Ken Williams
The left fielder in one of the greatest outfields in baseball history, double-threat Ken Williams was ahead of his time. In 1922 he became the first man to collect 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season, a feat not equaled for 34 years. Despite a late start (he wasn't a regular in the majors until he was 30 years old), Williams slugged 196 homers and batted .319, while leading the American League in slugging, total bases, homers, RBI, and extra-base hits at various times in his career. An aggressive player with few friends outside his own team, Williams earned the distinction of being Ty Cobb's most hated opponent.
Played For
Cincinnati Reds (1915-1916)
St. Louis Browns (1921-1927)
Boston Red Sox (1928-1929)
All-Time Rankings
Ken Williams ranks #48 among the Top 50 all-time at LF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1922
With Babe Ruth suspended by the commissioner for the first month of the season for barnstorming play, Williams jumped out in the lead in virtually every slugging category. He ended up with 39 homers, 155 RBI, 84 extra-base hits, and 367 total bases, all league highs. His .627 slugging percentage trailed only Ruth. Williams also enjoyed a 28-game hitting streak in 1922. Despite leading the AL in homers and RBI, Williams failed to garner even one MVP vote. His teammate George Sisler (who hit .420 and deserved the honor) won the award. But surprisingly only one other Browns player received a vote - pitcher Urban Shocker.
Born
Kenneth Roy Williams was born on June 28, 1890, in Grants Pass, OR.
Died
January 22, 1959, Grants Pass, OR
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: SLA
Major League Debut
July 14, 1915
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1915
Sam Rice
Rogers Hornsby
Joe Judge
George Sisler
Dave Bancroft
Dazzy Vance
Charlie Jamieson
George Kelly
Baby Doll Jacobson
Similar Players
Jeff Heath, Chick Hafey
Related Players
Jack Tobin, Baby Doll Jacobson
Feats
On April 22, 1922, Williams hit three homers (with George Sisler on base each time) and two singles against the visiting White Sox, to lead St. Louis to a 10–7 win. He became the first AL player to hit three home runs in a game.
Batting Feats
Notes
Williams retired before the All-Star Game was born. He never received any support for the league MVP award in the 1920s.
Hitting Streaks
28 games (1922)
Transactions
December 15, 1927: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the St. Louis Browns
In the spring of 1930, Williams was claimed for the waiver price by the Yankees. New York was wanted Williams to play right field in case Babe Ruth, who was holding out for more money, didn't sign. When Ruth was signed, Williams was released prior to the season.
Home Run Facts
On April 25, 1922, Williams homered for the fourth straight game, giving him six home runs in four games to tie Babe Ruth's record set in 1921. He homered again four days later and ended the month with nine home runs. Ruth, who was suspended for the first few weeks of the season, never caught up, and Williams won the home run crown.
Replaced
In 1919, Williams earned his first starting job, playing left field for the Browns in place of Jack Tobin, who was moved to right.
Replaced By
In 1929, the Red Sox gave the left field job to rookie Russ Scarritt, who had great speed but hadn't worked his way out of the high minors by the age of 26. Scarritt hit .294 with 17 triples but made 19 errors in the field. He lost his job late the next season. Williams served as a solid fourth outfielder in '29, hitting .345 in 139 at-bats before Boston let him go. He was 39 years old, and 39-year old fourth outfielders were even more of a rarity in that era.
Best Strength as a Player
Power
Largest Weakness as a Player
Despite decent speed and good range in the outfield, Williams committed 137 errors and posted a poor .958 fielding percentage.
Learn More about Ken Williams
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