Jim Williams (outfielder)
Encyclopedia
James Alfred Williams is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
who played for the San Diego Padres
during the franchise's first two seasons. He batted and threw right-handed.
in Richmond, California
. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
in the 20th round of the amateur draft. His career with Chicago peaked at the Single-A level. Following the season he was traded along with Paul Popovich
to the Los Angeles Dodgers
for Lou Johnson
, where he played at the Single-A and Double-A levels.
He was then drafted by the Padres during the 1968 expansion draft
. The Padres assigned him to the Double-A Elmira Pioneers
for the season and called him up to the major league team that September, where he appeared in 13 games. He was sent back to the minor leagues the following season, and spent most of the season playing for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees
before being called back up to San Diego in September, appearing in another 11 games.
Williams then spent part of playing for the Single-A Lodi Padres
and the rest of 1971 and all of in the Mexican League. He returned to the Padres minor-league system in , playing for the Double-A Alexandria Aces
before retiring at age 26.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who played for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
during the franchise's first two seasons. He batted and threw right-handed.
Playing career
Williams attended Harry Ells High SchoolHarry Ells High School
Harry Ells High School in Richmond, California was a major public high school in the area from 1955 to 1968. It was originally opened as a Middle School following World War II. Ten years later, it became Richmond high school South Campus. It was replaced with the new John F. Kennedy High School...
in Richmond, California
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 20th round of the amateur draft. His career with Chicago peaked at the Single-A level. Following the season he was traded along with Paul Popovich
Paul Popovich
Paul Edward Popovich was an infielder for the Chicago Cubs , Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates ....
to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Lou Johnson
Lou Johnson
Louis Brown Johnson , nicknamed "Sweet Lou" and "Slick", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder...
, where he played at the Single-A and Double-A levels.
He was then drafted by the Padres during the 1968 expansion draft
1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft
The 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted to stock up the rosters of four expansion teams in Major League Baseball which would begin play in the 1969 season....
. The Padres assigned him to the Double-A Elmira Pioneers
Elmira Pioneers
The Elmira Pioneers are an amateur baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They currently compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league. Prior to the 2006 baseball season, the team was a professional ballclub with a rich history of league...
for the season and called him up to the major league team that September, where he appeared in 13 games. He was sent back to the minor leagues the following season, and spent most of the season playing for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
before being called back up to San Diego in September, appearing in another 11 games.
Williams then spent part of playing for the Single-A Lodi Padres
Lodi Padres
The Lodi Padres were a minor league baseball team based in Lodi, California that played in the California League from 1970 to 1971. They were affiliated with the San Diego Padres and played at Lawrence Park. In 1970, under managers Sonny Ruberto and Ken Bracey, they went 43-97, finishing eighth in...
and the rest of 1971 and all of in the Mexican League. He returned to the Padres minor-league system in , playing for the Double-A Alexandria Aces
Alexandria Aces
This article is about the Alexandria Aces of the Texas Collegiate League, who are based in Alexandria, LA. For the Alexandria Aces of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, see Alexandria Aces ...
before retiring at age 26.