Major League Baseball Player. For eight seasons (1969 to 1976), he was a pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. Born Buford Billy Champion, he attended Shelby High School in North Carolina, prior to being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies during the 3rd round of the 1965 Amateur Draft. He broke into the Major Leagues with the Phillies on June 4, 1969 and pitched in 23 games that season, as he held a place within Philadelphia's starting rotation. In 1972, Champion was a starter with the Phillies' team who could only muster 59 wins that year. He was dealt to Milwaukee in a multiple player trade which sent Jim Lonborg and Ken Brett to Philadelphia following the 1972 season. In 1974, while with Milwaukee, he produced a career-high 11 wins, with a 3.62 ERA, in 161 innings-pitched. In 202 career regular season games, he compiled a 34 win, 50 loss record, with a lifetime 4.69 ERA in 804 innings pitched. After retiring as a player, he served as a scout with the Chicago Cubs and later served as a Minor League pitching coach.
Major League Baseball Player. For eight seasons (1969 to 1976), he was a pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. Born Buford Billy Champion, he attended Shelby High School in North Carolina, prior to being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies during the 3rd round of the 1965 Amateur Draft. He broke into the Major Leagues with the Phillies on June 4, 1969 and pitched in 23 games that season, as he held a place within Philadelphia's starting rotation. In 1972, Champion was a starter with the Phillies' team who could only muster 59 wins that year. He was dealt to Milwaukee in a multiple player trade which sent Jim Lonborg and Ken Brett to Philadelphia following the 1972 season. In 1974, while with Milwaukee, he produced a career-high 11 wins, with a 3.62 ERA, in 161 innings-pitched. In 202 career regular season games, he compiled a 34 win, 50 loss record, with a lifetime 4.69 ERA in 804 innings pitched. After retiring as a player, he served as a scout with the Chicago Cubs and later served as a Minor League pitching coach.
Bio by: C.S.
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