Billy Parker (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Parker |
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Second baseman | |||
Born: Hayneville, Alabama |
January 14, 1942|||
Died: February 9, 2003 Sun City West, Arizona |
(aged 61)|||
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debut | |||
September 9, 1971, for the California Angels | |||
Last appearance | |||
September 29, 1973, for the California Angels | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .222 | ||
Home runs | 3 | ||
Runs batted in | 21 | ||
Teams | |||
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Billy Parker was a professional baseball player. He was born on January 14, 1942, and passed away on February 9, 2003. He played for the California Angels in Major League Baseball for parts of three seasons. Billy made history in his very first Major League game. On September 9, 1971, he hit a special kind of home run. This was a "walk-off" home run, which means it ended the game immediately!
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Who Was Billy Parker?
Billy Parker's full name was William David Parker. He was a talented baseball player. He played as a Second baseman. This position is important for fielding and hitting. Billy was known for his powerful hitting. He could hit the ball far.
Starting His Baseball Journey
Billy Parker's professional baseball career began early. He started playing in 1961. His first team was the Indianapolis Clowns. This team was part of the Negro league. The Negro leagues were professional baseball leagues. They were for African-American players. This was before baseball was fully integrated. Billy played with the Clowns until 1964.
Making History in Major League Baseball
Billy Parker joined the California Angels. He made his Major League debut in 1971. It was a very memorable day. He stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. This home run was extra special. It was a "walk-off" homer. This means his hit won the game for his team. It was the first time a player had done this in their very first MLB game.
Billy Parker's MLB Stats
Billy Parker played for the California Angels. He played from 1971 to 1973. During his time in Major League Baseball, he had some key stats. His batting average was .222. He hit 3 Home runs. He also had 21 Runs Batted In (RBIs). RBIs show how many runs a player helps score.
Playing Beyond MLB
After his time in Major League Baseball, Billy Parker continued to play. He played for other teams. These included teams in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. He also played for teams like the Syracuse Chiefs and Salt Lake City Angels. He was a dedicated player. He loved the game of baseball.