Atlanta rookie Earl Williams, starting his second straight game in place of ailing third baseman Clete Boyer, hits a double and his first two big league home runs, which — along with additional solo blasts from Orlando Cepeda and Hal King — help Braves starter Ron Reed secure a 6 – 2, complete game decision over Philadelphia. An ironic sidebar to the evolving Williams story is provided by Wayne Minshew in the Atlanta Constitution: “Lost in the glow of Williams’ big day is King’s towering home run in the 7th, which almost reached the upper deck in brand new Veterans Stadium.” The irony will be heightened immeasurably within less than 24 hours, when Williams — who, in two months’ time will lay exclusive claim to the starting catcher’s job King is currently struggling to retain — will erase all memories of King’s prodigious near-miss with the Vet’s bona fide inaugural upper-decker.

On April 17, 1971 – – Atlanta rookie Earl Williams, starting his second straight game in place of ailing third baseman Clete Boyer, hits a double and his first two big league home runs, which — along with additional solo blasts from Orlando Cepeda and Hal King — help Braves starter Ron Reed secure a 6 – 2, complete game decision over Philadelphia. An ironic sidebar to the evolving Williams story is provided by Wayne Minshew in the Atlanta Constitution: “Lost in the glow of Williams’ big day is King’s towering home run in the 7th, which almost reached the upper deck in brand new Veterans Stadium.” The irony will be heightened immeasurably within less than 24 hours, when Williams — who, in two months’ time will lay exclusive claim to the starting catcher’s job King is currently struggling to retain — will erase all memories of King’s prodigious near-miss with the Vet’s bona fide inaugural upper-decker.

 

Source 

Baseball Reference April 17