William Angelo Consolo (August 18, 1934 – March 27, 2008) was a shortstop and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five different teams between 1953 and 1962, most notably the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins.

William Angelo Consolo was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 18, 1934, the same day as Roberto Clemente. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child, and at the age of 8, he began playing baseball alongside his brother Horace. While on the local playgrounds he met George Anderson — later known as Sparky. They signed up at the local park, where it cost 50 cents to play baseball, and a lifelong friendship began.

Billy's career story as a player is one of "what might have been." Despite being identified as a top-tier recruit, his being signed as a "Bonus Baby" kept him on the bench in the majors for years, eventually settling in as a part-time player. He never truly got the opportunity to build and expand his skills as an everyday MLB player.

Consolo enjoyed his best season with the 1957 Red Sox, batting .270 in 68 games. He later served as the bench coach for the Detroit Tigers for 14 seasons, from 1979 to 1992 and again in 1995 under manager Sparky Anderson, including the Tigers' 1984 World Series title.

After retirement as a player, Billy also became a barber just like his dad, working at the Statler Hilton Hotel in L.A. during the sixties.

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen, Centerfield Maz and Wikipedia)