Woody Williams is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on August 19, 1966, in Houston, Texas, and attended Cypress-Fairbanks High School. Williams was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 28th round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1993.
Williams spent the first four years of his career with the Blue Jays, primarily as a relief pitcher. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in 1996 and became a starting pitcher for the team. Williams had a breakout season in 1999, posting a 2.65 ERA and earning his first All-Star selection. He continued to pitch well for the Padres over the next few seasons, helping the team reach the playoffs in 2005.
After the 2001 season, Williams was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent three seasons. He had a solid 2002 campaign, winning 18 games and finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting. Williams also helped the Cardinals reach the World Series in 2004, although they lost to the Boston Red Sox.
Williams played for the Houston Astros in 2007, his final season in the majors. He retired with a career record of 132-116 and a 4.19 ERA. Williams was known for his durability and consistency, as he pitched at least 200 innings in six different seasons and had a winning record in nine of his 15 seasons.
Off the field, Williams was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Suzanne, founded the Woody Williams Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to Gold Star families, who have lost a loved one in military service. Williams himself served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1985 to 1993.
In summary, Woody Williams was a successful Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was known for his durability and consistency, as well as his charitable work off the field. Williams retired with a career record of 132-116 and a 4.19 ERA.
⚾