Stan Williams, el fearsome All-Star launcher which helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the 1959 World Series, to die. He was 84 years old. Williams died Saturday at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. He had been hospitalized Feb. 11 and subsequently placed on palliative care for the effects of heart disease, the Dodgers reported Sunday, which was later confirmed by his son, Stan Jr.
Williams also lifted a World Series title in 1990 as a pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds. The right, twice All-Star, was part of a powerful Dodgers rotation that included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Rotten from 1960 to 1962.
Williams, known as “Big Hurt” because of his fondness for very close pitches, had a 109-94 record and a 3.48 ERA during a 14-year career in the Major Leagues.
“They always talked about my dad like an evil bounty hunter. He put on his uniform and changed right away,” Stan Jr. commented. by telephone. “Henry Aaron always said my dad was the toughest guy he faced.”
Williams was signed as a free agent by the Dodgers and was incorporated into the major league team when the team moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. He remained with the team until 1962.
He was changed to the New York Yankees by Bill Skowron on November 26, 1962. He was a member of the Yankees until 1964 and later moved to Cleveland (1965-1969), Minnesota (1970-1971), St. Louis (1971). ) and Boston (1972).
After retiring as a player, Williams continued in baseball as a pitching coach, talent recruiter and advisor to several teams. As a pitching coach, he helped the Red, Yankees and Red Sox win divisional, league and World Series titles.
In addition to his son, Williams is survived by his daughter Shawn, his brother Jim Williams and three grandchildren. His wife Elaine is already dead.