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

Bill Renna’s major league baseball career lasted just six seasons, but his journey through America’s pastime is a story of grit and grabbing chances in the golden age of baseball. William Beneditto Renna played as an outfielder for four different teams between 1953 and 1959, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics, and Boston Red Sox, before he retired at age 34.

He stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 218 pounds. Folks called him “Big Bill” for good reason—he had both the size and the knack for delivering clutch performances when it mattered.

From his early days as a two-sport standout at Santa Clara University to his last season with the Red Sox, Renna played ball during one of the most competitive eras in the game’s history. He started his path to the majors in 1949, signing with the Yankees for $5,000 and choosing baseball over a shot at pro football.

That decision led him through the minors and up to the big leagues. There, he got to play alongside legends like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Whitey Ford.

Renna’s story is way more than just stats and team names. His career gives a glimpse into the ups and downs that players faced as they bounced between powerhouse teams and struggling clubs. He navigated the world of platoon players and the grind it took to hang on to a baseball career across several organizations.

He served in World War II, then went back to baseball, and that mix of experiences really shows what the sport—and the era—were all about.

Early Life and Background

Bill Renna was born William Beneditto Renna on October 14, 1924, in Hanford, California. His parents came from European immigrant families.

His journey to professional baseball included military service in World War II and some pretty impressive athletic feats at Santa Clara University, where he played both football and baseball.

Family Origins and Upbringing

Bill’s parents came from different backgrounds, but they both valued hard work. His mother, Christine van den Akker, was born in Holland and moved to the U.S. in 1909.

His father, William G. Renna, grew up in Pennsylvania, the son of Italian immigrants. Both parents worked at a cannery in Oakland, according to the 1930 census.

That blue-collar upbringing shaped Bill’s early years and his work ethic. He went to Woodrow Wilson Grammar School, then graduated from Hanford Union High School.

After high school, he spent a year at the University of San Francisco, playing right field for the U.S.F. Dons baseball team.

Military Service in World War II

World War II interrupted Renna’s college education. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 1943 and served for over two years, until December 1945.

He saw action in the Pacific Theater during some of the toughest fighting. Like a lot of athletes back then, Renna put his sports dreams on hold to serve his country.

After he finished his military service, he went back to school. He attended Menlo Junior College for a year, then transferred to continue both his studies and athletics.

Collegiate Athletics and Education

Renna earned a football scholarship to the University of Santa Clara. There, he became a star in both football and baseball.

He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. On the football field, he played all over—blocking back, center, and fullback.

His size and versatility made him an asset. In 1949, he even played quarterback for the West squad in the East-West Game on January 1 in San Francisco, though the East team won 14-12.

The Los Angeles Rams drafted Renna, hoping he’d go pro in football, but he picked baseball instead. His baseball coach at Santa Clara, John “Paddy” Cottrell, initially didn’t let him play baseball since he was on a football scholarship.

In 1949, Renna led the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association in total hits and total bases, all while playing flawless defense. Cottrell, who also scouted for the Yankees, helped connect Renna with the organization that would launch his pro career.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Bill Renna played pro baseball from 1953 to 1959. He appeared in 370 games for four American League teams.

His career included several trades between big franchises, and he worked steadily as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter.

Major League Debut and Teams

Renna made his major league debut on April 14, 1953, with the New York Yankees at age 28. He pinch-hit for Ray Scarborough in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Athletics but fouled out to right.

A few days later, on April 19 in Philadelphia, Renna delivered a clutch single to left with the bases loaded and two outs, driving in Phil Rizzuto and Mickey Mantle.

He hit his first career home run on April 30 at Comiskey Park. It was back-to-back with Mickey Mantle, and his homer off Gene Bearden sealed a 6-1 win.

During his rookie year with the Yankees, Renna batted .314 in 61 games. He mostly platooned with Gene Woodling and often pinch-hit. The Yankees won the World Series that year, but Renna didn’t make a postseason appearance.

Notable Trades and Career Changes

Renna’s career included some big trades. On December 16, 1953, he became part of a huge 11-player trade with the Philadelphia Athletics. The deal sent Vic Power, Renna, and four others plus $25,000 to Philly for Harry Byrd and Eddie Robinson.

The move to Philadelphia gave Renna more playing time. He admitted it was “a good break” since regular at-bats were impossible with the Yankees’ crowded outfield.

In June 1956, Renna went back to the Yankees along with Moe Burtschy. The deal included Eddie Robinson again, so Renna basically got traded for himself.

His last trade happened on March 14, 1957. The Yankees sent him to the Boston Red Sox for Eli Grba and Gordie Windhorn. It was a rare Yankees-Red Sox trade, and it brought Renna to his final major league team.

Role as an Outfielder

Renna mostly played as a right fielder and backup outfielder. He was a right-handed batter and thrower, and his size gave him some presence out there.

