a losing record of 13-17.
Singer had a breakout season in 1969, tying with Claude Osteen
Claude Osteen
Claude Wilson Osteen , nicknamed "Gomer" because of his resemblance to Gomer Pyle, is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for six different teams: the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Washington Senators , Los Angeles Dodgers , Houston Astros , St...
with a club high 20 wins, as he had a 20-12 record with a club best 2.34 ERA. Singer played in the 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 40th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 23, 1969 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC. The game resulted...
held at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, pitching two scoreless innings in the National League's 9-3 win.
He ran into injury problems in 1970, making only 16 starts, but had a record of 8-5 with a 3.13 ERA. He pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on July 20, 1970, and was named the NL Player of the Month for July as he had a 5-0 record with a 1.84 ERA.
Singer was the Dodgers opening day starter in 1971, however he struggled throughout the season, with a 10-17 record and a 4.16 ERA. He continued to struggle throughout the 1972 season, going only 6-16 with a 3.67 ERA.
The Dodgers traded Singer, Billy Grabarkewitz
Billy Grabarkewitz
Billy Cordell Grabarkewitz , is a retired professional baseball player who played third base, second base, and shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1969-1975. His best season was 1970, when he was the starting third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was selected as an All-Star...
, Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
, Mike Strahler
Mike Strahler
Michael Wayne Strahler was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1970-1973 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers.-External links:...
, and Bobby Valentine
Bobby Valentine
Robert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
to the California Angels for Ken McMullen and Andy Messersmith
Andy Messersmith
John Alexander "Andy" Messersmith is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the 12th overall pick of the 1966 amateur draft by the California Angels...
on November 28, 1972.
California Angels
Singer had a very strong 1973 season with the Angels, tying a career high with 20 wins, as he was 20-14 with a 3.22 ERA in 40 starts. Singer played in the 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 44th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 24, 1973 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the...
held at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, where he allowed three runs in two innings as the American League lost 7-1.
Singer once again ran into injury problems, as in 1974, he made 14 starts, earning a 7-4 record with a 2.98 ERA. He struggled in the 1975 season, going 7-15 with a 4.98 ERA.
On December 10, 1975, the Angels traded Singer to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Jim Spencer
Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
and $100,000.
Texas Rangers
Singer began the 1976 in Texas, and pitched well with them, going 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 starts. On June 1, 1976, the Rangers traded Singer, Mike CubbageMike Cubbage
Michael Lee Cubbage in Charlottesville, VA was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball from 1974 until the close of the 1981 season...
, Jim Gideon
Jim Gideon
James Leslie Gideon is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He pitched for the Texas Rangers for one game on September 14 during the 1975 Texas Rangers season.-External links:...
, Roy Smalley and $250,000 to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
and Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson (baseball)
Danny Leon Thompson was a professional baseball player, a major league shortstop from 1970-76.Born in Wichita, Kansas, Thompson grew up in tiny Capron, Oklahoma, and played college baseball at Oklahoma State, where he was an All-American. He broke into the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 1970...
.
Minnesota Twins
He finished the 1976 season with the Twins, making 26 starts, and finishing with a 9-9 record and a 3.77 ERA in Minnesota. On November 5, 1976, the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
drafted Singer in the 1976 MLB Expansion Draft
1976 MLB expansion draft
The 1976 MLB Expansion Draft was held November 5, 1976. This expansion draft was conducted by Major League Baseball to stock the major league rosters of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners, new major league expansion franchises that were set to start play in the ...
with the 28th overall selection.
Toronto Blue Jays
Singer was named the opening day starter for the expansion Blue Jays in 1977, as Singer had a no-decision in Toronto's 9-5 win over the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on a snowy afternoon at Exhibition Stadium
Exhibition Stadium
Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
. Singer struggled in Toronto, as he had run into injury problems, as he finished 2-8 with a 6.79 ERA before being shut down in mid-July for the rest of the season.
Singer would miss the entire 1978 season and was released from the Blue Jays on December 2, 1978. Singer would then retire, finishing his career with a 118-127 record, a 3.39 ERA and 1515 strikeouts.
Post-playing career
After retirement he held various scouting and consulting positions with Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
Racial remarks controversy
In 2003, he was terminated from his position as special assistant to General Manager Jim DuquetteJim Duquette
James "Jim" Duquette was the general manager of the New York Mets for the 2004 season, before the team replaced him with Omar Minaya. Duquette subsequently stayed with the Mets in a front office job for a full season before moving on to the Baltimore Orioles...
of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
following racially insensitive remarks made to Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng
Kim Ng
Kim Ng is an American executive in Major League Baseball. She is currently the Senior Vice-President for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.-Career:...
in which he mocked Ng's Chinese heritage. As widely reported by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
the exchange went as follows:
Singer: What are you doing here?
Ng: I'm working.
Singer: What are you doing here?
Ng: I'm working. I'm the Dodger assistant general manager.
Singer: Where are you from?
Ng: I was born in Indiana and grew up in New York.
Singer: Where are you from?
Ng: My family's from China.
Singer: Nonsensically mock Chinese, then "What country in China?"
He later apologized and blamed the Atkins diet and being drunk as the reasons for his remarks.
He was later hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
as a Major League scout in February 2005, with the Diamondbacks GM Joe Garagiola Jr stating "We satisfied ourselves by talking to him, to other people about him and doing a thorough background check." In November 2006, he was added to the Washington Nationals' scouting roster where he coordinates scouting operations in Asia.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters