Billy Sample – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Billy Sample put together a solid nine-year run in Major League Baseball as an outfielder, suiting up for three teams between 1978 and 1986. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and eventually made his name in the big leagues with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves before he called it a career at just 31.

He wrapped up his time in professional baseball after the 1986 season with the Atlanta Braves. Over 826 games, he hit .272 with 46 home runs and 230 RBIs.

People mostly remember Sample as a speedy outfielder who could get on base and swipe bags, especially when he played for the Rangers in the early ’80s.

From his debut as a 23-year-old rookie to his last year in Atlanta, Sample’s journey through baseball took him from small-town Virginia to Yankee Stadium’s bright lights. His story captures the challenges of breaking into the majors, the grind of sticking with one team, and the changes that come with bouncing between clubs in the later years of a career.

Early Life and Education

William Amos Sample was born on April 2, 1955, in Roanoke, Virginia. He grew up in Salem, nearby.

He stood out as a three-sport athlete at Andrew Lewis High School. After high school, he kept playing baseball at James Madison University and became the first baseball player drafted from the school.

Birthplace and Family Background

Sample entered the world in Roanoke, but Salem shaped his childhood. That smaller city in the Roanoke Valley gave him a tight-knit community to develop his athletic skills.

The Salem area’s strong sports tradition fueled Sample’s competitive edge. Growing up in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, he lived in a place that cared about sports and hard work.

Sample’s family supported his athletic dreams from the start. Folks in Salem would later cheer as one of their own reached the majors.

High School Athletics

Sample went to Andrew Lewis High School in Salem and graduated in 1973. He played football, basketball, and baseball, showing off his skills and dedication in each.

In 1971, as a junior wide receiver, Sample scored the winning touchdown in a state AAA quarterfinal game. That play helped his team make a deep playoff run.

Andrew Lewis made it to the state championship game that year and faced T.C. Williams High School, the team later featured in Remember the Titans. They lost in the final, but Sample’s impact was clear.

Sample’s ability to shine in several sports showed his athleticism. College recruiters noticed, especially when it came to his baseball talent.

James Madison University Years

Sample spent three years at Madison College (now James Madison University) before jumping to pro baseball. He became the first player drafted from the school.

While at JMU, Sample kept sharpening his baseball game and worked on his education. Scouts started showing up to his games, taking notice.

The Texas Rangers picked Sample in the 1976 draft, cutting his college career short. His success helped open doors for other JMU players to get noticed by MLB teams.

He set the bar for the school’s baseball program and eventually got inducted into the JMU Athletic Hall of Fame. Being the first from the school to make the majors meant a lot.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Career

Billy Sample’s shot at the majors began when the Texas Rangers drafted him in 1976. He made his MLB debut on September 2, 1978, at 23, getting a hit his first time up and giving fans a glimpse of his potential.

Draft Process and Minor League Development

The Rangers picked Sample in 1976 after three years at Madison College. He became the first player from the university to get drafted and reach the majors.

Sample had already made his mark at Andrew Lewis High School, where he graduated in 1973. He played three sports and, as a junior, scored a big touchdown in a playoff football game.

He worked his way up through the Rangers’ minor league system, learning the ropes as an outfielder. At 5-foot-9 and batting right-handed, he climbed the ranks and earned a call-up in September 1978.

MLB Debut with the Texas Rangers

Sample debuted in the majors on September 2, 1978, for the Texas Rangers against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was just 23.

He made an immediate splash by singling on the first pitch he saw. That debut set the tone for his early days with Texas.

Sample’s knack for getting on base and his speed made him a useful piece in the Rangers’ lineup. He got a taste of big-league ball late in the 1978 season.

The Rangers gave him a shot, and that first game proved he belonged.

First Years in Professional Baseball

Sample’s rookie year in 1979 put him on the map as a legit big leaguer. He made the Topps All Rookie Team that year, which said a lot about his first full season.

In 1981, he went on a 19-game hitting streak, showing he could stay hot at the plate. That run helped the Rangers’ offense.

By 1983, Sample had really rounded out his game. He finished fifth in the American League with 44 stolen bases in 52 tries. That’s nearly 85%—pretty smart baserunning.

He also ranked sixth in power-speed numbers and was the 10th toughest to strike out in the league that season. Those numbers showed he was more than just a speedster.

Texas Rangers Career Highlights

Billy Sample spent seven seasons with the Texas Rangers from 1978 to 1984. He was a steady outfielder and a key part of the lineup.

His best year came in 1983, when he played 147 games and stole 44 bases. He proved he could hit for contact and cause trouble on the basepaths.

Key Performances and Statistics

Sample’s top season for Texas was 1983. He played in 147 games, made 611 plate appearances, and racked up 152 hits while batting .274. His 44 steals put him near the top of the team.

In 1979, his first full big-league season, he played 128 games and hit .292 with 95 hits. That performance locked him in as a regular outfielder.

