Bill Singer

William Robert Singer
(Sing Sing or The Singer Throwing Machine)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Pomona (CA) High School
• Debut September 24, 1964
• Final Game July 16, 1977
• Born April 24, 1944 in Los Angeles, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bill Singer, who pitched 14 years in the majors, was an enigma. Possessed with a blazing fastball, Singer threw a no-hitter with the Los Angeles Dodgers early in his career but then his effectiveness began to wane. After struggling through an ineffective 1972 season, Singer was dispatched to the California Angels in the Frank Robinson blockbuster trade. Singer responded with a 20-win, 241 strikeout season for the Angels (Nolan Ryan struck out a record 383 batters that season for the Angels).

Singer's effectiveness again began to fade and he won in double digits only once after that, in 1976 with the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. Emergency back surgery was required when a circulatory problem threatened his life and he never pitched effectively after that. He was the starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays in their first game as an expansion franchise in 1977, but only went 2-8 in 12 games for the team and was released in mid-July, putting an end to his career.

The similarity scores method lists Van Mungo, another Dodgers pitcher, as the most similar player, through 2012.

Singer later was a scout and cross-checker for the Florida Marlins and director of pro scouting for the Washington Nationals. In 2003, he was terminated from his post of special assistant to Mets General Manager Jim Duquette after making racist remarks to then-Los Angeles Dodgers assistant General Manager Kim Ng. He later apologized, blaming the Atkins diet for his behavior.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time All-Star (1969 & 1973)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1969 & 1973)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1969 & 1973)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 6 (1967-1969, 1971, 1973 & 1976)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1969 & 1973)
• 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 3 (1968, 1969 & 1973)

Related Sites

• Bill Singer at the SABR Bio Project