Billy Raimondi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Raimondi |
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Raimondi c. 1947
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| Catcher | |||
| Born: December 1, 1912 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
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| Died: October 18, 2010 (aged 97) Alameda, California, U.S. |
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 1951 | ||
William Louis Raimondi (born December 1, 1912 – died October 18, 2010) was an American professional baseball catcher. He played baseball for 22 years. Most of this time (21 years) was in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). This was a very important minor league.
Billy Raimondi played for the Oakland Oaks from 1932 to 1949. He also played for the Sacramento Solons and the Los Angeles Angels. He was so good that he was chosen for the PCL Hall of Fame in 1951. He tried to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) but an injury stopped him. He chose to stay close to his home in California. Later, he also worked as a manager and a scout.
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Growing Up and Starting Baseball
Billy Raimondi was born in San Francisco, California. His family moved to Oakland, California, when he was two years old. His father shined shoes and his mother worked in a cannery. Billy was one of seven children.
He started playing baseball at age 12 as an outfielder. One day, his team needed a catcher, and Billy stepped in. Even though he didn't like it at first, he became a regular catcher. He played for McClymonds High School and was named All-City twice. When his father died, Billy signed his first baseball contract. He wanted to help his family.
Playing Baseball: The Early Years
Joining the Oakland Oaks
A player named Bernie DeViveiros helped Billy Raimondi join the Oakland Oaks. This was a team in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). In 1931, Billy played for a smaller team called the Phoenix Senators. He had a good batting average of .304.
In 1932, he played for the Bisbee Bees. The league stopped playing because of the Great Depression. The Oaks then brought Billy to their team. He caught many games for them that year.
Becoming a Regular Catcher
In 1933, Billy became a backup catcher for the Oaks. He played in 101 games. The next year, the Oaks' main catcher left. Billy became the team's main catcher. He played in 156 games in 1934.
In 1935, the New York Yankees had a chance to sign Billy. They then sold him to the Cincinnati Reds. Billy went to spring training with the Reds in 1936. But his arm was injured. He missed the whole 1936 season. The Reds sent him back to the Yankees.
In 1937, the Yankees sent Billy back to the Oaks. He became the Oaks' main catcher again. Other teams wanted him, but Billy chose to stay in Oakland. He wanted to be close to his family.
Playing Baseball: The Middle Years
Sharing Duties and Injuries
From 1938 to 1940, Billy shared catching duties with Bill Conroy. In 1939, Billy batted .304. In 1940, he caught 103 games. He played many games in a row when Conroy was hurt. This made him tired, and his batting average dropped.
To be stronger, Billy gained 10 pounds for the 1941 season. He batted .283 that year. In 1942, he also played as a right fielder. This happened when a teammate joined the Navy. In 1943, Billy played in 132 games.
Becoming a Manager and a Champion
In 1945, the Oaks fired their manager. Billy Raimondi became the team's temporary manager. The team finished in fifth place. After that season, Casey Stengel became the new manager.
In 1946, Billy batted .300. The Chicago Cubs wanted him in 1947. But Billy decided not to move his family. He batted .297 in 152 games that year.
In 1948, Billy batted .285. He broke his wrist in a game in September. This ended his season. The 1948 Oaks team won the PCL championship! They were called the "Nine Old Men" because many players were older. Billy was 35 at the time.
Playing Baseball: The Later Years
Moving Teams
In 1949, a new manager named Charlie Dressen joined the Oaks. Billy started as the main catcher. But another catcher, Don Padgett, began to play more. Billy and the new manager did not get along well.
In June 1949, the Oaks traded Billy to the Sacramento Solons. Fans were upset about this trade. Billy batted .272 for Oakland and .263 for Sacramento. He was one of the best catchers in the PCL that year.
In 1950, Billy shared catching duties for Sacramento. He also became a player-coach for the team. He batted .242 in 110 games. After the 1950 season, Sacramento let him go.
Finishing His Career
In 1951, Billy signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He started as their regular catcher. In May 1951, he was chosen for the PCL Hall of Fame. He played in 52 games that year and batted .290.
Billy returned to the Angels in 1952 as a backup catcher. He also worked as a coach. He was brought back to play when another catcher was hurt. In 1953, he shared catching duties again. The Angels let him go after the 1953 season.
Billy Raimondi played 2,041 games as a catcher in the PCL. He had a .274 batting average. He also had 1,937 hits.
After Playing Baseball
In 1956, Billy Raimondi became a scout for the Chicago Cubs. He looked for new baseball talent in Northern California. In July, he also became the manager of the Magic Valley Cowboys. After that season, he went back to scouting.
The Cubs let Billy go in 1957. He then worked as a life insurance salesman. He also worked for the Oakland Tribune newspaper for ten years.
Family Life
Billy Raimondi had three brothers who also played in the PCL. Their names were Al, Ernie, and Walt. In 1947, a park in Oakland was renamed after Ernie Raimondi. Ernie had died while serving in World War II.
Billy married Frances Palermo in 1937. They had a second wedding ceremony for their families in 1938. They moved to Alameda, California, in 1940. They had three children together.
Billy Raimondi passed away at his home in Alameda on October 18, 2010.
Images for kids
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A 1949 baseball card of Billy Raimondi.
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Raimondi Park in West Oakland, named after Billy's brother Ernie.
