William “Bill” Pleis III, the left-handed reliever who earned the Minnesota Twins’ first-ever win at Metropolitan Stadium and helped anchor the bullpen of the 1965 pennant-winning team, passed away on October 17, 2025. He was 88.
Pleis debuted with the Twins in 1961, the franchise’s inaugural season after relocating from Washington. On April 22 of that year, he recorded the first official win by a Twins pitcher at Metropolitan Stadium, a milestone that still resonates with longtime fans and marks a foundational moment in team history.
Over six seasons with the Twins (1961–1966), Pleis appeared in 190 games, nearly all in relief. He posted a career record of 21–16 with 13 saves and a 4.07 ERA. His steady presence was especially vital during the club’s historic 1965 campaign, when Minnesota captured its first American League pennant. Pleis pitched in 41 games that season and appeared in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributing to the franchise’s first Fall Classic appearance since its Washington Senators days.
Known affectionately as “Shorty” by teammates, Pleis embodied the grit and humility of the early Twins era. In 1967, the Twins reacquired him briefly to ensure he qualified for his pension—a gesture that reflected the respect he’d earned within the organization.
After retiring from playing in 1968, Pleis transitioned into scouting, beginning with the Houston Astros and later spending decades with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pleis did not win a World Series as a player. In fact, he made just one postseason appearance in his career and gave up a home run. However, the Dodgers won two World Series during his time as a scout. His eye for talent and deep love for the game extended the Twins’ legacy through the players he helped discover and mentor.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Susan Haddock Pleis, and their three children—Scott, Steve, and Stacey—each of whom carried forward his passion for sport. Scott followed in his footsteps as a professional scout and executive, Steve pursued a career in professional golf, and Stacey built a successful gymnastics business in Wentzville, Missouri. Bill and Sue were well known in the Lake St. Louis, MO community, where they raised their family. Bill, a founding member of the Lake Forest Country Club, was known to be a scratch golfer. Legend has it that Bill once shot even par right handed and followed up on a bet to prove a point the next day beating the same guy, but this time left handed.
For Minnesota Twins fans and historians, Pleis remains a symbol of the team’s earliest triumphs and enduring spirit. His contributions helped shape the identity of a franchise finding its footing in a new home, and his memory lives on in the stories of the 1965 Twins—a team that brought October baseball to the North Star State for the first time. A SABR BIO on Bill Pleis written by Joe Rippel is a fun and interesting read.
We at Twinstrivia.com would like to pass on our condolences to the Bill Pleis family, friends and fans of Minnesota Twins baseball. Thank you for the memories.
There are just five players still alive that managed, coached or played for the Minnesota Twins in 1961 and they are all pitchers, Jim Kaat, Don Lee, Camilo Pascual, Pedro Ramos, and Gerry Arrigo.
