GaryMrMets
02-27-2002, 09:13 PM
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news_story.jsp?article_id=chc_20020227_william s_news&team_id=chc
News
2/27/2002 12:37 pm ET
In his own words: Billy Williams
Cubs exec talks about hanging up the uniform and joining the front office
By Billy Williams, as told to Carrie Muskat
MLB.com
MESA, Ariz. -- Billy Williams has a new job this season with the Chicago Cubs. The 63-year-old Hall of Famer will be a special assistant to the president, which means he won't be in uniform or on the field as much as in the past. It's time, Williams says. The former Cub outfielder, who hit .296 and 392 homers in Chicago from 1959 to 1974, talks about his new job.
I'll be on the field in Chicago, just not during games. I wanted to do this because I've been on the field a long time -- I think 31 years, more than anybody in a Cub uniform. I didn't know that until I read it in the paper.
I got a lot of enjoyment from playing and doing the things I've done. But sooner or later, you have to get away from it. I thought this year would be a good time to ease into other things that I might do.
Andy (MacPhail, Cubs CEO) and I talked. I was in Mobile (Ala.) and gave him a call. Before then, (Cubs manager Don) Baylor and I had talked. I went to first base (as a coach) simply because Baylor asked -- you know, we were teammates in Oakland -- and I'd said, 'I'll do this for you.' I did it a couple years and I thought that was enough. I thought it was time to do something for Billy.
This year, I'll be in uniform a little bit in Chicago. I'll pick my days. And I'll do Spring Training. From time to time, I'll be on the field but I can get away from it. Maybe make a trip to (Class AAA) Iowa or something like that. If we have a guy who's not going good in the outfield or hitting, I think I merit that. I'll be a special projects guy. Andy and I haven't sat down and talked about it, but I'm quite sure this is the thing we'll be doing.
Andy and I go back a long way. We were both in the minor leagues together (in the Cubs system) with C.V. Davis (who was director of player development for the Cubs) and we know each other from that. I don't think a lot of people know the connection. It goes way back. Andy was the assistant farm director and I was a hitting coach at the time. We've been up and down this road for many days. This is the kind of thing he wants me to do.
When I talked to Baylor last year and to Andy, I said I want to do some other things. I want to do some things with the family. I've got a grandson who's 11 years old and he's playing basketball, baseball and those kind of things and I want to spend a little more time with him. I've enjoyed my share of the game and playing and doing a lot of things that I enjoy doing in baseball but I want to do something else now and support my family.
It's just not like stepping away. I told the Cubs I want to be involved but I don't want to be involved wholeheartedly. I told them I got tired of the road, I don't want to do a whole bunch of that. If I go, it may be two, three, four days, just to get out, just to familiarize myself with the players. That's why I'm doing this in Spring Training.
It wasn't a case of being forced out. This is what I want. And I'm happy with the organization and what they've done for me over the years. I'm quite sure I'm going to be happy. I don't know how much happiness (wife) Shirley will have having me around, but I'm pretty sure she'll be all right.
Billy Williams is a special assistant to the president for the Chicago Cubs. Carrie Muskat covers the Cubs for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/photo/2002_news/w/Williams_Billy/0227Williams_Billy288.jpg
Cubs Special Assistant to the President Billy Williams talks about his new job with the club in a first-person article for Cubs.com.
News
2/27/2002 12:37 pm ET
In his own words: Billy Williams
Cubs exec talks about hanging up the uniform and joining the front office
By Billy Williams, as told to Carrie Muskat
MLB.com
MESA, Ariz. -- Billy Williams has a new job this season with the Chicago Cubs. The 63-year-old Hall of Famer will be a special assistant to the president, which means he won't be in uniform or on the field as much as in the past. It's time, Williams says. The former Cub outfielder, who hit .296 and 392 homers in Chicago from 1959 to 1974, talks about his new job.
I'll be on the field in Chicago, just not during games. I wanted to do this because I've been on the field a long time -- I think 31 years, more than anybody in a Cub uniform. I didn't know that until I read it in the paper.
I got a lot of enjoyment from playing and doing the things I've done. But sooner or later, you have to get away from it. I thought this year would be a good time to ease into other things that I might do.
Andy (MacPhail, Cubs CEO) and I talked. I was in Mobile (Ala.) and gave him a call. Before then, (Cubs manager Don) Baylor and I had talked. I went to first base (as a coach) simply because Baylor asked -- you know, we were teammates in Oakland -- and I'd said, 'I'll do this for you.' I did it a couple years and I thought that was enough. I thought it was time to do something for Billy.
This year, I'll be in uniform a little bit in Chicago. I'll pick my days. And I'll do Spring Training. From time to time, I'll be on the field but I can get away from it. Maybe make a trip to (Class AAA) Iowa or something like that. If we have a guy who's not going good in the outfield or hitting, I think I merit that. I'll be a special projects guy. Andy and I haven't sat down and talked about it, but I'm quite sure this is the thing we'll be doing.
Andy and I go back a long way. We were both in the minor leagues together (in the Cubs system) with C.V. Davis (who was director of player development for the Cubs) and we know each other from that. I don't think a lot of people know the connection. It goes way back. Andy was the assistant farm director and I was a hitting coach at the time. We've been up and down this road for many days. This is the kind of thing he wants me to do.
When I talked to Baylor last year and to Andy, I said I want to do some other things. I want to do some things with the family. I've got a grandson who's 11 years old and he's playing basketball, baseball and those kind of things and I want to spend a little more time with him. I've enjoyed my share of the game and playing and doing a lot of things that I enjoy doing in baseball but I want to do something else now and support my family.
It's just not like stepping away. I told the Cubs I want to be involved but I don't want to be involved wholeheartedly. I told them I got tired of the road, I don't want to do a whole bunch of that. If I go, it may be two, three, four days, just to get out, just to familiarize myself with the players. That's why I'm doing this in Spring Training.
It wasn't a case of being forced out. This is what I want. And I'm happy with the organization and what they've done for me over the years. I'm quite sure I'm going to be happy. I don't know how much happiness (wife) Shirley will have having me around, but I'm pretty sure she'll be all right.
Billy Williams is a special assistant to the president for the Chicago Cubs. Carrie Muskat covers the Cubs for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/photo/2002_news/w/Williams_Billy/0227Williams_Billy288.jpg
Cubs Special Assistant to the President Billy Williams talks about his new job with the club in a first-person article for Cubs.com.