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

Bill Gogolewski isn’t a name you’ll hear shouted from the rooftops of baseball history, but his six seasons in the majors from 1970 to 1975 included one of the Texas Rangers’ most unforgettable pitching performances. This Wisconsin native fired fastballs and sliders for three different teams during a wild era when teams packed up and moved cities, and baseball itself was changing fast.

On September 12, 1972, Gogolewski pitched a stunning one-hitter against Nolan Ryan and the California Angels, keeping one of the league’s strongest offenses hitless through 7⅔ innings before locking down a complete-game shutout. That night, he hit the peak of his career, and honestly, it’s still one of the top pitching feats from the Rangers’ early Texas days.

At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Gogolewski put together a 15-24 record with 301 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA over 144 games. He suited up for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox. His path from a tiny Wisconsin town to the big leagues, learning a nasty slider with Ted Williams’ help, and shifting from starter to reliever—well, it’s the story of a guy squeezing every drop out of his talent during a time when baseball was spinning on its head.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

William Joseph Gogolewski was born October 26, 1947, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He grew into a standout high school pitcher before the Washington Senators picked him in the 1965 amateur draft.

His journey from a multi-sport kid to a legit pro prospect really showed off the talent that would eventually take him to the majors.

Birth and Childhood in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Bill Gogolewski was born on October 26, 1947, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This city of about 40,000 sits on Lake Winnebago’s western shore, roughly 90 miles north-northwest of Milwaukee.

He was the youngest of three kids—Karen and Gerald came before him. His parents, Alois and Theresa, married in 1939 and both called Wisconsin home.

Alois Gogolewski worked as an assemblyman at Rockwell International. Bill’s grandparents had actually come over from Poland around the start of the 20th century.

Theresa Gogolewski had German roots. She worked as a seamstress in a dress factory before she became a full-time homemaker.

Bill played pretty much every sport you can think of as a kid—baseball, football, basketball, depending on the season.

When he was about 10, he joined a local rec league for baseball. His coaches quickly saw his strong right arm and made him a pitcher.

High School Baseball and Draft Selection

At Oshkosh High School, coach Harlan Quandt gave Bill his first real pitching lessons. Quandt had pitched at the University of Wisconsin and offered some much-needed guidance.

Gogolewski also played for his local American Legion team with coach Norm Kumbier. He built a reputation as a hard thrower, regularly racking up double-digit strikeout games.

During his junior year, he threw a no-hitter and struck out 17. That was just a taste of what he’d do as a senior.

Senior Year Stats:

• Record: 5-1
• Notable games: Three one-hitters, two two-hitters, one four-hitter
• Playoff: One-hitter with 17 strikeouts in the district championship

On graduation day in 1965, the Washington Senators drafted Gogolewski in the 18th round of MLB’s first amateur draft—343rd overall.

Scouts had watched him for a couple of years, but he didn’t expect the Senators to pick him. “We never knew Senators’ scout Burt Thiel was around,” Gogolewski said.

Amateur Career Development

Scout Burt Thiel came to the Gogolewski house to make the offer. The bonus was $3,500, pretty standard for a late-round pick back then.

“Back then we didn’t have agents, and being drafted in the lower rounds, we didn’t expect a lot,” Gogolewski said. “I was just happy I was drafted and going to play professional baseball.”

His parents backed his decision all the way. “No matter where we played,” Gogolewski said, “they were there.”

At just 17, he signed his first pro contract with the Senators organization. That moment capped off years of work, starting with those rec league games.

People pronounced his last name “Gogo-les-ski,” and by high school, everyone called him “Gogo.” That nickname stuck with him throughout his career.

Major League Career Overview

Bill Gogolewski spent six years in the majors, from 1970 to 1975, and finished with a 15-24 record and a 4.02 ERA in 144 games. He started out as a starter with the Washington Senators, then shifted to the Texas Rangers, picking up relief duties along the way.

MLB Debut and First Season Highlights

Gogolewski debuted on September 3, 1970, for the Washington Senators at RFK Stadium. The 22-year-old righty came in as a reliever against Cleveland, giving up three hits over 3⅔ innings in front of just 5,550 fans.

Eight days later, he got his first MLB win in his first start. He walked four and gave up seven hits, but held Detroit to just two runs over 5⅔ innings at Tiger Stadium.

He kept rolling in September, putting up another strong outing against Baltimore. He limited the Orioles to two hits over seven innings and notched his second win that month.

He wrapped up his rookie year at 2-2 with a 4.81 ERA over 33⅔ innings. That short but promising stretch put him in the mix for the rotation the next season.

Breakout Year with Washington Senators

In 1971, Gogolewski broke out as a reliable starter for Washington. He missed almost three weeks with an Achilles injury, thanks to a mishap with teammate Denny McLain, but once he got back, he found his groove.

Starting July 6, he rattled off 16 straight starts and pitched really well. He posted a 2.67 ERA over 101 innings—his best work in the bigs.

On September 1, he tossed his first career shutout, a four-hitter against the Yankees. That capped off his best season statistically.

He finished 1971 at 6-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 124⅓ innings. That strong showing set him up as a key piece for the Senators as they moved to Texas.

Transition to Texas Rangers and Role Change

When the Senators became the Texas Rangers in 1972, Gogolewski faced some big changes and a career highlight. On September 12, 1972, he threw the game of his life against Nolan Ryan and the Angels.

Ryan struck out 15, but Gogolewski kept the Angels hitless through 7⅔ before finishing off a one-hit shutout. That outing still stands as the best-pitched game in the Rangers’ first season in Arlington.

By 1973, the team shifted him from mostly starting to working out of the bullpen. He’d started most of his games from 1970-1972, but he adapted, collecting 6 saves that season.

He wrapped up his career with short runs in Cleveland in 1974 and Chicago in 1975. Gogolewski retired with 301 strikeouts and a reputation as a dependable pitcher who managed the rocky transition from Washington to Texas.

Team Contributions and Notable Moments

Bill Gogolewski made quick but meaningful stops with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox after leaving the Senators/Rangers. His last seasons showed off his flexibility as a relief pitcher and included some career milestones.

Impact with Cleveland Indians

Gogolewski joined the Cleveland Indians in March 1974, completing a trade that started when the Rangers got Steve Hargan in December 1973. The Rangers sent Gogolewski as the player to be named later.

His time with Cleveland was super short. He pitched in just 5 games in 1974, throwing 13.2 innings—all in relief.

Even with the limited action, he put up a 4.61 ERA and struck out three. He kept his control, walking only two hitters in those appearances.

The Indians released him on February 11, 1975, ending his stint with them. It was his smallest role in the big leagues.

Final Season with Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox picked up Gogolewski for 1975 after Cleveland let him go. It turned out to be his last year in the majors.

With the White Sox, he pitched in 19 games, all out of the bullpen. He logged 55 innings, earning 2 saves as a middle reliever.

His ERA climbed to 5.24 and his WHIP hit 1.618. He struck out 37 but also walked 28, so the control wobbled a bit.

The White Sox used him in a bunch of different situations, including finishing 9 games. His veteran presence added some depth to their bullpen that season.

Key Games and Career Milestones

Gogolewski’s top season was 1971 with Washington, where he posted a 2.75 ERA in 27 games. He made 17 starts and completed 4 games, including a shutout.

In his career, he finished 6 complete games and 2 shutouts, both with Washington. He collected 10 saves, with 6 of them coming in 1973.

That 1973 season marked his full shift to relief, pitching in 49 games with just 1 start. The new role helped extend his career and highlighted his versatility.

His final MLB appearance came in 1975 with Chicago. Over six seasons, he totaled 15 wins, 24 losses, and a 4.02 ERA in 501 innings.

Pitching Style and On-Field Performance

Bill Gogolewski’s six years in the majors had their ups and downs, whether he started or came out of the pen. His best year was 1971, when he posted a 2.75 ERA. He could rack up strikeouts, but his win-loss numbers show how tough it was pitching for teams that struggled.

Pitching Strengths and Techniques

Gogolewski stood a lanky 6’4″ and weighed 190 pounds, giving him an imposing look on the mound. He proved valuable by switching between starting and relief roles as needed.

In 1971, he really showed off his control with a WHIP of 1.214. That year, he completed four games and threw a shutout, showing he could go deep.

His best stats came in 1971, with a 2.75 ERA over 27 games. He started 17 times but also pitched in relief 10 times, showing he could handle whatever the team needed.

His pitching mechanics helped him stay effective, whether he started or relieved. In 1971, he threw 124.1 innings and walked only 39, showing better command than in other years.

Strikeout Ability and ERA Analysis

Gogolewski racked up 301 strikeouts over his six-year career. He averaged 5.4 strikeouts per nine innings, and his strikeout rate stayed pretty steady during his time in the majors.

He posted a career ERA of 4.02, which honestly says a lot about the offensive-heavy early 1970s. In 1971, he put up his best ERA at 2.75, but things took a turn in 1975 with Chicago when he finished at 5.24.

In 1971, his ERA+ hit 120, so he pitched 20% better than league average that season. That year really stands out as the only time he was statistically above average.

He hit his best strikeout-to-walk ratio in 1971, reaching 1.79, which showed he had better control that year. Over his whole career, he kept a 1.51 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 501 innings.

