Bill Narleski (1987-1988)

William L. Narleski

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of Virginia
• High School Collingswood High School

• Born 1964

Bill Narleski is the grandson of Bill Narleski, nephew of Ted Narleski and Ray Narleski and cousin of Steve Narleski. He played two years in the minor leagues.

Narleski was a second-team All-Conference basketball guard in high school and a two-time All-Conference shortstop. He was the Male Athlete of the Year one year. Going on to college, he set University of Virginia records in walks (125) and steals (72) from 1984-1987, both of which were topped in 2002.

In the 1986 Amateur World Series, Narleski hit .350, second on Team USA and drove in 15 runs, four behind tourney leaders Luis Casanova and Giuseppe Carelli. He hit .308/~.385/.462 for the summer, better than future major leaguers Dave Silvestri and Brad Hildreth. He also saw more playing time than another future big leaguer, Terry Shumpert.

Narleski was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 18th round of the 1986 amateur draft and by the Cleveland Indians in the 15th round of the 1987 amateur draft.

He debuted with the Burlington Indians as a shortstop, hitting .324/~.433/.427 with 55 runs in 60 games. He led the Appalachian League in runs and was second to teammate Beau Allred in average and possibly OBP.

In 1988, Bill struggled as the third baseman for the Waterloo Indians, batting .247/.336/.328 with 12 steals in 15 tries.

Sources

• 1988 Baseball Almanac
• 1989 Baseball Guide
• Collingswood High School
• Discussion of Narleski's walk record at Virginia
• 1987 Baseball America Statistics Report
• Defunct IBAF site