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Billy Pierce

Pitcher Billy Pierce gone at age 88

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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.

ChiSoxCollector.com’s Doug Ennis Was The Kid Who Never Forgot Kind Players

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Visiting the outfield visage
of Billy Pierce in Chicago.
(Photo courtesy of Doug Ennis)

Do you like who you collect?

I love the reason Doug Ennis chose to become a White Sox fan and a team collector. Major Leaguers, take note. Meanwhile, thanks to Doug, who shares a fun, informative e-interview:

Q: Being a team collector, people want to know…does he live in Chicago area, past or present?

A: Believe it or not, but I have never lived in the Chicago area. I grew up in Southern California, fairly close to Anaheim. Starting at the age of 12 or so, I attended lots of Angels games (and few Dodgers games) with my father. After a while, he encouraged me to bring baseball cards to the games to try to get autographed during batting practice. I ended up having a passion for autographs, and I soon graduated to hanging out before and after games to get autographs as the players arrived and departed from the stadium.

That soon led to hanging out at team hotels, etc. During my first couple of years getting autographs, the White Sox players were by far the nicest to me, and I started rooting for them. Here it is approximately 21 years later, and I’m now a die-hard ChiSox fan and collector. All because they were nice to me when I was a kid. Particularly Frank Thomas, who is my favorite player to this day.

Q: What are the pros and cons of being a team collector if that city? (For instance, I could find you better deals on ChiSox stuff here in Iowa than what you’d find closer to Chicago.)

A: Since I don’t live in Chicago, I can’t really answer the question as intended. But I can say that being a White Sox fan in Florida isn’t a lot of fun. I don’t know of any other Sox fans in my area, so I have nobody to share my fandom with. The only benefit that came from living in Florida was being able to attend the playoff games against the Rays in 2008.

Q: First ever ChiSox autograph, in person or by mail?

A: My first ChiSox autograph also happened to be my first autograph, period. It was from third-string White Sox catcher Matt Merullo, some time during the 1991 season. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the actual experience. I recently wrote a letter to Merullo, and told him that he was my first autograph, and that the friendliness of Sox players such as himself is the reason I’m a die-hard fan to this day. He wrote me a really nice note, saying how cool it was that he was my first autograph.

Q: How long have you collected White Sox autographs? What have you learned in the journey?

A: As stated above, I’ve collected Sox autographs for approximately 21 years. It was about 5 years ago that I decided to streamline my collection and focus solely on the White Sox. Prior to that I collected everything, including all 4 major sports and also actors and musicians. Living in SoCal I had decent access to Hollywood. Eventually I learned that the Sox stuff brought me the most joy, and I could really expand my collection by focusing strictly on the Sox. It was a great decision for me, and my collection is MUCH better than it would have been had I continued collecting everything.

Q: I agree that Billy Pierce is a prince among White Sox signers. What former Pale Hosers have sent you extras TTM (bonus inscriptions, extras, even a note or letter)?

Custom by
Doug Ennis!

A: I have received extras in one form or another from Virgil Trucks, Matt Merullo, Billy Pierce, Jim Landis, and I’m sure a few others. The best extra I ever received was from Bob Shaw. One day I received a large manilla envelope with a return address for Mr. Shaw. Out of the blue he had sent me a Photofile 8×10, signed, personalized, and inscribed. He was already a favorite of mine, and this just showed why.
Q: What’s been your experiences graphing the White Sox in person, at either old Comiskey, the new ballpark or spring training?


A: Unfortunately, I have never graphed the Sox at their stadium in Chicago. Not unless you count autograph events like Picnic in the Park, or the former players that show up in the Scouts Seat lounge. I did go to Arizona last spring (2011) and spent 5 days graphing the Sox spring training site. I have to say, it was probably the best graphing experience of my life. With a few exceptions (Guillen, Cora, Vizquel, Buehrle, Rios), every player signed just about every day. Also, I had designed a panoramic showcasing what promised to be a great pitching staff (Buehrle, Danks, Floyd, Peavy, Jackson). Three of the pitchers were very complimentary of the piece, asking if they could have one for themselves.

Q: Have you sought TTM White Sox-related autographs of off-the-field names, people like organist Nancy Faust or Disco Demolition’s Mike Veeck? What do you ask the to sign? Have you made custom cards?

Custom By
Doug Ennis!

A: The only off field autographs I have obtained TTM are from Nancy Faust. She has signed several cards for me. She was in several of the Coke seats in the mid-late 80s. I also had her sign the US Cellular Field card in the 2010 Upper Deck set (for my all-time UD project), as she was the first person I thought of when I thought of the Sox home stadium. I would like to get groundskeeper Roger Bossard at some point, but I’m not sure what to have him sign. Maybe I will design a custom card.

Q: Specific future goals for autograph collecting?

A: My main project is to get every Upper Deck White Sox base card autographed. Upper Deck produced base sets from 1989 – 2010, totaling 529 Sox cards. I would say I’m about 75% of the way there.


Follow Doug’s progress on his website:
www.ChiSoxcollector.com

Coming Monday: My advice for breaking a TTM slump.

Slugging Billy Pierce, White Sox star lefty

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Pitcher Billy Pierce did his job, on the mound and at the plate.

The seven-time All-Star lefty registered 211 career victories from 1945-64. He raised a few eyebrows at bat, too. In 1959, Pierce ended just one homer short of hitting for the cycle!

“About the game in Cleveland, the guys couldn’t believe it,” Pierce wrote.

For a pitcher with 24 two-hit games and four three-hit performances as a HITTER, Pierce didn’t gush about the idea of a designated hitter taking his turn.

“To me, the D.H. would have taken a lot of fun out of the game; also a lot of strategy.”

Pierce has an array of amazing statistics to ogle. I checked out his league leads in wins, strikeouts and complete games, but chose to ask about a 1955 ERA crown, an A.L.-best 1.97.

“Back in the 1950s, when pitching nine innings was the norm, an ERA (in my opinion) was the best way of judging a pitcher. As you might guess, my ERA in 1955 was one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Before writing Mr. Pierce, I found a stellar profile of the White Sox workhorse on Baseball Almanac.

Pierce roomed with Nelson Fox for 11 seasons. When Pierce’s friend died of cancer in 1975, Pierce dedicated himself to Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities.

“Nellie Fox gave 100 percent at bat and on the field at all times. Also, he was a great team player on and off the field.”

Statues of Fox and Pierce live at U.S. Cellular Field, awaiting fans attending Chicago White Sox games. Pierce’s statue may be bronze, but his heart is gold.