1. Overview
Brian O'Neal Williams (born February 15, 1969) is a former American MLB and NPB pitcher. A first-round draft pick for the Houston Astros in the 1990 MLB Draft, Williams played for several MLB teams including the Astros, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians. He also had a season in Japan with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks before concluding his professional career in independent leagues in 2003.
2. Life and Career
Brian Williams's professional baseball career spanned over a decade, with notable stints in both Major League Baseball and Japanese Professional Baseball, followed by time in independent leagues before his retirement.
2.1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Brian O'Neal Williams was born on February 15, 1969, in South Carolina, United States. His amateur career culminated in him being selected as a first-round pick, 31st overall, by the Houston Astros in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.
2.2. Major League Baseball Career
Williams embarked on his MLB journey after being drafted by the Houston Astros, playing for them across multiple seasons before moving to other teams and eventually returning to the league.
2.2.1. Houston Astros (1991-1994)
Williams made his Major League Baseball debut on September 16, 1991, as a starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres. He pitched for 7 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, and was credited with the loss. In 1992, he secured his first MLB victory on June 16 against the Padres, pitching 6 scoreless innings as a starter. That season, he established himself in the starting rotation, earning 7 wins. In 1993, Williams primarily transitioned to a relief role, recording his first MLB save on April 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He continued to play for the Astros through the 1994 season.
2.2.2. San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles (1995-1997)
Following his initial tenure with the Astros, Williams moved to the San Diego Padres in 1995. In 1996, he played for the Detroit Tigers, and in 1997, he joined the Baltimore Orioles. During these years, his role varied, encompassing both starting and relief pitching assignments.
2.2.3. Return to MLB and Final Seasons (1999-2000)
After a season in Japan, Williams returned to Major League Baseball in 1999, rejoining the Houston Astros. He continued his MLB career into 2000, playing for the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians before his final MLB appearances.
2.3. Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) Career
In 1998, Brian Williams moved to Japan to play for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (now the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) in NPB. He was mainly used as a starter during his time with the Hawks. However, he struggled with a high ERA of 5.60, and consequently, he left the team at the end of the season and returned to the United States.
2.4. Independent League Career and Retirement
After his time in MLB and NPB, Williams played for two seasons in the independent league Atlantic City Surf, which was part of the Atlantic League. He officially retired from professional baseball in 2003.
3. Detailed Statistics
This section provides a comprehensive overview of Brian Williams's professional baseball statistics and notable achievements during his career in both Major League Baseball and Japanese Professional Baseball.
3.1. Annual Pitching Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Complete Games | Shutouts | No-Hitters | Wins | Losses | Saves | Holds | Win% | Batters Faced | Innings Pitched | Hits | Home Runs | Walks | Intentional Walks | Hit Batsmen | Strikeouts | Wild Pitches | Balks | Runs Allowed | Earned Runs | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -- | .000 | 49 | 12.0 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3.75 | 1.25 |
| 1992 | HOU | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | -- | .538 | 413 | 96.1 | 92 | 10 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 2 | 1 | 44 | 42 | 3.92 | 1.39 |
| 1993 | HOU | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | -- | .500 | 357 | 82.0 | 76 | 7 | 38 | 4 | 4 | 56 | 9 | 2 | 48 | 44 | 4.83 | 1.39 |
| 1994 | HOU | 20 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | -- | .545 | 384 | 78.1 | 112 | 9 | 41 | 4 | 4 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 50 | 5.74 | 1.95 |
| 1995 | SD | 44 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | -- | .231 | 337 | 72.0 | 79 | 3 | 38 | 4 | 8 | 75 | 7 | 1 | 54 | 48 | 6.00 | 1.63 |
| 1996 | DET | 40 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 2 | -- | .231 | 579 | 121.0 | 145 | 21 | 85 | 2 | 6 | 72 | 8 | 0 | 107 | 91 | 6.77 | 1.90 |
| 1997 | BAL | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | ---- | 110 | 24.0 | 20 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 3.00 | 1.58 |
| 1998 | DAIEI | 20 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1 | -- | .455 | 315 | 70.2 | 57 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 5 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 44 | 5.60 | 1.47 |
| 1999 | HOU | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -- | .667 | 303 | 67.1 | 69 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 5 | 53 | 7 | 0 | 35 | 33 | 4.41 | 1.54 |
| 2000 | CHC | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -- | .500 | 122 | 24.1 | 28 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 26 | 9.62 | 2.10 |
| 2000 | CLE | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | ---- | 81 | 18.0 | 23 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 4.00 | 1.72 |
| 2000 Total | - | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -- | .500 | 203 | 42.1 | 51 | 6 | 31 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 34 | 7.23 | 1.94 |
| MLB Career (9 years) | 256 | 59 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 38 | 6 | -- | .406 | 2735 | 595.1 | 655 | 62 | 332 | 20 | 32 | 397 | 41 | 5 | 401 | 355 | 5.37 | 1.66 | |
| NPB Career (1 year) | 20 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1 | -- | .455 | 315 | 70.2 | 57 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 5 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 44 | 5.60 | 1.47 | |
3.2. Major Records
During his career in Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, Brian Williams achieved several specific milestones:
- First appearance: April 7, 1998, against the Saitama Seibu Lions (1st game) at Fukuoka Dome, entering as the third relief pitcher in the 8th inning, pitching 1 scoreless inning.
- First strikeout: April 12, 1998, against the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes (3rd game) at Osaka Dome, striking out Norihiro Nakamura in the 9th inning.
- First save: April 14, 1998, against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (1st game) at Fukuoka Dome, entering as the fourth relief pitcher in the 9th inning and completing the game with 1 scoreless inning.
- First start and first win: May 31, 1998, against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (10th game) at Tokyo Dome, pitching 6 innings and allowing 2 earned runs.
- First complete game win: August 22, 1998, against the Chiba Lotte Marines (20th game) at Chiba Marine Stadium, pitching 9 innings and allowing 1 earned run.
3.3. Uniform Numbers
Brian Williams wore several uniform numbers throughout his professional playing career with different teams:
- 53 (1991-1994, 1999) - Houston Astros
- 26 (1995-1996) - San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers
- 55 (1997) - Baltimore Orioles
- 52 (1998) - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
- 51 (2000, until mid-season) - Chicago Cubs
- 57 (2000, mid-season to end) - Cleveland Indians