Bill Pulsipher: Mid Nineties "Generation K" Mets Pitcher (1995-1998 / 2000)
The six-foot three left hander got offers for college scholarships, but instead he chose to sign with New York Mets in 1991.
Mets Career: Pulsipher immediately made a quick impact within the organization. He posted low ERAs in his first two years at A ball, getting promoted to AA Binghamton in 1994. There he threw a no hitter going 14-9 with a 3.22 ERA getting selected to the Eastern League All Star game. Bill led his team to the playoffs & by the age of 20, was considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
Mets Career: Pulsipher immediately made a quick impact within the organization. He posted low ERAs in his first two years at A ball, getting promoted to AA Binghamton in 1994. There he threw a no hitter going 14-9 with a 3.22 ERA getting selected to the Eastern League All Star game. Bill led his team to the playoffs & by the age of 20, was considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
Mets Career: On June 17th, 1995, Pulsipher made his debut at Shea Stadium, making a start against the Houston Astros. He gave up five runs in the 1st inning & a total of seven runs in seven innings, taking the loss. His second start wasn’t much better as he gave up four earned runs on 14 hits, pitching into the 7th inning in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
On June 27th, in his third career start, he threw seven innings of three hit, shutout baseball against the Marlins in Florida to earn his first career victory. In that game he struck out a season high nine batters & walked five.
In July he began the month with two losses finding himself at 1-4 with 4.50 ERA at the All-Star break.
On July 14th, he gave up just one run in seven innings to the Rockies at Shea to earn his second victory. Pulsipher gave up four runs or more in his next two starts but did get better as the summer went along.
On July 31st he pitched a complete game victory, allowing just one run, fanning six & beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 at Shea Stadium.On August 10th, he tossed a three hit, one run complete game win against the Phillies at Veterans Stadium but got no decision. On August 16th he earned his fourth win, shutting out the Expos beating Carlos Perez in a 1-0 win.
He closed out the month with another victory, pitching into the 9th inning allowing four runs in wild 7-6 Mets win.
Pulsipher made just three starts in September, earning no two no decisions & a loss. He finished the year at 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA, striking out 81 batters, while walking 45 in 126 innings pitched, throwing two complete games.
That season although the Mets finished second they posted a 69-75 record under Dallas Green.
Generation K: In the off season, there was a lot of excitement for the Mets young pitching staff which was being touted as Generation K. He along with Jason Isringhausen & Paul Wilson were hyped as a big part of the Mets future. But it wasn't to be as injuries would ruin all three players careers.
Generation K: In the off season, there was a lot of excitement for the Mets young pitching staff which was being touted as Generation K. He along with Jason Isringhausen & Paul Wilson were hyped as a big part of the Mets future. But it wasn't to be as injuries would ruin all three players careers.
ligaments & would need Tommy John surgery. The surgery ended his season & would sideline him for over a year. With injuries to the other two Gen K pitchers as well, the team finished 71-91 in fourth place. They fired Dallas Green & hired Bobby Valentine.
1997: Pulsipher returned in 1997 pitching in AAA Norfolk but he lost his control & was issuing too many walks. He was sent down to A ball St. Lucie & his walk ratio reached a batter an inning. He found himself at 1-9 with a 5.60 ERA walking 81 batters in 82 innings.
Pulsipher began to suffer from depression which set him back even further. He was prescribed medication & began to get through his problems.
On June 28th he made his Mets return making a relief appearance in Baltimore during inter league play. He pitched one scoreless inning of relief in the 7th inning, replacing Bobby Jones.
On June 24th, his next outing was at Shea Stadium, but the Orioles tagged him for two quick runs in 0.1 innings of work. On July 1st Pulsipher came in to relieve Turk Wendell & gave up the game tying run to the Toronto Blue Jays getting credit for a blown save.
On June 28th, n a 7-3 win over the Padres he was credited with the first of two holds, but his ERA was still up near seven. Since his return, he had allowed 11 earned runs & 23 hits in 14 innings in 15 appearances. On July 31st the Mets gave up on him & traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Kinkade.
Medical Scare: In early 2000, his pregnant wife found him unconscious at their home & he was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a weak heartbeat, as a result from a diet supplement.
Return to the Mets: In January of 2000 he was traded back to the New York Mets for infielder Luis Lopez.
On May 1st he made his Mets return in a game in San Francisco, he allowed four runs in just 3.1 innings pitched. He made just two starts getting hit for nine runs in just six innings pitched going taking losses each time, going 0-2. Pulsipher was long gone by the time the Mets post season began. On June 2nd, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pinch hitter Lenny Harris, which turned out to be a good trade for the Mets.
Post Mets Career: From there Pulsipher bounced around to the Boston Red Sox & Chicago White Sox in the 2001 season.
Long Island Ducks: Pulsipher then pitched in the minor leagues as well as in the Independent League with the Long Island Ducks (2004). There he became a starter again & was successful.
He returned to the majors in August of 2004 with the Seattle Mariners. He made two starts but was released in September. In 2005 he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, where he appeared in five games allowing three runs in four innings. This ended his once promising MLB career.
Career Stats: In his six-season career he was 13-19 with 202 strike out 141 walks in 327 innings pitched over 106 games, while posting a 5.15 ERA.
Retirement: After his playing days he moved to Port St. Lucie Florida & worked for the A ball St. Lucie Mets as a groundskeeper.
Long Island Ducks: He came back to pitch for former Mets hero; Bud Harrelson, with the Long Island Ducks. He helped the Ducks make the playoffs, but they lost in what was to be the last game of their 2007 season.
Pulsipher continued to pitch in the Independent League through 2011, finishing his career in Bridgewater, New Jersey with the Somerset Patriots.
He then served as a pitching instructor in Bellport, Long Island.
Family: He & his wife have two sons whom both have the initials LHP, given intentionally for left-handed pitcher.
Career Stats: In his six-season career he was 13-19 with 202 strike out 141 walks in 327 innings pitched over 106 games, while posting a 5.15 ERA.
Retirement: After his playing days he moved to Port St. Lucie Florida & worked for the A ball St. Lucie Mets as a groundskeeper.
Long Island Ducks: He came back to pitch for former Mets hero; Bud Harrelson, with the Long Island Ducks. He helped the Ducks make the playoffs, but they lost in what was to be the last game of their 2007 season.
He then served as a pitching instructor in Bellport, Long Island.
Family: He & his wife have two sons whom both have the initials LHP, given intentionally for left-handed pitcher.