1976 Topps #573 - Bill Travers

• Bill Travers pitched in the majors from 1974-1983. Travers was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. Travers pitched in the minors from 1970-1973, but he missed most of the 1973 season with arm trouble. Bill had two surgeries on his arm -- the second one was in 1973. After the second surgery he developed a forkball that helped him when he got to the majors.
• Bill got his first chance in the majors in the 1974 season. Travers pitched in 23 games (1 start) and was 2-3 with a 4.92 ERA.
• Travers split the 1975 season between AAA Sacramento and the Brewers. Bill had a record of 6-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 28 games (23 starts) for the Brewers in 1975.
• Bill's best year was in 1976. Travers made the AL All Star team (he didn't pitch in the game) and went 15-16 with a 2.81 ERA in 34 starts. Bill Travers: The Brewers' Bionic Pitcher - October 1976 Baseball Digest.
• In 1977 Travers missed two months of the season with an injury. Bill started 19 games but was only 4-12 with a 5.25 ERA. Travers bounced back somewhat in 1978 and went 12-11 with a 4.41 ERA in 28 starts.
• As the Brewers' fortunes improved in the late 1970s Bill's record improved as well. Travers was 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA in 1979 and was 12-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 1980. After the 1980 season Travers became a free agent and signed a 4-year contract ($375,000 per year) with the California Angels.
• Travers had arm trouble and missed most of the 1981 season. He started four games and went 0-1 with an 8.38 ERA. Bill sat out the 1982 season and then tried again in 1983. Travers started a few games in AAA and then pitched in 10 games (7 starts) for the Angels. Travers was 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA when he was released by the Angels on July 19, 1983.
• After his major league career Bill spent some time as a professional candlepin bowler.
• Liked to face: Bobby Bonds (.000 in 19 AB); Rick Cerone (.095 in 21 AB); Bobby Grich (.111 in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Larry Hisle (.615 in 13 AB); Paul Dade (.526 in 19 AB); Dwight Evans (.481 in 27 AB)

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