Williams attended Merced College. He was signed by Houston as an undrafted free agent in May 1972 and began his pro career in the Rookie-level Florida East Coast League that season. He reached the Triple-A level in 1975 and made his Major League debut on June 12 of the 1978 season in the eighth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Astrodome. Pitching in relief of Joe Niekro with the Astros trailing 4–0, Williams allowed a run during his inning of work to make the score 5–0, Pittsburgh. But in the bottom of that inning, Houston scored six runs and won the game, 6–5. Williams (removed for a pinch hitter during Houston's six-run rally) was credited with the victory, while Joe Sambito picked up the save.[2]
The following year, he appeared in 31 games for Houston, and made 16 starts. In May 1979, he recorded two complete gameshutouts, the only two of his Major League career. On May 20, he blanked the San Diego Padres on five hits, beating future Hall of FamerGaylord Perry, 1–0.[3] Eleven days later, he went the distance and whitewashed the Cincinnati Reds on seven hits, 3–0.[4] He took a regular turn in the Astro rotation during June, but in July he transitioned to a spot-starter and relief pitcher "swingman" role. All told, he worked in 121+1⁄3 innings, won four of 11 decisions, and posted an ERA of 3.26.
Williams returned the minor leagues in 1980, but struggled to regain his effectiveness, and his Major League tenure was over. All told, in 156 MLB innings pitched, Williams surrendered 165 hits and 40 bases on balls. He struck out 54. His pro career ended after the 1982 season, his 11th in the game.
^"Houston Astros 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 5". retrosheet.org. June 12, 1978. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
^"Houston Astros 1, San Diego Padres 0". retrosheet.org. May 20, 1979. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
^"Houston Astros 3, Cincinnati Reds 0". retrosheet.org. May 31, 1979. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
External links
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors) or Retrosheet or Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
August 24, 2023
rick, williams, baseball, born, 1952, baseball, scout, former, coach, minor, league, pitcher, rick, williams, baseball, born, 1956, richard, allen, williams, born, november, 1952, retired, american, professional, baseball, player, right, handed, pitcher, appea. For the baseball scout and former coach and minor league pitcher see Rick Williams baseball born 1956 Richard Allen Williams born November 9 1952 is a retired American professional baseball player He was a 6 ft 1 in 1 85 m 180 lb 82 kg right handed pitcher who appeared in 48 games 17 as a starter for the 1978 1979 Houston Astros Rick WilliamsPitcherBorn 1952 11 09 November 9 1952 age 70 Merced California U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutJune 12 1978 for the Houston AstrosLast MLB appearanceSeptember 26 1979 for the Houston AstrosMLB statisticsWin loss record5 9Earned run average3 58Strikeouts54TeamsHouston Astros 1978 1979 Williams attended Merced High School in Merced California where in April 1969 he threw a no hitter in a 1 0 duel against Al Autry of Grace M Davis High School 1 Williams attended Merced College He was signed by Houston as an undrafted free agent in May 1972 and began his pro career in the Rookie level Florida East Coast League that season He reached the Triple A level in 1975 and made his Major League debut on June 12 of the 1978 season in the eighth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Astrodome Pitching in relief of Joe Niekro with the Astros trailing 4 0 Williams allowed a run during his inning of work to make the score 5 0 Pittsburgh But in the bottom of that inning Houston scored six runs and won the game 6 5 Williams removed for a pinch hitter during Houston s six run rally was credited with the victory while Joe Sambito picked up the save 2 Williams worked in 17 games for the 1978 Astros including one game as a starting pitcher and fashioned a 1 2 record and a 4 67 earned run average in 342 3 innings pitched The following year he appeared in 31 games for Houston and made 16 starts In May 1979 he recorded two complete game shutouts the only two of his Major League career On May 20 he blanked the San Diego Padres on five hits beating future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry 1 0 3 Eleven days later he went the distance and whitewashed the Cincinnati Reds on seven hits 3 0 4 He took a regular turn in the Astro rotation during June but in July he transitioned to a spot starter and relief pitcher swingman role All told he worked in 121 1 3 innings won four of 11 decisions and posted an ERA of 3 26 Williams returned the minor leagues in 1980 but struggled to regain his effectiveness and his Major League tenure was over All told in 156 MLB innings pitched Williams surrendered 165 hits and 40 bases on balls He struck out 54 His pro career ended after the 1982 season his 11th in the game References Edit Rick Williams in No Hitter Stockton Evening and Sunday Record 22 March 1969 p 16 Retrieved 9 November 2022 Houston Astros 6 Pittsburgh Pirates 5 retrosheet org June 12 1978 Retrieved December 9 2014 Houston Astros 1 San Diego Padres 0 retrosheet org May 20 1979 Retrieved December 9 2014 Houston Astros 3 Cincinnati Reds 0 retrosheet org May 31 1979 Retrieved December 9 2014 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet or Venezuelan Professional Baseball League Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rick Williams baseball born 1952 amp oldid 1169417760, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
