Billy Kinloch

William Francis Kinloch
previously known as Walter Kinlock

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown

• Debut August 1, 1895
• Final Game August 1, 1895
• Born March 21, 1874 in St. Joseph, MO USA
• Death February 15, 1931 in New York, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Billy Kinloch, from Missouri, played one game for the St. Louis Browns in 1895. He hit .333 (1-for-3) and made no errors in his five chances at third base. The regular third baseman that year for the team was Doggie Miller. Kinloch, at age 21, was 16 years younger than the elder statesman of the team, Roger Connor.

Kinloch was still playing minor league ball as late as 1907.

According to the SABR biography of Kinloch by Peter Morris, Kinloch's name was William but he went by "Walt". He started playing semi-pro ball in the early 1890s. Chris Von der Ahe wanted some young players for the Browns and asked somebody to sign Kinloch, who Von der Ahe had heard about but never seen. Kinloch was signed and came to Chicago where he met the Browns. He played in the game on August 1st, and some hot smashes were hit to him. Player-manager Joe Quinn told the Sporting News that Kinloch came to him and asked for his release, saying that the ball was hit too fast. Quinn told him he was doing well in that lively ball era, but Kinloch caught the train back to his hometown of Denver, CO the next day.

Supposedly he was a steamfitter. He came back to play ball in the minors in 1897, playing for years but twice breaking his leg and once apparently getting yellow fever. After baseball he worked as a bartender, waiter and doorman.

Related Sites

• Billy Kinloch at the SABR Bio Project