Billy Pierce

2.1. Youth Baseball and High School

Born to pharmacist Walter Pierce and his wife Julia, Billy Pierce grew up in Highland Park, Michigan, and first showed interest in baseball at the age of ten. He recalled a pivotal moment when his parents offered him a major league baseball and a good glove if he agreed to a tonsillectomy, a deal he accepted. Initially a first baseman, he transitioned to pitching, inspired by his hero, Detroit Tigers star Tommy Bridges, who, like Pierce, had a slight build.

He attended Highland Park Community High School, where his teammates included future major league pitcher Ted Gray. As a junior in 1944, Pierce pitched six shutouts, earning him the nickname "Mr. Zero." He was the starting and winning pitcher in an East-West All-American Boys' Game, sponsored by Esquire magazine, held at the Polo Grounds in New York on August 7, 1944. Connie Mack managed Pierce's East All-Stars, and a reporter noted his "amazing" fastball despite his weight of only 140 lb ^{(140 lb)}. The West team featured future Hall of Fame center fielder Richie Ashburn, who was hitless in two at bats against Pierce. The game was a benefit for World War II community memorials, and two days prior, the players were guests on Babe Ruth's weekly radio program. Pierce was voted the game's outstanding player, receiving a four-year college scholarship. Despite considering studying medicine at the University of Michigan, he ultimately signed with his hometown Detroit Tigers for a bonus of 15.00 K USD.

2.2. Professional Debut and Detroit Tigers

Pierce joined the Detroit Tigers in spring training 1945, making the team before even finishing high school and without playing in the minor leagues. He made his major league debut in June 1945, shortly after his 18th birthday, appearing in three relief appearances that month and two more in September after a two-month stint with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League. He was on the Tigers' roster for their 1945 World Series victory, though he did not play in any games. His unassuming presence was notable; Paul Richards, then a Tigers catcher, later recounted an instance where he frequently visited a neighborhood drugstore, only to discover much later that Pierce had been the clerk serving him, as it was his family's business.

Pierce was sent back to Buffalo for the 1946 season, but missed most of the year due to a back injury attributed to overwork. After the 1947 season in Buffalo, he returned to Detroit in 1948, primarily working from the bullpen but making five starts and achieving a 3-0 record, still weighing only 148 lb ^{(148 lb)}. He earned his first major league victory on August 8 against the Washington Senators, pitching 7 and 2/3 innings, striking out six, and even driving in a run with a triple and scoring in a 6-5 win. However, concerns about his control persisted, as he issued 51 walks in 55 and 1/3 innings that year. This led the Tigers to trade him to the Chicago White Sox on November 10 for catcher Aaron Robinson and 10.00 K USD. This trade is widely considered one of the most lopsided in baseball history, with the Tigers reportedly trying to reverse the deal the day after it was completed, even offering 50.00 K USD to get Pierce back, but White Sox general manager Frank Lane refused.

3.1. Development and Rise to Prominence

In his initial seasons with the White Sox, Pierce continued to struggle with control issues, evidenced by his 137 walks in 1950, which tied for the fourth most ever by an AL left-hander. However, these years also showed glimpses of his developing excellence and the consistent challenge of securing run support. On May 29, 1949, in only his sixth start for Chicago, the 22-year-old Pierce faced 42-year-old Negro league legend Satchel Paige in a road game against the defending World Series champion Cleveland Indians. The pitchers' duel extended to the 11th inning, with Cleveland ultimately winning 2-1. On June 15, 1950, against the World Series champion Yankees, Pierce achieved his first career shutout, a 5-0 one-hitter, despite multiple rain delays. The only hit was a single by Billy Johnson in the fifth inning.

Over 13 seasons with the White Sox, Pierce solidified his position as the ace of the pitching staff, leading the team in wins nine times and in strikeouts eight times. He was the team's Opening Day starter seven times (1951-52, 1954, 1956-59) and started the home opener in 1953 and 1961. He possessed an outstanding fastball and an excellent curveball. In 1951, he added the slider as a third potent pitch, utilizing his curveball motion rather than his fastball motion for it, and also developed a changeup. He pitched quickly with an over-the-top motion, dropping his back shoulder in a style similar to that later adopted by Sandy Koufax. In 1957, Paul Richards, who became Chicago's manager in 1951, noted Pierce's early tendency to "windmill" his delivery, which caused the ball to spin excessively. Richards worked extensively with Pierce to develop his new pitches and improve his control and pace. Pierce later credited Richards, stating that developing the slider was "tremendously" helpful as it provided him with a third "out pitch" that he could throw for strikes more effectively than his fastball or curve. This coaching led to a dramatic improvement in his control; after issuing 249 walks in 391 innings in 1949-1950, he reduced that to just 73 walks in 240 innings in 1951. His ERA also improved significantly, ranking fourth in the league in 1951 with 3.03 and sixth in 1952 with 2.57. On September 21, 1952, he broke Doc White's 1907 club record of 141 strikeouts by a left-hander, finishing the season with 144.