Win-Loss Record and WAR Contributions

Gogolewski wrapped up his career with a 15-24 record. He played on teams that just didn’t give him much run support, so that .385 winning percentage makes sense.

His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) came out to 2.9 over six seasons. Not surprisingly, he peaked in 1971 with a 2.9 WAR, making that his most valuable year to his team.

He went 6-5 with Washington in 1971, which was his most productive season. That 2.9 WAR put him among the better Senators pitchers at the time.

His last two seasons didn’t go well. In 1975, he posted a negative WAR (-0.3), and in 1974, he barely contributed (0.0).

Career Statistics and Retrosheet Records

Bill Gogolewski pitched in the majors from 1970 to 1975, and his stats tell the story of a guy who bounced through five teams. Retrosheet and Baseball Reference keep a detailed record of his pitching, so you can track his ups and downs through the early ‘70s.

MLB Career Statistical Summary

Gogolewski finished his career with 15 wins and 24 losses in 144 games. He posted a 4.02 ERA over 501 innings.

His best year? Definitely 1971 with the Washington Senators. He logged a 2.75 ERA and a 6-5 record in 27 games.

He struck out 301 batters and walked 200, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio landed at 1.51. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) ended up at 1.389.

His career WAR hit 2.9, all of it coming in that 1971 season. He also managed to finish six games and threw two shutouts.

Key Career Totals:

• Games: 144
• Innings Pitched: 501.0
• Strikeouts: 301
• ERA: 4.02
• WHIP: 1.389

Retrosheet and Baseball Reference Data

Baseball Reference and Retrosheet track Gogolewski’s career across a bunch of stats. They show his advanced metrics, like a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.39 and ERA+ of 85.

On defense, he handled 131 total chances and posted a .969 fielding percentage. He allowed 31 stolen bases but caught 29 runners, so his caught stealing rate was 48.3%.

Retrosheet breaks down his game-by-game details. His range factor per nine innings was 2.28, which actually beat the league average of 1.89 for his era.

You can also find how he did against different teams or in certain situations. He kept his home run rate at 0.6 per nine innings, which stayed pretty steady.

Comparative Analysis Among Peers

If you look at American League pitchers in the early ‘70s, Gogolewski’s 4.02 ERA put him right in the middle of the pack. His strikeout rate—5.4 per nine innings—was pretty much what you’d expect for that time.

That 1971 season? His ERA+ of 120 shows he was 20% better than the league average. It was easily his strongest year compared to everyone else.

He averaged 83 innings per season, which made him more durable than a lot of relievers back then. Six complete games is more than most bullpen guys, but he didn’t quite match up with full-time starters.

His WAR per 162 games (1.0) suggests he performed at a replacement level over a full season. So, he was one of those depth pitchers who filled important spots as baseball expanded.

Retirement, Legacy, and Life After Baseball

Bill Gogolewski ended his Major League career in 1975 after six seasons in the American League. After he retired because of elbow and back problems, he went back to civilian life and stayed connected to his Wisconsin roots.

Retirement Following 1975 Season

Gogolewski’s baseball career wrapped up in August 1975 with the Chicago White Sox. Elbow and back problems kept nagging him, and they finally forced him to quit.

That last season was rough. Injuries piled up, and six years in the majors had worn him down.

He decided to retire instead of playing through pain. At just 27, he stepped away from the game with a career record of 15 wins and 24 losses in 144 games.

Injuries like his were pretty common for pitchers back then. Sports medicine just wasn’t what it is today, so there weren’t many ways to treat chronic arm and back problems.

Community Involvement and Leadership Roles

After baseball, Gogolewski went back to Wisconsin and found a job in retail. He worked at a clothing store, using his people skills in a new setting.

Later, he moved into the transportation business. He joined a trucking company and built a steady career outside of sports.

Most players in the ‘70s had to find second careers after baseball, and Gogolewski’s story fits right in. Unlike today’s stars, athletes back then didn’t make enough to retire for good.

He also served in the National Guard during his playing days. That shows he cared about serving his community beyond the baseball field.

Recognition and Long-Term Legacy

Gogolewski pulled off his most memorable feat on September 12, 1972, when he pitched a one-hitter against the California Angels. Pitching for the Texas Rangers, he allowed just a single in the third inning to Billy Parker and struck out three.

Notable about this performance:

• He beat future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan
• He gave up only two walks
• All of it happened during the Rangers’ tough first season in Texas

The Society for American Baseball Research decided to honor his career by commissioning a biographical profile. Gregory H. Wolf took on the task and wrote about Gogolewski in the 2019 book, “The Team That Couldn’t Hit: The 1972 Texas Rangers.”

Gogolewski spent his six-year career playing for four different American League teams. His best season happened in 1971 with Washington, where he put up a 6-5 record and a 2.76 ERA while Ted Williams managed the team.