Former major league catcher and manager Bill Plummer passed away this week, according to a report from The Associated Press. He was 76.
A Northern California native, Plummer entered the professional ranks in 1965 as an amateur signee of the Cardinals. He was plucked away by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft three years later. Plummer made a brief big league debut with Chicago before being traded to the Reds as part of a deal for bullpen workhorse Ted Abernathy. Plummer spent eight years in Cincinnati, working behind Johnny Bench among the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s.
The Reds won the National League pennant in 1970, ’72, ’75 and ’76. They were repeat World Series champions in the latter two of those seasons. Plummer didn’t appear in any of those series but was a respected defensive presence as the backup to one of the greatest catchers in league history. He finished his career with a 41-game stint for the Mariners in 1978. Plummer retired with a .188/.267/.279 line in a little more than 1000 plate appearances.
After collecting that pair of World Series rings as a player, Plummer moved into the coaching ranks. He managed in the Seattle farm system throughout the 1980s and was promoted to the big league staff in ’89. The Mariners hired him as their manager in 1992. Plummer led the team for one season but was dismissed after a disappointing 64-98 finish. Seattle hired Lou Piniella the following year. Plummer never got another big league managerial opportunity, but he continued coaching for various independent and minor league teams well into the 2010s.
MLBTR sends our condolences to Plummer’s family, loved ones, friends and former teammates.
Pretty cool to have been apart of the big red machine. RIP
A life of baseball, pretty amazing. RIP
Never heard of em
That says more about you than anything else. Remember, Baseball Reference is your friend.
Shadow Banned, I’m sure any of his friends and family reading these comments will take great solace in your kind words.
You’re at the wrong mortuary. Put the coffee back you s…!!
Just because you never heard of him doesn’t mean he didn’t exist to you or his loving family
How about instead of showing your ignorance, try some respect
Shadow, maybe you’re one of the “now” generation who believes that if a player performed before 2004, he doesn’t count. Truth is, Bill Plummer was a darn good defensive catcher and thought highly of by every pitching staff he worked with. Very intelligent man who went on to coach and manage.
Only a complete idiot would read an article about someone they never heard of, and then callously and heartlessly let everyone know of his ignorance. Bill Plummer, whom I do remember for his backup role on the Reds, deserves infinitely more respect than that and his loved ones deserve infinitely more consideration than that. Unfortunately, shadow banned, you’re destined to learn that truth the hard way.
If you were old enough to be around when the Reds were the Big Red Machine you would have heard of him . If you are younger, it shows a lack of class and empathy to post these posts on an obituary post.
Had his card.
RIP. Met him in PR back in the 1970. He played for the Arecibo Wolf’s in the PR Baseball Winter League. Great human being. His defensive skills amazing and his ability for calling a good game superior. He didn’t hit much but his defensive acumen made a average pitcher an above average one. My sincere condolences to his whole precious family.
Cool story
He was a local guy and will be missed. RIP Mr. Plummer.
RIP
H,zxtuji
Similar sort of career as Kevin Cash. Catchers with negative WAR that probably contributed much more than we can value (especially since they became managers one assumes they worked great with pitchers/other players).
I don’t get into that WAR stuff, but the comparison to Cash is pretty spot-on. I think Plummer would have been a fine manager given more of a chance. Instead, he got one year with the Mariners and that was it.
I like the idea of WAR more than the thing itself. I just think people need a stat to tell them about a players defense and baserunning even if it’s wrong so they will look beyond the offense alone. But it certainly doesn’t value catchers work properly (it’s impossible). In this case the back of the baseball card would’ve spoken to my point just as much as WAR. Honestly tho my point was in some ways a critique of WAR. Backups catchers are coaches in a manner, unless they are there for their offense which is rare.
Loved Bill Plummer. Backup to the greatest catcher ever but still an important part of the Machine. RIP.
With respect: Yogi Berra was the greatest catcher of any generation of ball players. Compare the stats.
Hats off to Bill Plummer. Managed the Independent League, Chico Heat here in Northern California years ago. A very nice person.
Tongue Waggers? Raise your hand of you were ever good enough to back up a starting catcher in the major leagues.
With respect Roy Campanella was the greatest Catcher in Major League History. Far better defensively than Berra and his equal with the bat. That said he was the 2nd best Catcher in Negro league History after Josh Gibson. Campanella hit his peak in the Major leagues with far superior statistics. Much of this was timing as he started in the Negro leagues at age 15.
I’m not smart enough to compare correctly players from different eras, but I do know Roy Campanella was a great catcher, a man whose accomplishments were cut short by his unfortunate accident. I never saw Mr. Campanella play, but everything I read indicates he was an all-timer. Thanks for reminding us of a great player from a long time ago.
RIP. One of those unforgettable depth players from the past.
Forget the Mendoza line, there should be the Plum line.
Never appeared in any of three World Series he was on the roster for. Bummer.
I have lots of his cards.
RIP Mr. Plummer.
There is a terrific documentary about Bill Plummer. The man was deeply respected all throughout professional baseball and in life. Highly recommend. R.I.P. Mr. Plummer…
Do you remember the name of the documentary, by chance?
Plum: A Baseball Life
Thanks!! Just found it. can’t wait to watch it.
Funny name. But, RIP regardless!
Rest in peace Bill. I had the pleasure of meeting him, when I was a kid and he managed the M’s.
He was very nice and gave me a few tips to play baseball.
This certainly is very sad news. One of my teammates from Little League called me early this morning and told me the greatest backup catcher of all time had passed away. I knew right away who he meant, because that’s what we called Bill when we were kids. We always figured when you’re the backup to the GOAT… you had to be pretty great yourself, lol! He will certainly be missed.. RIP Plum..
Hey Jerk Store, Bill never heard of you either. Condolences to his family and friends, who’ve also never heard of you. RIP
RIP
The Big Red Machine was one of the greatest collection of baseball players ever. Being a part of it is special. Rest easy, Bill.
Bill Plummer was a perfect back up on the Big Red Machine. Offensive production was not expected, just solid defense. He and Darryl Chaney (back up to Concepcion) played a lot of Sunday games. The day game after the night game. I’m sure, GOAT Bench would be the first to tell you what a valuable teammate he was.