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Cubs fans would sing the rock song "Wild Thing" when Mitch Williams emerged from the Chicago bullpen in 1989, in reference to his explosive but uncontrollable fastball. Williams reached a career high in saves with 36 for the Cubs in 1989, but his control problems make him dangerous both to hitters and to his own teams (220 walks in 275 career innings through 1988), and his lunging follow-through leaves him in horrible defensive position after each pitch. Williams set a ML rookie record with 80 appearances for the Rangers in 1986, and he pitched 85 times in 1987, but saved only 14 games over the two seasons. In 1988 the flamethrower improved his control somewhat (only 6.2 walks per nine innings) and saved 18 games for the Rangers. An eight-player off-season trade made him a Cub. (SCL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 1, 1986: George Brett hits his 200th career home run in the 8th inning off Rangers rookie Mitch Williams as Kansas City defeats Texas 5–3. Ruben Sierra collects his first ML hit for the Rangers, a 3-run homer. » December 5, 1988: Not the best trade the Cubs have ever made. The Cubs and Rangers complete a 9-player swap, with Chicago giving up OF Rafael Palmeiro, P Jamie Moyer, and P Drew Hall in exchange for IF Curtis Wilkerson and pitchers Mitch Williams, Paul Kilgus, and Steve Wilson, and a pair of minor leaguers to be named. » August 20, 1989: For the 3rd time in his career, Kevin Bass homers from each side of the plate in a game, as the Astros double the Cubs, 8–4, winning again in the 9th. Bass's second homer of the game is a grand slam with one out in the 9th off Mitch Williams, with the loss going to Lancaster. Danny Darwin (11–3) is the winner. » September 26, 1989: The Cubs become the first team to clinch a division title this season, wrapping up the National League East with a 3–2 win over the Expos. Mitch Williams strikes out Mike Fitzgerald to win the game. » April 7, 1991: Phillies obtain P Mitch Williams from the Cubs in exchange for P Chuck McElroy and P Bob Scanlan. » April 6, 1993: The Phils Mitch Williams changes his uniform number from 28 to 99, the highest number in history. He picks up a save today and vows to throw at 99 mph every outing. » July 7, 1993: In LA, the Phillies defeat the Dodgers, 7-6, in a 20 inning marathon when Dykstra hits a bases-loaded 2-run double off Rod Nichols. The game takes six hours and 10 minutes, and concludes at 1:47 AM. The Phils Mitch Williams blows a 5–3 lead in the 9th, allowing a hit and walking three before being ejected by Jim Quick. Afterwards, John Kruk says, "I came here and I wanted to kill Mitch, but they told me it was against the law." Phils rookie Kevin Stocker makes his ML debut, playing all 20 innings. » September 17, 1993: Expos OF Curtis Pride -- who is mostly deaf -- gets his 1st major league hit in Montreal's 8-7, 12-inning win over the Phillies. The Phillies score all seven in the 6th when they knock out Pedro Martinez. Darren Daulton homers and Lenny Dykstra hits a triple in the frame. Mitch Williams walks two and gives up a hits in the 12th in losing. Tim Scott is the winner, striking out the side in the 12th. » October 13, 1993: The combined pitching of Tommy Greene and Mitch Williams give the Phillies a 6-3 win over the Braves and the NL pennant. Dave Hollins hits a 2-run homer for the winners, while Mickey Morandini and Darren Daulton also drive in 2 runs each. Curt Schilling is named the NLCS MVP despite no victories: he gave up just 3 earned runs and struck out 19 in 16 innings. » October 23, 1993: In a dramatic finish, Joe Carter of the Blue Jays homers off of Mitch Williams with 2 men on base in the bottom of the 9th to give Toronto an 8-6 victory and the World Championship. Lenny Dykstra hits his 4th homer of the Series for the Phils. Paul Molitor is named the WS MVP. » December 2, 1993: The Phillies trade P Mitch Williams to the Astros in exchange for P Doug Jones and Jeff Juden. » June 17, 1995: The Angels release Mitch Williams. The Wild One, considered retired last year after being released by Houston, leaves the majors with a unique stat on his resume: 526 hits and 537 walks in 684 2/3 innings. He is the only pitcher with more than 250 innings to allow more walks than hits. » November 7, 1995: Former P Mitch Williams is cleared of rape charges filed against him by a Kentucky woman in February 1994. » August 19, 1996: The Phils release Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, who was 1–2 with Scranton-Wilkes-Barre. » May 13, 1997: Tim Belcher faces 30 hitters in pitching KC to a 9–0 win over the Red Sox. Belcher retires the first 15 batters and finished with a two-hitter as the Kansas City Royals routed the slumping Boston Red Sox. Belcher also stretches his scoreless skein to 19 innings. Before the game, the Royals release Mitch Williams; The Wild Thing was 0–1 with a 10.80 ERA in his comeback attempt. » April 21, 1999: A Florida woman is awarded $2.7 million by a jury for an injury she received during a Phillies–Marlins game on August 8, 1993. Linda Postlethwaite had her nose broken by an errant pitch from former Phillies hurler Mitch Williams during a game at Joe Robbie Stadium.