Mitch Williams first appearance in the big leagues was against, of all teams, the Toronto Blue Jays. Obviously, his named will forever be linked to Joe Carter when we think of him. But Mitch made his big league debut back in 1986, as a member of the Texas Rangers. I was looking up stuff for the coincidence of him giving up a grand slam to George Bell in 1988 and the walk-off to Carter in 1993. But there was more to Mitch than that!
Mitch started it all out after being drafted by the San Diego Padres back in the 8th round of the 1982 draft. Now, for all you Simpsons' fans out there, guess where Williams was in "A" ball that year? Why Walla Walla, Washington! Here where Homer starts to laugh!
But sticking the serious note, Mitch ended up being claimed by Texas in the Rule Five draft in 1984. But here's where things get wild. On April 6th of 1985, with the Toronto Blue Jays on their was to the postseason for the first time, Mitch was involved in two transactions in one day. First, Texas, seemingly seeing the last of Williams, returned him to San Diego. The Padres, however must not have wanted him, and traded Mitch right back to Texas for Randy Asadoor. Randy's career major league career consisted of 15 games with the Padres in 1986. But Mitch sure did a lot that year.
He didn't appear in the Rangers first game of the season. At home, it seemed like a daunting task. They were up against the defending American League East champions, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rangers, behind the splendid pitching of Jose Guzman (No relation to future Jay, Juan Guzman), beat Dave Stieb and the Blue Jays, 6-3. Stieb lasted just 4 1/3 innings as Texas scored five times off him.
But the Toronto Blue Jays were for real in the second contest of the three game series. Doyle Alexander, who had pitched so well for Toronto the last two seasons (Winning 17 games in '84 and '85), continued his pitching artistry, as he went out there and baffled Texas.
The Jays were retired in order in the top of the first, and the Rangers came out at Alexander in their half. They connected for two hits, and seemed poised to knock Doyle out. However, the pitcher got out of there without a single runner touching home. The Rangers would soon rue the missed opportunity.
Alexander settled down, and seemed virtually unhittable the rest of the game. By the time the game reached the ninth, Doyle was still pitching, having gotten the side 1-2-3 four times. The Jays offence was in full swing on this night. Tony Fernandez doubled home two in the fifth to put Toronto ahead for good. Cecil Fielder knocked home a run an inning later.
Meanwhile, Doyle Alexander was pitching like Grover Cleveland Alexander. Mitch finally got the call in the top of the ninth, to try and hold it at 3-0, Toronto. Mitch Williams did just that, retiring the first two batters to face him. Then, Fernandez drew a walk. Garth Iorg came to the dish to hit for Rance Mulliniks. Fernandez tried to steal second. The Rangers nailed 'em.
The Rangers broke the shutout in the bottom of the frame, and even got the tying run to the dish. Then it was time for Tom Henke to come on. Henke fanned Larry Parrish and Darrell Porter to end the game.
The Wild Thing had arrived in the bigs. And against Toronto of all teams.
References
Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 24 Mar. 2016
Mitch started it all out after being drafted by the San Diego Padres back in the 8th round of the 1982 draft. Now, for all you Simpsons' fans out there, guess where Williams was in "A" ball that year? Why Walla Walla, Washington! Here where Homer starts to laugh!
But sticking the serious note, Mitch ended up being claimed by Texas in the Rule Five draft in 1984. But here's where things get wild. On April 6th of 1985, with the Toronto Blue Jays on their was to the postseason for the first time, Mitch was involved in two transactions in one day. First, Texas, seemingly seeing the last of Williams, returned him to San Diego. The Padres, however must not have wanted him, and traded Mitch right back to Texas for Randy Asadoor. Randy's career major league career consisted of 15 games with the Padres in 1986. But Mitch sure did a lot that year.
He didn't appear in the Rangers first game of the season. At home, it seemed like a daunting task. They were up against the defending American League East champions, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rangers, behind the splendid pitching of Jose Guzman (No relation to future Jay, Juan Guzman), beat Dave Stieb and the Blue Jays, 6-3. Stieb lasted just 4 1/3 innings as Texas scored five times off him.
But the Toronto Blue Jays were for real in the second contest of the three game series. Doyle Alexander, who had pitched so well for Toronto the last two seasons (Winning 17 games in '84 and '85), continued his pitching artistry, as he went out there and baffled Texas.
The Jays were retired in order in the top of the first, and the Rangers came out at Alexander in their half. They connected for two hits, and seemed poised to knock Doyle out. However, the pitcher got out of there without a single runner touching home. The Rangers would soon rue the missed opportunity.
Alexander settled down, and seemed virtually unhittable the rest of the game. By the time the game reached the ninth, Doyle was still pitching, having gotten the side 1-2-3 four times. The Jays offence was in full swing on this night. Tony Fernandez doubled home two in the fifth to put Toronto ahead for good. Cecil Fielder knocked home a run an inning later.
Meanwhile, Doyle Alexander was pitching like Grover Cleveland Alexander. Mitch finally got the call in the top of the ninth, to try and hold it at 3-0, Toronto. Mitch Williams did just that, retiring the first two batters to face him. Then, Fernandez drew a walk. Garth Iorg came to the dish to hit for Rance Mulliniks. Fernandez tried to steal second. The Rangers nailed 'em.
The Rangers broke the shutout in the bottom of the frame, and even got the tying run to the dish. Then it was time for Tom Henke to come on. Henke fanned Larry Parrish and Darrell Porter to end the game.
The Wild Thing had arrived in the bigs. And against Toronto of all teams.
References
Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 24 Mar. 2016
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