Champion was signed by the Phillies in 1965 .
Was a starting pitcher for Champion 's class - A teams for 4 seasons , followed by a half - season in triple - A before making his major - league debut in June 1969 .
Champion was signed by the Phillies in 1965 , and was a starting pitcher for their class - A teams for 4 seasons , followed by a half - season in triple - A before making his major - league debut in June 1969 .