Sweet Swinging Billy Williams, he was tagged early in his career
with the Chicago Cubs. Williams, who was the 1961 National League Rookie of the
Year made his mark in baseball history with his durability, and bat.
Williams spent
sixteen seasons in the major leagues fourteen of those with the Cubs, and his
last two with the Oakland Athletics. Williams was an iron man his day playing
1,117 straight games from 1963-1970. His streak currently ranks sixth in major
league history. He was a six-time National League All-Star, won the battling
title in 1972. He was snubbed for the All-Star game in 1970 when had a 26 home
runs and 80 RBI at the all-star break.
His best season
was 1972, when he hit 37 home runs with 122 RBI, and hit .333. He finished
second to Johnny Bench of the Reds in the MVP voting. His career numbers of 426
home runs, 1475 RBI, and a .290 batting average were enough to get him elected
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Often over
shadowed in recent years by fellow Hall Fame players Ferguson Jenkins, Ron
Santo, and Ernie Banks, but Williams was a key member of the solid Chicago Cubs
teams of the late 60's and eaarly 70's.
