Billy Buckner
Encyclopedia
William Jennings "Billy" Buckner (born August 27, 1983, in Decatur, Georgia
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. Despite their similar names, Buckner is not related to retired Major League Baseball player Bill Buckner
.
, but chose not to sign and instead played college ball at South Carolina
. He was drafted again in 2004 by the Kansas City Royals
in the second round as the 55th overall pick.
In his fourth season in the Royals organization, Buckner was called up on August 24, 2007, to the big league club.
Alberto Callaspo
.
for Dontrelle Willis
and cash considerations. He was released on July 25, 2010.
to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Buckner had hoped to compete for a spot on the roster, but spent the entire season in AAA with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
where he was 4-8 with a 6.03 ERA in 23 appearances.
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
) is a 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...
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...
. Despite their similar names, Buckner is not related to retired Major League Baseball player Bill Buckner
Bill Buckner
William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
.
Kansas City Royals
Buckner was originally drafted in the 9th round (248th overall) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, but chose not to sign and instead played college ball at South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. He was drafted again in 2004 by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in the second round as the 55th overall pick.
In his fourth season in the Royals organization, Buckner was called up on August 24, 2007, to the big league club.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On December 14, 2007, Buckner was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielderInfielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto José Callaspo is a baseball second baseman and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in , playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League...
.
Detroit Tigers
On June 1, 2010, Buckner was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
and cash considerations. He was released on July 25, 2010.
Colorado Rockies
On December 20, 2010, Buckner was signed by the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Buckner had hoped to compete for a spot on the roster, but spent the entire season in AAA with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
where he was 4-8 with a 6.03 ERA in 23 appearances.