Taylor Phillips – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

William Taylor Phillips, or “T-Bone” as fans and teammates called him, wrapped up his major league baseball career in 1963 after seven seasons as a left-handed pitcher. Growing up in Atlanta, he played for four MLB teams: the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox. Phillips finished his career with a 16-22 record, but the real highlight was pitching for the 1957 World Series champion Milwaukee Braves.

Phillips started out in the Georgia sandlots and worked his way up to pro baseball after some standout Army baseball performances during his military service. He stood 5’11”, weighed 185 pounds, and leaned on his fastball before adding a knuckleball while he was with the Cubs.

Let’s take a look at Phillips’ journey—from his days as a young pitcher in Douglasville, Georgia, through his amateur stints and military service, to his big league debut and eventual retirement. His story really captures what so many players lived through during baseball’s golden era, with all the ups and downs that pitchers faced in the 1950s and early ’60s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

William Taylor Phillips grew up in a working-class Atlanta family, where early health struggles nudged him toward baseball. His path from small-town pitcher to pro prospect started in Georgia high school ball and included a quick stop at the University of Georgia.

Birth and Family Background

William Taylor Phillips was born on June 18, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Amos and Jewell Phillips. He dealt with some pretty serious health problems as a kid.

Kidney disease kept him away from contact sports, so he picked up baseball instead. It was the safer choice, and it quickly became his passion.

The Phillips family lived in Douglasville, just outside Atlanta. Taylor practiced his pitching at home, often throwing to his sister Betty.

He fell for the game fast. Phillips joined the Douglasville town team, getting real experience against teams from nearby towns.

“The boys from Douglasville would choose up sides and play teams from Winston and White City,” Phillips remembered. “Back then there were no Little Leagues. We played for fun.”

Those early games in small-town Georgia gave Phillips the base he needed for his future in baseball.

High School Years in Georgia

Phillips went to Douglas County High School in Douglasville, where he made a name for himself as a standout pitcher. He lettered in baseball three years straight and graduated in 1950.

Local scouts and coaches started noticing him during high school. His pitching showed the kind of potential that would open doors to the pros.

After graduation, Phillips kept playing amateur ball. He joined the Marietta Bombers American Legion Junior team, and his skills really took off.

He broke through during the 1950 State American Legion finals. That season, he put up a 23-4 record, and every loss was by just one or two runs.

In one wild stretch, he pitched six games in eight days. Over two games, he allowed only three hits total, taking no-hitters into the seventh inning twice and striking out 19 in one game.

Atlanta Crackers scout Skipper Bartlett spotted him during that tournament. The New York Yankees also showed interest.

University of Georgia Experience

Phillips earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Georgia after his big high school and Legion seasons. That was a huge deal for a working-class family in 1950s Georgia.

But his college career was short. He only stayed for one semester before making a different choice.

It seems like pro baseball was already calling. At 17, Phillips decided to go pro instead of sticking with college.

That decision changed everything. Marietta School Superintendent Shuler Antley, who had coached big leaguer Whitlow Wyatt, called Phillips the best pitching prospect he’d seen since Wyatt.

Phillips signed with the Atlanta Crackers instead of the Yankees. “The Yankees wanted to sign me, but I wanted to sign with the Crackers,” Phillips said. “I loved the Crackers because it was my home team.”

Path to the Major Leagues

Taylor Phillips’s road to the Milwaukee Braves started in Georgia high school ball and moved through an impressive minor league run, with a break for military service. He showed real talent in amateur ball, kept developing in the Braves’ farm system, and shined during his Army years, which set him up for the Major Leagues.

Signing with Milwaukee Braves

Scouts started following Phillips when he pitched for the Marietta Bombers American Legion Junior team in the 1950 State American Legion finals. That season, he posted a 23-4 record, and every loss was close.

Atlanta Crackers scout Skipper Bartlett noticed him at the tournament. The New York Yankees wanted to sign him too.

Even with the Yankees interested, Phillips picked his hometown team. “The Yankees wanted to sign me, but I wanted to sign with the Crackers,” he said. “I loved the Crackers because it was my home team.”

At 17, he kicked off his pro career with the Waycross Bears in the Class D Georgia-Florida League in 1951.

Minor League Development

Phillips kept improving in the Milwaukee Braves farm system. In 1951 at Waycross, he went 10-8 with a 4.25 ERA, tossing a no-hitter and a one-hitter.

His real breakout came in 1952, still with Waycross. He dominated, putting up:

• 21-10 record
• 1.40 ERA (second in the league)
• 297 innings pitched (led league)
• 265 strikeouts (tied for league lead)

“I had a super year that year,” Phillips said. “There were only two people in baseball, Mike Garcia and Robin Roberts, that pitched more innings than I did in 1952.”

In 1953, he moved up to the Atlanta Crackers in the Southern Association. That’s when he got the nickname “T-Bone,” to tell him apart from another pitcher named Jack Taylor.

Military Service and Early Setbacks

After the 1953 season, the Army drafted Phillips, and he landed at Fort McPherson near Atlanta. Instead of stalling his career, military service actually helped him get better.

