Buford Billy Champion (September 18, 1947 – January 7, 2017) was an American professional baseball right-handed pitcher, coach, and scout who played in 202 games in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers, from –.
Bill was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round (58th overall) of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Shelby High School in Shelby, North Carolina. In high school, Champion helped the Shelby baseball team win the 1964 Western North Carolina High School Activities Association (WNCHSAA) championship.Walker & Whisnant. (January 12, 2017). 'Batters could not hit him'. Shelby Star. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
Before his big league debut in , Champion was already a two-time Minor League Baseball (MiLB) earned run average (ERA) league leader: Huron Phillies, Northern League (); and Tidewater Tides, Carolina League ().1974 Bill Champion Topps baseball card (#391). He was traded along with Don Money and John Vukovich by the Phillies to the Brewers for Jim Lonborg, Ken Brett, Ken Sanders and Earl Stephenson on October 31, 1972."Phillies Obtain Jim Lonborg In 7-Man Deal With Brewers," United Press International (UPI), Tuesday, October 31, 1972. Retrieved April 13, 2020
Champion went on to become a scout for the Chicago Cubs and pitching coach for the Greenville Braves.
Champion died on January 7, 2017, in Shelby, North Carolina, at the age of 69.Billy Champion dies at age 69
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