Bill Sweeney

William J. Sweeney (1858 – August 2, 1903) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Providence Grays, Philadelphia Athletics (1882), and Baltimore Monumentals (1884). In 1884, he won 40 games for Baltimore, leading the Union Association in wins (40), complete games (58), and innings pitched (538).

Early years Sweeney was born in 1858 in Philadelphia. He grew up in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. Only 24 players in major-league history have won 40 games in a season. He also led the UA in 1884 with 58 complete games and 538 innings pitched and ranked second in the UA with 374 strikeouts and third with a 7.3 Wins Above Replacement.

Later years As of 1887, Sweeney was with the Beford Club when frequent hemorrhages put his life in danger. He continued to suffer from poor health after his playing career ended. As of 1890, he was working at a machine shop in Philadelphia. He later worked for the Water Department. The cause of death was reported as "consumption", a term then used for tuberculosis.