Billy Sullivan
Fort Atkinson's Billy Sullivan never minded being called a "hitless
wonder." Sullivan was the catcher on the Chicago White Sox team that
was known as the Hitless Wonders, but also beat the cross-town Cubs in
the 1906 World Series.
"We were good hitters, but they weren't
pitching where we were swinging," joked Sullivan, who went hitless in
the Series but made some key defensive plays.
Generally, Sullivan was rated one of the best pre-WWI catchers in the
game. Sullivan broke in with Boston, then called the Bean eaters, in
1898. He faced the immortal Cy Young in his first at-bat and caught
fellow state Hall of Gamer Kid Nichols in his first season. His best
years were with the White Sox. After retiring as a player, Sullivan
coached and managed in the American Association and for Detroit of the
major leagues.