His best defensive year came in 1954 with Philadelphia. He led the American League in double plays turned by a right fielder with five, but he also committed seven errors that season.

With the Boston Red Sox, Renna backed up Ted Williams in left field. He summed up his job with, “I was Ted Williams’ caddy in Boston.” He and Vern Stephens took turns covering left when Williams was out.

In 1958, Renna appeared in 39 games for Boston. He played left in 11 games and mostly pinch-hit. His ability to fill different outfield spots helped him stick around.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1959

Renna’s major league career wrapped up in 1959. He started the year with the Boston Red Sox but struggled at the plate right from the start.

A nasty virus hit him just before the season began. That illness wiped out whatever momentum he had from spring training and made his early-season numbers pretty rough.

His 1959 stats were tough to look at: a .091 batting average and just two RBIs through May 20. His last big league game was on May 20, 1959, when he was hitting only .118 after his final start in left field.

On May 21, 1959, the Red Sox bought Bobby Avila’s contract from Baltimore, which pretty much ended Renna’s major league run. He retired at age 34 after six seasons in the majors.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Over six seasons, Bill Renna finished with a .239 batting average, 28 home runs, and 119 RBIs in 370 games. His standout stat came in 1954, when he led the American League in double plays turned as a right fielder with five.

Career Batting Average and Home Runs

Renna’s career batting average was .239 from 1953 to 1959. His hitting numbers bounced around a lot depending on the season and situation.

His best year at the plate was with the Yankees in 1953, hitting .314 in 61 games as a platoon player and pinch-hitter. That strong start showed he could contribute, even with limited at-bats.

He ended up with 28 home runs in six seasons. His power was steady, considering he mostly backed up in the outfield. On April 30, 1953, he hit a back-to-back homer with Mickey Mantle against the White Sox.

Renna’s home run numbers peaked in the minors with San Francisco in 1957. He hit 29 that season, and a few were estimated at over 500 feet.

RBI and Run Production

Renna drove in 119 runs during his major league career. His best RBI year came in 1954 with Philadelphia, racking up 53 RBIs in 123 games.

He scored 123 runs in his 370 games. His run production was limited by his backup and pinch-hitting roles.

In 1954, his 53 RBIs were second on the team behind Gus Zernial’s 62. That year marked his most productive offensive season for driving in runs.

His on-base percentage in 1954 was .302, which helped the team’s offense. He drew enough walks to keep his on-base numbers respectable, even with a .232 batting average that season.

Memorable Games and Performances

Renna debuted in the majors on April 14, 1953, at Yankee Stadium. He pinch-hit for Ray Scarborough and fouled out to right against the Kansas City Athletics.

His first big league hits came on April 19, 1953, in Philadelphia. He singled to left with the bases loaded, driving in Phil Rizzuto and Mickey Mantle in a key eighth-inning rally.

On April 30, 1953, Renna smacked his first home run right after Mickey Mantle’s. Those back-to-back homers helped the Yankees beat the White Sox 6-1 at Comiskey Park.

He hit a pinch-hit homer on May 14, 1958, for Boston. That shot in Washington got the Red Sox back in the game at a crucial moment.

Major League Team Contributions

Bill Renna played for four American League teams from 1953 to 1959. He made his mark with the Yankees by batting over .300 as a rookie, played solid defense for the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics, and served as a reliable backup outfielder for the Boston Red Sox alongside Ted Williams.

Impact with New York Yankees

Renna debuted on April 14, 1953, with the Yankees at age 28. He earned his spot by beating out Bob Cerv for the fifth outfielder job during spring training.

His first home run came on April 30 at Comiskey Park, right after Mickey Mantle’s. That “high screaming wallop into the upper stands in left” gave the Yankees the edge in a 6-1 win over the White Sox.

He mostly platooned with Gene Woodling, playing in 61 games. Renna batted .314 with 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored, proving himself a steady contributor.

Key Statistics with Yankees:

• Batting Average: .314
• Games Played: 61
• Home Runs: 2
• RBIs: 13

Renna was eligible for the World Series, but he didn’t get an at-bat. “I did not get to play, but I was on deck to pinch hit a couple times,” he later said. “It was a little frustrating to get that close and not even get an at-bat.”

Time with Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics

The Yankees traded Renna to the Philadelphia Athletics in December 1953 as part of an 11-player deal. That move opened up more chances for him to play, away from the Yankees’ crowded outfield.

In 1954, he appeared in 123 games and stepped up to the plate 474 times. He hit .232 and drove in 53 runs, which put him second on the team behind Gus Zernial’s 62 RBIs.

Renna really shined on defense, leading the American League with five double plays turned as a right fielder. That kind of defensive stat doesn’t come around every day.

