Pitcher Billy Pierce gone at age 88

Even in the 1950s, the hurler didn't embrace "Billy' in his autograph.
Even in the 1950s, the hurler didn’t embrace “Billy’ in his autograph.

Babe Ruth may have hit 714, but Bill “Billy” Pierce signed just as many.

The former hurler, a major leaguer from 1945-64, died last week at age 88. The ever-impressive www.sportscollectors.net credited Pierce for signing 95 percent of requests, a coincidental 714. His 95 percent success rate would have been higher, but his final replies were logged for May. Plus, a few collectors seemed to realize that the senior signing machine might not crank out autographs forever.

Here’s what Mr. Pierce shared with “Baseball By The Letters” in 2010.

Leave a Reply