Walt Williams
From BR Bullpen
Walter Allen Williams (No Neck)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 6", Weight 185 lb.
- School City College of San Francisco
- Debut April 21, 1964
- Final Game September 22, 1975
- Born December 19, 1943 in Brownwood, TX USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Nicknamed "No Neck", Walt Williams played ten years in the majors and hit above .300 one year as a member of the Chicago White Sox.
Originally signed by the Houston Colt .45's, Williams reached the majors with the club early in the 1964 season before being claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. In the Cards system, he hit .330 in both 1965 and 1966 to capture batting titles in the Texas League and Pacific Coast League in back-to-back seasons. Following the 1966 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox along with Don Dennis for catcher Johnny Romano.
Williams saw playing time as a backup outfielder for the Sox in 1967 and 1968 before taking over as the team's regular rightfielder in 1969. He hit .304 in his first year as a regular and became the first Sox player in five years to hit over .300.
After six seasons with the Sox, Williams was traded to the Cleveland Indians for shortstop Eddie Leon following the 1972 season. With the Tribe, he broke up a no-hitter by White Sox pitcher Stan Bahnsen with two outs in the ninth on August 21, 1973. He was later traded to the New York Yankees and spent his last two big league seasons there.
In 1989, Williams played for the St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He hit .257 in 11 games with the club.
After his playing days, Williams was a coach for the 1988 White Sox and managed the 1992 Gastonia Rangers, 1993 Charleston Rainbows and 1994 Charleston RiverDogs.
[edit] Notable Achievements
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Gastonia Rangers | South Atlantic League | 66-70 | 10th | Texas Rangers | |
| 1993 | Charleston Rainbows | South Atlantic League | 65-77 | 9th | Texas Rangers | |
| 1994 | Charleston RiverDogs | South Atlantic League | 56-81 | 13th | Texas Rangers |
