Cubs’ Williams hits for the cycle

Billy Williams was known for his consistent excellence in the batter’s box. His proven dependability and calm demeanor transformed him into a leader.

Teammates and fans got a reminder of Williams’ talent when he hit for the cycle in the second game of a Sunday doubleheader against the rival St. Louis Cardinals on July 17, 1966.

In front of a crowd of 32,590 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis, Williams singled in the first, doubled in the third, tripled in the fifth and hit a home run in the seventh to complete the first cycle of the season. The cycle was the seventh in franchise history – having been nine seasons since the last one. Williams completed the hits in order, making it the ninth natural cycle in MLB history.

Williams hit his 17th homer off a pitch from Hal Woodeshick and led the team to a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals. In game one of the split, Curt Flood’s 11th inning home run led the Cardinals to a 4-3 triumph.

Williams spent the first 16 years of his career with the Cubs and the last two with the Oakland A’s. He played in 2,488 games during his 18-year career and was a six-time All-Star.

“I want to thank Almighty God for giving me the ability to play Major League Baseball,” said Williams during a between-game ceremony in 1969. “To guide me and watch over me and permit me to wear a major league uniform.”

The Alabama native finished his career with 2,711 hits, a .290 batting average and 426 home runs. He hit 20 or more home runs in 13 straight seasons and once held the National League record for consecutive games played with 1,117. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1961 and won the Sporting News Player of the Year Award in 1972. The Cubs retired No. 26 in Williams’ honor in 1987, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Emma Harby is the 2024 public relations intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development