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Stan Williams, RIP
We’re sorry to learn today of the passing of pitcher Stan Williams, aged 84, at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. Stan had a fine 14-year major league career in which he went 109-94 (.537), with a 3.48 ERA. In 11 post-season innings, he gave up just three hits and no earned runs. He is mostly remembered for his five outstanding years with the Dodgers in which he went 57-46 with a 3.83 ERA, but he also pitched for the Yankees, Indians, Twins, Cardinals and Red Sox. The two-time All-Star was known as the “Big Hurt” for his penchant for pitching inside. His son, Stan, Jr. quoted Henry Aaron as saying his dad was “the toughest guy he ever faced.”
As we send our condolences to Stan’s family, I’d like to repost an essay I wrote about him a few years ago. Unfortunately, Stan’s tenure with the Dodgers did not end well. He played a part in what I called one of the worst innings in Dodger history, and he remained bitter about it for the rest of his life.
A Bitter Stan Williams Recalls His Role In One Of The Worst Innings In Dodger History, October 3, 1962
“I don’t like the Dodgers, and they don’t like me. They have completely divorced me over the years, and I pull against them every night.’’ –Ex-Dodger, Stan Williams
Pitcher Stan Williams remembers the fateful inning like it was yesterday, although it happened 59 years ago this Fall. Here’s the setting:
It was the best-of-three playoff series between the Dodgers and the Giants. The 1962 National League pennant was on the line. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. The winner would go to the World Series. The loser would have six months at home to brood about it. Both teams had finished the regular season with identical 101-61 records. Now the playoff series was also tied, one game apiece. It all came down to Game Three at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers held a 4-2 lead as the top of the ninth inning unfolded. They had Ed Roebuck on the mound and were just three outs away from their second trip to the World Series in four years. Dodger Stadium was electric with the anticipation of another pennant.
(In the featured photo above, we Stan Williams, third from left with Dodger teammates Don Drysdale, Pete Richert, Sandy Koufax, and Johnny Podres.)
But wait!
A single and two walks loaded the bases with one out for the Giants. The dangerous Willie Mays was next; and, true to form, he delivered with a run-scoring single. Suddenly it was 4-3.
That brought manager Walt Alston out of the Dodger dugout. He called for 6-foot-5 inch starter Stan Williams to close out the game, “saving” Don Drysdale for the World Series. First batter Orlando Cepeda wasted no time and hit a sac fly. Just like that, the two-run lead had vanished and the game was tied at four. Mays then advanced to second on a wild pitch to Ed Bailey, leaving first base open. A hush fell over the stunned crowd…
Alston then ordered an intentional walk to Bailey, just a .147 hitter against Williams. But the decision didn’t sit well: “First base was open,” Williams later recalled, “but I knew I owned this guy. So I called out Johnny Roseboro and we agreed we would tell Walt to let me pitch to him.”
There was only one problem. Looking into the Dodgers’ dugout, Williams and Roseboro couldn’t find the manager: “He was apparently standing up in the tunnel having a cigarette. We couldn’t find him, so we couldn’t get him to change his instructions.’’ Williams had no choice but to follow orders. He issued the intentional walk to Bailey, reloading the bases.
That brought up the dangerous Jim Davenport. With him came the nightmare at-bat Stan Williams has never forgotten. With the count 2-1, Williams proceeded to throw ball three and ball four, walking Davenport on five pitches, forcing in a run, and giving the Giants a 5-4 lead.
Then another run scored on an error, making it 6-4. Stan was replaced by Ron Perranoski, but the damage had been done. After Billy Pierce closed out the Dodgers with a perfect ninth, suddenly the Giants had an improbable 6-4 victory and the 1962 pennant. The Dodgers? They were heading home, having just snatched a bitter, stinging defeat from the jaws of victory.
For most of the Dodgers’ early years in Los Angeles, Stan Williams was a mainstay on an outstanding rotation that featured Hall-of-Fame greats Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, plus Johnny Podres. In his five years as a Dodger, Stan went 57-46 (.537) with a 3.48 ERA. In 1959, he literally pitched them into the World Series, closing out a 12-inning playoff win against the Braves with three scoreless innings.
Stan Williams is often remembered for the five pitches he threw to Jim Davenport, but he deserves a much better fate. Surely there was blame enough to go around. Alston made some questionable decisions. The poor positioning of second baseman Larry Burright may have cost a potential double play.
