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Chicago Cubs: The Heroes of Wrigley Series presents Billy Williams

By Michael Shofner

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 27: Hall of Famer Billy Williams is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 27: Hall of Famer Billy Williams is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – April 04: Former Chicago Cub and Hall of Famer Billy Williams plays catch during batting practice with a player before the home opener between the Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies during the home opener at Wrigley Field on April 4, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – April 04: Former Chicago Cub and Hall of Famer Billy Williams plays catch during batting practice with a player before the home opener between the Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies during the home opener at Wrigley Field on April 4, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Williams blossoms and gets well-earned recognition

In 1970, at 32 years of age, Williams embarked on what was arguably the best season of his 12-year career with the Cubs.  He had career-highs across the board that included a .322 average, 42 home runs and 129 RBI.

He led the National League in hits (205), total bases (373) and runs (137), also career-highs.  However, the 1970 season also saw the end of his consecutive games streak.  Before the start of a rubber match against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field, a weathered and bruised Williams asked his manager Leo Durocher for something that he hadn’t asked for in seven years – a day off.  It was the only game that he didn’t play in that season.

While the Cubs once again got close to making the playoffs, they fell short, ending the season in second place. It was another disappointing end for the team, but individually, a success for Williams.  He finished second in the National League’s MVP voting, trailing only Cincinnati’s backstop, future Hall of Fame catcher, Johnny Bench.

Williams put together another consistent year in 1971, batting .301 with 28 home runs and 93 RBI but the Cubs continued to regress, dropping to third place in the standings.

He returned to his MVP-esque stature in 1972, winning the National League batting title with a .333 average.  He also led the club in hits (191), home runs (37) and RBI (122), while helping Chicago improve to second place.  More impressively, Williams was just three home runs and three RBI short of the first National League Triple Crown in 35 years.  Just like two years prior, he played the runner-up in the MVP race to Bench.  However, his strong season did not go unrecognized as The Sporting News awarded him as the Major League Player of the Year.

Finally, after nearly a decade and a half in baseball, Billy Williams became a household name.

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