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Bill Macdonald

1929 – 1991

American baseball player

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About Bill Macdonald

Lived 1929 – 1991 (aged 62). Bill Macdonald was an American baseball player.

William Paul Macdonald, Jr. (March 28, 1929 – May 4, 1991) was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 36 Major League games for the 1950 and 1953 Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Alameda, California, he stood tall and weighed as an active player.

Macdonald signed his first professional contract with the Detroit Tigers and spent 1947–48 in their farm system. After winning 15 games during the latter season for the Flint Arrows of the Class A Central League, Macdonald was declared a free agent by Commissioner of Baseball Happy Chandler on October 27, 1948; three months later, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Pirate affiliate in the Double-A Southern Association. In 1949, he posted a 13–11 record with the Pelicans and made the Pirates' roster out of spring training in 1950.

As a rookie, he appeared in 32 games, twenty as a starting pitcher, and won eight of 18 decisions, with six complete games and two shutouts. In his second MLB game, on May 23, he threw a complete game, three-hitter and blanked the eventual National League champion Philadelphia Phillies, 6–0 at Shibe Park.

Macdonald missed the entire 1951–52 seasons due to military service. He left baseball after the 1954 minor league season.

All told, in 160 Major League innings pitched, Macdonald gave up 150 hits and 96 bases on balls; he struck out 64.

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Important facts

People in Bill Macdonald's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Bill Macdonald?

American baseball player

When was Bill Macdonald born?

Bill Macdonald was born on 28 March 1929 in Alameda.

When did Bill Macdonald die?

Bill Macdonald died on 4 May 1991 in Shasta Lake.

What was Bill Macdonald's occupation?

Bill Macdonald was a baseball player.

What nationality was Bill Macdonald?

Bill Macdonald was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bill Macdonald

· Wikidata: Q4909996

· DBpedia: Bill Macdonald (baseball)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bill Macdonald. https://biography.guide/bill-macdonald-baseball-player/

MLA: "Bill Macdonald." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bill-macdonald-baseball-player/.

Chicago: "Bill Macdonald." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bill-macdonald-baseball-player/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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