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William Freeman Gilbreth (September 3, 1947 – July 12, 2020) was an American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in 14 games pitched over three Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons for the – Detroit Tigers and California Angels. The left-handed, a native of Abilene, Texas, was listed as tall and .
Gilbreth was selected by the Tigers in the third round of the 1969 June MLB draft after graduating from Abilene Christian University. He was recalled from the minor leagues in the midst of the 1971 season, and in his big-league debut — as Detroit's starting pitcher against the Cleveland Indians at Tiger Stadium on June 25 — he fired a complete game, 6–1 victory. Gilbreth allowed only five hits and strikeout seven, collecting two singles in four at bats at the plate. "Detroit Tigers 6, Cleveland Indians 1", Retrosheet box score (June 25, 1971)
After a no-decision in his second start against the Boston Red Sox on July 1, Tiger manager Billy Martin gave Gilbreth his third starting opportunity on July 8 against Martin's old team, the New York Yankees. Gilbreth responded with another complete-game triumph, a 3–1 three-hitter. Retrosheet box score (July 8, 1971): "Detroit Tigers 3, New York Yankees 1" However, ten days later, in his fourth starting assignment, Gilbreth was roughed up by the Kansas City Royals, allowing four bases on balls, two hits (including a home run by Lou Piniella), and seven earned runs in only 1+ inning of work. He was charged with the 8–2 defeat, Retrosheet box score (July 18, 1971): "Kansas City Royals 8, Detroit Tigers 2" his final MLB decision.
Sent back to Triple-A after July 25 and two more appearances to work on his control, Gilbreth was recalled in September, earned another no-decision against Boston on September 9, when he could not hold a 3–1, second-inning lead, and was a relief pitcher for the remainder of his big-league tenure. A successful 1972 campaign at Triple-A, when he saved 14 games for Toledo, led to another call-up to Detroit, but he was ineffective. That September, Gilbreth was sent on waivers to the Angels. After missing the season, Gilbreth received an early-season trial from the 1974 Halos, but struggled in back-to-back appearances May 11–12 against Kansas City. He returned to Triple-A and retired at the close of the season.
In 14 big-league games pitched, including five starts, he posted a 2–1 won–lost mark and 6.69 earned run average, with two complete games. In 36 innings pitched, he permitted 40 hits and 26 bases on balls, with 16 strikeouts.
Returning to Abilene, Gilbreth eventually helped his alma mater revive its dormant varsity baseball program as Abilene Christian University's head coach from 1991–1995 and was elected to the school's athletics hall of fame in 1999.
Bill Gilbreth died in his hometown on July 12, 2020, from complications following heart surgery.
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