HR0017 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0017 LRB103 04764 MST 49773 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the life, achievements, prosperous career, and Hall of Fame-worthy credentials of Walter William "Billy" Pierce; and

WHEREAS, Billy Pierce began his career at age 18 with the Detroit Tigers in 1945 and then played for the Chicago White Sox from 1949 to 1961 before playing his final three seasons with the San Francisco Giants; and

WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was the Chicago White Sox's star pitcher in the decade from 1952 to 1961 when they posted the third best record in the Major Leagues; by the mid-1950s, the small southpaw stylist, equipped with a pitching bag of tricks that included a devastating fastball, a sharp-breaking curve, a slider, and a change up, was being talked about as one of the top lefties in the sport; and

WHEREAS, A seven-time All-Star, Billy Pierce led the American League in complete games three times and led the American League in wins, earned run average, and strikeouts once each; he pitched four one-hitters and seven two-hitters in his career and, on June 27, 1958, came within one batter of becoming the first left-hander in 78 years to throw a perfect game; and

WHEREAS, After 14 years on Chicago's South Side, Billy Pierce was traded to the San Francisco Giants on November 30, 1961; with something to prove, he finished 16 and 6 in his first season on the West Coast, helping the Giants franchise capture its first pennant since moving to California; he retired after an 18-year big league career with a 211 and 169 record, 1,999 strikeouts, 193 complete games, 38 shutouts, and a 3.27 ERA; and

WHEREAS, In the discussion of the best pitchers in White Sox history, Billy Pierce tops the franchise's all-time list with 1,796 strikeouts, and his 186 wins are fourth behind Hall of Famers Ted Lyons (260), Red Faber (254), and Ed Walsh (195); and

WHEREAS, The White Sox retired Billy Pierce's number 19 in 1987 and unveiled a statue in his honor at U.S. Cellular Field in 2007; he was selected to the White Sox All-Century Team in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Billy Pierce's 1,999 career strikeouts were the fifth most by a left-hander when he retired, and his American League total of 1,842 ranked ninth in league history; he also ranked tenth among left-handers in career wins (211), sixth in games started (432) and games pitched (585), eighth in shutouts (38), and ninth in innings pitched (3,306+2/3), placing him in the top 20 of left-handed starting pitchers in Major League history; and

WHEREAS, Billy Pierce's statistics in Innings Pitched, ERA, ERA+, Career Wins, Walks/Hits per Innings Pitched, and Career Strikeouts, among others, compare favorably and, in some cases, exceed those of contemporaries such as Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, Robin Roberts, and Whitey Ford, all of whom have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Rule 5 of the Baseball Writers Association of America rules for eligibility provides that eligibility for membership shall be based not only upon the player's record, playing ability, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played but also on his integrity, sportsmanship, and character; and

WHEREAS, Billy Pierce's contributions to society off the field were as significant as those on it, as witnessed by his many public acts, such as raising millions of dollars through Northwestern University's Cancer Research Charity for Children, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, as well as serving as a White Sox ambassador visiting children and retirement homes; and

WHEREAS, Despite possessing comparable statistics to players of his era who are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in addition to his sterling reputation, Billy Pierce remains on the waiting list to be called to membership in the Hall; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Walter William "Billy" Pierce on his accomplishments and accolades achieved throughout his life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Billy Pierce is deserving of the honor and recognition that accrues to those whose names are called to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the National Baseball Hall of Fame Golden Days Era committee to vote to enshrine Billy Pierce to his rightful place as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Billy Pierce and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.