New Arrival: Gerald Williams, of, New York Yankees

Gerald Williams has always been a favorite of mine. Back in the day when I would play All-Star Baseball on the N64 he was my 4th OF, and later I was his batboy while he was in AAA, and he tipped me $20. I carried around that $20 bill for years before I finally spent it.

Williams was drafted by the Yankees in 1997, made the majors in 1992, and would spend 14-seasons in the big leagues with half-dozen teams. He was more of a 4th OF type but was pressed into starting duty from 1997 to 2000. During this time he hit .272/.314/.427 and averaged 14 HR and 16 SB a season–good for an 89 OPS+. All told he would retire with a career 82 OPS+. Still, he was the kind of guy that you loved to have on your bench. He could hit, had some pop, and was quick.

I keep waiting for someone to do a signing with him…but no dice. Yet.