Billy Simpson

William John Simpson II

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Lakewood High School
• Born August 9, 1957 in San Diego, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder Billy Simpson was taken as the 12th overall pick in the 1976 amateur draft by the Texas Rangers, ahead of first baseman Leon Durham, catcher Mike Scioscia and pitcher Bruce Hurst. He signed for between $70,000 and $125,000 but blew it on bad investment choices.

He hit .130/.227/.143 in 154 at-bats for the GCL Rangers in 1976 and in 1977, he batted .169/.269/.206 in 160 at-bats between the GCL Rangers and Asheville Tourists. He began 1978 with Asheville, but joined the New York Mets system partway through the campaign, finishing up the year with the Lynchburg Mets. He batted .211/.308/.261 in 261 at-bats that year. By that point, he was practically broke.

Overall, Simpson hit .177/.276/.214 in 575 career at-bats.

He later was a money courier for a large cocaine importation ring in the 1980s. Brewers scout Tony Muser said that Simpson had gotten used to the high life after signing his big-money contract. Simpson would be sentenced to ten years in a federal prison in the Mojave Desert.

Source: 1990 LA Times article