3.2. Peak Years and Achievements

On April 16, 1953, in Chicago's home opener against the St. Louis Browns, Pierce pitched his second one-hitter, a 1-0 victory in which he allowed only a seventh-inning double by Bobby Young. Pierce was selected to start the All-Star Game for the AL that year, becoming the first White Sox pitcher to do so, and allowed only one hit through three innings. Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams praised Pierce's performance, remarking on his strong delivery and ability to "throw the ball right by everybody."

During the early 1950s, manager Paul Richards strategically used Pierce, often holding him back against weaker teams but deploying him more frequently in crucial games against powerful rivals like the Yankees and Indians. Catcher Sherm Lollar observed that while this was a compliment to Pierce's ability, he might have achieved more victories and 20-win seasons sooner had he faced all opponents more equally. On August 3, 1953, Pierce began a streak of 39 and 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest such streak in the AL between 1926 and 1968, and the fifth longest ever by a left-hander. This streak ended on August 19, when he allowed two unearned runs. He led the league in strikeouts (186) and was second in ERA (2.72) in 1953. On September 27, he started and won the final game in Browns history, a 2-1 victory in 11 innings. His seven shutouts that season were the second most by an AL left-hander since 1916.

Pierce's 1954 season was interrupted by arm pain, later attributed to an infected wisdom tooth and adjacent molar, which required oral surgery on June 3. He did not pitch again until June 20, and struggled initially before regaining form with two consecutive 3-0 shutouts in July, the latter being his fourth career two-hitter. Despite recording only nine wins that season, he was one of only four pitchers to defeat the 111-win Indians three times. Pierce was also an excellent baserunner, used as a pinch runner 30 times between 1949 and 1957, even scoring as a substitute for three-time stolen base champion Minnie Miñoso in a 1956 game. On June 25, 1953, he was part of a rare defensive shift, moving to first base in the ninth inning, then returning to the mound to close out a victory, a game in which the White Sox used an AL record five first basemen.

In 1955, Pierce again started the All-Star Game, despite entering the break with a 5-6 record but an impressive 2.11 ERA, having suffered two consecutive 1-0 losses before the break. In the All-Star Game, he allowed only one baserunner through three innings, but the AL eventually lost 6-5. He finished the season leading the league in ERA with 1.97, the lowest by an MLB pitcher between 1946 and 1963. Total Baseball rated Pierce as the best pitcher in MLB in 1955.

In 1956, he started his third All-Star Game. With the arrival of rookie shortstop Luis Aparicio, who boosted the team's offense, Pierce won 11 of 13 starts between June and August. He became the first White Sox pitcher since 1941 to win 20 games and was second in the AL with a career-high 192 strikeouts, a team record for left-handers until 1964. He was named AL Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News and finished fifth in AL Most Valuable Player Award voting. In 1957, Pierce became the first White Sox pitcher since Red Faber (1920-1922) to achieve 20 victories in consecutive seasons, tying Jim Bunning for the league lead and again winning AL Pitcher of the Year. He had six consecutive complete game victories from May to June with a combined ERA of 0.64, including two 1-0 wins and his sixth career two-hitter. Despite the popularity of teammates like Miñoso, Aparicio, and Nellie Fox, Pierce was voted the most popular White Sox player by sportswriters in 1957. A separate poll named him Chicago's best fielding pitcher, best at holding runners, and best for crucial games, while also noting him as the team's most nervous player on the field.

In 1958, he was second in the AL in both wins (17) and ERA (2.68). His seventh two-hitter on June 21 was followed by the most renowned game of his career on June 27 against the Senators. Pierce retired the first 26 batters before pinch hitter Ed Fitz Gerald hit a double down the first base line, just a foot from the foul line. Pierce then struck out Albie Pearson to end the game. This near-perfect game was a remarkable feat, as no left-hander had pitched a perfect game since 1880, and only one AL left-hander had thrown a no-hitter between 1931 and 1962. Although disappointed, Pierce praised his teammates' defensive efforts. Then Vice President Richard Nixon later told Pierce he had watched the game and rooted for the White Sox. In a 1982 interview, Pierce expressed a wish that he had achieved the perfect game. His streak of 33 consecutive scoreless innings ended on July 1.

Pierce tied for the league lead in complete games from 1956 to 1958 and was selected for the All-Star team in 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1961. On June 11, 1959, he pitched his fourth and final one-hitter, a 3-1 victory at Washington. On August 6, he pitched the longest outing of his career, 16 innings, in a game that ended in an 18-inning, 1-1 tie. After pulling a back muscle and straining hip ligaments on August 15, he was out of action until September 7.

3.3. 1959 World Series and Controversies

Manager Al López's decision not to start Pierce in the 1959 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers proved highly controversial. After Cy Young Award winner Early Wynn started Game 1, López opted for Bob Shaw and Dick Donovan in Games 2 and 3, both of which the White Sox lost. Pierce was held back until Game 4 and was used in relief in the final three games of the Series, allowing only two hits and no runs in four innings of work. In Game 4, he entered in the fourth inning with Chicago trailing 4-0, pitched three hitless innings, and was removed for a pinch hitter when the Sox tied the game, though the Dodgers ultimately won 5-4. In Game 5, he entered in the eighth inning to protect a 1-0 lead but was pulled after an intentional walk, with the White Sox holding on for the win. López even started Wynn in Game 6 on only two days' rest, but he was ineffective, and the Dodgers secured the championship.

Being used out of the bullpen was a deep disappointment for Pierce, who stated in a 1982 interview that he understood the decision, acknowledging that Wynn and Shaw had better regular seasons and that López preferred right-handers against the Dodgers' left-handed heavy lineup. However, there have been suggestions of other, undisclosed motivations behind López's decision. Outfielder Al Smith recalled that the team knew the real reason but never revealed it, maintaining that Pierce should have started.

4.1. Rivalry with the New York Yankees

Pierce played a crucial role in maintaining the White Sox's competitiveness against the dominant New York Yankees throughout much of the 1950s. After a challenging period from June 1951 to July 1952, where he lost 10 of 11 decisions to New York despite a respectable 3.69 ERA, he managed to hold his own against them, achieving a 21-21 record from August 1952 through the 1960 season. Ironically, this turnaround followed one of Chicago's most crushing defeats to their rivals on July 29, 1952, when Pierce left with a 7-3 lead in the eighth inning, only for the Yankees to rally and win 10-7 on Mickey Mantle's grand slam in the ninth. Pierce later recalled this as one of his most frustrating outings.

He faced Whitey Ford 15 times in his career, more than any other pitcher. Their matchups included a 1-0 loss on May 17, 1955, a 3-2 loss in 10 innings on June 5 of that year, a 2-1 loss on July 15, 1956, and a 3-2 loss in 11 innings on September 18, 1956, where the Yankees clinched the pennant on Mantle's 50th home run. Pierce also secured wins against Ford, including a 3-1 victory on May 21, 1957, and a 4-3 win in 11 innings on April 30, 1959.

By the 1957 season, Shirley Povich of The Washington Post openly preferred Pierce over Ford, asserting that anyone doubting Pierce's status as the league's top left-hander was "risking committal as an incurable psycho." Pierce's 4-3 win over the Yankees on July 28, 1959, propelled the White Sox into first place, where they remained for the rest of the season to capture their first pennant in 40 years. This victory also marked his 160th win with Chicago, breaking Doc White's team record for wins by a left-hander. In late 1958, sportswriter Edgar Munzel highlighted the primary difference between Pierce and Ford: Pierce pitched for a team with weak hitting, while Ford was supported by the league's most powerful offense and did not have to face the Yankees. Munzel noted that Pierce was "normally lucky if he's supported with as many as two runs when he faces the Yankees."

Yankee outfielder Bob Cerv recalled the rivalry, stating, "I always remember the games when Pierce and Ford would lock up. Those were great ballgames - 2-1, 3-2." Fellow Yankee outfielder Hank Bauer admitted that Pierce gave him and most of his teammates the most trouble. Tommy Byrne, who pitched for both the Yankees and White Sox, described Pierce as "sneaky fast, a good breaking ball. He was tough. For several years there he was right up there on a par with Ford." Sportswriter Bill Madden reflected in 1982 that the matchups between Pierce and Ford always seemed unfair, with Ford having the powerful bats of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Bill Skowron, and Hank Bauer, while Pierce relied on the hustle and "chink singles" of Nellie Fox, Luis Aparicio, and Minnie Miñoso. Madden marveled that Pierce could duel Ford on even terms despite these odds. Ironically, the Yankees attempted to acquire Pierce in the early 1950s when Ford was in the military, but White Sox general manager Frank Lane demanded a high price, including players like Bauer, Joe Collins, and Jerry Coleman, leading Yankees GM George Weiss to end talks when he offered only minor leaguers.

In his final two seasons with Chicago, Pierce posted records of 14-7 and 10-9. A shaky bullpen often contributed to his middling record; in 15 instances where he left the game with a lead in the sixth inning or later, White Sox relievers failed to protect that lead seven times. Pierce was considered the team's only consistently effective starter in 1960, earning eight complete-game victories by mid-August. On June 20, 1961, Pierce broke Ed Walsh's White Sox record of 1,732 career strikeouts.

5.1. Joining the Giants and NL Pennant Push

On November 30, 1961, Pierce was traded to the San Francisco Giants along with Don Larsen in exchange for four players, most of whom had spent 1961 in the minor leagues. Giants manager Alvin Dark intended to use Pierce as the ace of a young pitching staff that included developing talents such as Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, and Mike McCormick. Unlike the White Sox, the Giants boasted a powerful offense featuring stars like Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Orlando Cepeda. Pierce capitalized on this improved run support, winning his first eight starts before suffering a 4-3 loss on June 7. His first start on April 13 was particularly rewarding, especially after a challenging spring training where he recorded a 16.45 ERA. Facing the Cincinnati Reds, he retired the first 13 batters and allowed only two hits in 7 and 1/3 innings. The crowd of 23,755 people gave him a roaring ovation, and he later described feeling the cheers "way down deep."

The Giants' acquisition of Larsen and Pierce was lauded as the best deal of the year, with Pierce, described as "the little southpaw chatterbox," helping lead the team to the best record in MLB by early June. However, on June 14, in a road game against the Reds, Pierce allowed a leadoff double to Vada Pinson and was then accidentally spiked in the left ankle while covering first base, an injury requiring 14 stitches. Pulled from the game after just 1/3 of an inning, he took the loss, and the injury likely cost him what would have been his eighth All-Star selection. He did not return to the field until July 15, making three relief appearances before securing a win on August 2. Throughout the year, he proved adept at pitching in blustery Candlestick Park, winning all 11 of his home starts as the Giants tied the Dodgers for the NL pennant with a 101-61 record, forcing a three-game playoff. On August 11, he earned his 200th career victory, with McCovey's three-run home run off eventual Cy Young winner Don Drysdale giving the Giants a 5-4 win and ending Drysdale's 11-game win streak.

5.2. 1962 World Series Performance

Pierce started the first game of the playoff against the Dodgers on October 1, opposing Sandy Koufax. He extended his Candlestick Park record to 12-0 with an 8-0 three-hit victory, allowing only two Dodgers to reach second base. He described this as "the most satisfying game I ever pitched." Former NL umpire Babe Pinelli, observing from the press box, remarked on Pierce's powerful fastball and his composure in clutch situations. After the Dodgers tied the series in Game 2, Pierce returned in Game 3 on October 3 to pitch the ninth inning with a 6-4 lead, retiring all three batters he faced to clinch the Giants' first pennant in San Francisco.

In the 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees, Pierce started Game 3, entering the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied at zero. However, he allowed three runs in that inning (one unearned due to two outfield errors) and took the 3-2 loss. He delivered another brilliant outing in Game 6 at Candlestick Park against Whitey Ford, not allowing a baserunner until the fifth inning and finishing with a 5-2 three-hit victory to tie the Series at three games each. Despite his two Series appearances coming after his peak years, Pierce posted a career World Series ERA of 1.89 in 19 innings.

5.3. Final Seasons

Given his exceptional performance in home games in 1962, Pierce was chosen to start the Giants' home opener in 1963. He responded with the last shutout of his career, a 7-0 win over the Houston Colt .45s. He attributed his success at Candlestick Park to altering the location of his pitches, often discarding his low curveball due to the windy conditions and instead throwing outside to left-handers to encourage hits into left field, where the wind kept the ball in the air longer. Two-time AL batting champion Pete Runnels noted that Pierce pitched to him completely differently after changing leagues. His home win streak ended in his next start on April 20, a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Pierce gradually transitioned to the bullpen over the course of the 1963 season and was used almost exclusively in relief in 1964. On September 10, 1964, against the Dodgers, in what was later called "Billy the Kid's last fight," he made his first start in over a year and the last of his career, pitching 7 and 2/3 innings and securing a 5-1 win. He made one more appearance in relief on October 3, falling one strikeout short of 2,000 career strikeouts, and announced his retirement the following day as the season concluded.

