VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA
Bill North
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-11, 185lb (180cm, 83kg)
Born: May 15, 1948 in Seattle, WA
Draft: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft from Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA).
High School: Garfield HS (Seattle, WA)
School: Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)
Debut: September 3, 1971 (10,780th in MLB history)
vs. STL 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: June 11, 1981
vs. CHC 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB
Full Name: William Alex North
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
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Notable Events and Chronology for Billy North Career
Biography
Billy North played eleven years in the majors, most notably with the Oakland A’s in the 1970s.
North came up with the Chicago Cubs in 1971 but failed to demonstrate that he could hit big league pitching for that team. The speedy North had a four-year run as one of the premier centerfielders in the game. After the A’s acquired him in November 1972 for Bob Locker, North posted stolen-base totals of 53, 54, 30, and 75, leading the AL in 1974 and 1976 and finishing second in 1973 because of an injury and missed the 1973 postseason. A brash baserunner he lead the league in being caught stealing four times.
He turned an unassisted double play on July 28, 1974 against the White Sox. North also utilized his speed in the field to lead AL outfielders three times in total chances per game, twice in putouts, and once each in assists and double plays.
A good leadoff hitter, he walked often and scored a career-high 98 runs in 1973, when he also had his highest batting average, .285. In 1974, despite a LCS average of .063 and a WS average of .059, North was productive, scoring three runs in each series. Hampered by hand, foot, and ankle injuries in 1977, he was traded to the Dodgers after a slow start in 1978 for Glenn Burke; he returned to the World Series that year, this time on the losing side. His World Series batting record was a meager 2 for 25 (.080) with 3 walks.
Granted free agency after another disappointing season, he returned to form with the Giants in 1979, hitting .259 and finishing second in the NL in steals (58) and fourth in walks (96). The 58 steals were a San Francisco record, and North missed the overall franchise mark of 62 because injuries kept him out of 20 games. After a similar season in 1980, he tailed off in 1981 and was released at the conclusion of the 1981 strike.
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Factoids, Quotes, Strange Things
Played For
Chicago Cubs (1971-1972)
Oakland Athletics (1973-1978)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1978)
San Francisco Giants (1979-1981)
Post-Season Appearances
1974 American League Championship Series
1974 World Series
1975 American League Championship Series
1978 National League Championship Series
1978 World Series
Minor League Experience
North tore up minor league pitching for high averages, but never hit .300 in the majors. He hit .375 for San Antonio in 1971, and .351 for Wichita in 1972.
Transactions
June 5, 1969: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 1969 amateur draft. Player signed June 18, 1969.
After an impressive spring training with the Chicago Cubs in 1972, North made the big league club and was inserted in the outfield. But he struggled against big league pitching (batting .181) and the Cubs essentially gave up on him. On November 21, 1972, he was traded by the to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Bob Locker.
May 17, 1978: Traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Glenn Burke.
November 2, 1978: Granted Free Agency.
March 10, 1979: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.
August 4, 1981: Released by the San Francisco Giants.
Quotes About North
“He covers more ground in center than anyone we’ve ever had.” — teammate Reggie Jackson, 1973
Quotes From North
“My theory in stealing bases is to take only what’s necessary to help the team. I’m not out to pad my total. Hitting’s hard enough without giving pitchers an excuse to throw at my head.” — Billy North
Replaced
In 1973, A’s center fielder Billy Conigliaro injured the cartilage in his knee and went down. Backup Angel Mangual pulled a chest muscle shortly after that, and North was inserted in center. “Bill North is my center fielder,” manager Dick Williams asserted. “He stays in there unless he falls flat on his face. North played 146 games, batted .285, scored 98 runs, and stoled 53 bases in his first season as a regular.
Best Strength as a Player
Speed and defensive in center field. North was known for his ability to leap against the wall for flyballs.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting for power.
Other Resources & Links
