Bill Bevens

Floyd Clifford "Bill" Bevens (October 21, 1916-October 26, 1991) was a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. He stood 6' 3' and weighed 210 lbs. He was signed by the New York Yankees at the age of 20 in by|1937. Bevens spent 7 years in the minor leagues and threw 2 no-hitters for Wenatchee. He debuted in the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees on May 12, by|1944 at the age of 27.

Bill Bevens played in the Major Leagues for 4 years and had a career record of 40-36 with a 3.08 ERA. His best year was by|1946 when he had a 16-13 record and a 2.23 ERA. In by|1947, his last year in the Majors he had a 7-13 record, however, in the World Series that year against the Brooklyn Dodgers he would pitch one of the most memorable games in baseball history (see "The Cookie Game").

For 8 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series Bevens did not allow a single hit. He did, however, give up a World Series record 10 walks and the Yankees were nursing a 2-1 lead over the Dodgers. Walks to Carl Furillo and Pete Reiser (Al Gionfriddo was brought in to pinch run for Furillo and Eddie Miksis was brought in to pinch run for the injury-slowed Reiser) brought aging pinch hitter Cookie Lavagetto to the plate. With 2 outs and 2 on in the bottom of the ninth Lavagetto lined a double to right field scoring both runners and winning the game for the Dodgers with the game's only hit.

"The Cookie Game" was played on October 3, 1947 and evened the Series at 2-2. On October 6, 1947 Bevens went on to pitch 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the deciding Game 7 of that Series and helped the Yankees win the World Championship. Game 7 of the 1947 World Series was the last game Bevens pitched in the Major Leagues. He was 30 years old.

"I do not use anything odd or unorthodox. I have a sinker, but it is a natural delivery. Fast ball, curve, change, and change in speeds. That is my repertoire." - Bill Bevens in Baseball Magazine (June 1947, Daniel M. Daniel)

Bevens earned a spot on the Cincinnati Reds roster in 1952 but was sold to the San Francisco team of the Pacific Coast League without getting into a game.

Bill Bevens died on October 26, 1991 in Salem, OR.

External links

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* [http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/25.html Sporting News' Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: Cookie Crumbles Bevens]
* [http://www.thedeadballera.com/AudioPageBillBevans.html Audio - Bill Bevens describes his lost no-hit bid]
* [http://www.thedeadballera.com/AudioPageLavagetto.html Audio - Cookie Lavagetto breaks up Bill Bevens' No-Hit Bid in 1947 World Series]