Billy Williams (baseball player)

Billy Leo Williams (born June 15, 1938) is an American former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. A highly competitive player on talented Chicago Cubs teams that never reached the post-season, he finally realized his dream of playing in the World Series late in his career.

Related Topics:
June 15 - 1938 - American - Outfielder - Major League Baseball - Chicago Cubs - World Series

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Williams was born in Whistler, Alabama. He started his career in 1959, joining a team that would feature stars like Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, and Ron Santo by the early 1960s. Williams was selected as the Rookie of the Year in 1961. Set a National League record for consecutive games played with 1,117 between 1962-1971 (eclipsed by Steve Garvey 1975-1983 with 1,207). Had 13 straight seasons of 20 or more homeurns and 84 or more RBI's, 1961 to 1973.

Related Topics:
Whistler - Alabama - 1959 - Ernie Banks - Ferguson Jenkins - Ron Santo - Rookie of the Year - 1961 - National League - Steve Garvey

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Williams enjoyed his finest season in 1972 at age 34, when he paced the league in batting average with a .333 mark, also posting a .606 slugging percentage while collecting 37 home runs and 122 runs batted in. He finished behind Johnny Bench in the MVP selection, just as he had done in 1970. It was his last great season in the league before being traded to the American League's Oakland Athletics for second baseman Manny Trillo and two pitchers. Williams helped lead Oakland to the 1975 American League West championship as a designated hitter, hitting 23 homers with 81 RBI. He retired a year later.

Related Topics:
1972 - Batting average - Slugging percentage - Home run - Runs batted in - Johnny Bench - MVP - 1970 - American League - Oakland Athletics - Second baseman - Manny Trillo - 1975 - Designated hitter

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After accumulating a lifetime .290 BA with 426 homers and 1475 RBI, Billy Williams was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and on 13 August of that same year had his number 26 retired at Wrigley Field. He is currently a coach with the Cubs.

Related Topics:
Baseball Hall of Fame - 1987 - 13 August - Wrigley Field - Coach

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