When the franchise relocated to Kansas City in 1955, Renna stayed with the Athletics. He played 100 games and shared time with Enos Slaughter, who hit .308 in 108 games.

Renna’s own numbers dipped that year, dropping to a .213 batting average and 28 RBIs.

Athletics Career Highlights:

• 1954: Led AL right fielders in double plays (5)

• 1955: Took on the fourth outfielder role in Kansas City

• Played a total of 223 games in those two seasons

Boston Red Sox Years

In March 1957, Renna joined the Boston Red Sox after a rare trade between the Yankees and Red Sox. He spent the 1957 season with the San Francisco Seals before returning to the majors in 1958 with Boston.

He backed up Ted Williams in left field, once putting it simply, “I was Ted Williams’ caddy in Boston. Vern Stephens and myself, he was lefty and I was righty. We’d play left field whenever Ted didn’t play.”

During the 1958 season, Renna played 39 games and hit .268, with a .339 on-base percentage and 18 RBIs. One of his biggest moments came on May 14, when he hit a pinch-hit home run in Washington that sparked a Red Sox comeback.

A severe virus hit him before the 1959 season opener, and he struggled at the plate, batting just .091 through May 20. The Red Sox released him after they bought Bobby Avila’s contract from Baltimore.

Renna played his final major league game on May 20, 1959. That wrapped up a big league career spanning 370 games across six seasons.

Minor League and Pacific Coast League Legacy

Bill Renna’s minor league years showed off his power and steady growth as a hitter from 1949 through 1959. His best season came with the San Francisco Seals in 1957, when he set career highs in home runs and RBIs.

San Francisco Seals Career

Renna put up his most impressive minor league numbers in 1957 with the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League. He smashed 29 home runs and drove in 105 RBIs, showing the kind of power that had caught scouts’ eyes years before.

He went on a tear at one point, blasting nine home runs and collecting 21 RBIs in just 12 games. Four of those homers came in only six at-bats, with two shots flying over the clock on the light tower in left-center at Seals Stadium.

Those two home runs, both estimated at over 500 feet, really put his power on display. The Seals won the Pacific Coast League championship that year, and Renna’s bat played a big part in their run.

Performance with Other Minor League Clubs

Renna kicked off his minor league journey in 1949 with the Twin Falls Cowboys in the Class-C Pioneer League. He hit .385 and led the league with 21 home runs in 76 games, helping the Cowboys finish first.

His top Triple-A season happened in 1952 with the Kansas City Blues, where he batted .295, hit 28 home runs, and drove in 90 runs. He made the All-Star team and helped the Blues win the playoffs, though a broken finger kept him out for the last month.

Renna showed consistent power throughout his minor league career, reaching 20 or more home runs five times. He played in the minors through 1959, giving teams veteran experience and some pop in the lineup.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After his last game in 1959, Bill Renna left professional baseball and settled into a quieter life in California. He kept close ties with his family and earned recognition for his dual-sport days at Santa Clara University.

Career After Retirement

Renna stepped away from the game in 1959, after his time with the Red Sox ended. He settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his connection to Santa Clara University ran deep.

He leaned on his business management degree from Santa Clara to find new opportunities outside baseball. While the details about his post-baseball career aren’t widely known, his education gave him a solid foundation.

He stayed connected to the baseball community through alumni groups and old-timers’ associations. Renna took part in interviews and reminisced about his career, including a memorable 2008 chat about his days with coach Paddy Cottrell.

Community and Family Life

Renna married Leronne “Roni” Jeane Richards on January 20, 1953, during his rookie season with the Yankees. Their son Barry was born on August 26, 1953, and, fun fact, Renna hit home runs on both of Barry’s first two birthdays.

The family stayed rooted in California throughout Renna’s playing days and after. His Italian-American background and his mother’s Dutch roots remained important to him.

He kept up his involvement with Santa Clara University’s athletic programs and alumni events. Old teammates and baseball friends remembered him well, sometimes even mentioning his football skills alongside his baseball achievements when talking about his legacy.

Recognition and Tributes

Santa Clara University honored Renna’s dual-sport excellence by inducting him into the Bronco Hall of Fame.

He really made a mark in both football and baseball at Santa Clara, and the university recognized that.

The Old Timers Baseball Association of San Francisco also celebrated Renna’s contributions to the sport.

Players who knew him often pointed out his athletic versatility, and some even said his football skills at Santa Clara were just as impressive as his baseball career.

Key Achievements:

• Bronco Hall of Fame inductee
• Recognized by Old Timers Baseball Association
• Maintained 55+ year marriage until his death

Renna died on June 19, 2014, in San Jose, California, at age 89.

His obituary mentioned his major league career from 1953 to 1959 with four different teams, and honestly, he carved out a place in baseball history as a journeyman who saw both highlights and tough stretches during those six seasons.