Bill Burwell
| Bill Burwell | |
|---|---|
 Burwell, circa 1934 | |
| Pitcher / Manager | |
| Born: March 27, 1895 Jarbalo, Kansas | |
| Died: June 11, 1973 (aged 78) Ormond Beach, Florida | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 1, 1920, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 1, 1928, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 9–8 |
| Earned run average | 4.37 |
| Strikeouts | 49 |
| Managerial record | 1–0 |
| Winning percentage | 1.000 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| As player
As manager | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
William Edwin Burwell (March 27, 1895 – June 11, 1973) was an American professional baseball player, manager and coach.
Early life
Burwell was born in Jarbalo, Kansas.He won 239 minor league games during a 22-year playing career. He pitched for all or parts of 12 straight seasons (1923–34) for the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association.
Career
Burwell was listed as 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and 175 pounds (79 kg). During his active career, he was a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns and Pittsburgh Pirates. In 70 MLB games, six as a starting pitcher, he won nine games and lost eight, with a 4.37 earned run average. He posted six saves and one complete game, allowing 253 hits and 79 bases on balls, with 49 strikeouts, in 2181⁄3 innings pitched.
He also fashioned a lengthy post-pitching career as a minor league manager (including two seasons, 1945–46, as skipper of the Indianapolis franchise) and Major League coach. He worked in the latter role for the Boston Red Sox (1944) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1947–48; 1958–62). While serving as pitching coach on Danny Murtaugh's staff, Burwell was a member of the Pirates' 1960 world championship team.
Burwell was acting manager of the Pirates for the final game of the 1947 season, after player-manager Billy Herman resigned with one game remaining.[1] Under Burwell, the Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 7-0.[1] He also was a longtime scout and roving minor-league coach for the Pirates.
While working as pitching instructor in the Pirate organization in 1949, Burwell was instrumental to the development of pitcher Vern Law, then toiling for the Class B Davenport Pirates of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. Burwell taught the 19-year-old Law how to change speeds and throw the change-up.[1] Law later cited Burwell as the coach who most helped him during his time in the minor leagues.[1]
Burwell died at age 78 in Ormond Beach, Florida, and is buried in nearby Daytona Beach.
References
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Playing, cosching and managing record from Retrosheet
- Bill Burwell at Find a Grave
- 1895 births
- 1973 deaths
- Baseball coaches from Kansas
- Baseball players from Kansas
- Boston Red Sox coaches
- Clinton Pilots players
- Columbus Senators players
- Crookston Pirates players
- Fort Wayne Chiefs players
- Indianapolis Indians managers
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Joplin Miners players
- Louisville Colonels (minor league) managers
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Major League Baseball pitching coaches
- Minneapolis Millers (baseball) players
- People from Leavenworth County, Kansas
- Pittsburgh Pirates coaches
- Pittsburgh Pirates players
- Pittsburgh Pirates scouts
- Rockford Wakes players
- Rock Island Islanders players
- St. Louis Browns players
- Terre Haute Tots players
- Topeka Savages players
- People from Ormond Beach, Florida
- Mason City Claydiggers players
- Elgin Watch Makers players