Happy Birthday Bill Caudill

by Tom Dakers on Jul 13, 2009 5:00 PM EDT

Bill Caudill turns 53 today. For those that don't remember back that far Caudill was our B.J. Ryan for the 80's He came up with the Cubs, then went to Seattle and became one of the top closers in baseball. Then he went over to Oakland and got 36 saves in his season there. After the 1984 season the Jays traded Dave Collins and Alfredo Griffin for him.

Caudill was agent Scott Boras first client and he got a $7 million dollar, 5 year contract for Bill. That was a fortune at the time and course we know that aren't many long term closer contracts that work out well. For the team at least. He had a good first season with the Jays 2.99 ERA and 14 saves. The next season didn't go so well. With arm troubles, he finished with a 6.19 ERA and 2 saves. During the off-season the Jays released him.

He signed with the A's but had shoulder troubles and left baseball and has worked with Boras since. He finished with 106 career saves.

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I think Caudill would probably take offense at being compared to B.J.

Like many relievers, Caudill was a bit … out there. From Wikipedia:

Nicknamed “the Inspector” after inspecting the Mariners bats for unused hits and discarding those he deemed empty, the Pink Panther Theme soon played over the Kingdome loudspeakers when he was summoned from the Mariners’ bullpen. Later, he was also given the nickname “Cuffs” after an incident with hotel security during a road trip. On another occasion, when brought in to pitch in a one-sided game, Caudill appeared from the bullpen sporting a half-shaved beard. In 1982, the Mariners introduced a nautically themed bullpen “car” called the Tugboat. It got off to a rocky start on Opening Day when Caudill stole the keys during pregame festivities, leaving the Tugboat stranded on the left-field line and delaying the start of the game.

As a final bit of awesome, Wikipedia provides a slightly different explanation of Caudill’s career denouement:

Trying to rebound from a miserable season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986, Caudill suffered a broken hand with the Oakland A’s after punching a man who was reportedly trying to accost his wife in a hotel parking lot in 1987. It effectively ended his big league career at age 30.

I would have been a lot happier if B.J. had ended his career by punching someone out. Preferably himself.

by voodoomusic on Jul 13, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

I never thought Caudill was all that effective even in ‘85. Of course, it didn’t matter after midseason because the Jays called up this kid named Henke….

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Jul 14, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions