Walt Williams (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Walter Allen Williams is a former American
professional
baseball
player. He played in Major League Baseball
as an outfielder
for the Houston Colt .45s (1964), Chicago White Sox
(1967–1972), Cleveland Indians
(1973), and the New York Yankees
(1974–1975).
injection he received as a baby. After his hometown of Brownwood was hit by a flood, the government gave typhus injections to prevent the spread of the disease. Williams was so muscular even as a baby that, they couldn't reach a vein except in the back of his neck. He developed a crick in his neck, which then stiffened and shrank.
in 1963
. After spending one season in the minor leagues
, he made his major league debut with the Colt .45's on April 21, 1964
. Williams played in only 10 games with the Colt .45's when, he was selected off waivers on May 26, by the St. Louis Cardinals
. Williams was sent back to the minor leagues to play for the Winnipeg Goldeyes
of the Northern League
where, he posted a .318 batting average
in 88 games. He progressed to the Tulsa Oilers
in where, he scored 106 runs
and hit for a .330 batting average to win the Texas League
batting championship. In , Williams repeated his performance with a batting average of .330 and scored 107 runs. On December 14, 1966, he was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Don Dennis
to the Chicago White Sox for Lee White and Johnny Romano
.
Williams returned to the major leagues in during an era dominated by pitching. He hit for a .240 batting average in 1967
, in a year in which only four players hit above .300. Led by manager
, Eddie Stanky
, the 1967 White Sox were in a tight pennant race with the Boston Red Sox
, Detroit Tigers
and the Minnesota Twins
before fading to a fourth place finish. Williams' hustling style of play became evident during a June 14 game against the Red Sox. With a baserunner on second base, Williams fielded a single
to right field and threw the ball to home plate
. First baseman
, Tom McCraw intercepted the throw then, trapped the hitter in a rundown
as he had strayed too far from first base. Shortstop
Ron Hansen's
return throw to first base was wide and the ball rolled towards the Red Sox dugout
. Appearing seemingly from out of nowhere, Williams dived for the ball before it reached the dugout then, he sprang to his feet and threw it to second base where Hansen tagged
the baserunner out
. With his cheerful demeanor and hustling style of play, Williams became a fan-favorite during his tenure with the White Sox.
In 1968
, he split his playing time between the Hawaii Islanders
of the Pacific Coast League
where he hit for a .318 average and, the White Sox where, he hit for only a .241 average in 63 games. Carl Yastrzemski
would be the only player in the American League
to break the .300 mark in . Williams had a breakout season in 1969
when he became the White Sox' starting right fielder
and, produced a career-high .304 batting average to finish sixth in the American League batting championship and scored 59 runs. He was one of only six American League players to have a batting average above the .300 mark and, the first White Sox player in six seasons to hit above 300. Williams struckout
only 33 times and grounded
into just 5 double play
s during the season. Williams was the fifth-toughest to strike out in the league; he was fanned only once every 14.3 at bats.
After the 1969 season, he became embroiled in a contract dispute with White Sox General Manager
, Ed Short
, who told Williams if he refused the team's salary offer, he wouldn't get the chance to play regularly. Williams' batting average would drop to .251 in 110 games in 1970
. Short was fired in 1971
and Williams rebounded to lead the White Sox with a .294 average and a career-high .344 on base percentage
. When the White Sox acquired first baseman
Dick Allen
in 1972
, they moved former first baseman Carlos May
to left field, leaving Williams to battle for the final two outfield positions with Rick Reichardt
, Pat Kelly, Jay Johnstone
and Jim Lyttle
. He appeared in only 77 games, posting a .249 batting average as the White Sox battled for the American League West
Division lead before, they settled to finish the season in second place, five and a half games behind the eventual world champions, the Oakland Athletics
.
During his off-season, Williams volunteered his time to talk to children who were first time drug offenders as part of the Cook County
drug abuse prevention program. On October 19, 1972, Williams was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Eddie Leon
. In January , Williams' two year old son died from spinal meningitis while he was playing in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Águilas del Zulia
.
He became a utility player
and occasional designated hitter
for the Indians in 1973
, producing a .284 batting average with career-highs in home run
s (8) and runs batted in (38). On August 21, , Williams broke up a bid for a no-hit game by former teammate Stan Bahnsen
when he hit a single with two outs in the ninth inning.
In March 19, 1974
Williams was traded to the New York Yankees as part of a three-team trade. He continued his role as a utility player and designated hitter with the Yankees but, only produced a .113 batting average in 43 games. He recovered in 1975
with a .281 batting average in 82 games, helping the Yankees take first place in the American League East Division in late June before the team faded to third place at the end of the year.
After being released by the Yankees on January 27, , Williams played in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters
from 1976 to 1977. In , he played for the St. Lucie Legends
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
.
, accumulating 640 hits
in 2,373 at bats for a .270 career batting average along with 33 home runs, 173 runs batted in and an on base percentage
of .310. Williams was a good defensive outfielder
, committing just 19 errors
in 565 games for a fielding percentage
of .981. He played the entire season without committing an error, compiling a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Other career highlights include:
during the 1988
season. In , Williams became the manager of the Gastonia Rangers
in the South Atlantic League
. In and he managed the Charleston RiverDogs
. His managing record over three seasons was 187 wins and 228 losses.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He played in Major League Baseball
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...
as an 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...
for the Houston Colt .45s (1964), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1967–1972), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1973), and the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1974–1975).
Early life
Williams was nicknamed No-Neck due to his relatively short stature (5 feet 6 inches) combined with a muscular, compact torso and a short neck. His odd physical appearance was the result of a typhusTyphus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
injection he received as a baby. After his hometown of Brownwood was hit by a flood, the government gave typhus injections to prevent the spread of the disease. Williams was so muscular even as a baby that, they couldn't reach a vein except in the back of his neck. He developed a crick in his neck, which then stiffened and shrank.
Baseball career
Williams was signed by the Houston Colt .45's as an amateur free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1963
1963 Houston Colt .45s season
The Houston Colt .45s' 1963 season was a season in American baseball. The team finished ninth in the National League with a record of 66-96, 33 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :...
. After spending one season in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, he made his major league debut with the Colt .45's on April 21, 1964
1964 Houston Colt .45s season
The Houston Colt .45s season was the team's third season in Major League Baseball. It involved the Houston Colt .45s finishing in ninth place in the National League with a record of 66-96, 27 games behind the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals...
. Williams played in only 10 games with the Colt .45's when, he was selected off waivers on May 26, by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Williams was sent back to the minor leagues to play for the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
of the Northern League
Northern League (baseball, 1902-71)
This article refers to the original incarnations of the Northern League, which operated between 1902 and 1971. For the more recent league, see Northern League ...
where, he posted a .318 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
in 88 games. He progressed to the Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
in where, he scored 106 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and hit for a .330 batting average to win the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
batting championship. In , Williams repeated his performance with a batting average of .330 and scored 107 runs. On December 14, 1966, he was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Don Dennis
Don Dennis
Donald Ray Dennis was an American middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in 1965 and 1966 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Dennis batted and threw right-handed...
to the Chicago White Sox for Lee White and Johnny Romano
Johnny Romano
John Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
.
Williams returned to the major leagues in during an era dominated by pitching. He hit for a .240 batting average in 1967
1967 Chicago White Sox season
The 1967 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough for fourth place in the American League, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...
, in a year in which only four players hit above .300. Led by manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, the 1967 White Sox were in a tight pennant race with the Boston Red Sox
1967 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...
