Bill Fischer: 1930-2018
The Omaha Storm Chasers mourn the passing of Kansas City Royals Senior Pitching Advisor and Council Bluffs, Iowa resident Bill Fischer. The Storm Chasers organization honored Fischer on May 27, 2015 in what was his 68th season in professional baseball, with Sarpy County proclaiming that day "Bill Fischer Day".
The Omaha Storm Chasers mourn the passing of Kansas City Royals Senior Pitching Advisor and Council Bluffs, Iowa resident Bill Fischer. The Storm Chasers organization honored Fischer on May 27, 2015 in what was his 68th season in professional baseball, with Sarpy County proclaiming that day "Bill Fischer Day".
"Fish was the person I talked baseball with the most during my time in Omaha, especially at Werner Park," said Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. "I am appreciative that Sarpy County helped us in honoring his lifelong commitment to this great game during the 2015 season. Not only was he a staple at Werner Park, but he was a member of our baseball family, and his presence will be missed in the clubhouse and press box, as well as on the field. The Omaha Storm Chasers organization extends our deepest condolences to his wife Val, his family and friends, and the Royals organization."
Fischer, the 2008 Baseball America Roland Hemond Award winner recognizing his contributions to the game of baseball, pitched nine seasons in the Major Leagues from 1956-64 with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics and Minnesota Twins, compiling a 45-58 record. He still holds the Major League record with 84.1 consecutive innings pitched without allowing a walk, which was set in 1962, breaking the top mark previously held by Christy Mathewson.
Between his playing and coaching career, Fischer totaled over 70 years in professional baseball. Following the completion of his playing career in 1968, Fischer joined the Kansas City Royals organization as a scout that year. After working as Kansas City's minor league pitching intructor from 1975-78, he went on to serve as Pitching Coach for the Cincinnati Reds (1979-83), Boston Red Sox (1985-91) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000-01), in addition to working in the Atlanta Braves organization from 1991-99 and 2002-06. He returned to the Royals franchise in 2007 as Pitching Coordinator.