Bridgeport in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Walter William Pierce
"Billy"
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024
1. Walter William Pierce Marker
Seven-Time All-Star, 1953, 1955-59, 1961
Started Three All-Star Games, 1953, 1955-56
The Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year, 1956-57
Led the American League in ERA, 1955
Led the American League in Wins, 1957
Led the American League in Strikeouts, 1953
Member of the White Sox Team of the Century, 2000
Led the American League in Complete Games, 1956-58
Ranks First in White Sox History in Strikeouts
Ranks First Among White Sox Left-Handers in Victories
Ranks Fourth in White Sox History in Wins and Innings Pitched
Ranks Third in White Sox History in Games Started
Tied for Fifth in White Sox History in Complete Games
Played for Detroit (1945, 1948), White Sox (1949-1961) and San Francisco (1962-64)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 41° 49.776′ N, 87° 37.969′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bridgeport. It can be reached from 35th Street near Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94). The marker is in the center field concourse, near the Fan Deck, at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of baseball's Chicago White Sox. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carlton Ernest Fisk (here, next to this marker); Jim Thome Home Runs (a few steps from this marker); Saturnino Orestes Armas "Minnie" Miρoso Arrieta (a few steps from this marker); What Is a "Chicago Style" Hot Dog? (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Nelson "Nellie" Fox (within shouting distance of this marker); Luis Aparicio (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Comiskey Park Shower (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles A. Comiskey (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Regarding Walter William Pierce. The Detroit-area native Billy Pierce began his career with the Detroit Tigers before being traded before the 1949 season to the White Sox. With the Sox he became one of the most feared left-handed pitchers in baseball and perhaps the finest pitcher of the "Go-Go White Sox" era, which culminated in an appearance in the 1959 World Series. However, Pierce pitched only four scoreless innings of relief for the Sox in that series, as Manager Al Lopez decided against starting him. The Sox lost the series to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024
2. Walter William Pierce statue
Pierce ended his career as a member of the San Francisco Giants, making two appearances in the 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees. He started and was the losing pitcher in Game 3, and he started Game 6 and picked up the victory. The Giants lost the series to the Yankees in seven games. Pierce has in recent years appeared on the Golden Era Committee ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but he has not yet been selected. He died in 2015 and is buried at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery in Oak Lawn, Illinois, about 15 miles southwest of this statue at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Also see . . .
1. Baseball Reference: Billy Pierce. (Submitted on June 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Society for American Baseball Research: Billy Pierce.
Excerpt: "He died of gallbladder cancer on July 31, 2015. Said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in tribute to Pierce: 'He epitomized class, not just as a ballplayer on those great Go-Go White Sox teams of the 1950s, but as a gentleman and as a human being who devoted so much of his life to helping others.'"(Submitted on June 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024
3. Pierce, Fisk and Miρoso statues
The White Sox have statues for Billy Pierce, Carlton Fisk and Minnie Miρoso (partially obscured, behind Fisk) to the left field side of the Fan Deck.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
