Billy Bryan (baseball)
Encyclopedia
William Ronald Bryan is an American
former Major League Baseball
catcher
. He was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1960. Bryan played 8 seasons in the majors: Kansas City Athletics, 1961–1965; New York Yankees
, 1966–1967; and the Washington Senators, 1968. Bryan stood 6 in 4 in (1.93 m) tall, weighed 200 pounds (90.7 kg), batted left-handed
and threw right-handed.
Bryan had some success at the minor league
level, making the All-Star team for the 1961 Class B Northwest League
and hitting 25 home runs, knocking in 85 runs
, and batting
.295 in the Double-A Texas League
in 1962. But although he hit for some power in the Majors, especially when he was the regular or semi-regular catcher for the Athletics in 1964–1965, he hit only .216 at the Major League level, with 209 career hits
, 968 at bats, and 283 strikeout
s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1960. Bryan played 8 seasons in the majors: Kansas City Athletics, 1961–1965; New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, 1966–1967; and the Washington Senators, 1968. Bryan stood 6 in 4 in (1.93 m) tall, weighed 200 pounds (90.7 kg), batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed.
Bryan had some success at the minor league
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...
level, making the All-Star team for the 1961 Class B Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
and hitting 25 home runs, knocking in 85 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, and batting
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 :...
.295 in the Double-A Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in 1962. But although he hit for some power in the Majors, especially when he was the regular or semi-regular catcher for the Athletics in 1964–1965, he hit only .216 at the Major League level, with 209 career hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 968 at bats, and 283 strikeout
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....
s.