Longtime major league hurler Jerome Williams has retired, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports (Twitter links). Williams is now at the Winter Meetings interviewing with teams for a coaching job, according to Fenech.
Now 37, Williams hasn’t suited up for a major league team since 2016, when he threw 17 1/3 innings with the Cardinals. Williams spent parts of the past two seasons pitching in Venezuela, Mexico and with the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League. However, the right-hander did enjoy a long career in the majors, during which he recorded a 4.59 ERA across 1,029 2/3 innings (236 appearances, 149 starts) and amassed at least 100 frames in seven seasons. Known for sporting a puka shell necklace and a pink glove, Williams nobly used his time in the spotlight to raise awareness for cancer in honor of his mother, who passed away of breast cancer in 2001.
A first-round pick of the Giants in 1999, Williams was their top-ranked prospect twice (in 2000 and ’01) and was also among baseball’s 50 best farmhands three times (2000-02), according to Baseball America. Williams debuted in San Francisco in impressive fashion in 2003, when he put up a stingy 3.30 ERA and totaled 2.0 fWAR over 131 innings and 21 starts, though he wasn’t able to replicate that success over the rest of his career.
After Williams’ effectiveness dipped in his second and third seasons, the Giants traded him (and David Aardsma) to the Cubs in 2005 for reliever LaTroy Hawkins. That was the first in a long line of big league transactions Williams was part of, though it was the only trade involving him. Along with the Giants, Cubs and Cardinals, Williams pitched for the Nationals, Angels, Rangers, Astros and Phillies at baseball’s highest level. The nomadic Williams also took the mound in pro leagues in Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Long Beach, Calif.
MLBTR congratulates Williams on an interesting playing career and wishes him the best in his attempt to join the coaching ranks.
Z-A 2
I remember he was like my name is pronounced Jeremy… like a few years into his career lol
neo
Yup, was going to say I knew that to be the most distinguishing thing to remember about his career. I wondered if it was going to be mentioned, that he is the rare Jerome who believes the name ought to be pronounced JER-o-mee.
3rdStrikeLooking
Pointless.
Robertowannabe
Not near as pointless as all the comments complaining about Harold Baines being put into the HOF by a special committee. At least this is something unique to this player.
pinstripes17
Not as pointless as your comments, grow up troll, you’re obsessed.
Cat Mando
3rdStrikeLooking, trying out new, more appropriate screen names?
3rdStrikeLooking
So einstein, what was my old name, since you are such an assumptuous expert?
….waiting for reply.
3rdStrikeLooking
[Yawns]
Dotnet22
We lose good guys Luis Valbuena but 3rdstrike gets to keep living. It’s a mad, mad world we live in.
pinkerton
Ack, that’s not a very mature comment to make.
Don’t wish death on anyone.
Cat Mando
“what was my old name”…well…ummmmm…WHA? Seems comprehension is not a strong suit. Have a nice day.
Hit4me
I’m convinced that many trolls on here won’t be happy till they run everyone off. It’s like you “Pointless.” people hate when anyone post anything.
HalosHeavenJJ
Actually a reporter called him that early in his career and as s young minor leaguer he didn’t correct the reporter.
It wa while with the Angels that he stated his name was pronounced Jerome.
aj_54
interesting
9lives
I wonder which team he’ll go to the HOF under? Probably Angels.
ottomatic
I wonder what type of human trash it takes to post a comment like this?
The Natural
From my experiences in chatting with him and from what i’ve observed, Jerome Williams is a terrific human being. Truly hope he finds success in his future endeavors.
HalosHeavenJJ
Great guy who raised a lot of awareness for the disease that took his mother.
Best of luck in the future.
pinkerton
Probably a nice man, but lemme tell you, when he was taking the mound in Philadelphia, you couldn’t watch. Between him and that Sean O’Sullivan, that was a hard summer for the Philly faithful.
Gumby82
Bummer for Billy Beane.
Frisco500
Mr. Puka Shells. From Hawaii. It was really sad when his mom passed 2yrs after SF drafted him. He was a great kid who turned into a helluva man. He managed to stick around baseball and do what he loves while raising cancer awareness. Good luck on your life after baseball. And respect from San Francisco.
antibelt
At one point he became homeless. It was only after he made a return to the majors did he finally get out of that dilemma. Good to see he’s doing much better now.
mtbJG
This is not true, he was never homeless. Let’s be respectful and honor Jerome’s time in baseball as well as being a great advocate for breast cancer awareness. Thank you.
Wishing Jerome nothing but the best.
Adam6710
Frazier, Ellsbury, and Florial– get it done, Cashman!
LosAngelesAngelesAngelesAngels
I loved watching him pitch on the halos. Great person to have in the clubhouse. Best of luck to him!
Halos2021WSChamps
Was one of my favorite angels at the time! What a career ! Hope he coaches somewhere !