Norwood’s Bill Travers Finds Success with Milwaukee Brewers-July 3, 1975

In the six starts he has made since his return to the major leagues, Travers has compiled a stellar 4-0 record and a 2.74 earned run average. Milwaukee Brewers Manager Del Crandall offered a straightforward assessment of the young pitcher’s recent success, stating, “He has learned how to pitch.” Travers, who maintains his residence in Norwood, echoed this sentiment with characteristic humility: “I’m working regularly.“

The 6-foot-4 southpaw has quickly cemented his place in Crandall’s five-man pitching rotation, providing the reliable left-handed starting presence the Brewers had sought since the beginning of the season. His rapid ascent included a particularly impressive streak against the New York Yankees, whom he defeated twice in a single week—first on June 18 and again on Monday of the current week. Travers demonstrated his stamina early on, coming within one out of pitching two complete games in his initial appearances. His performance has not gone unnoticed, and he has expressed a calm confidence; despite the Brewers and Yankees being tied for second place when the current series with the Boston Red Sox began, Travers remarked that he remained “not impressed” with the Yankees.

The journey to his current form involved a period of transition. Travers was with the Brewers during spring training but failed to make a lasting impression, leading the organization to send him to Sacramento for additional seasoning. While in the Pacific Coast League, he recorded a 3-3 record with a 2.95 ERA, and notably, all three of his victories were shutouts—an achievement made more remarkable considering the short dimensions of Hughes Stadium, which featured a mere 251-foot distance to the left-field fence. “That’s what he needed, the work there,” Crandall explained. “When we saw how well he was throwing, we called him back.“

Since returning to the majors, Travers has been consistent. After his first start on June 3 against Oakland resulted in a no-decision, and a six-inning stint against Chicago on June 9 left him with neither a win nor a loss, he found his rhythm. His victory over the Cleveland Indians on June 14 marked the beginning of his current streak. In addition to his starting duties, he has contributed out of the bullpen, earning a save against Cleveland while pitching 1 1/3 innings. Across his 42 2/3 innings of work in the majors this season, he has allowed only 13 runs.

While Travers continues to make his mark in Milwaukee, another Boston Red Sox affiliate has been making headlines closer to home. Pawtucket manager Joe Morgan, along with players Tony Conigliaro and Terry Hughes, were ejected from a game against Rochester on Tuesday night. The ejections followed a heated protest after Conigliaro—the veteran outfielder sent down by Boston two and a half weeks prior—was called out on a close play at first base. Despite the controversy, Conigliaro has been performing well for Pawtucket, batting .467 with seven hits in his first fifteen at-bats, including a two-run home run. As Travers prepares for his next start against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit this Saturday, he remains focused on the opportunities ahead, though he expressed regret that his current rotation schedule prevents him from facing the Red Sox during the series concluding tonight.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger