Cubs legend Billy Williams traded to Oakland
Williams was immediately penciled in as the A’s designated hitter, and he hit 23 home runs and drove in 81 runs in 1975 while playing in 155 games. The A’s won their fifth straight American League West title that summer, bringing Williams to the postseason for the first time. But in the ALCS, the heavily favored A’s were swept by the Red Sox.
“I was very excited to go to Oakland because they were a great team,” Williams said. “We knew we were going back to the World Series, but it just didn’t happen.”
Williams played one more year in Oakland, retiring after becoming a part-time player in 1976. He finished his career with a .290 batting average, 2,711 hits and 426 home runs.
“My main ambition is to improve with each year,” said Williams during his playing days. “A good day here or there doesn’t mean you are having a good year. It’s the overall work I do that’s important.”
Williams was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Related Hall of Famers
To the topRelated Stories
To the top
Loveable Cub: Billy Williams parlayed a textbook swing and unwavering consistency into a plaque in Cooperstown

The Cubs’ Billy Williams ends his NL record of 1,117 consecutive games played
