#599 Billy Champion

Great comic book name…in reality a so so career with second division teams… spent 4 seasons in Philly and 4 in Milwaukee… Broke into the 1969 Phillies lineup after an outstanding 7-1 start in AAA Eugene…Shifted between Philadelphia's farm system the first couple of years....While in Philly alternated starting and relief roles...lost 14 games in 1972 on a Philly team whose pitching staff was 32-87 (.270 win pct) without Steve Carlton's career season....Acquired by Milwaukee for 1973....one standout season, 1974, Champion went 11-4 with a 3.62 all career bests…prior to that point his career ERA was 4.85….like most Brewers at the time, could not follow up this performance in 1975 and was released