In 1954, Phillips won eight of his first nine games and posted a crazy 0.81 ERA over 77 innings. His 1955 Army season was even better—he finished a perfect 21-0, playing alongside future MLB stars like Vinegar Bend Mizell and Billy O’Dell.

He threw two no-hitters in the Army, including one with 21 strikeouts. His team won the All-Army World Tournament at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

After leaving the Army on November 15, 1955, Phillips played winter ball in Puerto Rico to stay sharp. He went 6-3, and his team won the league championship, beating some top National League pitchers.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Phillips finished his MLB career with a 16-22 record and a 4.82 ERA over six seasons between 1956 and 1963. He celebrated a World Series win with Milwaukee in 1957 and made his mark as a rookie pitcher, earning the Braves’ Rookie of the Year award.

Milwaukee Braves Tenure

Phillips debuted in the majors on June 8, 1956, facing the New York Giants at County Stadium. He came in with the bases loaded, struck out Whitey Lockman, then got Willie Mays.

His rookie year was a standout. Phillips went 5-3 with a 2.26 ERA. Milwaukee sportswriters picked him as the team’s Rookie of the Year, and The Sporting News put him on their 1956 All-Rookie team.

The best moment with the Braves came in 1957, when Milwaukee won the World Series. Phillips didn’t pitch in the Series, but he appeared in 27 regular-season games and went 3-2.

Key Milwaukee Stats:

• 1956: 5-3 record, 2.26 ERA
• 1957: 3-2 record, 5.55 ERA
• World Series champion (1957)

Meeting Warren Spahn was a big deal for Phillips. “He’s always been my idol, and it was a great thrill to play with him,” he said.

Chicago Cubs Period

On December 5, 1957, the Cubs traded for Phillips and catcher Sammy Taylor, sending pitchers Bob Rush and Don Kaiser plus outfielder Eddie Haas to Milwaukee. Cubs manager Bob Scheffing felt good about the deal, saying, “We’re certain Taylor Phillips is going to do the job for us.”

Phillips got off to a strong start in Chicago. He won his first Cubs game on May 7, 1958, beating Cincinnati with a complete-game five-hitter.

On May 25, he faced his old Milwaukee teammates and pitched a gem, giving up just six singles in a 1-0 win.

While with the Cubs, Phillips added a knuckleball to his arsenal. “I threw about a dozen knuckleballs against the Braves, and it sure helped me get out of two or three rough spots,” he said after that win.

He finished 1958 with a 7-10 record in 39 games, starting 27 times. Pitching at Wrigley Field wasn’t easy, and Phillips admitted, “Wrigley Field’s not the easiest place in the world to pitch.”

Philadelphia Phillies Stint

After a rough start in 1959, posting a 7.56 ERA in seven games, Phillips was traded to Philadelphia on May 12 for lefty Seth Morehead. The move to the last-place Phillies proved tough.

Phillips went 1-4 with a 5.00 ERA in Philly. He later called it “probably one of the worst teams I’ve been on” in a Sports Collectors Digest interview.

Still, Phillips found some bright spots. He thought highly of Robin Roberts, calling him “one of the best persons I’ve ever met in my life,” and enjoyed rooming with veteran catcher Jim Hegan.

The Phillies period was a low point in Phillips’ career. The team struggled, and so did he, making it a frustrating chapter before he moved on.

Chicago White Sox Final Season

Phillips closed out his MLB time with the Chicago White Sox in 1963. After three years away from the majors, he came back for one last season.

His final game was on September 6, 1963, against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowed no hits, and didn’t walk or strike out anyone—a quiet way to finish his pro career.

The White Sox became Phillips’ fourth and last MLB team. By then, he was 30 and had spent a few years in the minors between his Cubs and White Sox days.

Pitching Style and Performance

Phillips learned his craft as a left-handed pitcher in an era when southpaws were highly valued in MLB. Over his six-year career, he posted a 4.82 ERA and worked both as a starter and reliever for multiple teams.

Left-Handed Pitching Techniques

Phillips leaned mostly on his fastball, especially when his curveball didn’t cooperate. After his first big league win in 1956, he admitted, “I wasn’t at my best. My curve wasn’t working, I couldn’t get it over, so I used the fastball most of the time.”

He picked up a knuckleball while pitching for the Cubs in 1958. Phillips said, “I threw about a dozen knuckleballs against the Braves, and it sure helped me get out of two or three rough spots.”

Control sometimes gave him trouble early on. In 1951 with Waycross, Phillips walked 162 batters in 167 innings. That wildness followed him through his career, but he managed to rein it in well enough to stick around in the majors.

Career ERA and Key Statistics

Phillips put together a 16-22 record across six MLB seasons, racking up a 4.82 ERA and 233 strikeouts. Honestly, his rookie year in 1956 with Milwaukee stood out—he managed a 2.26 ERA, though he didn’t pitch a ton that season.

His ERA bounced around from year to year:

• 1956 (Milwaukee): 2.26 ERA, 5-3 record
• 1957 (Milwaukee): 5.55 ERA, 3-2 record
• 1958 (Chicago Cubs): 4.76 ERA, 7-10 record
• 1959 (Cubs/Phillies): Combined high ERA across both teams

He appeared in 147 games overall. That kind of durability says something, even if he wasn’t always consistent.

His strikeout numbers never really exploded, but he kept them steady throughout his time in the majors.

Role as a Reliever and Starter

Phillips started out in the big leagues mostly as a reliever before moving into starting roles. He made his MLB debut on June 8, 1956, coming in with the bases loaded against the New York Giants.

He struck out Whitey Lockman and, impressively, Willie Mays during that first outing. On August 9, 1956, he got his first start and tossed a three-hitter against St. Louis in a 4-1 win.

The Cubs leaned on Phillips as a starter in 1958, letting him start 27 of his 39 appearances. Complete games became a rare thing for him as the seasons went on, probably thanks to the grind of pitching at Wrigley Field.

Phillips admitted pitching at Wrigley wasn’t easy, saying, “Wrigley Field’s not the easiest place in the world to pitch.” His ability to shift between starting and relieving made him a handy option for teams that needed left-handed pitching depth.

Notable Games and Transactions

Phillips had some pivotal moments during his seven-season run, bouncing through four different organizations. His debut with the Milwaukee Braves kicked off a career full of frequent team changes and key relief appearances.

Career-Defining Moments

He made his big league debut on June 8, 1956, facing the New York Giants at age 22. The lefty threw 2.1 innings, gave up just one hit, and struck out three without allowing a run.

During his rookie season with the Milwaukee Braves, Phillips showed he could be a reliable relief arm. He pitched in several games when the Braves were competing in the mid-1950s.

Phillips threw his last MLB pitch on September 6, 1963, against the Minnesota Twins. He worked 0.2 innings, didn’t allow a hit, walk, or run, and wrapped up his career with the Chicago White Sox on a high note.

Major Trades and Team Moves

Phillips switched teams a lot, suiting up for four different organizations. He started with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956, then landed with the Chicago Cubs.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked him up next, where he continued working as a left-handed reliever. That stint in Philly ended up being one of his longer stops.

He finished his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1963. Back then, teams often shuffled left-handed specialists like Phillips around, looking for the right matchup.

Memorable Shutouts and Performances

Phillips finished with a 16-22 record and a 4.82 ERA in 147 games. He struck out 233 hitters, showing he could miss bats even if his win total wasn’t flashy.

Some of his best outings came in relief. Teams valued his knack for facing left-handed batters, and it kept him in demand.

He stayed effective in big moments, especially against tough hitters. Playing through the late ’50s and early ’60s, Phillips was around for a pretty interesting era of baseball.

Retirement and Legacy

Taylor Phillips wrapped up his Major League career in 1963 with the Chicago White Sox. After baseball, he served his country and looked for opportunities outside the game.

His impact went beyond stats—his character and dedication left a mark at every level he played.

Final Season and Transition Out of MLB

Phillips came back to the majors in 1963 with the Chicago White Sox after a short break from pro baseball. Folks called him “T-Bone“, and he made his final MLB appearances that year.

He didn’t just walk away from baseball overnight. After leaving pro ball, Phillips worked for the United States Postal Service for 28 years. That job gave him stability and let him stay close to home.

He’d been away from the game between 1960 and 1963, so returning to the White Sox meant a lot to him. He once said, “I had been out of baseball for four or five years, so for the 1969 season, I spent the last three weeks on the active list.”

Looking back at his career stats, Phillips tallied 16 wins and 22 losses over 147 games with four teams. Probably the highlight—he was part of the 1957 World Series champion Milwaukee Braves.

Influence on Future Generations

Phillips left a mark on baseball through his family and community ties. He raised five kids: Debra, Karen, John, Kyle, and his adopted daughter Beth. You could see the values from his playing days in how he approached family life.

Growing up in Douglasville, Georgia, Phillips went from town team baseball all the way to the majors. For young players in Georgia, his story showed that small-town athletes could dream big.

He kept in touch with the game after retiring, sharing insights from his days playing with legends like Warren Spahn and Robin Roberts. Those experiences gave him stories and lessons to pass on.

People still remember his nickname “T-Bone”—it fits right in with the era when players had colorful names that matched their personalities. That tradition rubbed off on later generations, too, as players found ways to stand out and make the game their own.

Recognition and Historical Impact

The Douglas County Museum of History and Art honored Phillips for what he brought to baseball. Folks back in his hometown, Douglasville, really noticed his achievements and the way he helped put their community on the baseball map.

Phillips played from 1956 to 1963, a stretch that covered a pretty wild time in baseball history. He stepped onto the field during the integration era, right as the game itself was changing in big ways.

His World Series win with the 1957 Milwaukee Braves stands out as his biggest accomplishment. That put him in the group of players who actually reached baseball’s top prize, which is no small thing.

By 2013, Phillips had nine grandchildren, so his family legacy kept on growing. After baseball, he worked for the Postal Service for years, showing just how much he cared about serving his community.

Modern baseball reference sites still keep track of Phillips’s stats and career highlights. Thanks to these databases, fans and researchers can always find details about what he did for the sport.