Bill Barrett (barrebi02)

William Joseph Barrett
(Whispering Bill)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• High School Rindge Technical School
• Debut May 13, 1921
• Final Game May 31, 1930
• Born May 28, 1900 in Cambridge, MA USA
• Died January 26, 1951 in Cambridge, MA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Originally a shortstop and a pitcher, Bill Barrett began his major league career with a cup of coffee with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1921. He struggled defensively, making 3 errors in 8 games at short, and on the mound, giving up 4 earned runs over 5 innings, and was sent back to the minors by Connie Mack.

Barrett was acquired by the Chicago White Sox in 1923 and recorded two hits and a stolen base in his Comiskey Park debut on August 19th against the New York Yankees. Seeing regular playing time as an outfielder, he hit .272 with 12 steals in 44 games. The next year, he was moved to shortstop when Harvey McClellan had to have surgery and posted a .904 fielding percentage, lowest in the league. On May 1, he had his finest day at the plate, rapping four hits and stealing home twice in a game against the Cleveland Indians. Barrett was moved back to the outfield, but knee injuries limited his playing time somewhat in 1925 and 1926. He bounced back and saw his most playing time in 1927, hitting .286 and stealing 20 bases while appearing in 147 games.

A Massachusetts native, Barrett always wanted to play for a team closer to home and, after pressuring General Manager Harry Grabiner for a trade, he was flipped to the Boston Red Sox for Doug Taitt in 1929. After about a year with the Red Sox, he was traded to the Washington Senators, for whom he played the last 6 games of his big league career in 1930. He managed the Watertown Townies franchise in the 1934 Northeastern League and was later a scout for the Red Sox.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1934	Watertown Townies	Northeastern League	40-28			Team entered league at start of second half

Related Sites

• Bill Barrett at the SABR Bio Project