Billy Shindle

Who was Billy Shindle?

William D. "Billy" Shindle was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1886 through 1898 for the Detroit Wolverines, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Brooklyn Grooms & Bridegrooms. Shindle batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Gloucester, New Jersey. He was slightly built at 5 ft 8 in and 158 pounds.

Shindle's Range factor of 4.34 in 1892 for the Baltimore Orioles is the highest rating ever recorded by a third baseman in the history of Major League Baseball. See Range factor. He also had Range factors over 4.0 for Baltimore in 1888, for Philadelphia in 1891.

While his Range factor demonstrates his superior speed and ability to get to the ball, Shindle was not as talented at handling the balls once he got to them. In 1890, Shindle played shortstop for Philadelphia in the Players League and was charged with 122 errors. Shindle's 122 errors in 1890 is the all-time record for most errors by a major league player at any position.

Shindle was ranked as the 95th best third baseman of all time in The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract.