Bill Faul – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bill Faul’s baseball career was as unconventional as it was memorable. The right-handed pitcher from Cincinnati threw his final major league pitch on May 31, 1970, wrapping up eight seasons spread across three teams.

People remember Faul for his crossfire delivery and knack for racking up strikeouts. He played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants between 1962 and 1970.

Faul ended his major league career with a 12-16 record and a 4.72 ERA in 71 games. But honestly, his impact on the game went way beyond the numbers. What set him apart? He practiced self-hypnosis on the mound, held a Doctor of Divinity degree, and always seemed to generate colorful headlines.

He was the type of pitcher who, as one sportswriter put it, brought “screwball sorcery” to the field. Baseball and hypnotism? That combo fascinated fans and, let’s be real, probably annoyed a few opponents.

From his record-setting college days at the University of Cincinnati to his last season with the Giants, Faul’s journey was full of wild moments. He set NCAA strikeout records, sparked controversy with his hypnosis sessions, and delivered performances that kept baseball writers busy in the 1960s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

William Alvan Faul was born on April 21, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up to become one of the most talented pitchers in amateur baseball.

His journey from local high school standout to college baseball’s top pitcher set the stage for his pro career.

Family Background

William Alvan Faul grew up in a baseball-loving family in Cincinnati. His brother Jerry played baseball too, and that sibling rivalry helped shape Bill’s athletic skills.

The Faul family lived in the Goshen area of Ohio. This mattered because it connected Bill to Goshen High School, where he first showed off his pitching talent.

Not much is known about his parents or extended family, honestly. Still, the family’s support let Bill chase his baseball dreams through high school and college.

Goshen High School Achievements

Bill Faul attended Goshen High School in Goshen, Ohio, where he started honing his pitching. With his brother Jerry by his side, Faul helped make the school’s baseball team a real contender in the region.

College scouts started noticing Faul during his high school years. His mound performances caught the eye of the University of Cincinnati coaches.

His success at Goshen High paved the way for his college recruitment. Faul’s knack for striking out batters and keeping his ERA low made him a hot prospect.

Collegiate Career at University of Cincinnati

At the University of Cincinnati, Bill Faul went from promising high school pitcher to the best college player in the country. In 1961, during his junior year, the American Association of College Baseball Coaches named him the nation’s top college pitcher.

Faul’s pitching records at UC still stand after all these years. On his 21st birthday, he struck out 24 batters in a single game—that’s just wild.

He posted a 0.82 ERA in 1962, one of the lowest ever in college baseball. That tiny number shows just how good he was at shutting down hitters.

Faul’s sidearm delivery became his signature at Cincinnati. That unique style helped him dominate college batters.

He became UC’s first All-American baseball player, putting the program on the national map. His achievements were so impressive that he even made the cover of the Official National Collegiate Baseball Guide in 1962.

The University of Cincinnati, mostly known for basketball and architecture, suddenly had a baseball star. Faul’s success even outshined Sandy Koufax, who had pitched there before.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Years

Bill Faul kicked off his pro baseball career with the Detroit Tigers in 1962 at age 22. That marked the start of a six-season journey in the majors.

He debuted late in the 1962 season. His most productive year came in 1963, when he earned a spot in the rotation.

Signing with the Detroit Tigers

William Alvan Faul joined the Detroit Tigers after his time at the University of Cincinnati. Standing 5’10” and weighing 184 pounds, the right-handed pitcher had already developed solid skills at Goshen High before moving up to college ball.

The Tigers saw his potential and brought him into their organization.

At 22, Faul was ready for the big leagues. Signing with Detroit capped off years of hard work through the amateur ranks.

MLB Debut in 1962

Faul made his MLB debut on September 19, 1962, against the Minnesota Twins. It was near the end of the season, and he was just 22.

His first outing didn’t go so well. He pitched only 1.2 innings, gave up 4 hits and 6 earned runs, struck out 2, and walked 3.

That debut left him with a whopping 32.40 ERA for 1962. Still, the Detroit Tigers saw enough in him to keep him around for more development.

Notable Performances and Achievements

Faul broke through in 1963, becoming a regular on the Tigers’ pitching staff. He appeared in 28 games, starting 10 times, and even completed 2 games.

His 1963 stats looked a lot better:

• Record: 5-6 with a 4.64 ERA
• Innings: 97.0 pitched
• Strikeouts: 64
• Games: 28 appearances

He showed versatility by pitching as both a starter and reliever. That year, he notched his first career save and threw two complete games.

Faul’s best work came in his starts, where he often pitched deep into games. His 97 innings in 1963 were the most he threw during his time with Detroit.

Chicago Cubs Period

Bill Faul’s years with the Chicago Cubs from 1965-1966 were probably the highlight of his career. He threw a brilliant three-hit shutout against Pittsburgh and a dominant two-hitter versus Philadelphia.

He struggled at first, but in 1965, Faul found his groove and delivered his best pitching in the majors.

Transition to the Cubs

The Detroit Tigers traded Faul to the Chicago Cubs on March 27, 1965. He’d wanted out of Detroit, and the move finally happened after he clashed with Tigers manager Chuck Dressen over his hypnosis techniques.

Faul made the Cubs roster but didn’t pitch until April 21, 1965. That first appearance was rough—he gave up three runs and three hits in just 1⅓ innings of relief.

The Cubs sent him down to Triple-A Salt Lake City for two months. During that time, Faul got his Doctor of Divinity degree and started preaching for the Universal Christian Church. He also completed a master hypnotist degree at the Scientific Suggestion Institute.

Key Games and Contributions

The Cubs called Faul back up on July 2, 1965, and that’s when he really shined. After two losses, he tossed a three-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 25, winning 5-0 in just one hour and 37 minutes.

Sportswriter Edgar Munzel called it “one of the masterpieces of the season.” Faul needed just 76 pitches for that gem, and after that, the Cubs finally let him talk about hypnosis.

On August 3, 1965, Faul came close to a no-hitter against Philadelphia. He gave up only two hits and retired the last 19 Phillies in a 2-0 win. He even helped his own cause at the plate, driving in the Cubs’ second run.

Standout 1965 Season

Faul’s 1965 season with the Cubs was the best of his big league career. His stats were strong, and he showed the control that made him a college star.

Self-hypnosis became his calling card during this time. “When I’m out on the mound I close my eyes and count down and tell myself, ‘Keep the ball low,'” Faul told reporters. “Self-hypnosis helps me relax and enables me to concentrate.”

The Cubs lifted their ban on him talking about hypnosis after his shutout. Catcher Vic Roznovsky praised Faul’s confidence and quick pace on the mound.

Faul took part in two triple plays while with the Cubs—one on July 14 against Milwaukee and another during his shutout over Pittsburgh.

San Francisco Giants and Final MLB Season

Bill Faul made a comeback to Major League Baseball in 1970, joining the San Francisco Giants for what turned out to be his final season. He appeared in seven games and picked up one save before calling it a career.

Joining the Giants

Faul signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1970, returning to the majors after a four-year break. The Giants had finished strong in 1969 and ended up third in the National League West in 1970 with an 86-76 record.

At 30, Faul was a veteran pitcher when he joined the Giants. He’d already played for the Detroit Tigers from 1962-1964 and the Chicago Cubs from 1965-1966.

The Giants gave Faul a shot as a relief pitcher. He’d shown flashes of promise before, especially with the Cubs in 1965 when he posted a 3.54 ERA.

1970 Season Highlights

Faul’s last season was short but had a few notable moments. He pitched in seven games for the Giants, all in relief.

His 1970 stats:

• 9.2 innings pitched
• 7.45 ERA
• 1 save
• 6 strikeouts
• 6 walks

Faul’s final MLB appearance came on May 31, 1970, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw 2 innings in that game, at 30 years and 40 days old.

The Giants led the National League in runs that season, scoring 831. Faul, though, struggled with control, finishing with a 2.172 WHIP and giving up 15 hits in less than 10 innings.

Career-Ending Transition

Faul’s performance in 1970 spelled the end of his MLB career. With a 7.45 ERA and continued control issues, it was clear his time in the majors was up.

He finished with 261.1 innings pitched over his six-year MLB career. His final numbers: 4.72 ERA, 12-16 record, and 2 saves.

After that short stint with San Francisco, Faul didn’t return to pro baseball. He played his last game at 30, which is pretty young, but he just couldn’t find the consistency needed to stick around.

The 1970 season closed the book on a career that spanned parts of six seasons from 1962-1970. Faul headed back to Cincinnati, Ohio, where it all started.

Career Statistics and Performance Analysis

Bill Faul played six seasons in the majors from 1962 to 1970, finishing with a 12-16 record and a 4.72 ERA in 71 games. He really found his stride with the Chicago Cubs, especially compared to his rocky stretches with Detroit and San Francisco.

Win–Loss Record and Earned Run Average

Faul posted a career record of 12 wins and 16 losses in the big leagues. His career earned run average of 4.72 reflects the ups and downs he faced trying to lock down a consistent role.

He pitched his best ball with the Cubs in 1965-1966. In 1965, he put up a 3.54 ERA in 17 games, 16 of them starts. That was his most effective stretch, showing off better control and command.

Faul had a tough time with Detroit, where he recorded a 5.38 ERA over three seasons. His brief run with San Francisco in 1970 was rough, too, with a 7.45 ERA in seven relief outings.

Team Performance Breakdown:

• Detroit Tigers (1962-1964): 5-6 record, 5.38 ERA
• Chicago Cubs (1965-1966): 7-10 record, 4.07 ERA
• San Francisco Giants (1970): 0-0 record, 7.45 ERA

Strikeouts and Key Metrics

Faul racked up 164 strikeouts in his career and walked 95 batters. With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.73, he showed pretty decent control for pitchers back then.

He had his best strikeout season in 1963 with Detroit, notching 64 strikeouts over 97 innings. In 1965, during his Cubs campaign, he struck out 59 batters in 96.2 innings.

Faul’s WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) landed at 1.309, which kind of hints at how often he let runners on. He posted his best WHIP with the Cubs at 1.122, showing he tightened things up that year.

Role as a Pitcher

Faul took on a lot of different roles during his career. He made 33 starts out of 71 appearances.

He finished eight games and threw three shutouts, all while pitching for Chicago. That’s not something you see every day.

He shifted between starting and relieving. With the Cubs, he mostly started games, but when he landed in San Francisco for his last season, he worked only out of the bullpen.

Over his career, the 5-foot-10 righty tossed 261.1 innings, averaging about 3.7 innings each time he took the mound. He seemed most durable in the mid-1960s, when he regularly went the distance for Chicago.

Legacy, Personality, and Life After Baseball

People still remember Bill Faul as one of baseball’s most colorful guys, thanks to his oddball habits and strong college stats. After he wrapped up his playing days in 1970, he moved back to Cincinnati and lived pretty quietly until he passed away in 2002.

Reputation and Unique Habits

Faul picked up the nickname “Loony Tune” for good reason. He practiced self-hypnosis before games, using a record that repeated, “You’re going to keep the baaaalllll dowwwwwn,” and slipped into a kind of trance.

His teammates would snap their fingers in his face after innings to snap him out of it. Opponents sometimes waved pocket watches from their dugouts just to mess with him.

Some of his quirks:

• He registered his hands and feet as lethal weapons because of karate training.
• In the minors, he ate live frogs, claiming they gave his fastball extra “hop.”
• He told wild stories about killing people and biting animal heads.
• He once showed up to spring training in a cowboy suit, riding a bicycle.

The parakeet incident in Omaha? That one’s legendary. In the middle of a team meeting, Faul bit the head off a green parakeet he was holding, sending feathers everywhere.

Notable Records and Honors

Faul’s college career at the University of Cincinnati still stands out. He became UC’s first All-American pitcher in 1961 and got recognized as the nation’s top college pitcher.

Some highlights:

• He struck out 24 in a single game, which is still a UC record.
• He posted a 0.82 ERA in 1962, another record that stands.
• He landed on the cover of the 1962 Official National Collegiate Baseball Guide.
• He broke Sandy Koufax’s single-game strikeout record at UC.

His dominance in college even outshined Koufax, who had pitched at Cincinnati before him. The American Association of College Baseball Coaches named him the best collegiate pitcher in 1961.

While with the Cubs, Faul pitched during all three triple plays Chicago turned in 1965. That odd little stat just adds to his reputation as one of baseball’s true characters.

Life Post-Retirement

After he made his last major league appearance with San Francisco in 1970, Faul headed back to his hometown in Cincinnati. He decided to keep things quiet, choosing a life away from the spotlight that once followed him everywhere during his playing days.

There’s honestly not much out there about what he did after baseball. He passed away on February 21, 2002, at 61, right there in Cincinnati where he was born.

They buried Faul at Goshen Cemetery in Goshen, Ohio, close to where he went to high school. People described his death as quiet, which feels so different from the lively legacy he left on the field.

Baseball historians and fans still find his story fascinating. Sites like Baseball Reference and other baseball databases keep his stats and career memories alive for anyone curious enough to look him up.