Bill Quarles

William H. Quarles

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 6' 3"

• Debut May 21, 1891
• Final Game September 9, 1893
• Born June 25, 1870 in Petersburg, VA USA
• Died March 25, 1897 in Petersburg, VA USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Bill Quarles was in the major leagues in 1891 and 1893.

A 2006 SABR publication listed him as one of the former major leaguers whom news articles had mentioned as having attended college, but for whom the particular college was as yet unknown. He was 20 when he made his major league debut, so he might have come directly from college. His debut date was May 21, 1891, with the Washington Statesmen of the American Association.

He died before the age of 30, after undergoing some surgery.

A Sporting Life article dated April 10, 1897 and titled "The Late Quarles" says that he died a day after a "successful operation". Things looked good enough that he was taken home with only a slight chill but the next evening developed a "congestive chill" and died in an hour.

The article stated that he attended the high school in Petersburg, VA, beginning his pitching career in July 1887 and attracting considerable attention. He pitched for Roanoke in 1888 and 1889 (the article does not specify what kind of team). He was with Richmond in 1890. He played for the Columbia, SC team in 1892 and in either 1892 or 1893 he began pitching for the Petersburg team. He also pitched for Savannah in 1893. He was with Wilkes-Barre in 1894-95 as well as with Scranton and Pottsville in 1895. In 1896 he was again with Petersburg. The article indicated that for 1897 he had several offers for the upcoming season.