Cy Williams
Encyclopedia
Frederick "Cy" Williams was a Major League Baseball
player for the Chicago Cubs
(1912–17) and Philadelphia Phillies
(1918–30).
Born in Wadena
, Indiana
, Williams attended Notre Dame
where he studied architecture and played football with the legendary Knute Rockne
. His hitting prowess caught the attention of the Chicago Cubs
who purchased his contract after he graduated from college. From 1915-1927 he was a consistent power hitting center fielder
, leading the National League
in home run
s four times during his career. He was the first NL player to hit 200 career home runs; he finished his career with 251. He is also one of three players born before 1900 to hit 200 homers in his career (Babe Ruth
and Rogers Hornsby
are the other two). In addition to his hitting exploits, Williams was known as an outstanding defensive centerfielder, as his well-above-average fielding percentage and range factor attest to.
Williams hit for the cycle on August 5, 1927.
After retirement he worked as an architect
in Three Lakes, Wisconsin
. He died there at age 86 in 1974.
Williams is not only the Phillies all-time leader in extra innings grand slams with 2, he holds the major league record for being the oldest player ever to win a home run title, slugging 30 home runs to win the National League home run title in 1927 at 39 years of age.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1912–17) and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1918–30).
Born in Wadena
Benton County, Indiana
Benton County is located along in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Indiana, along the border with Illinois. As of 2010, the county's population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships which...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Williams attended Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
where he studied architecture and played football with the legendary Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
. His hitting prowess caught the attention of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
who purchased his contract after he graduated from college. From 1915-1927 he was a consistent power hitting center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
, leading the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s four times during his career. He was the first NL player to hit 200 career home runs; he finished his career with 251. He is also one of three players born before 1900 to hit 200 homers in his career (Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
and Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
are the other two). In addition to his hitting exploits, Williams was known as an outstanding defensive centerfielder, as his well-above-average fielding percentage and range factor attest to.
Williams hit for the cycle on August 5, 1927.
After retirement he worked as an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
in Three Lakes, Wisconsin
Three Lakes, Wisconsin
Three Lakes is a town in Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,339 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Three Lakes is located in the town.-Geography:...
. He died there at age 86 in 1974.
Williams is not only the Phillies all-time leader in extra innings grand slams with 2, he holds the major league record for being the oldest player ever to win a home run title, slugging 30 home runs to win the National League home run title in 1927 at 39 years of age.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
- Hitting for the cycleHitting for the cycleIn baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
- List of Major League Baseball home run champions
- Major League Baseball titles leadersMajor League Baseball titles leadersAt the end of each Major League Baseball season, the league leaders of various statistical categories are announced. Leading the league in a particular category is referred to as a title....