Description
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Vic Willis
Born: April 12, 1876 Cecil County, Maryland
Died: August 3, 1947 (aged 71) Elkton, Maryland
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Positions: Pitcher
Played For:
Boston Beaneaters (1898–1905)
Pittsburg Pirates (1906–1909)
St. Louis Cardinals (1910)
Biography:
Willis was born on April 12, 1876 in Cecil County, Maryland. He moved to Newark, Delaware as a young boy, where he attended school. He attended high school at Newark Academy, and played both on the high school baseball team and in semi-pro baseball leagues throughout Delaware. Prior to joining the major leagues, Willis played the 1897 season at the University of Delaware (then known as Delaware College), and later coached the 1907 team and parts of the 1908 team.
In mid 1909 Willis again pitched in one of the highest attended games to date-the grand opening of Forbes field, one of the first concrete and steel stadiums. On June 30, amid great fanfare and the closing of many businesses at noon, 30,000 plus spectators including numerous baseball and Pennsylvania dignitaries packed the new stadium. The Reach Guide gushed on the unveiling: “Never, perhaps, in the history of the Old World or New–not excluding the assemblages in the Roman and Grecian amphitheaters and stadiums–was a scene more spectacular presented…” Willis started for the Pirates, once again against the Cubs, and pitched a four hitter. But the team lost 3 – 2 in a game Dreyfuss obviously wanted very much to win: “What a shame we had to lose that one. I’d have given my share of the gate to have won on this day.”
More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Willis
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willivi01.shtml
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/3c061442
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