LOS ANGELES — Packed between dozens of fans donning blue and white on the field at Dodgers Stadium, William Stiteler stood with a smile, soaking in the moment.
Most know Stiteler, a 35-year-old North Side resident, as his online persona “Saxboy Billy,” a Pirates’ superfan who follows his beloved Bucs city to city, creating unique comedy content throughout each stop. He has no job, no responsibilities. His biggest worry in life is simply finding the best Airbnb deal for the next road series.
Saxboy’s fun-loving videos and bits have earned him the recognition of many, including the Pirates organization, who invited him to watch batting practice from the field. Donning a 2013 Clint Hurdle Manager of the Year t-shirt and his classic black, fitted Pirates cap, he shows no discomfort in enemy territory, proudly cheering on each of his team’s players as they exit the dugout for batting practice while playfully smack-talking any Dodger fan that dares to chirp his way.
“Let’s go Buccos,” Stiteler exclaimed with a smile. “Today is the day we turn it around, boys!”
A few players shoot a smile Stiteler’s way, as does the club’s manager, Derek Shelton. Even amid a chaotic season, they too are familiar with his work. Just one year ago, a life like this seemed impossible for Stiteler. But if the past 365 days have taught him anything, it’s that the next morning will always provide a surprise. With a recently earned fresh outlook on life, the aspiring content creator strives to embrace each second of the journey.
The good, the bad and the Bucs
Before Saxboy Billy, there was Bill Stiteler, a Pittsburgh kid who grew up on the South Side loving two things: comedy and the Pirates.
At the age of eight, Stiteler saw the movie “Wayne’s World” and decided he too wanted to make people laugh for a living. It was also around that time that the 1997 “Freak Show” Pirates had captivated his attention each day throughout the summer.
“I grew up with no cable, so straight up radio, Lanny Frattare, Post-Gazette box scores, Baseball Weekly, I loved that stuff,” Stiteler recalled. “Sports Illustrated, that one issue where they highlight all the teams, that was my Bible. I loved it.”
Stiteler graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 2007. He went on to attend Point Park, but only for a semester. Unfulfilled by the college experience, he moved to New York to pursue a career in standup comedy.
Early on, progress was made. Stiteler performed as much as he could and befriended a group of young comedians who, together, helped hone each other’s craft. He experienced success on social media, generating north of 65,000 followers on Vine, a once-popular video content app that inspired the creation of TikTok.
Stiteler also had “real jobs” on the side, such as operating the scoreboard for the Game Show Network’s “Newlywed Game” or working as a production assistant for CNN. But after seven years, he decided it was time for something more stable. He found a career in sales, but it was at that same time that he developed alcoholism.
In 2023, with his life spiraling out of control, Stiteler moved to Mongolia, hoping a change of scenery would help him get back on track. But instead, things only grew worse. He hit rock bottom, ultimately having to receive help in facilities with few people who spoke English.
“I had this moment of clarity in recovery where you finally give up and you surrender the acknowledgement that you can’t drink like a normal person,” Stiteler. “I had that, and I started recovery.”
He eventually became sober and returned home to live with his father in Pittsburgh, where he began his early days of recovery.
Back in the game
While comedy had not been a part of Stiteler’s life for years, the Pirates remained a constant. He always found time to tune into games, even during his darkest days in Mongolia, where he would wake up at 7 a.m. to watch a club that finished 76-86 on the year.
Back in his hometown and with the 2024 baseball season approaching, Stiteler learned of the “ballpark pass,” a $40 monthly subscription offered by the Pirates, which provides patrons with a standing-room-only ticket for each home game. Stiteler was giddy at the opportunity to watch his team play in person each night, but being a spectator wasn’t enough. With a clear mind and nothing but free time, he decided to get back into content creation.
“I was such a passive participant,” Stiteler said. “I was like, ‘You know what, I’m sick of being passive. I want to get in on the discourse.’”
Stiteler wasted no time making an impression. His early video topics included playful analysis of the team’s beat writers, a plethora of parody songs about Pirates fandom and a well-constructed plan on how he would one day be able to purchase the franchise.
In a space filled with numerous fan-themed podcasts and blogs, Stiteler’s videos stood out.
“The first time I noticed him was when he made a video responding to one of our shows back in spring training,” Jim Rosati, one of the hosts of the popular Pirates’ fan podcast North Shore Nine, told the Post-Gazette. “I just thought to myself, ‘I don’t know what’s going on or who this is, but this guy is hilarious.’”
By the start of the regular season, Saxboy Billy had become a known character within the Pirates’ fanbase, getting recognized dozens of times at the ballpark during the club’s first homestand. His videos continued to generate more engagement, and his following continued to increase. That’s when Stiteler decided to take things to another level.
Saxboy’s summer tour
Now seven months into sobriety, Stiteler knows how his brain works. He yearns for stimulation, and once it comes, he wants more. That’s why only watching the Pirates on the North Shore was not enough.
In May, he posted a video announcing that he would be following the Pirates around “Grateful Dead” style, traveling to each road city for the remainder of the season, where he would create content while supporting his squad.
At the time of the announcement, Stiteler had less than $2,000 to his name. With no income, he took a series of steps to fund his travels, some more financially responsible than others.
He posted his cash app to social media, seeking donations from anyone willing to contribute to his costs for tickets, food, travel and lodging. The move was embraced by some, but rubbed others the wrong way. Stiteler also created his own website where he sold thrifted Pirates gear. He says it has generated around $1,500 in profit. However, Stiteler covers most of his expenses on his own through credit cards and some cash he took out from his 401K.
“I was like, ‘You know what, life is for the living,” Stiteler said. ‘“I’m gonna use credit cards, and I’m gonna travel.’”
Stiteler’s consistent travel is made possible due to his strict budget. He always chooses the cheapest flight possible, even if it includes multi-hour layovers. He waits to book a place to stay until the morning of his arrival, and sometimes, that still means sharing a room with a few other tourists. He never rents a car, instead relying upon a rental bike and public transportation to get around.
While some are confused or even put off by Stiteler’s lifestyle, he looks at his summer journey as an investment. His goal is to one day turn this silly story into a career, and he believes he is on his way to doing so.
“I’m going to make a living doing this,” Stiteler said. “I’m already pretty close to the precipice of that. I’ve had six videos over the past two months hit over a million views across all my platforms. I want to keep on doing this.”
With more travel has come more creativity. Stiteler’s videos have branched out from being strictly related to the Pirates and now also include funny adventures on the road. Some of his more popular posts include him mistakenly joining Canada’s largest bike race while in Toronto or asking Pirates-related questions to political supporters outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Stiteler has big plans for the offseason. He intends to ride a bike from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. for the Steelers-Commanders game on Nov. 10. He also plans to go on a two-week backpacking trip to Europe, where he hopes to interact and create content with Pittsburghers and Pittsburgh sports fans who live on that side of the globe.
As Stiteler’s wild ride persists, he has a strong support system of family and friends who are encouraged to see him attack a new challenge while maintaining his sobriety. And though others aren’t as familiar with his story, there are many casual fans who have come to enjoy the entertainment Saxboy Billy provides.
“I’ve seen his content on Twitter just scrolling around,” Mitch Keller said. “I talked to him a bit in Chicago. He’s hilarious.”
“I think he’s been embraced because he is doing something unique that no one has ever done before,” Rosati said. “This team has given us plenty of reasons to be negative over the years. Sometimes it’s refreshing to see someone who is just genuinely enjoying being a Pirates fan.”
First Published: August 15, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: August 15, 2024, 5:51 p.m.
