Donovan played Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators (1898), Brooklyn Superbas (1899–1902), and Detroit Tigers (1903–1912).

He was the player-manager of the Providence Grays in 1913 and 1914, leading the club to the International League pennant in 1914 with help from rookie pitcher Babe Ruth.

[3] After a relief appearance in early July, a sports writer expressed surprise that "'Wild Bill' Donovan went to the slab and finished the game without killing a soul.

Former umpire Billy Evans later wrote that the nickname was somewhat ironic because "control was Donovan's greatest asset" in the last ten years of his pitching career.

He also ranked among the league's leaders with 187 strikeouts (second), a 7.0 wins above replacement rating for pitchers (third), and a 2.29 ERA (ninth).

[1] On May 7, 1906, Donovan accomplished a rare feat when he stole second base, third, and on the front end of a double steal, took home in the fifth inning of an 8–3 victory over Cleveland.

[1] On September 30, 1907, with the Tigers and Athletics competing for the American League pennant, the two contenders met before a record crowd in Philadelphia.

Donovan, who had defeated the Athletics three days earlier, was called on to clinch the pennant for the Tigers.

[8][9] Donovan started Game 1 of the 1907 World Series, and the Tigers led in the ninth inning with two outs and Chicago's Harry Steinfeldt on third base; Chicago pinch hitter Del Howard swung on a third strike that should have ended the game, but Detroit's catcher Boss Schmidt "missed the ball, which got by him to the crowd," allowing Steinfeldt to score the tying run.

[1] In August 1912, Donovan was assigned to become the manager for the Providence Grays, which was under common ownership with the Tigers.

[5] Donovan managed rookie pitcher Babe Ruth for the final month of the 1914 season.

[14] In December 1914, at baseball's winter meetings in Chicago, Donovan was hired by the New York Yankees' new owners, Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston, as the club's new manager.

I still think that barring injuries and hard luck Bill Donovan would have brought the Yankees their first pennant.

"[17] During his 1915 and 1916 seasons, Donovan also appeared in 10 games as a pitcher for the Yankees, compiling a 0–3 record with a 4.67 ERA in 34+2⁄3 innings pitched.

On the last day of the 1918 season, Donovan, at age 41, went to the mound for a final game as the club's starting pitcher.

Facing off against Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox, Donovan pitched five innings, gave up only one run, and won his 185th major league game.

[20] The dismissal was reportedly based on Baker's suspicion that Donovan had some knowledge of the Chicago White Sox' attempt to throw the 1919 World Series.

[21][22] In December 1921, Donovan was hired as the manager of the New Haven Eastern League baseball club.

[23] Donovan led New Haven to the Eastern League pennant in 1922 and returned as manager for a second season in 1923.

[21] In December 1923, Donovan was killed in a train wreck while traveling on the 20th Century Limited to attend baseball's winter meetings in Chicago.