Philadelphia Phillies: Remembering Billy Sorrell

Billy Sorrell had a rather forgettable major league career, but he made history when he debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies.

On September 2, 1965, four players made their major league debut – Dick Selma, Bud Harrelson, Darrell Osteen, and Billy Sorrell. Harrelson was easily the best of that quartet, making a pair of All Star appearances and memorably slugging Pete Rose in a brawl. Selma spent a decade in the majors, but Osteen and Sorrell had rather forgettable major league careers.

However, Sorrell made history just by stepping on the diamond that day. A September callup by the Philadelphia Phillies, his debut marked the 10,000th player in major league history, a monumental moment for the game. Sorrell did his part in that debut, hitting a single as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth in the Phillies eventual 5-2 loss to the Giants.

Sorrell actually performed fairly well in his limited action with the Phillies that year. In 15 plate appearances, he notched five hits, including a home run. However, that was the only action he would see with the Phillies, as he was back to the minors for the following year.

It seemed as though he would get his chance in 1967. The Giants selected Sorrell in the Rule V Draft, and had to keep him on the roster all season. In this case, that lasted for 18 games, primarily as a pinch hitter. He had three hits in his 21 plate appearances, notching a double and walking twice. On June 22, he was sent back to the Phillies.

Sorrell resurfaced in the majors again in 1970. He had been traded to the Mets before the 1968 season, and was sold to the Royals on August 12, 1969. He got the most playing time of his major league career in 1970, with 145 plate appearances. He produced a respectable .267/.317/.370 batting line, hitting four homers and two doubles while drawing ten walks. However, that was his last major league action.

After spending 1971 in AAA for the Royals, Sorrell went to Japan for two years before retiring. His overall minor league numbers, a .280/.353/.413 batting line with 236 doubles, 116 homers, and 136 steals, showed the potential he had. However, he had just 181 major league plate appearances, as he was never able to get a true opportunity.

Billy Sorrell made history when he debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies. As it turned out, that would be one of the few highlights of his major league career.