Chicago Cubs HOF Legend Billy Williams Baseball Card Guide

Two Years in the Making, the Rookie Season

Born June 15, 1938, by 1956, Williams was playing minor league baseball in the Cubs organization for Ponca City (Okla.). Working his way through the minors, the Cubs called their hot prospect up in 1959 for 18 games and again in 1960, this time for 12 games before making Williams a fixture in the lineup during the 1961 season.

The extra seasoning during ’59 and ’60 paid off in 1961. Williams earned Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .278 with 25 homers and 86 RBI.

Another unique baseball factoid happened in ’61 – the College of Coaches. Cubs’ owner Philip Wrigley thought it was best to have a rotation of four managers throughout the season, each taking their turn making managerial decisions. The Cubs (64-90) finished seventh in the National League.

1961 Topps #141 Billy Williams RC

OPG EX-MT: $50-$500

1962

Williams’ sophomore season was highlighted by the first of six All-Star Game selections. The Cubs got a .298 average from Williams at the plate along with 22 dingers and 91 RBI.

1962 Topps #288 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $60-$500

1963

By Williams’ third season in MLB, the Cubs had a great idea what they were getting – a consistent player at the plate that can provide great power and drive in runs. Williams hit .286 in ’63 with 25 home runs and 95 runs driven in.

The big change for Williams in ’63, his extra-base power. Williams racked up 36 doubles and 9 triples in ’63.

1963 Topps #353 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $50-$400

1964

The 1964 campaign for Williams was one of his best, which says a lot. Williams knocked in 98 runners and produced a career-high 39 doubles with 2 triples and 33 home runs. Three times in Williams’ career he compiled 200 or more hits; 1964 was one of them (201). Add another All-Game selection on Mr. Williams’ resume.

1964 Topps #175 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $25-$200

1965

After hitting over .300 for the first time in his career in ’64 (.312), Williams bested himself the following year, hitting .315. Another career best to this point, 34 homers and, for the first time, knocked in more than 100 runners (108). The extra-base hits were racked up as well, 39 doubles and 6 triples.

For a second consecutive season, Mr. Williams surpassed the 200-hit milestone (203).

1965 Topps #220 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $30-$250

1966

The ’66 season saw a slight dip in production for Williams, dropping to a .276 average. Still, the power numbers were there with 29 long balls, 23 doubles, 5 triples, and 91 RBI.

1966 Topps #580 Billy Williams SP

OPG EX-MT: $40-$300

1967

Williams nearly replicated his statistics from the prior season, batting .278 with 28 home runs and 84 RBI. The extra-base numbers did drop, 21 doubles and 12 triples.

1967 Topps #315 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $25-$200

1968

Now 30 years old, Williams had a bounce-back season, batting .288 with 30 HR, 98 RBI, and jumped back to swatting doubles with 30. The powers that be recognized Williams’ season, selecting him to another All-Star Game and he finished eighth in MVP voting.

1968 Topps #37 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $30-$150

1969

After years of futility, the Cubs were actually very good in 1969. Finishing third in the NL in back-to-back season, this time around the Cubbies finished second (92-70) in the National League East, eight games behind the New York Mets. The lineup included Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Randy Hundley, Don Kessinger, and Williams with 20-game winners Ferguson Jenkins and Bill Hands on the mound.

For his part, Williams produced a .293 average with 21 homers and 95 RBI. That gap power was still strong, 33 doubles and 10 triples.

1969 Topps #450 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $20-$150

1970

Around this time in most baseball careers, players start to see a lag in production and skills; Williams was taking off. The 32-year-old topped his previous outputs, hitting .322 with career-bests in home runs (42), hits (205), and RBI (129). Williams’ hit total led the league as did his 137 runs scored.

Oddly, Williams did not make the All-Star squad in ’70 but did finish second in MVP voting.

The Cubs (84-78), again, finished second in the NL East, this time five games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1970 Topps #170 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $12-$100

1971

The Cubs had another strong season in ’71, finishing 83-79, but fell to third in the National League East. Williams had another standout season, hitting .301 with 28 taters and 93 driven in.

1971 Topps #350 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $2.50-$20

1972

Anyone ready to count out the 34-year-old Williams, they were dead wrong. Another tentpole season in the Hall of Fame career was had, belting 37 home runs with 122 RBI. The wheels were still fast enough to get around the bases, popping 34 doubles with 6 triples.

The All-Star Game welcomed Williams back. A highlight of his career, Williams led the league in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.606), and OPS (1.005).

In 1968 (321) and 1970 (373), Williams led the league in total bases; for the last time in his career, he would accomplish the feat for a third time (348). For the second time in his career, voters placed Williams as a runner-up to the NL MVP.

The ’72 Cubs were once again good but not good enough, finishing second in the NL East (85-70) to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1972 Topps #439 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $2.50-$20

1973

Father Time had missed Williams up to this point but started gaining on him in ’73. Williams was still a danger at the plate, hitting .288 with 20 homers and 86 RBI but had dropped precipitously from his near MVP win the year before.

1973 Topps #200 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $10-$80

1974 – The Chicago Swan Song

The winning machine the Cubs had put together but could never get over the proverbial hump, fell in 1974. Chicago finished sixth/last in the NL East. Williams hit .280 with a career-low 16 home runs in 117 games played.

In October of ’74, Williams was part of a four-player trade with the Oakland Athletics for Manny Trillo and two pitchers, ending his 16-year run in the Windy City.

1974 Topps #110 Billy Williams AU

OPG EX-MT: $1.25-$10

1975 – Welcome to the Postseason

Suiting up as a DH for the A’s, Williams had his first taste of true success in 1975. The A’s were coming off a World Series win in ’74 over the Los Angeles Dodgers with high hopes in 1975. Oakland sprinted through the regular season, winning the AL West (98-64). For his part, Williams hit .244 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI.

The postseason was bittersweet for Williams – the Athletics were swept in three by the Boston Red Sox.

1975 Topps #545 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $1.25-$10

1976 – One Last Time Around the Bases

Williams’ last MLB season included 120 games, 11 HR, 41 RBI, and 74 hits with a single in his last at bat.

Lost in the year-by-year glance: 2,711 career hits, 426 home runs, 1,475 RBI in 2,488 games. Those extra base hits – 434 doubles and 88 triples. Even with the last two seasons of his career weighing down the average, Williams still hit .290 for his career.

1976 Topps #525 Billy Williams

OPG EX-MT: $1-$6