News
Williams elected to Friars' Hall of Fame
Former skipper took club to World Series in 1984 campaign
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
04/26/09 5:20 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- The Padres announced Sunday that former manager Dick Williams has been elected into their Hall of Fame.Williams will be honored during a ceremony on Aug. 8 at PETCO Park before a game against the Mets.
Williams is already a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He was inducted in 2007 by the Veterans Committee.
Williams was the Padres manager from 1982-85, leading the team to a 337-311 record and .520 winning percentage over four years with four finishes at .500 or better.
Under Williams' guidance, the Padres went 92-70 in 1984, reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and advancing to the World Series.
"It is an honor to be elected into the Padres Hall of Fame," Williams said in a statement. "I had an incredible experience during my time with the Padres, especially with the 1984 NL championship team. San Diego holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to relive those memories with the fans and teammates who shared them with me."
As part of the election process, Williams was selected to the Padres Hall of Fame by a vote of members of the local media, including the BBWAA, and San Diego Hall of Champions.
He is the eighth person to be elected, joining Buzzie Bavasi, Nate Colbert, Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn, Randy Jones, Ray Kroc and Dave Winfield. Also on this year's ballot were former Padres Ken Caminiti and Garry Templeton.
"It is fitting that Dick Williams joins the Padres Hall of Fame during the 40th anniversary season," said Padres vice chairman/chief executive officer Jeff Moorad. "While his impact on Major League Baseball was affirmed by his recent enshrinement into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his impact in San Diego during the '80s, culminating in the Padres claiming their first NL Pennant in 1984, is an important period in franchise history."
Williams managed parts of 21 seasons in the big leagues, including stints with the Red Sox (1967-69), Athletics ('71-73), Angels ('74-76), Expos ('77-81), Padres ('82-85) and Mariners ('86-88). He posted a .520 career winning percentage (1,571-1,451), advancing to the postseason five times.
Primarily an outfielder, Williams played parts of 13 seasons at the Major League level with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1951-54, '56), Orioles ('56-57, '58, '61-62), Indians ('57), Kansas City Athletics ('59-60) and Red Sox ('63-64).
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
