Bill Caudill

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William Holland Caudill (b. July 13, 1956 in Santa Monica, California) was a pitcher with a 9-year career from 1979 to 1987. He played for the Chicago Cubs of the National League and Seattle Mariners, Oakland A's and Toronto Blue Jays all of the American League. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers from 1982 to 1985. Nicknamed "the Inspector" after inspecting the Mariners bats for unused hits and discarding those he deemed empty, the Pink Panther Theme soon played over the Kingdome loudspeakers when he was summoned from the Mariners' bullpen. Later, he was also given the nickname "Cuffs" after an incident with hotel security during a road trip. On another occasion, when brought in to pitch in a one-sided game, Caudill appeared from the bullpen sporting a half-shaved beard. In 1982, the Mariners introduced a nautically themed bullpen "car" called the Tugboat. It got off to a rocky start on Opening Day when Caudill stole the keys during pregame festivities, leaving the Tugboat stranded on the left-field line and delaying the start of the game.

He was elected to the American League All-Star team in 1984. Trying to rebound from a miserable season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986, Caudill suffered a broken hand with the Oakland A's after punching a man who was reportedly trying to accost his wife in a hotel parking lot in 1987[citation needed]. It effectively ended his big league career at age 30.

Caudill currently coaches and works for sports super-agent Scott Boras, a former minor league teammate and close friend.

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