Today's Birthday

Former Eastern League prospect and pitching coach Billy Champion was born on this date in 1947.

Credits: Topps via The Trading Card Database

He pitched for the Reading Phillies during the 1970 season (2-1, 4.24 ERA). He pitched 8 seasons in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies (1969, '70-'72) and Milwaukee Brewers (1973-76).

After he retired as a player, Champion was a minor league pitching coach for several seasons and coached in the Eastern League with the New Haven Ravens (1994) and Binghamton Mets (1997).

He died on January 7, 2017 at the age of 69.

Source:Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.