William George Williams, Jr. (September 19, 1930 – September 22, 1998) was a National Leagueumpire from 1963 through 1987. He wore uniform number 24 for most of his career.[1]
In a rundown following a squeeze play, Braves pitcher Zane Smith fielded the bunt and ran to the plate to tag sliding Giants outfielder Joel Youngblood. As Smith made the tag, he fell over Youngblood and into Williams, who managed to make the call while on his knees.[4]
At first, Williams hoped to get back to work by the middle of the next month, to complete what he planned to be his last season, however he never umpired another game after that.[1]
^Retrosheet Box Score: Houston Astros 2, Atlanta Braves 0 – Game Played on Sunday, June 18, 1967 (D) at Astrodome.
^"New York Times – Sports People: Uneasy Umpire". The New York Times. July 12, 1987.
February 06, 2023
billy, williams, umpire, william, george, williams, september, 1930, september, 1998, national, league, umpire, from, 1963, through, 1987, wore, uniform, number, most, career, contents, early, life, major, league, baseball, career, 1987, season, death, also, r. William George Williams Jr September 19 1930 September 22 1998 was a National League umpire from 1963 through 1987 He wore uniform number 24 for most of his career 1 Contents 1 Early life 2 Major League Baseball career 3 1987 Season 4 Death 5 See also 6 ReferencesEarly life EditBorn in Brooklyn New York Williams started his umpiring career in 1956 in the Evangeline League before joining the Southwestern League 1957 the South Atlantic League 1958 July 1959 and the International League July 1959 July 1963 2 Major League Baseball career EditWilliams joined the National League full time starting in 1963 and officiated in the 1981 National League Division Series four National League Championship Series 1972 1975 1978 1982 three World Series 1970 1976 1985 and three Major League Baseball All Star Games 1965 1973 1979 1 He also was the home plate umpire for the 1967 no hitter hurled by Houston Astros pitcher Don Wilson against the Atlanta Braves 3 1987 Season EditWilliams had planned to retire at the end of the 1987 season but two injuries ended his career early On June 9 1987 he was hit in the right elbow by a wild pitch delivered by Chicago Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe Then on June 29 1987 Williams leg was broken on a play at the plate in an Atlanta Braves against the San Francisco Giants game at Candlestick Park In a rundown following a squeeze play Braves pitcher Zane Smith fielded the bunt and ran to the plate to tag sliding Giants outfielder Joel Youngblood As Smith made the tag he fell over Youngblood and into Williams who managed to make the call while on his knees 4 At first Williams hoped to get back to work by the middle of the next month to complete what he planned to be his last season however he never umpired another game after that 1 Death EditWilliams died due to cancer of the throat in Deerfield Beach Florida just three days after his 68th birthday 1 See also Edit Baseball portalList of Major League Baseball umpiresReferences Edit a b c d Retrosheet Bill Williams entry The Sporting News Umpire Card Retrosheet Box Score Houston Astros 2 Atlanta Braves 0 Game Played on Sunday June 18 1967 D at Astrodome New York Times Sports People Uneasy Umpire The New York Times July 12 1987 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Williams umpire amp oldid 1108283668, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
