Bill Gilbreth dies

Bill Gilbreth was a great man. Al Scott, Gary McCaleb and he are the primary reason that baseball exists as a sport on the ACU campus. The program was killed around 1980 and around a decade later, when Gary and Al began to dream of resurrecting the program, they had to get the buy-in from ACU's only player who ever reached the MLB level -- Bill Gilbreth. Bill bought in wholeheartedly and even agreed to be the head coach. He would coach ACU baseball for the next 5 years. It was Bill that brought his old baseball buddy - Nolan Ryan - into the ACU program as a supporter.

Bill was an infinitely nice, kind man. Even after leaving as HC at ACU, he returned off and on for many years to pitch batting practice and supposedly could bring the fast ball well into his 60's. I am really pleased that ACU was able to retire his jersey earlier this year and that the University was able to honor him in this way while he was living.

Bill was a great Christian man, example, coach and, I am thankful I can say, a great friend.

He will be missed, and I'm still in a bit of shock. Prayers and love to his wife and family!

Bill was a special person for sure. He was a student of the game even as a very young kid. Being older than Bill I remember pitching games and noticing this intense young boy with his hands and nose stuck into the screen, intensely studying every pitch. I learned this young kid was named Bill Gilbreth. He was too young at the time to be playing but he sure was focused on what was going on, even picking up signals from the manager calling for pitches. So it was a joy to learn later that that young man became a star, then a MLB player of note, and a coach who helped many young players. I think he was respected by all. It is hard to forget such a young kid who was so absorbed in the game and so rewarding to see the life he lived afterwards. His passing was really a sad thing knowing this history. One does not forget such moments of reflection.