Bill Stoneman has excelled at every level of baseball, as a player at Idaho and as a Major League Baseball executive. A top-caliber pitcher for the Vandals, Stoneman went on to be selected in the 31st round of the MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs in 1966.
One of the 22 major league baseball players to pitch two no-hitters in his career of baseball. An outstanding pitcher for the Idaho Vandals baseball team in 1964-66, with the top E.R.A. in the nation for collegiate baseball, Named All-Big Sky Conference pitcher and also to the all-star team from District 7 in the NCAA in 1966.
Holds a degree in education from the University of Idaho and a Masters Degree from the University of Oklahoma. Known for his "sneaky" fast ball and a great curve, he had fine control during his seven years of organized baseball. Started his career with the Caldwell Cubs in 1966 and came through the minors playing for Lodi, Calif.; Dallas-Ft. Worth; Tacoma, in the PCL; and then to the Chicago Cubs in the National League. Used mostly in relief pitching for the Cubs, he was traded to the Montreal Expos, where he had an excellent career. Won 51 games in five years for the Expos, including an impressive 2.98 E.R.A. in 1972.
He made his major league debut on July 16, 1967, and pitched eight seasons in the majors with the Cubs, the Montreal Expos and the California Angels. As an Expo, Stoneman finished eighth in Cy Young Award voting in 1971 and was a 1972 National League All-Star. He threw two no-hitters in his career and finished with a 54-85 all-time record in eight years. From 1969-71, he ranked in the top 10 each season in strikeouts per nine innings. In 1984, he moved on to the next phase of his professional career in baseball as the Assistant to the President for the Montreal Expos. From 1985-99 he served as Montreal’s Vice President of Baseball Operations and served two seasons as the team’s General Manager. In 2000, Stoneman moved on to the Anaheim Angels as General Manager and led the team to four playoff appearances, three division championships and the 2002 World Series crown.
Stoneman hurled his first no-hitter on April 17, 1969, a 7-0 victory for the Expos, over the Phillies. His second no-hitter was pitched on Oct. 2, 1972 with a 7-0 win over the New York Mets. He also holds the Expos record for most strikeouts in one game, whiffing 14 Pittsburgh Pirates on May 22, 1971, and fanning 14 San Diego Padres on June 16, 1971. A native of California, Stoneman is married and with his wife, Diane, have one daughter, Jill, who is five. Stoneman is presently employed in the Trust Dept. of the Royal Trust Bank of Montreal and lives in Senneville, Que.