Billy Sorrell

Sorrell signed with the Phillies in 1960 and was recalled to Philadelphia late in the 1965 campaign. He singled as a pinch hitter in his MLB debut September 2 off San Francisco relief pitcher Frank Linzy, and batted .385 with five hits overall in his only trial with the Phillies. Then, in 1966, he was sent to Triple-A San Diego, where he hit 20 home runs. When he was left unprotected by the Phillies after the season, the Giants selected Sorrell in the 1966 Rule 5 Draft. He played sparingly for the 1967 Giants, getting into only 18 games with 21 plate appearances through June 18, before being returned to the Philadelphia organization. He spent two seasons in the New York Mets' system, beginning in 1968, before his contract was purchased by the Royals, an expansion team in its first season, in August 1969. The Royals then gave Sorrell his most extended trial in the majors: 57 games and 145…