He was the “Big Wound” before the “Big Wound”. And Hank Aaron called him the toughest National League dexter he has ever faced.
On Saturday morning, former Major League pitcher and pitcher Stan Williams passed away at the age of 84 at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. Williams was hospitalized on February 11 and in palliative care due to the effects of a cardio-pulmonary disease.
Williams, who earned the nickname “Big Hurt” for intimidating hitters with fast internal balls that were known to hit the occasional hitter, was a right-handed player who shot hard and shot against the 1958-72 Majors. Hall of Fame hitter Frank Thomas would later be given the nickname, although the pain he inflicted was on the baseball.
Williams made his MLB debut in the opening season of the Dodgers in Los Angeles following his move from Brooklyn, and he soon became a staple in a spin that also featured Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres.
Still basically a reliever in 1959, Williams helped the Dodgers win their first World Series in Los Angeles by defeating the White Sox in six games. His best season as Dodger came in 60, when he posted an ERA of 3.00 in 207 1/3 innings and was named an NL All-Star.
The Dodgers exchanged Williams with the Yankees for Bill “Moose” Skowron after the 62 campaign. Williams spent two seasons with New York before pitching to the 1965-69 Indians. Cleveland traded him to the Twins before the 1970s season, and Williams posted an ERA of 1.99 in 68 relief appearances. His stay in Minnesota was short, however, as the Twins switched him during the 71 season with the Cardinals. He shot three games for the Red Sox in 72, his last season as a player.
Williams ended his playing career with a record of 109-94 and an ERA of 3.48. He went on to become a pitching coach, scout and advisor for several clubs, and was the pitching coach of the Reds when Cincinnati won the 1990 World Series against favorite Athletics. He was also a pitching coach for the Red Sox and Yankees.
Williams left his daughter Shawn, son Stan Jr., brother Jim, three grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.