Billy Baldwin (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Baldwin |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: June 9, 1951 Tazewell, Virginia |
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| Died: June 28, 2011 (aged 60) Hudson, Ohio |
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| debut | |||
| July 29, 1975, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 1976, for the New York Mets | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .231 | ||
| Runs batted in | 13 | ||
| Home runs | 5 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Robert Harvey Baldwin (June 9, 1951 – June 28, 2011) was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for two teams: the Detroit Tigers in 1975 and the New York Mets in 1976. He was known for batting and throwing with his left hand. Billy Baldwin stood 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds.
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Billy Baldwin's Early Life and College
Billy Baldwin was born on June 9, 1951, in Tazewell, Virginia. He was a very talented athlete from a young age. He received scholarships to attend Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At college, he played not just baseball, but also football and soccer.
Starting His Professional Baseball Career
Baldwin signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1972. He was not chosen in the draft, but the Tigers still saw his potential. He worked his way through the minor leagues, which are lower-level baseball teams.
In 1975, Billy Baldwin got his first chance to play in the major leagues. This happened when the Tigers' outfielder, Mickey Stanley, got a thumb injury. Baldwin joined the team and played in right field and center field. During his time with the Tigers, he had a batting average of .221. He also hit four home runs and brought in eight runs for his team.
Moving to the New York Mets
After the 1975 season, Billy Baldwin was traded to the New York Mets. A trade in baseball means players are exchanged between teams. On December 12, 1975, he and pitcher Mickey Lolich went to the Mets. In return, the Tigers received Rusty Staub and Bill Laxton.
In 1976, Baldwin spent most of the season playing for the Tidewater Tides. This team was the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, which is the highest level of minor league baseball. When major league rosters expanded in September, he joined the Mets. He played in nine games for the Mets and had a good batting average of .292.
End of His Major League Career
Even though he continued to play in the minor leagues for the Mets until 1978, Billy Baldwin did not play in Major League Baseball again after 1976.
In his short two-season MLB career, Baldwin played in 39 games. He had a total batting average of .231. He hit five home runs and brought in 13 runs. He also scored 12 times himself. During his career, he hit four doubles, one triple, and stole two stolen bases.
Billy Baldwin passed away in Hudson, Ohio, on June 28, 2011.
