Here's hoping Billy Pierce, the stylish lefty who was the White Sox ace through the "Go Go" era, has a happy 85th birthday today! Without question, one of the nicest, most genuine people you will ever meet.

He should be in the hall of fame.

He should be in the hall of fame.

For sure. Happy birthday Billy!!

Happy birthday. He is a great guy. Another great guy I am very worried about since he hasn't been seen, at least by me in over a year when it was reported he had cancer, is Moose Skowron.

 

We got Pierce in a trade with Tigers in 1949. We gave up a catcher named Aaron Robinson. Pierce weighed about 160 then and had a great fast ball. Al Lopez never pitched him in the 1959 World Series; that always miffed Pierce, but he got a chance in 1962 for the Giants in World Series and did well. Never understood Lopez, especially since he started Early Wynn in Game 6 on 2 days rest, and the Dodgers hit him hard. Series over. I met Wynn in the 1980's and mentioned that; he didn't get it either.

I know it is ceremonial, but May 16th will be Billy Pierce day in Illinois to coincide with an event in Springfield to celebrate the Sox! Billy is a great guy.

I was at his 8 2/3 perfect game-and that ball was foul

I was at his 8 2/3 perfect game-and that ball was foul

Really? Never heard that. I listened to the game on radio, still remember it well. Ed Fitzgerald got the hit, then Pierce struck out Albie Pearson to end the game.

 

 

 

 

 

Really? Never heard that. I listened to the game on radio, still remember it well. Ed Fitzgerald got the hit, then Pierce struck out Albie Pearson to end the game.

 

I was with my grandpa, sitting in upper deck just past 1st. You were close to field then and it looked foul to me. I just remember Billy standing on the mound with his hands on his hips after that hit. I recall while driving home, a record by Ella Fitzgerald came on the radio and my grandpa turned it off saying he "didn't want to hear the name Fitzgerald on the South Side tonight."