Steve Brandt knew his father, the late Bill Brandt, was a pretty good fast pitch softball player.
But Steve, who just a child when his dad was dominating Flint’s splendid City AA fast pitch softball leagues for nearly a decade, had no idea how great his father was until he was selected for induction into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame.
“I really didn’t the feel the full impact of how big a deal this was until I went to the press conference,” said Brandt, who lives in Lansing.
“I’m sitting around all these pro athletes, and learning about all of these other great athletes, and then realizing my dad is among them.
“It makes me, and my family, very proud. Dad just loved to play. He had no idea that playing ball would come to such fruition.”
Nicknamed “Mr. Softball,” out of respect of his utter dominance, Brandt pitched from 1956 to ’65. He compiled a sparkling, 96-28 record as a pitcher for Davis Supply, Buick, Sports Shop, and Team Equipment.
One of Brandt’s best seasons came in 1959, when he went 18-1, with an earned run average of 0.36. He had three no-hitters that season, topping it off with a perfect game. His brilliance earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
Brandt was 68-10 from 1956-’61. Held the league in strikeouts on numerous occasions, and was also the regular winner of the ERA crown.
A big, barrel chested, man who looked more like an NFL linebacker than a pitcher, Brandt was an intimidating force according to his son, Michael.
“He was so imposing on the mound,” said Michael, who now lives in a Charleston, S.C. suburb. “He was known as ‘Big Bill’ and ‘The Horse’ by his team mates and competitors.
“Dad was pretty fast, as you had to have speed,” he explained. “But I recall him as a junk ball king, with many secret pitches he had learned over the years.
“He had a curve, a riser, that rose about a foot, and a change-up that broke many a batter’s will. His riser was deadly not only to batters, but he broke the fingers of two catchers.”
Not only was Brandt physically imposing, Michael also remembers his unique pitching style.
“He used to refer to it as the half-pitch, as opposed to the standard full-round ‘windmill’ pitch that most used for speed,” Michael said. “Most pitches left his hand, as his hand made contact with his right outer thigh, just above the knee. That is where the fancy spins originated.”
Brandt passed away in 1983 from a heart attack. He was 55. Before his death he worked many years for Consumers Energy, and eventually moved to Oscoda.
“But they wouldn’t let him pitch up north because of his name and reputation that followed him,” said Steve. “Tonight’s induction is a proud moment for the Brandt family.
“To be included with all the great athletes from the Flint area is an honor I know he would be proud of.”
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