| Bill Knowlton | |
| Birth Date: | August 18, 1898 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia |
| Death Date: | February 25, 1944 |
| Death Place: | Philadelphia |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | September 3 |
| Debutyear: | 1920 |
| Debutteam: | Philadelphia Athletics |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Finaldate: | September 3 |
| Finalyear: | 1920 |
| Finalteam: | Philadelphia Athletics |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 0–1 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 4.76 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 5 |
| Teams: |
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William Young Knowlton (August 18, 1898 – February 25, 1944) was a right-handed baseball pitcher.
Knowlton was born in Philadelphia in 1898. According to one account, he got his start in baseball at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania.[1] According to another, he gained fame as a sandlot pitcher in Philadelphia and then played for Petersburg in the Virginia League.
Kowlton appeared in one game in Major League Baseball. On September 3, 1920, he started a game for the Philadelphia Athletics against the Washington Senators at Shibe Park. He pitched 5-2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs in a losing effort.[2] [1] His career record in Major League Baseball was zero wins, one loss, five strikeouts, and a 4.76 earned run average.
Knowlton continued playing in the minor leagues for several years, including stints with the Jersey City Skeeters (1922), Crisfield Crabbers (1922), Wilkes-Barre Barons (1925–1926), Toronto Maple Leafs (1926), and Williamsport Grays (1926–1929).[3] He also reportedly played for baseball clubs in Montreal and Decatur, Illinois.
Knowlton joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1938, serving in the 42nd District.[4] He was married to Irene Knowlton at that time.[5]
Knowlton died in Philadelphia in 1944 at age 45.[6] [7] He collapsed as he stepped from a trolley car of an apparent heart attack.[8] [9]