William P. "Plunk" Drake (June 8, 1895 – October 30, 1977) was a Negro League baseball pitcher.
Drake pitched for top Negro League teams between 1920 and 1927, primarily remembered for his time with the Kansas City Monarchs, participating in two Colored World Series in 1924 and 1925. He gained his nickname from his propensity for pitching inside to batters and his willingness to hit batters who crowded the plate. He claimed to have taught Satchel Paige his famous hesitation pitch, though credit is usually given to Bill Gatewood.
Famous quotes containing the words bill and/or drake:
“As for farming, I am convinced that my genius dates from an older era than the agricultural. I would at least strike my spade into the earth with such careless freedom but accuracy as the woodpecker his bill into a tree.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“And when the cannon-mouthings loud
Heave in wild wreaths the battle-shroud,”
—Joseph Rodman Drake (1795–1820)