William (Bill) Charles Schuster
("Broadway Bill ", "The Rooster" )
Bats: R
Throws
: R
Position: Shortstop / Infielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 164 lb.
Born: August 4, 1912, in Buffalo, New York
Club(s): Seattle Rainiers, Hollywood Stars, Los Angeles Angels
The journeyman shortstop recorded 1,470 hits, stole 173 bases and helped his clubs win three PCL titles. Two of the championships came in his first two seasons in the league, when he played for the Seattle Rainiers in 1940 and ’41. He spent six seasons with the PCL’s Los Angeles Angels in the mid-to-late 1940s. The final crown came in 1952, his final season in the league, with the Hollywood Stars.
Schuster was the heart of the defense on each of those clubs. He led all PCL shortstops in putouts five times, assists three times and total chances three times. He also played second and third base.
In the spring of 1954, Schuster was named by the fans to the Rainiers Roll of Honor, a list of all-time fan favorites.
Schuster never hit .300 in a season (his career average was .275), or belted more than 11 home runs or drove in more than 78 runs, but he was a steady presence and a versatile player.
He played parts of five seasons in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he roomed with Honus Wagner, the Boston Braves and the Chicago Cubs. His final major league game was in September of 1945.
Like fellow inductee Eddie Basinski, Schuster was a Buffalo native, who attentded college at SUNY Buffalo.
Nicknamed “Broadway Bill," varying stories claim it was for his dapper dress, or his showy defensive play on the field.
He continued to work in the minors as a manager after he retired as a player. His last two careers were working in the press room of the Los Angeles Times, and operating a Unocal Station in Woodland Hills, California.
Schuster passed away in El Monte, Calif., on June 29, 1987 at age 74.
| Eddie Basinski | Dominic "Dom” DiMaggio | Bert Ellison |
| Tommy Lasorda |
Dario Lodigiani | Bill Schuster | Bill Weiss |
