Billy Southworth

Late in life, Southworth served as a scout for the Braves. He endured a great deal of tragedy in his baseball career, first experiencing the stillbirth of his twin babies and the deaths of his wife and his adult son. He died in 1969. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. Six years later, the Cardinals inducted him into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum. He also belongs to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Southworth had a son, Billy Southworth Jr., and a cousin, Bill Southworth, who both played professional baseball.\n', ' Southworth was born in Harvard, Nebraska, to Orlando and Mariah Southworth and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He had four older brothers who played baseball. Before he was old enough to play with them, Southworth would give his old socks to his brothers so they could create makeshift balls. Southworth decided to play baseball against his father\'s wishes. Orlando Southworth had wanted his son to attend college. At the age of 19, he signed a contract with the Portsmouth team in the Ohio State League. He joined the Cleveland Indians in 1913, but only appeared in one game, entering as a replacement on defense.\n', ' In 1914, Southworth married Lida Brooks. She was a minister\'s daughter and they had met while Southworth was playing for Portsmouth. The couple\'s son, William Brooks Southworth, was born during Southworth\'s early playing career. Billy Southworth Jr. later became a professional baseball player for several seasons. The elder Southworth returned to the Cleveland Indians in 1915 and appeared in 60 games. He played for the Birmingham Barons in 1917 and part of 1918, when he made the Pittsburgh Pirates and played in 64 major league games.\n', '