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Like many relievers, Bill Campbell's career was marked by injury and a couple of brilliant seasons. Signed by the Twins in 1970, he was their bullpen ace in 1974 (19 saves) and 1976 (20 saves). He led the entire Minnesota staff with 17 wins in 1976, an AL relief record, also leading the league with a .773 winning percentage and 78 appearances. Signed by the Red Sox as a free agent, he again led his staff in wins (13), and he paced the AL with 31 saves to become TSN's Fireman of the Year for the second straight season. A severe elbow injury in 1978, probably caused by overwork, finished his career as a stopper. Still valuable, he found work with six teams from 1981 to 1987 and led the NL with 83 appearances for the 1983 Cubs. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » November 6, 1976: Former Twins relief ace Bill Campbell becomes the first of the free-agent crop to sign with a new team, joining the Red Sox with a contract calling for $1 million over four years. » June 24, 1977: Before 54,940 at Yankee Stadium, Roy White launches a dramatic 2-out 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to give the Yanks a 5–5 tie with the Red Sox, and New York scores in the next inning on Reggie Jackson bases-loaded single to win, 6–5. White's key hit comes after Bill Campbell retires the first two Yankees in the 9th and then Willie Randolph triples to bring up Murcer. Sparky Lyle picks up the win, handing Boston their 1st loss in eight games. With homers from Yaz, Hobson and George Scott, the Sox set a major-league record of 33 homers in 10 games. » June 26, 1977: In front of 55,039 fans, the Yankees complete a 3-game sweep of the Red Sox, avenging the three losses last week to the Sox at Fenway. New York takes 4–1 lead into the 9th, but the Sox tie the game. In the bottom of the 9th, Paul Blair bounces a bases-loaded ball over the head of Butch Hobson at 3B to pin the loss on reliever Bill Campbell. » July 6, 1978: Carl Yastrzemski's 3-run homer in the first gives Boston a lead at Comiskey Park, but the White Sox eventually tie at 6–6. In the 10th inning, former Bosox Jim Willoughby serves up a home run to Fred Lynn, his 13th, and Boston wins, 7–6. Bill Campbell picks up the victory. » July 13, 1979: California's Nolan Ryan and Boston's Steve Renko (with one-out help from Bill Campbell) each lose no-hitters in the 9th inning, and each settle for one-hit victories: 6–1 over New York, and 2–0 over Oakland, respectively. Rickey Henderson has the one-out hit off Renko. » March 27, 1984: The Phillies trade outfielders Gary Matthews and Bob Dernier and pitcher Porfi Altamirano to the Cubs for reliever Bill Campbell and catcher Mike Diaz. Matthews was the MVP of the NLCS last season, while Campbell led the National League with 82 appearances. Dernier will win a Gold Glove in CF for Chicago and help them reach the playoffs. His 45 steals will be the most by a Cub since 1907.