Dan Williams
Encyclopedia
Daniel Lawrence "Dan" Williams (born on September 3, 1966 in San Gabriel
, California
) is a former professional baseball
player and the current bullpen
catcher
for the Cleveland Indians
. He has been a player or coach in the Indians system since 1988. Williams bats and throws right-handed.
, and was a letterman and a standout in football and baseball.
(1985–1986) and Western Oregon University
(1987–1988). While at Western Oregon, he was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) All-District 2 honorable mention in both 1987 and 1988.
He led the Wolves in hits
, doubles
and RBI both years and tied for the team lead in home runs in 1987.
. In addition to catching, he also played first base and in the outfield for Burlington. He is best known as the losing pitcher in relief in Burlington's 27-inning marathon 3-2 loss to Bluefield on June 24-25, 1988. He spent the 1989 season with the Watertown Indians
of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League. His last full season as a minor league player came in 1990 when he was with the Kinston Indians
of the advanced Class A Carolina League
. He concluded his playing career in 1991, appearing in just 6 games for Kinston before signing on as a full-time coach.
of the South Atlantic League
in 1993. He was called up to Cleveland in 1993 to become their bullpen catcher following Dom Chiti
's promotion to pitching coach for the Indians. He returned to Columbus as third base coach in 1994 and then was named to the Cleveland coaching staff during spring training of 1995. His duties with the Indians include catching starting and relief pitchers in the bullpen, throwing batting practice and hitting fungoes.
San Gabriel, California
San Gabriel is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is named after the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded by Junipero Serra. The city grew outward from the mission and in 1852 became the original township of Los Angeles County. San Gabriel was incorporated in 1913...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a former professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player and the current bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He has been a player or coach in the Indians system since 1988. Williams bats and throws right-handed.
High school years
Williams attended Corvallis High School in Corvallis, OregonCorvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
, and was a letterman and a standout in football and baseball.
College career
Williams attended Ranger Junior CollegeRanger College
Ranger College is a community college located in Ranger, Texas, a small town west of Fort Worth, Texas. The college's website asserts that it "is one of the oldest public two-year colleges in continuous operation in the state of Texas." In conjunction with its main campus in Ranger, the college...
(1985–1986) and Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College...
(1987–1988). While at Western Oregon, he was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA) All-District 2 honorable mention in both 1987 and 1988.
He led the Wolves in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and RBI both years and tied for the team lead in home runs in 1987.
Professional career
Williams was drafted by the Indians in the 37th round of the 1988 draft and assigned to the Burlington Indians of the short-season Appalachian LeagueAppalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. In addition to catching, he also played first base and in the outfield for Burlington. He is best known as the losing pitcher in relief in Burlington's 27-inning marathon 3-2 loss to Bluefield on June 24-25, 1988. He spent the 1989 season with the Watertown Indians
Watertown Indians
The Watertown Indians were a minor league baseball team located in Watertown, New York. The team played in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League and was affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. Its home stadium was Duffy Fairgrounds. The team relocated to Staten Island for the...
of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League. His last full season as a minor league player came in 1990 when he was with the Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
of the advanced Class A Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. He concluded his playing career in 1991, appearing in just 6 games for Kinston before signing on as a full-time coach.
Coaching career
Williams coached at Kinston in 1991, Burlington in 1992 and for the Columbus RedStixxColumbus RedStixx
The Columbus RedStixx were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and a farm team of the Cleveland Indians.The RedStixx played home games at Golden Park, except during 1996...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
in 1993. He was called up to Cleveland in 1993 to become their bullpen catcher following Dom Chiti
Dom Chiti
Harry Dominic Chiti is a former bullpen coach of the Texas Rangers and a former left handed pitcher in the minor leagues. He is the son of former major league catcher Harry Chiti.-Playing career:...
's promotion to pitching coach for the Indians. He returned to Columbus as third base coach in 1994 and then was named to the Cleveland coaching staff during spring training of 1995. His duties with the Indians include catching starting and relief pitchers in the bullpen, throwing batting practice and hitting fungoes.