6.1. Career Statistics

Over his 18-season career, Billy Pierce compiled a record of 211 wins and 169 losses, with a winning percentage of .555 and a career ERA of 3.27 in 3,306 and 2/3 innings pitched. Only twice in his career (1948 and 1963) did he post an ERA of 4.00 or higher, and never in a season where he pitched at least 100 innings. He completed 193 of his 432 starts, including 38 shutouts, and also recorded 32 saves across his 585 total games pitched.

His 1,999 career strikeouts ranked fifth among left-handers at the time of his retirement, with his AL total of 1,842 ranking ninth in league history. He also ranked tenth among left-handers in career wins (211), sixth in games started (432) and games pitched (585), eighth in shutouts (38), and ninth in innings pitched (3,306 and 2/3). Pierce holds the White Sox franchise record for career strikeouts (1,796), and his club marks of 186 wins, 2,931 innings, and 390 starts are team records for a left-hander. His White Sox record of 456 career games by a left-hander was broken by Wilbur Wood in 1974.

Listed at 5 in and 160 lb ^{(160 lb)}, Pierce was among the more diminutive pitchers to achieve great success, likely being the smallest pitcher since the 1920s to win 200 games. His longtime catcher, Sherm Lollar, noted that Pierce's lack of size did not diminish his velocity, praising his coordination and pitching motion. Paul Richards described Pierce as a "perfectionist who has achieved maximum potential out of the equipment nature gave him." Pierce's size also belied his durability; he was one of the few pitchers under 20 ft ^{(6 m)} to lead the league in complete games since the 1920s, and he remains the last pitcher to lead the AL in complete games three years in a row.

6.2. Awards and Achievements

Billy Pierce's notable awards and achievements include:

• All-Star Selections:** 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961 (7 times)
• Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year:** 1956, 1957
• American League Leader in ERA:** 1955
• American League Leader in Wins:** 1957
• American League Leader in Complete Games:** 1956, 1957, 1958 (3 times)
• American League Leader in Strikeouts:** 1953
• American League Leader in Strikeouts per 9 Innings Pitched:** 1953, 1954
• American League Leader in Fielding Average as Pitcher:** 1956
• Pennant Teams:** American League (1945, 1959), National League (1962)
• World Series Champion Team:** 1945
• 20-Win Seasons:** 2
• One-Hitters:** 4
• Two-Hitters:** 7
• Chicago White Sox All-Century Team:** 2000

7.1. Broadcasting, Business, and Scouting

During the 1950s, Pierce typically spent his offseasons assisting his father in running the family's pharmacy in Detroit. Despite being named the top managerial prospect on the Giants in a 1963 sportswriters' poll, he did not pursue a coaching career. After leaving baseball, he worked as a White Sox television color analyst in 1970. He briefly partnered in Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealerships, then worked as a stockbroker. From 1974 until his retirement in 1997, he served as a sales and public relations representative for Continental Envelope. Additionally, he contributed as a White Sox scout, notably discovering 1983 Rookie of the Year Ron Kittle.

7.2. Retirement Honors and Legacy

The White Sox retired Billy Pierce's number 19 in 1987, making him one of only eight players to receive this honor from the team. He was named to the Sox Team of the Century in 2000 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. On October 4, 2005, Pierce threw out the first pitch before Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Red Sox, a game the White Sox won 14-2, as they embarked on a postseason run that culminated in their 2005 World Series title, their first championship in 88 years. In 2006, he was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.

On July 23, 2007, the White Sox unveiled a statue in Pierce's honor in the center field concourse of U.S. Cellular Field, joining likenesses of Charles Comiskey, Minnie Miñoso, Carlton Fisk, Luis Aparicio, and Nellie Fox. Pierce humorously commented on the sculptors measuring his face, noting it wasn't the same as in the 1950s. He expressed hope that statues of Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling and pitcher Ted Lyons might be added in the future, and admitted his excitement that his grandchildren would see it for years to come. In March 2008, he co-authored the book "Then Ozzie Said to Harold...": The Best Chicago White Sox Stories Ever Told.

Pierce remained an active member of the White Sox community relations department into his late 80s, making frequent public appearances in the Chicago area. Since 1993, he headed the non-profit Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, a cause he began supporting after the death of his friend and teammate Nellie Fox in 1975 at age 47. On June 29, 2013, the White Sox gave out souvenir statuettes of Pierce to fans at a game against the Cleveland Indians, where he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch.