Bill Holland (right-handed pitcher) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Holland |
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| Born: February 28, 1901 Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Died: December 3, 1973 (aged 72) New York, New York |
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Elvis William Holland (born February 28, 1901 – died December 3, 1973) was a famous baseball player. He played as a pitcher in the Negro Leagues. He played baseball for many years, from 1919 to 1941. People often called him "Bill" Holland. He also had cool nicknames like "Speed" and "Devil."
Contents
Bill Holland's Early Baseball Career
Starting His Baseball Journey
Bill Holland started playing baseball when he was a teenager. He joined the Richmond Giants in Indiana in 1918. This team also had other famous Negro League players. Bill showed his amazing talent right away. He pitched for twenty innings in less than a day. He struck out twenty-four batters in those games.
Playing in the Negro National League
After the Negro National League began, Bill joined the Indianapolis ABCs. Soon after, he was traded to the Detroit Stars in 1920. With the Stars, he played alongside other great players. These included Andy Cooper and Gunboat Thompson.
Moving to the East Coast
After three seasons with Detroit, Bill moved to the East Coast. He spent the rest of his career playing for several teams. These teams included the Lincoln Giants, the Brooklyn Royal Giants, and the New York Black Yankees.
Bill Holland's Later Career Highlights
Pitching at Yankee Stadium
In 1930, Bill Holland had an incredible season. He won 29 games and only lost 2 for the Lincoln Giants. He also made history that year. Bill was the first black player to ever pitch a game at Yankee Stadium. This was a very important moment in baseball history.
All-Star Recognition
Bill's skills were recognized by other players. In 1939, he was chosen to play in the East-West All-Star Game. This game featured the best players from the Negro Leagues. Even at age 51, he was still remembered as one of the best. In 1952, players voted him as one of the greatest Negro League players ever.
Bill Holland's Place in History
Top Rankings for a Pitcher
Baseball experts have looked at Bill Holland's career stats. They show he was one of the best pitchers in Negro League history. He ranks fifth in strikeouts with 1,094. He is also fifth in complete games with 173. Bill Holland is tenth all-time in wins with 116. These numbers show how talented and consistent he was.
