Bill Plummer

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Plummer was born in Oakland, California, and attended Anderson Union High School in Anderson, California. After one year at Shasta College, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals on April 25, 1965, as an amateur free agent. He was a Florida Rookie League All-Star that summer. The Chicago Cubs selected him from the Cardinals on November 28, 1967, in the Rule 5 draft. He made his MLB debut on April 19, 1968, at age 21. The Cubs traded him to the Reds on January 9, 1969. He was Johnny Bench's backup catcher during the Big Red Machine years. He played for the Seattle Mariners in 1978. After his playing career, he managed in the Mariners' system and other organizations, including managing the Seattle Mariners in 1992. He died on March 12, 2024, at his home in Redding, California, after a heart attack.

In Their Own Story

In 1970, Plummer was called up from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians just enough to play four games for the pennant-winning Reds, recording his first career hit. He returned to the minors but remained a staple of the organization's depth chart. His time in winter leagues showcased his longevity and versatility, playing for Lobos de Arecibo in Puerto Rico (1970–71, 1972–73), Águilas del Zulia in Venezuela (1975–76), and Marineros de Guaymas in Mexico (1978–79). His post-playing career was equally storied; he managed the San Jose Missions, Wausau Timbers, and Calgary Cannons before becoming Seattle's third-base coach in 1988 and 1991. When manager Jim Lefebvre was fired after a winning 1991 season, Plummer took over as manager for 1992. Though the team finished last with a .395 winning percentage, his dedication to player development remained evident, such as when he converted Tigers third baseman Phil Nevin into a catcher in 1996.

Reader's Guide

Bill Plummer was a catcher, not a shortstop. He played for the Seattle Mariners in 1978, but the source does not specify that he retired immediately after that season; his playing career ended in 1978. He played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1970 to 1978, but also played for the Cubs in 1968 and the Mariners in 1978. His most notable tenure was with the Reds from 1970 to 1976, though he remained with them through 1978.

Did You Know?

• Plummer hit two home runs in a 1974 game off Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.
• He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Chico State University while managing the Chico Heat in the late 1990s.
• His grandson, Conner Menez, has played in MLB.
• A documentary about his career, titled 'Plum: A Baseball Life,' was released in October 2021.