Jack Billingham

Position: Pitcher

Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right 6-4, 195lb (193cm, 88kg)

Born: February 21, 1943  in Orlando, FL

Debut: April 11, 1968 (10,285th in MLB history) vs. NYM 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER

Last Game: June 20, 1980 (Age 37-120d) vs. CAL 3.1 IP, 10 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 7 ER

Full Name: John Eugene Billingham View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject 

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1968

Ted Simmons
Al Oliver
Hal McRae
Dusty Baker
Richie Hebner
Bobby Bonds
Rollie Fingers
Andy Messersmith
Freddie Patek

All-Time Teammate Team

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Notable Events and Chronology 

SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z)

June 11, 1969

Roberto Clemente’s grand slam caps a sixth-run 6th inning propelling Pittsburgh to a 9-6 win 

September 5, 1971

In his major league debut, J.R. Richard throws a complete game in the Astros’ 5-3 victory over San Francisco at Candlestick Park

April 15, 1972

Don Sutton beats the Reds 3-1 on opening day

July 3, 1973

After waiting three hours to begin the game due to rain, the Reds beat San Francisco at Riverfront Stadium, 6-3

October 10, 1973

New York Mets win their second National League pennant in five years

April 4, 1974

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth for All Time Homerun Record

July 14, 1974

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader marked by a free-for-all which is later credited with inspiring Pittsburgh and turning its season around. The fight starts after a 4th inning beanball when Jack Billingham plunks pitcher Bruce Kison, bringing both teams onto the field. When Sparky Anderson accidentally steps on Ed Kirkpatrick’s foot, the Buc catcher shoves the Reds manager, earning him a punch from the Reds’ Andy Kosco. Pedro Borbon pins Daryl Patterson, pulling his hair out and a piece of flesh.

July 22, 1975

Jerry Koosman steals second base and pitches a complete game in a 3 – 1 New York Mets victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

June 20, 1980

Freddie Patek of the California Angels slugs three home runs in a game at Fenway Park

February 24, 1990

Boston Red Sox slugger Tony Conigliaro dies at the age of 45

Biography

Jack Billingham, a distant relative of Christy Mathewson, was groomed as a reliever in the Dodger organization. He became a starter with Houston, and by 1972 was a mainstay in the rotation of Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine.” The gentle, 6’4″ righthander won at least 10 games for 10 consecutive seasons (1970-79), with 19 victories in both 1973 and ’74. He didn’t miss a turn in ’73 as he led the NL with 40 starts, 293 IP, and seven shutouts. In three World Series, Billingham allowed just one earned run in 25 1/3 innings; in Game Three of the 1972 WS, he threw eight shutout innings to defeat Oakland, 1-0.

In his first 1974 start, he gave up Hank Aaron’s record-tying 714th home run. In 1978, after winning 87 games in six years with Cincinnati, Billingham was traded to Detroit. Two years later, he finished with Boston.

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Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

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