Mike Williams (baseball)

Mike Williams
Pitcher
Born: (1968-07-29) July 29, 1968 Radford, Virginia
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 30, 1992, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2003, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	32–54
Earned run average	4.45
Strikeouts	584
Saves	144
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1992–1996) Kansas City Royals (1997) Pittsburgh Pirates (1998–2001) Houston Astros (2001) Pittsburgh Pirates (2002–2003) Philadelphia Phillies (2003)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star (2002, 2003)

Michael Darren "Mike" Williams (born July 29, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who had a 12-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1992 to 2003.

Williams was a two-time National League All-Star in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, he finished third in the N.L. with 46 saves. In his career, he posted a record of 32-54 with 144 saves and a 4.45 ERA. When he was selected to the 2003 All-Star game, he set the record for being the pitcher with the highest ERA while making an All-Star team. He still remains the only pitcher to play in an All-Star game while having an ERA of over 6.00 during the same regular season.

One of Williams's most famous games was with the Phillies on July 7, 1993 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which he was brought in as a reliever in the 14th inning, pitched five shut-out innings, gave up a single run in the top of the 20th inning, but subsequently won the game after the Phillies loaded the bases in the bottom of the 20th and Lenny Dykstra hit a double.

On September 24, 1996, Williams threw a pitch behind opposing pitcher Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos, which led to Martinez charging after Williams and starting a bench-clearing brawl.

Williams grew up in Giles County in southwestern Virginia. After he retired, he returned to Giles County and has helped with many charities. He is a big contributor to Relay for Life (a cancer foundation) in Giles County. The baseball field at Giles High School is named after him, and his wife Melissa.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
• Box Score of 20 Inning Game
• Virginia Tech Hall of Fame