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Billy Pierce Photo Gallery
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File This One Under: “What Might Have Been…”
At Comiskey Park 59 years ago yesterday, June 27, 1958, in a game between the White Sox and Senators, lefty Billy Pierce retired the first 26 batters he faced. With two-out in the bottom of the ninth – one out away from baseball immortality – pinch-hitter Ed Fitzgerald doubled weakly down the right field line for the Senators’ only hit. The 31 year-old Pierce then went on to strike out Albie Pearson on three pitches to one-hit the Senators, 3-0.
The lone hit marred what would have been a historic accomplishment. Not only had no lefty thrown a perfect game since Lee Richmond’s first-ever perfect game in 1880, but only one American League left-hander (Mel Parnell in 1956) had pitched even a no-hitter between 1931 and 1962.
Billy Pierce spent 18 seasons in the major leagues. Although he’s best remembered for his 13 years with the White Sox (1949-1961), he also pitched for the Tigers (1945, 1948), and the Giants (1962-1964).
Over his career, Pierce went 211-169 (.555), with a 3.27 ERA, 1,999 strikeouts, 193 complete games, and 38 shutouts. He was a seven-time All-Star with back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1956-57. He was a member of two pennant winners (1945, 1959), and one World Series champion (1945). His 20 wins in 1957 led the American League; and he led the major leagues with a 1.37 ERA in 1955. He posted an American League best 186 strikeouts in 1953, and led the league in complete games three times (1956, 57, 58). Pierce threw four one-hitters, and seven two-hitters. He ranks in the Sox’ top five all-time in strikeouts (1,796), shutouts (35), starts (391), and wins (195).
Among left-handers, Pierce ranks near the top all-time. His 1,999 career strikeouts were the fifth most by a left-hander when he retired, and his American League total of 1,842 ranked 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 (3,306⅔).
In 1962, Pierce played a pivotal role in helping the Giants win the National League pennant, going 12–0 in home games and getting a three-hit shutout and a save in a three-game tie-breaker against the Dodgers to clinch the title.
After his baseball career ended in 1964, Pierce spent 46 years as a committee member of the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, serving as president for 20 years. Billy Pierce was selected to the Chicago White Sox All-Century Team and received The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award for 1956 and 1957. His #19 has been retired by the White Sox and a statue of him was unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field in 2007.
-Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: Public Domain
Information: Excerpts edited from article on Billy Pierce’s passing, August 1, 2015, in the Chicago Sun-Times; and from the Billy Pierce Wikipedia page.
Statistics from Baseball-Reference.com
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Great photo. Appears 1957, Yankee Stadium. If you look carefully, that is Whitey Ford warming up for Yankees. In this era, starting pitchers warmed up parallel to home plate at Yankee Stadium. Real question is why López did not start Pierce in 1959 World Series. Only worked in relief.
I was at this game along with my parents. We had lower box seats just a few rows off the field inside first base. I’ll never forget watching Ed Fitzgerald’s hit going down the line right in front of us. At just 5’10” and 160 pounds, Pierce was the go-to Sox pitcher of the 1950’s. Many thanks for bringing back this memory of a very much loved member of the then “Go-Go White Sox”.
Also, kudos to you for the superb site. Can’t wait to grab your “Reflections on the 1919 Black Sox”. Wondered if you had any information regarding the Cub’s rumored throwing of the 1918 Series. Sounds like there were some pretty suspicious plays, particularly in the last game, à la the “I’m forever throwing ballgames” variety of the next year.
Thanks Jack for the kind words. Yes, I’m very familiar with the rumors about the Cubs in 1918. I mentioned that in the Black Sox book. Sean Devaney wrote a good book about it called, The Original Curse. I highly recommend it. I believe I wrote a post about it. If I can find it I’ll send you the link. Thanks again, Gary
I talk about the Cubs and 1918 in this post: https://wp.me/p7a04E-7H0
Just realized that the date of this game was actually June 27, 1958.