William Manning

### Former Teams

Philadelphia Freedom (2000-2003)Boston Bandits (2004, 2012)Miami Sunbirds (2005-2011)New York Bombers (2011)Detroit Titans (2013)

## Career

### WHIP

1.25

​William Manning (born April 11, 1974), is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher and ABA Hall of Famer. He played 14 seasons in the American Baseball Association for the Philadelphia Freedom, Boston Bandits, Miami Sunbirds, New York Bombers and Detroit Titans. He amassed a 69-50 record in 152 starts with a 3.24 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and 996 strikeouts over 1079 innings. He is a 3-time ABA Champion, 1-time ABA Pitcher of the Year and one-time Gold Glove winner. He was elected in the ABA Hall of Fame in 2020.

## Professional Career

### Philadelphia Freedom (2000-2003)

In the 2000 Inaugural Draft, Manning was drafted with the 2nd overall pick by the Philadelphia Freedom. He was known at the time as an up-and-coming pitcher with great swing and a miss stuff. The Freedom stumbled out of the gate which impacted Manning win-loss record . He didn't perform the way a 2nd overall should and walked a lot of batters which greatly impacted his performances. He cleaned up a little in 2002, but still fell below expectations.

Manning finally showed his full potential in 2003, entering his prime. He struck out a career high 15 strikeouts in a game against the Chicago Cyclones and threw 2 shutouts with 10 strikeouts against the Cyclones and the Miami Sunbirds. He led the league in strikeouts, home runs allowed, quality starts. shutouts and WAR, winning the ABA Pitcher of the Year Award in the process. Despite his impressive play, Philadelphia continued to struggle and Manning asked to be trade to a contender, hoping to win a championship.

### Boston Bandits (2004)

Manning being in his last year of team control, the price wasn't high and Manning was dealt to the dominating Boston Bandits for reliable third baseman Jason Tucker and reliever Rob Pollitt. Manning was comfortable on the Bandits mound and led the league in strikeouts for the second consecutive season. He then threw the second ever no-hitter in July after Freedom pitcher Adam Lindgren did it a month earlier. Boston didn't end up winning the championship and Manning disagreed with Boston's management about his contract demands and decided to opt for free agency.

### Miami Sunbirds (2005-2011)

Manning was charmed by the Sunbirds and signed a lucrative 7-year deal with the team. In his first season with the team, he led the league in strikeouts for the third consecutive season and wins with 9 wins in 12 starts. Manning won his first ever championship with the Sunbirds and also won his first Gold Glove for his efforts.

Manning was off to a terrific start in 2006 winning his first four starts but was diagnosed with bone chips in his elbow, forcing him to miss the rest of the season, as an early favorite to win Pitcher of the Year. The Sunbirds ended up winning the championship without Manning. People were concerned if he'd come back 100% and he had a great comeback season in 2007, leading the league in strikeouts per 9 innings.

Manning suffered from an oblique strain in spring training before the 2008 season, forcing him to miss a big part of the season and it showed in his performances when he came back. His strikeout numbers were significantly down in 2009 and 2010 but he was still in the top quartile in the league. Miami was still a good team, but wasn't as dominating as before and it affected Manning's record.

Manning had an average start of the season in 2011 and it worried the Sunbirds a bit. His numbers were down and he wasn't his former self. With his contract expiring at the end of the season and with no intention to sign him, Miami traded Manning at the trade deadline, ending his 7-year tenure with the team.

### New York Bombers (2011)

New York acquired Manning for two young players in Tim Frederick and Wade Lewis. The trade didn't make a lot of sense for New York as they weren't competitive, but were hoping for Manning to be an electroshock, but he simply wasn't, earning a sad 1-3 record in his 4 starts with New York. Manning opted for free agency, still thinking he could give something to a contending team.

### Return to Boston (2012)

Manning bet on himself and earned a two-year deal with the Bandits with an option in his contract basing his final contract year on some criterias to meet in 2012. He pitched really well in 2012, his best season since 2010 at least, but tore his rotator cuff after 8 starts. Boston and Manning won the ABA Championship. Due to his injuries, he failed to meet the vesting criteria in his contract and was released by the Bandits.

### Detroit Titans (2013)

The Titans took a chance on Manning and signed him to the exact same deal Boston did, hoping to have the same performances out of him. However, Manning struggled a bit in Detroit, easily his worst season, but at 39, his best days were behind him. He injured his back during the season, causing him to miss some starts and after his struggles Manning was put in the bullpen for the first time in his career. His injury caused him to fail to meet the vesting criteria in his contract and he was released by the Titans.

## Retirement

Manning realised that he wasn't the same pitcher he used to be and with several injuries in the past few years, Manning decided to retire in early 2014. He surprised some people and angered Freedom fan by choosing to represent the Sunbirds in his Hall of Fame bid.

### Hall of Fame

Experts had mixed opinions about Manning's case for the Hall of Fame, but after a long road, he proved them wrong by being inducted in the Hall of Fame in the class of 2020.

#### Voting History

2016: 53.5%

2017: 49.2%

2018: 62.0%

2019: 58.8%

**2020: 77.0% (Inducted)**

## Awards

1X ABA Pitcher of the Year (2003)

1X ABA Gold Glove (2005)

7X ABA Champion (2005, 2006, 2012)