William Pearl Rhines (March 14, 1869 – January 30, 1922) was an American professional baseball player during the nineteenth century. He led the National League in ERA twice (1890 and 1896) while playing for the Cincinnati Reds."He'll Do: Billy Rhines Himself Again." Cincinnati, Ohio: The Enquirer, July 14, 1892."Second Game: Rhines Pitched a Masterly Game." Cincinnati, Ohio: The Enquirer, July 21, 1897."Another Shut Out." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, May 18, 1898."Billy Rhines in Form." Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post, July 14, 1892.
Formative years Rhines was born in Ridgway, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1869. He graduated from Bucknell University."Billy Rhines, Underhand Pitcher of Past, Dead." Holyoke, Massachusetts: Holyoke Daily Transcript, February 3, 1922."Billy Rhines, Prominent Pitcher in '90s, Dies." Brooklyn, New York: The Brooklyn Standard Union, February 3, 1922."Death Calls Veteran." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, February 1, 1922.
Career Rhines was a pitcher during parts of nine seasons (1890–1899) with the Cincinnati Reds, Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates."Hard Hit: Billy Rhines Has a Waterloo." Cincinnati, Ohio: The Enquirer, July 23, 1890."Mad: Wattie Doesn't Like It." Cincinnati, Ohio: The Enquirer, April 22, 1898."That Fatal Inning." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, June 2, 1898."A Sudden Fall: Five Innings of Prosperity Turned Billy Rhines' Head." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, July 10, 1898.
He led the National League in ERA twice (1890 and 1896) while playing for Cincinnati. For his career, he compiled a 114–103 record in 249 appearances, with a 3.47 ERA and 743 strikeouts."Billy Rhines, Prominent Pitcher in '90s, Dies," The Brooklyn Standard Union, February 3, 1922.
Death Rhines died at the age of 52 in his hometown of Ridgway, Pennsylvania on January 30, 1922."Rhines Had Only Real 'Up Curve.'" Spokane, Washington: The Spokesman-Review, July 2, 1922.Billy Rhines, in "Shufflin' Along in Sportville." Binghamton, New York: The Binghamton Press, February 3, 1922."Billy Rhines, Former Pirate Pitcher, Dead." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Gazette Times, January 31, 1922.
References
External links
Billy Rhines - Society for American Baseball Research