Dick Billings – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Billings put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, mostly as a catcher for three teams before he finally hung up his cleats in 1975.

Born Richard Arlin Billings on December 4, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, he became known as a steady defensive player who caught one of the most unforgettable games of his era.

Billings retired from professional baseball at the end of the 1975 season. He finished his career with 280 hits, 16 home runs, and 142 RBIs in 400 games for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, and St. Louis Cardinals.

His baseball journey took him from the last days of the Washington Senators to the early years of the Texas Rangers, where he really hit his stride.

Billings never put up Hall of Fame stats, but his reliable presence behind the plate and his later work as a front office executive gave him a unique perspective on baseball in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

He caught games for legendary managers like Ted Williams and lived through moments like catching Jim Bibby‘s no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. His career is packed with big moments in baseball history.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Dick Billings was born December 4, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, where he picked up his love for baseball early on.

His path from Michigan high school baseball to the majors started with strong local roots and continued through a solid college run at Michigan State University.

Family Background and Michigan Roots

Richard Arlin Billings arrived in Detroit, Michigan, on December 4, 1942.

He spent his childhood in the Detroit metro area during the ’40s and ’50s.

His family stayed in Michigan while he was growing up.

Eventually, the Billings family settled in Troy, Michigan, and that’s where Dick went to high school.

Detroit was buzzing with baseball during Billings’ youth.

That strong baseball culture really shaped his early passion for the game.

His Michigan roots stuck with him throughout his life.

Even after his playing days, Billings kept his ties to his home state.

High School Achievements

Billings attended Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, where he played baseball.

That school gave him his first real taste of organized competitive baseball.

At Troy, he built the basic skills he’d later use at the college and pro levels.

His play attracted the attention of college scouts.

Those high school years set the stage for his future in baseball.

That experience taught him what it takes to keep moving up in the sport.

Troy High’s baseball program let Billings show what he could do.

That exposure ended up being key for his recruitment to Michigan State.

Michigan State University Baseball

Dick Billings headed to Michigan State University in East Lansing, where he played college baseball.

The university gave him tougher competition and better training.

At Michigan State, Billings worked on his skills as a catcher and outfielder.

That versatility became a big part of his pro career later on.

He played well enough in college that pro scouts started to notice.

The Washington Senators took note of his abilities during his time at Michigan State.

In 1965, while at Michigan State, Billings got drafted by the Washington Senators in the 25th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft.

That pick kicked off his professional baseball journey.

The college program gave him a strong foundation for the pros.

His time there got him ready for the grind of minor league baseball.

MLB Debut and Washington Senators

Dick Billings started his pro career when the Washington Senators picked him in the 25th round of the 1965 MLB draft.

He spent three years working his way up in the minors, then made his major league debut on September 11, 1968.

He played with the Senators through their final season in 1971.

Draft and Minor League Development

The Washington Senators drafted Dick Billings in the 25th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Michigan State.

He was the 476th overall pick that year.

Billings spent four seasons in the Senators’ minor league system from 1965 to 1968.

During those years, he developed as a catcher and also played some outfield and third base.

The organization worked closely with him to sharpen his defensive skills behind the plate.

That minor league experience got him ready for the pressures of big-league catching.

Major League Debut

Dick Billings made his MLB debut on September 11, 1968, at age 25.

He entered the game at D.C. Stadium in Washington against the Baltimore Orioles.

He came in as a pinch hitter for his first big-league appearance.

His first at-bat didn’t result in a hit, but it was the start of his MLB journey.

Nine days later, on September 20, 1968, Billings got his first start.

That gave him a real shot to show what he could do as a regular.

Role as Catcher

Billings mostly played catcher for the Washington Senators between 1968 and 1971.

He appeared in 166 games for the team during that time.

His defensive work included a lifetime .984 fielding percentage behind the plate.

He threw out 35% of would-be base stealers, showing he could control the running game.

One of his best memories was catching Jim Bibby’s no-hitter against the Oakland A’s.

Billings called that his favorite moment from his major league career.

He started and hit cleanup for the Senators’ last-ever game at the end of the 1971 season.

The team beat the New York Yankees 7-5 in that historic matchup.

Collaboration with Ted Williams

Dick Billings got to play for the legendary Ted Williams while with the Washington Senators.

Williams managed the club from 1969 to 1971.

Billings later said Williams was one of the best managers he played for.

The Hall of Famer’s deep knowledge of the game gave Billings valuable lessons.

Working with Williams helped Billings understand baseball strategy and game management.

That experience paid off for him as a player and later as a coach.

The partnership between the veteran manager and the young catcher was a big part of Billings’ growth as a major leaguer.

Texas Rangers Era

Dick Billings had his best MLB years after the franchise moved from Washington to Texas in 1972.

His time with the Rangers brought career-high stats and big moments under managers like Ted Williams and Whitey Herzog.

Franchise Relocation to Texas

When the Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers in 1972, Billings moved with the team.

He had already spent four seasons with the Washington club since his 1968 debut.

The move was a fresh start for both Billings and the franchise.

He had played 166 games for the Senators from 1968 to 1971.

Billings started and batted cleanup in the Senators’ last game at the end of 1971.

The team beat the New York Yankees 7-5 in that historic contest.

The relocation to Texas opened up new opportunities for Billings.

He found more playing time and a bigger role with the new Rangers organization.

Career-High 1972 Season

The 1972 season was the peak of Billings’ MLB career with the Texas Rangers.

He played in 133 of the team’s 154 games, which is about 86% of the season.

That was his highest game total in any year.

With more time on the field, he got to show his skills as the team’s main catcher.

Billings put up his best stats that season.

He notched 119 hits and a .254/.296/.322 slash line, which was well above his career batting average of .227.

The 1972 season showed Billings’ value as a steady everyday player.

His durability and reliability behind the plate made him a key part of the Rangers’ lineup.

Teammates and Coaches

During his Rangers years, Billings played for managers like Ted Williams and Whitey Herzog.

He also spent time with Billy Martin, soaking up knowledge from these baseball icons.

As the team’s main catcher, Billings worked closely with pitchers and the rest of the squad.

That role let him guide the pitching staff and learn leadership on the job.

Billings appreciated the lessons he got from these managers.

He mentioned playing for Williams, Herzog, and Martin as some of his favorite memories.

The mentorship from these legends shaped Billings’ approach to the game.

Their influence stuck with him even after his playing days.

Notable Game Performances

Billings’ top moment with the Rangers came when he caught Jim Bibby’s no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics.

He called it his favorite memory from his MLB career.

That no-hitter highlighted Billings’ skills as a game-caller and defender.

His work behind the plate played a big part in Bibby’s historic night.

From 1972 to 1974, Billings kept up steady production for the Rangers.

He contributed both at the plate and in the field as the team grew.

His time with the Rangers ended when they traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1974 season.

By then, he’d become a reliable veteran in the clubhouse.

St. Louis Cardinals and Retirement in 1975

Dick Billings joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 after a mid-season trade.

He wrapped up his MLB career with the Cardinals in 1975.

He spent most of his time with the Cardinals organization in the minors before retiring at the end of the 1975 season.

Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Dick Billings during the 1974 season in a trade with the Texas Rangers.

That move marked the last chapter of his seven-year MLB career.

Billings only played parts of the 1974 season with the Cardinals at the big-league level.

He found playing time a bit scarce with his new team.

The Cardinals already had a group of established catchers, so Billings faced stiff competition for a roster spot.

His role shrank compared to his earlier years with the Rangers.

Career Statistics entering 1975:

• Batting Average: .227
• Home Runs: 16
• RBIs: 142
• Fielding Percentage: .984

Final MLB Games and Retirement

Billings played his final MLB games in 1975 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

He appeared in just three games at the major league level that year.

The 1975 Cardinals finished 82-80, tying for third in the National League East.

They ended up 10.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Most of Billings’ 1975 season happened in the Cardinals’ minor league system.

At 32, he bounced between the majors and minors.

After the 1975 season, Dick Billings decided to retire from professional baseball.

He finished his MLB career with 280 hits, 16 home runs, and 142 RBIs.

Transition to Post-Playing Career

After retiring, Billings stayed in baseball for a while.

He coached in the minors for two seasons right after hanging up his glove.

Then he joined the Texas Rangers front office and worked in an administrative role.

That job let him use his baseball experience in a new way.

Eventually, he left the Rangers and moved into real estate in Texas.

That marked his full departure from pro baseball.

Looking back, Billings always pointed to catching Jim Bibby’s no-hitter as his favorite moment.

He also treasured playing for managers like Ted Williams, Whitey Herzog, and Billy Martin.

MLB Career Statistics and Legacy

Dick Billings wrapped up his eight-year major league career with a .227 batting average, 16 home runs, and 142 RBIs in 400 games.

His defensive skills as a catcher proved more valuable than his bat, especially during his best years with the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers.

Batting Average and Offensive Production

Billings really struggled at the plate during his MLB career, finishing with a .227 batting average over 1,231 at-bats.

He actually peaked offensively in 1972, putting up career-highs with a .254 average and 68 RBIs.

The Michigan native didn’t show much power, honestly. He hit only 16 home runs in his career, and his best season for homers came in 1972, when he managed 5.

On August 13, 1972, Billings probably had his best offensive game. He drove in 5 runs on 4 hits in a 13-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

That day, he really showed he could come through in clutch moments, even if he usually struggled at the plate.

Billings finished with a .281 on-base percentage and 280 career hits.

Later in his career, especially in 1973, his offensive numbers dropped off even more. That year, his average fell to .179.

Defensive Abilities Behind the Plate

Billings switched from outfield to catcher in 1969, after he agreed to return to the minors for position training.

That move actually kept his major league career alive.

He held a .984 fielding percentage as a catcher, playing 248 games behind the plate.

His work behind the dish earned him the starting catcher spot in July 1971, when manager Ted Williams benched Paul Casanova.

Even though Billings led American League catchers with 16 passed balls in 1971, he finished that year with a career-best .992 fielding percentage in 116 games.

Teams valued his defensive reliability.

The Texas Rangers used Billings in all sorts of platoon setups, pairing him with left-handed hitting catchers like Hal King and Ken Suarez.

They did this to get the most out of their defense.

Career Milestones and Highlights

Billings had his biggest moment on July 30, 1973.

He caught Jim Bibby’s no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics, and that’s probably the highlight of his major league career.

He also managed the Águilas del Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter Baseball League during the 1971-1972 season.

After the team fired Larry Doby, Billings stepped in and led them to their first playoff appearance ever.

He made his MLB debut on September 11, 1968, pinch hitting for the Washington Senators at age 25.

His last game came on June 27, 1975, with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Billings played his final season in 1975 after the Cardinals purchased his contract in August 1974.

He retired at 32, after seeing limited action that last year.

Life After Baseball

Dick Billings didn’t just walk away from the game. He moved into baseball operations, spending two seasons coaching in the minors before joining the Texas Rangers front office.

Eventually, he left baseball behind and built a new career in Texas real estate.

Minor League Coaching and Front Office Roles

After retiring in 1975, Billings stayed around baseball for a while.

He coached in the minor leagues for two seasons, sharing his knowledge with younger players.

Then he moved into the front office with the Texas Rangers.

That job gave him a chance to help the team in a different way, drawing on his experience as a player.

He helped evaluate talent and supported team operations using what he’d learned on the field.

His front office stint gave him a new perspective on baseball.

He’d played for the Rangers during their early years from 1972 to 1974, so he knew the franchise well.

Career in Real Estate

Eventually, Billings left the Rangers and found a new path outside of baseball.

He became a real estate agent in Texas and started building a second career in the property business.

Making the switch from baseball to real estate was a pretty big change for the former catcher.

But it really showed his adaptability and knack for business, even away from the ballpark.

Working in real estate let Billings stay in Texas, where he’d played some of his best MLB seasons.

This new career gave him stability and a fresh set of opportunities, far from the world of professional sports.

Personal Insights and Reflections

In later interviews, Billings opened up about his baseball career and the skills he took with him after the game. He talked a lot about leadership qualities he picked up as a catcher. Honestly, he saw the position as the “quarterback” of the team, which makes sense if you think about it.

“Show your teammates and coaches how much you want to be in charge of the game,” Billings told future catchers. He really leaned into the idea that catchers have to lead from behind the plate.

When he looked back on his career, Billings said his favorite memory was catching Jim Bibby’s no-hitter against the Oakland A’s. He also felt grateful for the chance to play for managers like Ted Williams, Whitey Herzog, and Billy Martin.