| Bill Lee | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 21, 1909 Plaquemine, Louisiana |
|
| Died: June 15, 1977 (aged 67) Plaquemine, Louisiana |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 29, 1934 for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 29, 1947 for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Career statistics | |
| Pitching Record | 169-157 |
| Earned run average | 3.54 |
| Strikeouts | 998 |
| Teams | |
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
William Crutcher "Big Bill" Lee (October 21, 1909 - June 15, 1977) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1934 through 1947 for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Braves.
Lee was originally a top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In August 1933, Cardinals general manager Branch Rickey called his counterpart with the Cubs, William Veeck, Sr. and offered him two pitchers—Lee and Clarence Heise. According to Bill Veeck, one of Rickey's favorite tricks was to offer another team two players and trust that the other team would take the wrong one. In the case of Lee and Heise, Rickey knew that all but one Cubs pitcher was right-handed, and expected the Cubs to take Heise, a left-hander. However, on the advice of chief scout Jack Doyle, the Cubs took Lee.
Lee spent 10 full seasons with the Cubs, as well as a pair of cameo appearances in 1947. His best year in 1938 when he helped lead the Cubs to the World Series with a record of 22-9 and 2.66 ERA. His career marks were 169 wins, 157 losses and a 3.54 ERA. His 139 wins with the Cubs are still the ninth-most in franchise history.
| Preceded by Jim Turner |
National League ERA Champion 1938 |
Succeeded by Bucky Walters |
| Preceded by Carl Hubbell |
National League Wins Champion 1938 |
Succeeded by Bucky Walters |