Stan Williams, the terrifying all-star pitcher that helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to 1959 World Series he diedHe was 84 years old. Williams died Saturday at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. He was hospitalized and then placed in hospice on Feb. 11 due to the effects of cardiopulmonary disease, the Dodgers reported Sunday, later confirmed by his son, Stan Jr.
Williams also picked up a World Series title in 1990 as a pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds. The two-time All-Star right-hander was part of a powerful Dodgers rotation that featured Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres from 1960 to 1962.
Known as “Big Hurt” for his love of tight throws, Williams had a record of 109-94 with an ERA of 3.48 in a 14-year Major League career.
‘They always talked about my dad as a bad head hunter. He put on his uniform and immediately changed, ‘said Stan Jr. by phone. “Henry Aaron always said my dad was the toughest man he’d ever met.”
Williams was signed as a free agent by the Dodgers and was added to the Major League-team when the team moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. He stayed with the team until 1962.
He was traded to the New York Yankees for Bill Skowron on November 26, 1962. He was a member of the Yankees until 1964 and later moved to Cleveland (1965-69), Minnesota (1970-71), St. Louis (1971) and Boston (1972).
After retiring as a player, Williams continued in baseball as a pitching coach, talent scout and advisor to various teams. As a pitching coach, he helped the Red Sox, Yankees and Reds win division, league and World Series titles.
In addition to her son, Williams is survived by her daughter Shawn, brother Jim Williams and three grandchildren. His wife Elaine has already passed away.