TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/21/2022 | Received: 3/31/2022 | 10 Days
- ’92 Donruss, ’92 Leaf, ’92 O-Pee-Chee Premier, ’92 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Bill Landrum is a former relief pitcher in the major leagues. He played from 1986 to 1993 with the Cincinnati Reds (twice), Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Montreal Expos. To those who followed Major League Baseball (MLB) during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Landrum was known as a reliable reliever of his era. Known for his control and calm demeanor on the mound, Landrum carved out a successful career as a closer, particularly with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played a crucial role in the team’s bullpen.
Landrum, born on August 17, 1957, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in a family with a strong baseball background. His father, Joe Landrum, was a former pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Bill inherited his love for the game at an early age. Growing up in Columbia, Bill honed his pitching skills and went on to play college baseball at the University of South Carolina, where he was a standout player.
After completing his college career, Landrum was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round of the 1979 MLB Draft. He spent several years in the Reds’ minor league system, steadily working his way up through the ranks. His development as a pitcher was marked by his ability to throw strikes consistently, a trait that would become a hallmark of his career.
Landrum made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on August 31, 1986. Although his time with the Reds was brief, he soon found his niche in the bullpen. After a short stint with the Chicago Cubs, where he began to show his potential as a reliever, Landrum’s career took off when he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1989. It was with the Pirates that Landrum truly established himself as a dependable closer.
During the 1989 season, he posted a remarkable 1.67 ERA with 26 saves, earning him recognition as one of the top relievers in the National League. His ability to control the strike zone and keep hitters off balance made him a formidable presence in the late innings. Landrum continued his success with the Pirates in 1990, helping the team to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Although the Pirates fell short of the World Series, Landrum’s contributions were vital to their strong season. He finished the year with a 2.13 ERA and 13 saves, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable closer.
After his time with the Pirates, Landrum went on to play for the Montreal Expos and the Reds again. While he didn’t reach the same heights he had with Pittsburgh, he remained a steady and effective reliever until his retirement after the 1993 season. Over his MLB career, Landrum compiled a 2.69 ERA with 58 saves and 237 strikeouts in 303 appearances.
Landrum did not pursue a career in coaching or broadcasting, choosing instead to enjoy a quieter life away from the game. However, he has remained a respected figure in the baseball community, particularly among those who remember his contributions to the Pirates during their successful run in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
This is my fourth successful return from him. To check out the other successful return use these links:
The Score on Bill Landrum – 6.0
Bill’s signature tends to be on the smaller side, but not the smallest signature I’ve ever seen. I like the blue marker with the Expos uniforms, but I would say my favorite of this bunch is the 1992 Upper Deck card. The signature is great, but the action and the image is pretty great too.
Thanks Mr. Landrum! I’m giving this return a 6.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.