Billy O'Dell

Who is Billy O'Dell?

William Oliver O'Dell, nicknamed "Digger", is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1954 and 1956–1967. He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent in 1954, and was a Bonus Baby.

O'Dell was All-Star representative for the American League in 1958 and 1959, and in 1959 had the highest strikeout to walk ratio in all of MLB with 2.69. On May 19, 1959, O'Dell hit an inside-the-park home run for the Orioles in a 2–1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. In 1962, O'Dell won a career high 19 games for the NL Champion Giants.

O'Dell was the losing pitcher in Game 1 of the 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees. He gave up a 2 RBI double to Roger Maris, an RBI single to Tony Kubek, a solo home run to Clete Boyer, and finally an RBI single to Dale Long before being relieved by manager Alvin Dark for veteran pitcher Don Larsen, leaving him with 5 earned runs in 7¹⁄₃ innings of work. He did manage to stirke out 8, including Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, who struck out twice.

O'Dell attended Clemson University.