Champion was 15-5 with an International League-leading 2.03 ERA in 1968, and was
7-1, 1.66, before the Phillies called him up in 1969. Only 12-31 in four NL seasons,
the 6'4" redhead was considering quitting when he was traded to the Brewers. Originally
a fastball-slider thrower, Champion added four more pitches and went 11-4 in 1974.
An elbow injury sidelined him in August 1975 and forced him to retirement in 1976.
(JCA)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 15, 1970: In a 5–4 Reds win over the Phillies, Lee May drives in all the runs for Cincinnati. His 2nd homer in the bottom of the 9th ties the game and his single in the 14th wins it. Rose is 0-for-7 with five straight K's. The Phils Billy Champion is the losing pitcher, but all is not lost. Champion picks up a PCL win today as Eugene completes a suspended game in which he is the victor.
»September 5, 1974: Milwaukee hands Boston its 7th straight loss as rookie Gorman Thomas hits a 2-run shot in the 9th inning. It was Thomas' first game of the year for Milwaukee after hitting 51 homers for Sacramento (PCL) this year. Billy Champion (10–3) picks up the win for the 5th-place Brewers.
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