Bill Wertz made major league debut in hometown; Saw time over two big league seasons

Originally published Dec. 1, 2020

Bill Wertz not only got to make his major league debut in this May 1993 game, but he got to make it in his hometown.

A Cleveland native, Wertz came out of the bullpen for the Indians and his family and friends got to see it in person, The Akron Beacon-Journal wrote.

"I was pleased with his velocity and he had a good breaking pitch," Indians manager Mike Hargrove told The Beacon-Journal afterward. "For his first time out, pitching in his hometown with his folks watching, he did well."

Wertz went five outs and gave up one earned in that outing. He went on to see 34 total with the Indians that year. He played in one more big league game the next year to round out his major league career.

Wertz' career began in 1989, taken by the Indians in the 31st round of the draft out of Ohio State. Wertz was also credited by his full name, William Wertz.

Wertz started with the Indians in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 4-3, with a 3.14 ERA over 12 outings, 11 starts.

He moved to high-A Reno and short-season Watertown for 1990, then single-A Columbus in 1992 and AA Canton-Akron in 1992.

Wertz went 2.1 innings of no-hit relief in a May 1992 game at Canton-Akron and drew praise from his manager Brian Graham, according to The Beacon-Journal.

"Wertz threw strikes and kept the ball down," Graham told The Beacon-Journal. "That's a good day's work."

Wertz made AAA Charlotte to start 1993, then Cleveland that May. Over his 34 outings, all in relief, he went 2-3, with a 3.62 ERA. 

Going into 1994, Wertz hoped to start the season with the big club, but he got sent down after a couple poor spring outings, The Beacon-Journal wrote. 

"I would like to have shown more than I did. But I also would have thought that the job I did last year warranted a longer look," Wertz told The Beacon-Journal.

Instead, Wertz returned to the bigs in May, but for just one final game.

He then continued playing in the minors through 1997. He went through AAA with the Red Sox and Mariners. He then spent his final time back with the Indians at Canton-Akron.

• Akron Beacon-Journal, May 11, 1992: Wertz
• Akron Beacon-Journal, May 23, 1993: Tribe
• Akron Beacon-Journal, March 22, 1994: On the cutting edge

More: The 1990 Watertown Indians

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,218
Made the Majors:1,384-32.8%
Never Made Majors:2,834-67.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345