Williams rose through the Philadelphia Phillies' system as a starter, dominating Scranton (Triple-A) in 1992 and '93, but was called up for brief stints out of the bullpen once reliever Larry Andersen hit the disabled list. After being promoted to the starting rotation in 1996, he notched a grotesque 6-14 record with a 5.44 ERA, and wasn't offered an extension by the club in the offseason.
After one year with the Kansas City Royals, Williams migrated to the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in 1998. Having rediscovered his slider, the middle reliever posted a 4-2 record and 1.94 ERA, impressing manager Gene Lamont enough to transfer the closer's job from Rich Loiselle. Though Williams started off strong as the stopper in 1999, a bout with biceps tendinitis hurt his pitching motion for the second half of the year, and as his ERA rose from 2.22 in early August to 5.09 at the end of the season, Jose Silva became the new closer.
After winning back the job and notching 24 saves in 2000, Williams was on his way to breaking that career high the following year with 22 in late July 2001. But when the trade deadline approached, the Houston Astros, looking for strong relievers for their playoff run, traded young hurler Tony McKnight to the Bucs in exchange for Williams' service. He left the club ranking third on their all-time saves list with 69 behind Kent Tekulve and Dave Giusti. (AG)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 13, 1997:
In Pittsburgh, former Pirate Jeff King hits a two-run homer on the first pitch to him, but ex-Royal Joe Randa answers with a tying homer, a triple and three RBIs. The Pirates flush the Royals, 5–3. Tony Womack hits a tie-breaking homer in the 6th off reliever Mike Williams.
»January 14, 2001: The White Sox obtain pitchers David Wells and Matt DeWitt from the Blue Jays for pitcher Mike Sirotka, Kevin Beirne, and Mike Williams, and OF Brian Simmons. Sirotka will pass one physical but a later one will show arm damage and the Jays will seek, unsuccessfully, additional compensation. Sirotka will be operated on April 24 and will be out for the season without ever throwing an inning for the Jays. Boomer will struggle to 5–7 before going down in July and need surgery.
»January 2, 2002: The Pirates sign free agent P Mike Williams to a 2-year contract. Williams began last season with Pittsburgh until being traded to Houston in July.
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