| Bill Lillard | |
|---|---|
| Shortstop | |
| Born: January 10, 1918 Goleta, California |
|
| Died: June 9, 2006 (aged 88) San Luis Obispo, California |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 11, 1939 for the Philadelphia Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 24, 1940 for the Philadelphia Athletics | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .244 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 22 |
| Teams | |
William "Bill" Beverly Lillard (January 10, 1918 – June 9, 2009) started his career in the minors in 1938 with the San Francisco Seals and after hitting .335 that season moved up to Major League Baseball playing shortstop from 1939 through 1940 for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League. Listed at 5' 10", 170 lb., Lillard batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Goleta, California. His older brother, Gene Lillard, also played in the majors.
In a two-season career, Lillard was a .244 hitter (55-for-206) with one home run and 22 RBI in 80 games, including 30 runs, nine doubles, two triples, and a .339 on-base percentage.
Bill then served in the Pacific during WWII and was wounded by a mortar round for which he received the Purple Heart Medal.
He returned to baseball for his final seasons with the New York Giants organization, batting .269 in 1946 for their American Association team in Minneapolis. He helped their New Jersey City team win the International League pennant in 1947 while batting .264.
Lillard died in San Luis Obispo, California at the age of 91.