Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton was the greatest base stealer and most prolific run scorer of nineteenth-century baseball.

Baseball Player

September 9, 1990

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Billy Hamilton, a former American football wide receiver, was known for his exceptional speed and ability to stretch the field, earning him the nickname “White Shoes.” He played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and was a standout player at the University of Oklahoma. As a two-time All-American, he helped the team win a national championship in 1955. Hamilton was named to the Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Before focusing on football, Hamilton briefly played professional baseball in the minor leagues, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1957. However, he left baseball after one season to pursue his football career.

In recent years, the more popular Billy Hamilton is a professional baseball center fielder known for his incredible speed. He has played for several Major League Baseball teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox. As one of the greatest base stealers and run scorers in baseball history, Hamilton has also been recognized for his defensive skills as a center fielder.

Among his notable achievements are being elected into the Hall of Fame in 1961, finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2014, and setting stolen base records. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Rays organization and signed a minor league contract with the team.

Billy Hamilton’s legacy in both football and baseball is marked by his remarkable speed and athleticism, making him a memorable figure in sports history. Interestingly, despite being the greatest base stealer and most prolific run scorer of nineteenth-century baseball, his name was not widely recognized when he was admitted to the Hall of Fame long after his death.