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

Bill Voss spent eight years in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1972, playing for five teams: the Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals. The California-born outfielder faced plenty of hurdles—injuries and constant trades shaped his path in pro baseball.

Voss retired from baseball in 1972 after the Cincinnati Reds released him during spring training. He wrapped up his career with 475 games played, a .227 batting average, and 19 home runs.

His last game happened on September 23, 1972, when he pinch-hit for Al Santorini. That at-bat ended nearly a decade in the majors.

Voss’s career tells the story of a determined player who kept fighting through physical setbacks and roster moves. From his early White Sox days to bouncing between teams at the end, his journey gives a window into the grind faced by players trying to stick around in 1960s and 1970s baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Career

William Edward Voss was born October 31, 1943, in Glendale, California. As a kid, he fell in love with baseball and showed off his athletic ability at Newport Harbor High School, excelling in several sports before heading to college ball.

Family Background and Childhood in Glendale

Bill Voss came into the world on Halloween 1943 in Glendale, California. Growing up in Southern California during the 1940s and 1950s, he found himself right in the heart of baseball-mania.

His hero? Mickey Mantle—the legendary Yankees slugger. That admiration stuck with him for years. In 1968, Voss admitted, “I think he’s a great ballplayer. I’ve walked by him a few times, but I’ve never said anything.”

Later, the Voss family moved to Newport Beach, California. That move turned out to be a big deal for Bill’s athletic growth. The coastal town gave him new chances to develop his baseball skills.

Even as a young guy, Voss had the long, lean build that stuck with him into his pro days. He stood 6-foot-2 and weighed about 160 pounds during his major league career. He was so slender that a high school coach in Los Angeles once joked, “We could always use you as a fungo bat.”

High School and College Achievements

At Newport Harbor High School, Voss played both baseball and basketball, showing off his versatility. Scouts and college coaches started to notice his skills on the field.

He also played American Legion baseball, which gave him a chance to face tougher competition. That experience helped him sharpen his game and get ready for the next level.

After graduating in 1961, Voss attended Orange Coast College. He made his mark quickly. In 1962, he led the Eastern Conference with a .450 average.

His hitting helped Orange Coast College reach the California state junior college finals. That run showed he could perform under pressure.

After two years in junior college, Voss transferred to Long Beach State College. Moving to a four-year university brought him one step closer to his pro baseball dreams.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

The Detroit Tigers saw Voss’s potential and picked him up in 1963. He signed on as an amateur free agent and started his pro career in the Tigers’ minor league system.

In his first pro season, he played for Lakeland in the Class A Florida State League and hit .295 in 76 games. He also played 42 games in Double-A with Knoxville, batting .280.

Despite those solid numbers, the Tigers made a misstep. They didn’t protect Voss in the first-year draft, so other teams could snatch him up.

The Chicago White Sox jumped at the chance, grabbing Voss for $8,000. That move worked out for Chicago. They got a talented outfielder who would soon debut in the majors.

With that signing, Voss’s amateur days ended and his pro journey began. Within two years, he’d be wearing a White Sox uniform in the big leagues.

Major League Debut and Chicago White Sox Years

Bill Voss debuted with the Chicago White Sox in September 1965, after the team picked him up from Detroit’s system. He had some standout moments, like his first hit off Cy Young winner Denny McLain, but he also struggled with injuries and consistency, which became a theme in Chicago.

First Major League Appearance

Voss made his first big league appearance on September 14, 1965, coming in as a pinch-runner for Smoky Burgess. The White Sox had called him up from Lynchburg in the Southern League, where he batted .284 and knocked in 73 runs, earning All-Star honors.

His first major league hit was memorable. On September 21, 1965, he faced Detroit’s Denny McLain and crushed a home run. Later that game, he tripled off McLain again.

Still, Voss had trouble finding consistency in his short 1965 stint. He ended that season with a .182 average, going 6-for-33.

Key Performances and Statistics

Voss’s best season in Chicago came in 1968, though injuries got in the way. Before breaking his jaw on July 4, he had some clutch moments.

On June 17, 1968, Voss hit a pinch-hit triple that drove in both runs in a 2-1 win over Cleveland. Then on June 30, he smacked a grand slam that led the White Sox to a 12-0 blowout against Detroit.

The 6-foot-2 outfielder set a Pacific Coast League record on April 21, 1968, with 11 outfield putouts in a game against Vancouver. Chicago called him up soon after. Despite those highlights, he struggled, hitting just .115 on June 1, 1968.

Challenges and Injuries

Voss battled physical issues during his White Sox days. The team always worried about his playing weight—around 160 pounds. He tried to put on pounds, even drinking malted milk shakes his wife made.

His worst injury came on July 4, 1968, when Baltimore’s Pete Richert hit him in the jaw with a pitch, fracturing the bone. That injury sent him to the disabled list until September 14. He only got 14 more at-bats after returning and finished with a .156 average.

In 1967, he tore a tendon and calf muscle sliding into second base in Indianapolis. That injury cost him a month, but he came back and hit .320 in 92 games.

California Angels and Career Development

Voss joined the California Angels in 1969 after a trade, bringing him closer to home. His time with the Angels marked the most productive stretch of his career, and he became a steady outfield presence.

Trade to California Angels

On January 20, 1969, the White Sox traded Voss and Andy Rubilotta to the Angels for pitcher Sammy Ellis. Voss was thrilled—he lived just minutes from Anaheim Stadium.

“It’s really perfect,” Voss said. Playing for his hometown team was a dream come true. “This was my big opportunity. How many guys get a chance to play for their home team?”

He had a hot spring training, hitting .477. Manager Bill Rigney noticed, saying, “He came to play and he knows how to play.”

Voss earned the starting right field job for the Angels’ home opener. After his jaw injury in Chicago, he managed to get his weight up to 165 pounds.

Notable Seasons and Milestones

The 1969 season was Voss’s breakout year with the Angels. He started slow—batting just .152 when manager Bill Rigney got fired—but new manager Lefty Phillips kept him in the lineup.

Voss improved, finishing the season with a .239 average. He ended the year at .261 and made just one error in 187 chances. Defensively, he threw out 11 baserunners and took part in three double plays.

In 1970, Voss had his best offensive season. After batting .385 in spring training, he won the starting right field spot over Rick Reichardt.

On April 18, 1970, Voss made franchise history by hitting the first Angels grand slam at Anaheim Stadium, against the Kansas City Royals. Unfortunately, a fractured left wrist from a batting practice line drive on May 28 cut into his playing time.

Milwaukee Brewers: Prime Playing Years

With the Milwaukee Brewers from 1971 to mid-1972, Bill Voss finally found steady playing time and some personal success. He became a regular starter in right field and notched several career highs.

Transition to Milwaukee Brewers

The Angels traded Voss to the Brewers on January 28, 1971, for pitcher Gene Brabender. The Angels had just picked up Tony Conigliaro and Ken Berry, so Voss was on the move again.

Brewers manager Dave Bristol liked the deal. “He’ll give our club speed, defense, and a good left-handed bat,” Bristol said. “I just hope he gets off to a fast start as he had in other years. Good defense will make your pitching just that much better.”

Voss missed the start of the 1971 season with a nasty flu during spring training. When he got healthy, he spent most of the season platooning and found a spot in Milwaukee’s outfield rotation.

Contributions and Highlights

With the Brewers, Voss put up some of his best numbers. In 1971, he hit .251 with 30 RBIs and a career-high 10 home runs.

His defensive flexibility helped the Brewers. Manager Bristol said, “Bill’s a good guy to have on the club. Voss can play three outfield positions, and I love a guy who is versatile.”

In 1972, the Brewers had a crowded outfield, with Billy Conigliaro, Joe Lahoud, Curt Motton, Brock Davis, and Dave May all fighting for jobs.

Voss trained hard to keep up. “I ran a mile each morning before I came down here,” he said. “We’ve got good competition for jobs this year and I wanted to make sure I was in real good shape.”

But his playing time dropped off sharply in 1972. He started just five games and hit .083 before the Brewers traded him to Oakland on June 20 for Ron Clark.

Final MLB Seasons: Trades and Retirement in 1972

In his last year, Bill Voss bounced between teams before a trade to Cincinnati ended his career. His final game was September 23, 1972, when he pinch-hit for Al Santorini.

Brief Stints with Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals

Voss started 1972 with the Oakland Athletics, joining a roster full of future Hall of Famers. But Oakland’s outfield was stacked, so he didn’t get much playing time.

The Athletics traded Voss to the St. Louis Cardinals during the season. With St. Louis, he filled in as a reserve outfielder and pinch-hitter.

His last major league appearance came on September 23, 1972, pinch-hitting for Cardinals pitcher Al Santorini. That at-bat closed the book on his eight-year MLB run.

In 1972, Voss mostly came off the bench for both teams. He did what he could when called upon, but he didn’t see much action compared to his earlier seasons.

Trade to Cincinnati Reds and Retirement

The Cardinals traded Voss to the Cincinnati Reds on November 27, 1972, at the Winter Meetings. In return, they got Pat Jacquez.

That trade to the Reds ended up being Voss’s last move as an active player. Even though Cincinnati picked him up, he never played for them in the majors.

Voss made the decision to retire from pro baseball after the 1972 season. He wrapped up his career with 475 games, 267 hits, and 19 home runs over eight seasons.

He moved through five different MLB teams during his journey. Voss played for the Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Oakland Athletics.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Bill Voss put together a modest but respectable stat line in his eight years in the big leagues, from 1965 to 1972. His defensive skills as an outfielder with five teams probably defined his career more than his bat ever did.

MLB Career Offensive Performance

Voss finished in the majors with a .227 batting average in 475 games. He managed 267 hits, showing he could make contact even if he didn’t have much pop.

He hit 19 home runs in his career, taking sixteen different pitchers deep in six ballparks. That power output wasn’t huge, but he fit the mold of a contact hitter more than a slugger.

Left-handed, he drove in 127 runs across eight seasons. Most of his offense came from situational hitting rather than big numbers.

Defensive Contributions as an Outfielder

Voss played as an outfielder his whole career, spending a lot of time in right field for different teams. Teams valued his defense enough to keep him around across five organizations.

He brought versatility to the outfield and often served as a utility player. Managers counted on him to fill in wherever they needed a glove.

His defensive skills often stood out more than his numbers at the plate. Tracking fly balls and making steady plays helped him stick in the majors for eight seasons.

Impact on Teams and Recognition

Voss wore five uniforms: Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Oakland Athletics. His last game came on September 23, 1972, pinch-hitting for Al Santorini.

His career wrapped up after 1972, even though the Cardinals traded him to the Cincinnati Reds for Pat Jacquez at the Winter Meetings on November 27, 1972. That deal happened after his playing days were already over.

Voss kind of represented those utility guys who brought value through defense and team chemistry, not just stats. His eight-year career showed how teams needed reliable outfielders and flexible roster players.

Personal Life and Post-Retirement

After stepping away from professional baseball in 1972, William Edward Voss turned to ministry. He passed away on December 28, 2023, at 80.

Life After Baseball

Once his baseball days ended, Bill Voss went into religious ministry. He served as an assistant pastor at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Voss and his wife, Donna, worked together in their ministry. They focused on helping families and couples deal with tough relationship challenges.

Their work included counseling people through family struggles. They also supported couples facing marriage problems.

By 2014, Voss was still serving as assistant pastor. He had found a new way to help people in his community.

That move from pro sports to ministry really showed another side of Voss. He used what he’d learned in life to help guide others through their own challenges.

Passing and Tributes

Bill Voss passed away on December 28, 2023, at 80 years old. He lived a life that stretched from professional baseball to religious service.

Sports media outlets noticed when the former Milwaukee Brewer outfielder died. ESPN Radio 92.3 picked up the story and talked about what he brought to the teams he joined.

Voss played for five major league teams over eight seasons from 1965 to 1972. People remembered him as a journeyman, someone who always gave his all, even if he wasn’t a superstar.

He made his last major league appearance on September 23, 1972, pinch-hitting for Al Santorini. Voss wrapped up his career with 475 games, 267 hits, and 19 home runs.