, Detroit Tigers
1967 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for second in the American League with the Minnesota Twins with 91 wins and 71 losses, one game behind the AL pennant-winning Boston Red Sox.- Notable transactions :...
and the Minnesota Twins
1967 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins finished 91-73, tied for second in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. The Twins had a one-game lead with two games remaining, but lost both games to the Boston Red Sox in the season's final days...
before fading to a fourth place finish. Williams' hustling style of play became evident during a June 14 game against the Red Sox. With a baserunner on second base, Williams fielded a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
to right field and threw the ball to home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
. First baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, Tom McCraw intercepted the throw then, trapped the hitter in a rundown
Rundown
A rundown, also called a pickle, is a situation in the game of baseball that occurs when the baserunner is stranded between two bases and is in jeopardy. When the base runner attempts to advance to the next base, he is cut off by the defensive player who has a live ball and attempts to return to...
as he had strayed too far from first base. Shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Ron Hansen's
Ron Hansen (baseball)
Ronald Lavern Hansen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
return throw to first base was wide and the ball rolled towards the Red Sox dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
. Appearing seemingly from out of nowhere, Williams dived for the ball before it reached the dugout then, he sprang to his feet and threw it to second base where Hansen tagged
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
the baserunner out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
. With his cheerful demeanor and hustling style of play, Williams became a fan-favorite during his tenure with the White Sox.
In 1968
1968 Chicago White Sox season
The 1968 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in the American League, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers....
, he split his playing time between the Hawaii Islanders
Hawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
where he hit for a .318 average and, the White Sox where, he hit for only a .241 average in 63 games. Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
would be the only player in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
to break the .300 mark in . Williams had a breakout season in 1969
1969 Chicago White Sox season
The 1969 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 69th season in the major leagues, and its 70th season overall. They finished with a record 68-94, good enough for fifth place in the newly-established American League West, 29 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.The White Sox nearly left...
when he became the White Sox' starting right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
and, produced a career-high .304 batting average to finish sixth in the American League batting championship and scored 59 runs. He was one of only six American League players to have a batting average above the .300 mark and, the first White Sox player in six seasons to hit above 300. Williams struckout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
only 33 times and grounded
Baseball rules
The rules of baseball differ slightly from league to league, but in general share the same basic gameplay.-Codes:There are several major rules codes, which differ only slightly....
into just 5 double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s during the season. Williams was the fifth-toughest to strike out in the league; he was fanned only once every 14.3 at bats.
After the 1969 season, he became embroiled in a contract dispute with White Sox General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
, Ed Short
Ed Short
Edwin G. Short was an American professional baseball front office executive. Short worked for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball for over 20 years, including nine seasons as the team's general manager — from August 26, 1961, through September 2, 1970...
, who told Williams if he refused the team's salary offer, he wouldn't get the chance to play regularly. Williams' batting average would drop to .251 in 110 games in 1970
1970 Chicago White Sox season
The 1970 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 70th season in the American League, and its 71st overall. They finished with a record 56-106, good enough for sixth place in the American League West, 42 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins....
. Short was fired in 1971
1971 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was their 72nd season overall and 71st in the American League. They finished with a record 79-83, good enough for third place in the American League West, 22½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics.- Offseason :...
and Williams rebounded to lead the White Sox with a .294 average and a career-high .344 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. When the White Sox acquired first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Dick Allen
Dick Allen
Richard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
in 1972
1972 Chicago White Sox season
The 1972 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 73rd season overall, and 72nd in the American League. They finished with a record 87-67, good enough for second place in the American League West, 5½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics....
, they moved former first baseman Carlos May
Carlos May
Carlos May is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox through most of his career, and also the New York Yankees and California Angels. He also played four seasons in Japan, from until , for the Nankai Hawks. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
to left field, leaving Williams to battle for the final two outfield positions with Rick Reichardt
Rick Reichardt
Frederic Carl Reichardt was a Major League outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels/California Angels , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals...
, Pat Kelly, Jay Johnstone
Jay Johnstone
John William Johnstone Jr. is an American former professional baseball player, active from 1966 to 1985 for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs...
and Jim Lyttle
Jim Lyttle
James Lawrence Lyttle Jr. is a former major league baseball player from Hamilton, Ohio. He played as an outfielder for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He appeared in only 77 games, posting a .249 batting average as the White Sox battled for the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
Division lead before, they settled to finish the season in second place, five and a half games behind the eventual world champions, the Oakland Athletics
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
.
