Jerome Williams (baseball)

Jerome Williams

Williams with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 31
Starting Pitcher
Born: December 4, 1981
Honolulu, Hawaii
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 26, 2003 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics
(through April 26, 2015)
Win–loss record 50–55
Earned run average 4.39
Strikeouts 588
Teams

Jerome Lee Williams (born December 4, 1981) is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions.

Baseball career

San Francisco Giants

Williams during his tenure with the San Francisco Giants in 2005 spring training.

Williams was the San Francisco Giants first-round draft pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, the 39th overall selection. He spent 4 and a half years in the minors, compiling a record of 27–26 before being called up in 2003. He was a regular starter in the Giants rotation in 2003–2004, going 7–5 with a 3.30 ERA in 2003.

In 2004, Williams started 22 games for the Giants, recording 10 wins with a 4.24 ERA.

In 2005, Williams started 3 games for the Giants before being traded to the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs

He was acquired by the Chicago Cubs along with David Aardsma for LaTroy Hawkins during the 2005 season. In Williams' Cubs debut, he pitched 7 innings, giving up 2 runs and striking out six Milwaukee Brewers players, and ended up going 6–8 for the Cubs. Williams, however, played most of 2006 with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, appearing only in 5 games for the Cubs.

Washington Nationals

On January 12, 2007, Williams was signed by the Washington Nationals organization and in spring training earned a slot in the Nationals starting rotation.[1]

Williams had a rough April for the Nationals, his ERA ballooning to 7.77 before he pitched a brilliant game at the end of the month, pitching six innings of one-hit shut-out ball against the New York Mets. But he sprained his left ankle sliding into second base, and landed on the 15-day disabled list. He came back on May 15, lasting only two innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, and leaving with a rotator-cuff injury. His rehabilitation in the minors did not go well, and after 14 appearances with Double-A Harrisburg, in which he compiled a 9.08 ERA, on August 5, he was released.

Minnesota Twins

On August 8, 2007, he signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[2]

Williams, however, struggled mightily with Rochester and in 8 games had an ERA of 9.00 and was let go after the season.

Long Beach Armada

In April 2008, he signed a contract with the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On June 24, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers purchased his contract and he played in their minor league system through the end of the season.

Oakland Athletics

At the end of the minor league season, September 5, 2008, Williams was waived by the Dodgers and then claimed by the Oakland Athletics.[3] Williams did not play for Oakland and was not tendered a contract after the season, making him a free agent. He subsequently re-signed with Oakland and spent 2009 with their top farm club, the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League.

Indios de Mayaguez and Uni–President Lions

Williams played winter baseball for the Indios de Mayaguez in Puerto Rico in 2008–09. He played for the Uni-President Lions of CPBL in Taiwan during 2010.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On June 16, 2011, Williams signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.[4] Williams had his contract purchased on August 16, after recording a 3.91 ERA in 11 games and 73 2⁄3 innings in Triple-A.[5]

On August 21, 2011, Williams acquired his first major league win since 2005 in his first major league start since 2007. He finished the season with a 4–0 record in 10 games.

In June 2012, Williams had breathing problems and later collapsed in the clubhouse, forcing the Angels to place him on the disabled list. For the first time since his rookie year, Williams spent the whole season in the big leagues. He was a key asset for Anaheim out of the bullpen, being their long man/spot starter. Williams appeared in 32 games, and made 15 starts for the Angels. He compiled a 6–8 record with a 4.58 ERA.

In 2013, Williams made 25 starts for the Angels, appearing in 37 games overall. After recording a 9–10 record with a 4.57 ERA in 2013, Williams was non-tendered by the Angels, making him a free agent.[6]

Houston Astros

On February 6, 2014, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Houston Astros.[7] He was designated for assignment on July 1, 2014.[8] He was released on July 8.

Texas Rangers

On July 11, 2014, Williams inked a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers.[9] He was designated for assignment on August 8.[10]

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 10, 2014, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed Williams off waivers.[11] On September 20, Williams became the first pitcher in MLB history to defeat the same club with three different teams in the same season, defeating the Athletics with the Astros, Rangers, and Phillies.[12] He signed a one-year contract to stay with the Phillies on October 21, 2014.[13]

Pitching style

He throws a sinker at 92–94 mph, a four-seam fastball at 92–95 mph, a cut fastball at 89–91 mph, a changeup, and a curveball at 78–80 mph.[14]

Personal life

Williams grew up in Waipahu, Hawaii and is a 1999 graduate of Waipahu High School.[15]

He was well known for wearing a puka shell necklace at all times on the playing field, in honor of his mother Deborah, who died of breast cancer in 2001 while he was still a minor league pitcher. He stopped wearing it after a bad start in 2005,[16] but resumed wearing it by spring training of 2007. He also sports a pink glove whenever he pitches, a symbol for the efforts of finding the cure for breast cancer. [17]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/mlbg7
  2. ↑ http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/10/br/br8529016437.html
  3. ↑ http://www.ibabuzz.com/athletics/2009/03/16/as-send-jerome-williams-seven-others-down/
  4. ↑ Dierkes, Tim. "Minor Moves: Ramirez, Dopirak, Redding, Williams". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  5. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben. "Angels Designate Reggie Willits For Assignment". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Twitter / MikeDiGiovanna: Can confirm through source that #Angels will not be tendering contract to RHP Jerome Williams.
  7. ↑ "Jerome Williams signs with Astros". Associated Press. ESPN.com. February 6, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Astros place Fowler on DL, call up 3 players". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Garrett Richards allows 5 hits, earns another win for Angels". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 11, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Texas activates Soto from DL, releases Williams". Associated Press. August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (August 10, 2014). "Phils claim Williams, designate O'Sullivan". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  12. ↑ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/20/jerome-williams-becomes-first-to-beat-one-opponent-with-three-different-teams-in-the-same-season/
  13. ↑ "Phillies sign Jerome Williams to 1-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Player Card: Jerome Williams". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ Reardon, Dave (21 March 2001). "Torn between the game and sorrow of losing mom". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  16. ↑ The Official Site of The Chicago Cubs: News: Notes: Nomar stays on active roster
  17. ↑ Fredericksburg.com - Rotationtakes several odd turns

External links