Stan Williams, the fearsome All-Star pitcher who helped the Dodgers win the 1959 World Series, has died. He was 84.
Williams passed on Saturday at his home in Laughlin, Nev. He was hospitalized on Feb. 11 and had been in hospice care because of the impacts of cardio-aspiratory ailment, the Dodgers said Sunday and child Stan Jr. affirmed.
Williams additionally won a World Series title in 1990 as pitching mentor with the Cincinnati Reds.
The double cross All-Star right-hander was essential for a force to be reckoned with Los Angeles revolution that included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres from 1960-62.
Williams, known as the “Huge Hurt” due to his affinity for pitching inside, had a record of 109-94 and a 3.48 ERA during his 14-year profession in the majors.
“They always talked about my dad being a mean headhunter. He put the uniform on and he changed immediately,” Stan Jr. said by phone. “Henry Aaron always said my dad was the toughest guy he faced.”
The more youthful Williams, who went with his dad each late spring from age 5 to 14, reviewed his dad confronting the future Hall of Fame slugger in one game.
“He was 3-1 on Aaron and just drilled him,” Williams Jr. said. “Aaron is on first base and he tried to pick him off and drilled him again.”
Williams was endorsed as a free specialist by the Dodgers and made the major class club when the group moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. He was with them until 1962.
He contributed three scoreless innings the second round of the National League sudden death round arrangement against the Milwaukee Braves to send the Dodgers into the 1959 World Series. Williams was the triumphant pitcher in the 6-5 triumph in 12 innings. The Dodgers and Braves tied for the National League title toward the finish of the normal season.
Williams was exchanged to the New York Yankees for Bill Skowron on Nov. 26, 1962. He played for the Yankees until 1964 and afterward for Cleveland (1965-69), Minnesota (1970-71), St. Louis (1971) and Boston (1972).
In the wake of resigning as a player, Williams proceeded in baseball as a throwing trainer, scout and consultant to a few groups. As pitching mentor, he helped the Red Sox, Yankees and Reds win division, class and World Series titles.
For quite a long time he lived in Lakewood prior to moving to Nevada in December.
He was predeceased by his better half Elaine. Other than his child, he is made due by his little girl Shawn, sibling Jim Williams and three grandkids.