Sample’s speed stayed a big part of his game. Over his seven years with Texas, he stole 98 bases. Getting on base and running well made him a good choice for the leadoff spot.

He finished his Rangers stint with a .270 average across 675 games, collecting 587 hits and scoring 330 runs. He quietly contributed to the team’s offense year after year.

Memorable Moments and Achievements

Sample made his major league debut on September 2, 1978, at age 23 with the Rangers. In just eight games that season, he hit .467—a small sample, but impressive.

His 1983 campaign was his peak in Texas. He posted a 3.8 WAR, his highest single-season mark, and played as a regular starter in left and center field.

Sample’s durability helped the Rangers. He played at least 66 games every year in Texas, always ready to fill in wherever needed.

He mainly played left field but also spent time in center and right. That flexibility made him a valuable roster piece for the Rangers from 1978 to 1984.

Seasons with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves

Sample finished his career with the New York Yankees in 1985 and the Atlanta Braves in 1986. These moves wrapped up his time in the majors after a long run with Texas.

Transition to the New York Yankees

Billy Sample joined the Yankees for the 1985 season after seven years in Texas. Playing in New York meant dealing with the city’s media and the pressure of wearing pinstripes.

He played just one season for the Yankees in 1985. Billy Martin started the year as manager before Lou Piniella took over.

Sample later called his time with the Yankees memorable. There’s something about the social status of being a Yankee that sticks with you.

He wrote about that season in his autobiography, “A Year in Pinstripes, And Then Some.” The book shares his stories from that year in New York.

Playing for the Atlanta Braves in 1986

Sample spent his last season in the majors with the Atlanta Braves in 1986. The Braves picked him up from the Yankees in a trade on December 6, 1985.

The Yankees sent him to Atlanta for Miguel Sosa, a minor leaguer. That made the Braves his third and final MLB team.

The 1986 season marked the Braves’ 21st year in Atlanta. Sample played his last big-league games that year.

He ended his career in 1986 after nine seasons in the majors, having played for three different teams.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Billy Sample put together a respectable nine-year career in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1986. Over 826 games, he hit .272 with 46 home runs and 230 RBIs.

He played as a primary outfielder and adjusted to different roles with three teams.

Batting and Fielding Statistics

Sample’s numbers showed he was a steady producer. He finished with a .272 average in 826 games, collecting 684 hits in 2,516 at-bats.

His best season came in 1983, when he hit .274 with 152 hits and 12 home runs in 147 games. He had some pop, finishing his career with 46 home runs.

Sample also brought speed, swiping 98 bases. His .329 on-base percentage showed he had a pretty good eye at the plate.

He posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 1979, handling 180 chances without a single error. He mostly played left field but filled in at center and right when needed.

Player Positions and Roles

William Amos Sample made his mark as a versatile outfielder. He spent most of his career in left field, especially during his seven years with the Rangers.

The Rangers used him as both a starter and a role player, depending on the season. He occasionally served as a designated hitter, giving managers extra options.

Sample’s speed let him pinch run or come in as a late-inning defensive replacement. With the Yankees in 1985, he played 59 games, mostly in the outfield.

In his last year with the Braves in 1986, he kept doing what he knew best—playing the outfield. His willingness to adapt made him a handy player for managers who liked lineup flexibility.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Billy Sample’s baseball career ended after the 1986 season with the Atlanta Braves. After hanging up his cleats, he moved into broadcasting and media work, carving out a reputation as a respected voice in baseball analysis.

Reasons for Retirement in 1986

Sample decided to retire from professional baseball after the 1986 season. He was 31 and had already played nine seasons in the major leagues.

He started his career in 1978 and wrapped it up in 1986. Most folks remember him with the Texas Rangers, where he played from 1978 to 1984.

After his time with the Rangers, Sample joined the New York Yankees in 1985. He finished things off with the Atlanta Braves in 1986.

Throughout his career, the outfielder kept up a solid .272 lifetime batting average. People often called him a great line-drive hitter, and he could really move on the bases.

By 1986, Sample had built a reputation as a reliable player. He chose to retire, and it seemed like his own call, not something forced by injury or a drop in performance.

Life After Major League Baseball

William Amos Sample found a new path in broadcasting and media after he hung up his cleats. He seemed to discover fresh purpose by sharing his baseball knowledge with fans.

Sample jumped in as a baseball analyst with the broadcast crews for both the Atlanta Braves and California Angels. Staying connected to the game, he brought his expertise straight to viewers.

He didn’t just stick to traditional baseball broadcasting. Sample also worked with National Public Radio, showing he could handle all kinds of media formats.

Besides his work in broadcasting, Sample tried his hand at filmmaking and later became a published author. His book dives into his playing days and stories from his time in Major League Baseball.

You can tell Sample’s post-baseball years have really highlighted his knack for talking about the game he played for nearly a decade.