During his off-season, Williams volunteered his time to talk to children who were first time drug offenders as part of the Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
drug abuse prevention program. On October 19, 1972, Williams was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Eddie Leon
Eddie Leon
Eduardo Antonio Leon is a former Major League Baseball infielder of Mexican American descent, who played for eight seasons, splitting time as a shortstop and second baseman...
. In January , Williams' two year old son died from spinal meningitis while he was playing in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Águilas del Zulia
Águilas del Zulia
The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969...
.
He became a utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
and occasional designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
for the Indians in 1973
1973 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the 73rd in the franchise's history. The club finished in sixth place in the American League East.- Offseason :In January, Vernon Stouffer sold the Cleveland Indians to Nick Mileti for $10 million dollars...
, producing a .284 batting average with career-highs in home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (8) and runs batted in (38). On August 21, , Williams broke up a bid for a no-hit game by former teammate Stan Bahnsen
Stan Bahnsen
Stanley Raymond Bahnsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed the "Bahnsen Burner," he once made 118 starts over a three year stretch while playing with the Chicago White Sox in the mid 1970s.-New York Yankees:...
when he hit a single with two outs in the ninth inning.
In March 19, 1974
1974 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 72nd season for the team in New York and its 74th overall dating from its origins in Baltimore. The team finished with a record of 89-73, finishing 2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. New York was managed by Bill Virdon...
Williams was traded to the New York Yankees as part of a three-team trade. He continued his role as a utility player and designated hitter with the Yankees but, only produced a .113 batting average in 43 games. He recovered in 1975
1975 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 73rd season for the Yankees in New York, and the franchise's 75th season overall. The team finished with a record of 83-77, finishing 12 games behind of the Boston Red Sox...
with a .281 batting average in 82 games, helping the Yankees take first place in the American League East Division in late June before the team faded to third place at the end of the year.
After being released by the Yankees on January 27, , Williams played in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
from 1976 to 1977. In , he played for the St. Lucie Legends
St. Lucie Legends
The St. Lucie Legends was a U.S. baseball team and one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989....
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
.
Career statistics
In a 10 year major league career, Williams played in 842 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 640 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 2,373 at bats for a .270 career batting average along with 33 home runs, 173 runs batted in and an on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
of .310. Williams was a good defensive 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...
, committing just 19 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 565 games for a fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
of .981. He played the entire season without committing an error, compiling a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Other career highlights include:
- Williams connected for five hits in one game on May 31, 1970 against Boston. Williams had four singlesSingle (baseball)In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and a doubleDouble (baseball)In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
. In the game, he also scored five runs and drove in two more as the White Sox beat the Red Sox 22-13 at Fenway ParkFenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. - Williams had five games in which he had four hits. In one of those games, on June 20, 1971, he had two singles, a doubleDouble (baseball)In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and a home runs against the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in an 18-8 Chicago victory. which he scored four runs with three Runs batted in in an 18-8 win at Metropolitan StadiumMetropolitan StadiumMetropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
in Bloomington, MinnesotaBloomington, MinnesotaBloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
. - Williams had 33 games in which he had three hits.
Minor league managing career
After retiring as a player, Williams worked as the Sports Director of the Brownwood Community Center in his hometown. He then served as the White Sox first base coachCoach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
during the 1988
1988 Chicago White Sox season
The 1988 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 89th season. They finished with a record 71-90, good enough for 5th place in the American League West, 32.5 games behind of the 1st place Oakland Athletics.-Offseason:...
season. In , Williams became the manager of the Gastonia Rangers
Gastonia Rangers
The Gastonia Rangers were a class A minor league baseball team located in Gastonia, North Carolina. The team played first as the Rangers in the Western Carolinas League , then later in the same league renamed as the South Atlantic League , and were affiliated with the Texas Rangers. Their home...
in the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. In and he managed the Charleston RiverDogs
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...
. His managing record over three seasons was 187 wins and 228 losses.