Gerald Williams (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerald Williams |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 10, 1966 New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Died: February 8, 2022 (aged 55) Tampa, Florida |
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| debut | |||
| September 15, 1992, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 2, 2005, for the New York Mets | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .255 | ||
| Home runs | 85 | ||
| Runs batted in | 365 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Gerald Floyd Williams (born August 10, 1966 – died February 8, 2022) was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Gerald played for several teams, including the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and New York Mets. His career in the big leagues lasted from 1992 to 2005.
Playing Baseball
Starting His Career
The New York Yankees picked Gerald Williams in the 14th round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. He was chosen after playing college baseball at Grambling State University.
In 1988, playing for the Oneonta Yankees in a minor league, he had a great batting average of .365. He also hit two home runs. He then moved up to higher minor league levels.
By 1991, he was hitting well, with 20 home runs and 101 runs batted in (RBIs). He also stole 37 stolen bases, showing his speed. In 1992, he continued to play strongly in the minor leagues.
Playing for the Yankees (1992–1996)
Gerald Williams made his big league debut with the New York Yankees on September 15, 1992, when he was 25 years old. After a short time back in the minor leagues, he returned to the Yankees in 1994.
In 1995, he played more often as a player coming off the bench. He hit six home runs that season. In 1996, Gerald played even more, hitting .270. He started 70 games in left field for the Yankees. On May 1, 1996, he set a Yankees team record by getting six hits in one very long game.
Time with the Brewers (1996–1997)
On August 23, 1996, the Yankees traded Gerald Williams to the Milwaukee Brewers. Even though he was traded, the Yankees went on to win the World Series that year. This meant Gerald received his first World Series Championship ring!
In 1997, Williams became a regular player for the Brewers, playing center field. He hit 10 home runs and stole 23 bases that season.
Joining the Braves (1998–1999)
After the 1997 season, the Brewers traded Gerald Williams to the Atlanta Braves. He played for the Braves in 1998 and 1999. During this time, he hit .286 with 27 home runs.
In 1999, his Braves team played against his old team, the Yankees, in the 1999 World Series. However, the Braves lost the series.
With the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000–2001)
After the 1999 season, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed Gerald Williams. The year 2000 was one of his best seasons. He hit a career-high 21 home runs and had 89 RBIs. He also had 173 hits and 30 doubles.
Tampa Bay writers even named him the team's most valuable player that year. On April 14, 2000, he hit the very first home run at Comerica Park, a new stadium for the Detroit Tigers. In August 2000, there was a heated moment during a game, and Gerald was one of several players who were ejected. The Devil Rays released him in June 2001.
Back with the Yankees (2001–2003)
Gerald Williams returned to the New York Yankees to finish the 2001 season. He played as a backup outfielder. He was part of the team that went to the 2001 World Series, but they lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2002, he played 33 games for the Yankees.
Winning with the Marlins (2003)
In 2003, Williams signed with the Florida Marlins. He played 27 games for them. That year, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against his former team, the New York Yankees. This meant Gerald Williams earned his second career World Series ring! The Marlins later released him in 2004.
Final Years with the Mets (2004–2005)
In April 2004, Gerald Williams signed with the New York Mets. He played 57 games for them in 2004 and 39 games in 2005. After the 2005 season, he finished his professional baseball career.
Life Outside Baseball
Gerald Williams had a large family, with 12 brothers and sisters. He lived in Tampa, Florida. He was also a very close friend of famous Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter said that Gerald "always looked out for me."
Gerald Williams also made a fun appearance on the TV show Saturday Night Live. He was on the show with two of his Atlanta Braves teammates in December 1997.
Sadly, Gerald Williams passed away from cancer on February 8, 2022. He was 55 years old.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
