Bill Campbell (baseball)

William Richard Campbell was an American baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1973 to 1987. Campbell played for several teams in both the American League (AL) and National League (NL) during his career, including the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Montreal Expos. He was born on August 9, 1948, in Highland Park, Michigan, and grew up in Pomona, California.

Early Life and Career

Campbell in c. 1978

Campbell was interested in baseball from an early age and played on his high school team at Ganesha High School in Pomona, California. After graduating, he attended Cal Poly Pomona, where he continued to play baseball and was eventually drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1972.

Professional Career

Campbell made his major league debut in 1973 with the Twins and quickly established himself as a reliable relief pitcher. He played for the Twins until 1976, when he was traded to the Red Sox. He spent two seasons with the Red Sox before being traded again, this time to the Cubs.

Over the course of his career, Campbell played for several more teams, including the Phillies, Cardinals, and Expos. He was known for his versatility as a pitcher, being equally comfortable in a starting or relief role.

Personal Life and Death

Campbell was married to Linda and had three children. After retiring from baseball, he remained involved in the sport, coaching Little League teams and working as a scout for several major league teams.

In January 2023, Campbell passed away at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer. He was living in Palatine, a suburb of the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, at the time of his death.

Legacy

Campbell will be remembered as a talented and versatile player who made significant contributions to several teams during his career. His dedication to baseball continued long after his playing days were over, and his legacy will live on in the countless young players he coached and mentored.

Other websites

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)