Emil Bildilli was a Major League pitcher for just five years. He signed with the Monessen, Pennsylvania team in 1936. Emil played for the Terre Haute Tots in the Three I League finishing with a 7-7 record in 92 innings. Emil was also with Johnstown Johnnies in the Middle Atlantic League where he finished 5-4 in 45 innings. Emil didn’t get his official Major League debut until 1937, when he was sold to St. Louis. His debut was a sad sight for everyone. Emil made it to the forth inning and was taken out after giving up 5 runs. Emil pitched in only 4 games that year with St. Louis, while giving up 12 runs. The St. Louis Browns then sent Emil to Springfield for the 1938 season to get some extra work in. Emil led the league with 185 strikeouts with a 3.07 ERA and an 18-4 record. The St. Louis Browns wanted Emil back in their rotation, but only got a 1-2 record in five games that season. In 1939, Emil pitched for San Antonio Missions. Having another great season with a 22-9 record. Emil pitched 287 innings that season with a 3.20 ERA.
The St. Louis brought him back for another go. Emil appeared in 28 games, with 11 starts and 17 relieving situations. His best performance was against the Yankees, throwing a two-hitter at Yankee Stadium. That 1940 season, Emil was 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA. The Browns sent Emil Bildilli to Toledo to play for the Mud Hens, posting a 5-9 record.
After that season Emil decided to quit baseball and take a job working for the Muncie Indiana Fire Department. Emil continued to play semi-professional baseball on his days off. But on September 15, 1946, Emil fell asleep while driving and sideswiped a tree and plowed through a fence. Suffering from multiple injuries, Emil died the next day, on his 34th birthday. Emil was 4-8 in 41 games and a lifetime ERA of 5.84 in 148 innings pitched.
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