Billy Rohr
William Joseph Rohr is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in the American League for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. Listed at 6' 3", 170 lb., he batted and threw left-handed.
Rohr was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1963 out of Bellflower High School, but was picked up by the Red Sox a year later in the rule 5 draft. As a 21-year-old rookie, Rohr made his first start at the New York Yankees' home opener on April 14, 1967. The slim left-hander faced future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, and was one strike away from a no-hitter when Elston Howard hit a soft single into right-center field. Rohr proceeded to retire the next batter for a 3–0 shutout. In his next start, he beat the Yankees again, this time 6–1, but only won one more game in the majors after that.
In a two-season career, Rohr posted a 3-3 record with a 5.64 ERA in 27 appearances, including eight starts. two complete games, one shutout, 21 strikeouts, 32 walks, and 60 ⅔ innings of work.
Rohr spent 1969 with the Portland Beavers, and had an 11-9 record in 23 games. Before the 1970 season, Rohr was traded by the Indians to the Detroit Tigers organization. He pitched for the Toledo Mud Hens from 1970 to 1971, and was converted to a relief pitcher in his second season. He spent the 1972 season in the Tigers and Montreal Expos organizations before retiring from the game.
Rohr became a medical malpractice attorney in California, close to his hometown and to where he went to law school at Western State University after his career ended.