Over the years, Stan Williams, now 81, has been consistently snubbed by the Dodgers, having been invited to only one old-timer’s event and no fantasy camps. He believes the Dodgers want to separate themselves from the memory of that fateful inning. He also feels the Dodgers never forgave him. “I eventually got over it, but they never did.”
When contacted about Williams’ claims, the Dodgers denied the charges: “In Dodger history, Stan Williams is one of the great pitchers and a big contributor to some great teams, and he’ll always be part of our family. We’ve got the greatest respect for his accomplishments.’’
Three batters…five pitches…one nightmare inning 59 years ago. It left an indelible scar on Stan Williams, turning him against the Dodgers, the team for which he pitched so well, and blemishing the career of an outstanding pitcher.
Baseball, like life, is sometimes unfair…
Gary Livacari
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Sorry to point out another error. Stan Williams lost 94 games, not the 34 listed in your story. Likely a typo.
Thanks, yep, a typo. It’s been corrected.
I have to say I remember the 1962 playoff and every detail. Stan Williams choked that day of the 3rd playoff game and I too never forgave him.
What about his comment about wanting to pitch to Ed Bailey? Doesn’t Alston deserve some of the blame?
Walter Alston was one of the greatest managers of all time, I have never assigned any blame to him. I am probably wrong, but Stan Williams is in my Hall of Shame.
Shades of Bobby Thompson, or Deja Vue. The ‘51 Dodgers were leading 4-2 against the Giants in game three of the playoffs. Newcomb was pulled due to a finger jury and Ralph Branka came in. Bobby Thompson was up. I will stop here, the memory still lingers.
I knew Stan Williams through corresponding by mail since the mid ’80’s. We were “pen pals” so to speak and I learned so much about, not just the Dodgers, but baseball history and I am disappointed with the comments made by Dennis. Stan was a GREAT guy who loved talking baseball. I was 11 years old when my Dodgers blew Game 3 of the ’62 NL playoffs and was crushed watching the top of the 9th on tv. Stan had a bad ninth. So did Ed Roebuck …… and so did Alston. What the heck was he doing in the tunnel? Leo Durocher pleaded with him to put in Drysdale and Alston should have. After the game the entire Dodger team railed against Alston for blowing their WS share! Alston was lucky to keep his job (I would not have fired him. Stability was the key to the team’s success). Hey, Dennis – forgive the guy. He went on after 1962 to a fine career and then found coaching success. Pitchers loved his teachings. Just ask Fergie Jenkins or Lou Pinella and the 1990 world champion Reds! I will miss the man. He was very good to me.
Thanks James for your personal observations and feelings. Greatly appreciated.
James I understand your feelings and respect your opinion. I was a midshipman at the California Maritime Academy at the time of that game. Let the Yankees or whatever other team that had him celebrate him. I agree with the Dodger management and am very stubborn and inflexible. It is only my opinion and I am only one person. An old retired sea captain and hardcore Dodger fan since 1951.
That’s OK Dennis, I understand, I’m retired Navy too, 0-6.
OK Dennis. That’s what baseball is all about ……. debatable opinions.
Yeah, Gary, Monte is one of the great Dodger fans of all time and can share a ton of insights through his friendships with former players.
I just couldn’t maintain my attachment to the Giants once they vamoosed to the left coast. It’s tough to root for any team 3,000 miles away. Mays was much better in the clutch in ’62 than he was in 1951. Just too young and too anxious. We knew if Thomson didn’t do it, with Willie on deck, the Giants were done. The Giants started that inning down 4-1. And, Alan, that’s the first time I’ve heard Big Newk was lifted due to a finger injury!
But what a sad story about Stan Williams. And, as Monte said, what was Alston doing in the tunnel?
According to Stan, he was taking a cig break!
Newk’s index finger tip was bleeding so he couldn’t grip the ball properly.
Thanks Bill. Appreciate the praise my friend.
Yes he was sneakin’ a smoke. Just ridiculous. Durocher was challenging Alston on his every move in the top of the ninth. Stan Williams once told me the biggest back stabbers in his career were Leo Durocher (to Alston) and Don Zimmer (to Darrell Johnson, Red Sox skipper).
Bill you are correct, the Giants were down 4-1, but they scored one run before Bobby Thompson came up. He came to bat with 2 runners on
Thanks, Alan. Just wanted to set the record straight that they started the inning down 3, compared to just two runs back, 11 years later.
That’s the first time in 70 years word of Don’s bleeding index finger has emerged–to my knowledge.
If, in fact, that is the case I’ll have to turn in my 1951 Baseball Playoff Expert certificate.
Oh, the shame of it all!