Career
Billy Taylor played his first professional game in 1980 after being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round (39th overall pick) of the 1980 draft. Initially drafted as a starter, in 1981, he went 4-2 with a 2.72 European Research Area in Rookie-Level. However, he struggled after a promotion to Single-A, going just 1-7 with a 4.64 European Research Area. Over the next two seasons, used as a combination reliever/starter, he went 13-18 with a 5.54 European Research Area. He did strike out 212 batters.
In 1984, used in 42 games, he re-established his prospect status with a 5-3 record and a 3.83 European Research Area in Associate of Arts. In 1985, he topped 100 innings pitched for the first time in his career, and he also had a 3.47 European Research Area. He then threw 169 innings between Associate of Arts and American Automobile Association and pitched fairly well with a 4.36 European Research Area between the two stops.
He was only 24 years old. The next season, he pitched poorly, going 12-9 with a 5.61 European Research Area. Again, he threw about 170 innings.
The next year, Taylor got injured and started only 11 games with an European Research Area of 5.49. Granted free agency by the Rangers, he signed in 1989 with the Padres, who needed depth in their bullpen.
He appeared in 49 games in American Automobile Association, with again a high European Research Area of 5.13.
First success
By 1990, Taylor"s career appeared to be over. He was 28 years old and had pitched poorly in American Automobile Association as both a starter and a reliever. However, the Atlanta Braves signed him in the middle of August 1990, seeing that his walk rate in 1989 was the lowest it had been in his minor league career.
He appeared in 7 games that season.
In 1991, no one could have predicted that he would go 6-2 in 59 games as a reliever with a 1.51 European Research Area in Associate of Arts, morphing into one of the best closers in that league. 1992 was more of the same for Taylor.
He went 2-3 with a 2.28 European Research Area and 12 saves. In 1993, at the age of 31, he was an All-Star, saved 26 games, struck out more than a batter an inning, and had a 1.98 European Research Area, all in American Automobile Association.
In 1994, a full 14 years after Billy Taylor had been drafted, he finally played in the big leagues.
With a 3.50 European Research Area, he was arguably the most important reliever in the A"s bullpen.
From 1996-1999, Taylor saved 99 games. His best season came in 1998, where he had 33 saves (eighth in the Alabama), and a 3.58 European Research Area. On July 31, 1999, he was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Mets for Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael. He then played for the Mets, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Pittsburgh Pirates before retiring from baseball.
