Billy Conigliaro, Bosox 1st pick, Tony's brother, dies at 73

BOSTON (AP) — Billy Conigliaro, the first-ever Red Sox draft pick who started out in the Boston outfield with star-crossed brother Tony and later spent years taking care of him after a heart attack, died Wednesday. He was 73.

Conigliaro's family told the team he died at home in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Though he wound up winning a World Series ring with Oakland in 1973, Billy always remained a part of New England lore, forever connected by his local roots and the tragic events surrounding his older brother, powerful slugger Tony C.

Born less than 10 miles from Fenway Park in Revere, Billy C. was 19 when he was chosen fifth overall out of Swampscott High School in Major League Baseball’s inaugural amateur draft in 1965.

Conigliaro made his big league debut as a pinch-runner in April 1969, the same month his brother returned from a beaning that quickly derailed his All-Star career.

Five days later, in his first start, Billy hit two home runs in Boston. He also connected the next day, but homered just once more that season.

His best season was in 1970, when he played 114 games and batted .271 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs. The following season, he added 26 doubles and 11 home runs in 101 games.

Overall, Conigliaro played 247 games for the Red Sox through 1971, was sent to Milwaukee in a 10-team trade and abruptly retired during the 1972 season. He returned in 1973 and played three games in the World Series as the A's beat the Mets.

A knee injury ended Conigliaro's career after that season. He hit a career .256 with 40 home runs and 128 RBIs in 347 games.

Conigliaro played his first two big league seasons with his brother. Tony was an enormous star for a franchise that hadn't won the World Series since 1918 — local, popular and talented.

Tony Conigliaro debuted for...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Billy-Conigliaro-Bosox-1st-pick-Tony-s-brother-15940867.php