Billy Ray Butler (born April 18, 1986) is an American former professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman and current hitting coach for the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals from 2007 to 2014, the Oakland Athletics from 2015 to 2016 and the New York Yankees in 2016.

Butler attended Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was teammates with fellow first-round draft pick Eric Hurley, a pitcher selected by the Texas Rangers.

He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (14th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft and signed for a $1.45 million bonus, $250,000 below the recommended slot value for that pick.

[1] Butler made his professional debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he batted .373 with 10 home runs and 68 RBIs in 73 games.

[3][4] Butler made his major league debut on May 1, 2007, singling in his first at bat, but was sent to the minors after playing 10 games.

Butler led the Royals with career highs in RBI (92) and doubles (51), the latter number approaching Hal McRae's team record of 54.

[7] In 2011 season, the promotion of first baseman Kila Ka'aihue from Triple-A Omaha meant that Butler would spend time alternating between first base and designated hitter to open the 2011 campaign.

However, with Ka'aihue's demotion in May, Eric Hosmer was called up from Triple-A Omaha and became the team's everyday first baseman, with Butler becoming the full-time DH.

[12] After the season, he was named a 2012 American League Silver Slugger DH and received the 2012 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.

[13] On May 28, 2013, Butler got his 1,000th hit in the first inning, bringing in Alex Gordon against St. Louis Cardinals' rookie pitcher Tyler Lyons.

Leading into the World Series, which the Royals would lose in seven games to the San Francisco Giants, Butler was batting .217 with 5 RBI in eight postseason contests.

[6] On March 8, 2021, Butler was announced as the hitting coach for the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League, the team with whom he started his career.

[citation needed] His nickname ("Country Breakfast") was coined by former St. Joseph News-Press sports editor Ross Martin in response to Butler's size.

[20] As of 2017, he was playing softball for a team named Pharmgrade in the Idaho Falls Parks & Rec Men's League.