Dick Williams is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

Dick Williams is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

Dick Williams, who managed in Boston, Oakland, California, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle, is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Along with Bill McKechnie, another Hall of Famer, the fiery skipper is the only other manager to appear in the World Series with three different teams (1967 Red Sox, 1972-73 A’s, and 1984 Padres).

Dick Williams resigns as manager of the San Diego Padres and is replaced by Steve Boros

Dick Williams resigns as manager of the San Diego Padres and is replaced by Steve Boros

    On February 24, 1986, Dick Williams resigns as manager of the San Diego Padres, eleven weeks after Padres executives attempt to buy out his contract, only to be thwarted by team owner Joan Kroc, and is replaced by Steve Boros. In 1985, Williams guided the Padres to a record of 83-79. The previous…

In one of the ugliest brawl-filled games in major league history including multiple bench clearing brawls several fans‚ and 19 players are ejected

In one of the ugliest brawl-filled games in major league history including multiple bench clearing brawls several fans‚ and 19 players are ejected

In one of the ugliest brawl-filled games in major league history‚ the Braves beat the Padres, 5 – 3, in Atlanta. The trouble begins when Atlanta’s Pascual Perez hits Alan Wiggins in the back with the first pitch of the game‚ and escalates as the Padres pitchers retaliate by throwing at Perez all four times he comes to the plate. All in all‚ the game features two bench-clearing brawls‚ the second of which includes several fans‚ and 19 ejections‚ including both managers and both replacement managers. Padres manager Dick Williams will be suspended for 10 days and fined $10‚000‚ while Braves manager Joe Torre and 5 players will each receive three-game suspensions. But the brawl in Atlanta‚ as Dave Campbell later observes‚ “woke the Padres up out of their doldrums.”

Alan Wiggins of the San Diego Padres ties a National League record by stealing five bases in one game

Alan Wiggins of the San Diego Padres ties a National League record by stealing five bases in one game

Alan Wiggins of the San Diego Padres ties a National League record by stealing five bases in one game. Wiggins joins three others who have performed the feat: Dan McGann in 1904, Davey Lopes in 1974 and Lonnie Smith in 1982.

Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos set a major league record by combining to use 45 players

Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos set a major league record by combining to use 45 players

On September 5, 1978, the Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos set a major league record by combining to use 45 players. The Cubs and Expos, managed by Herman Franks and Dick Williams respectively, also tie a record by using 14 pitchers. The Expos win the game, 10-8…

New York Yankees give up on their pursuit of former Oakland A’s manager Dick Williams and hire Bill Virdon

New York Yankees give up on their pursuit of former Oakland A’s manager Dick Williams and hire Bill Virdon

On January 3, 1974, the New York Yankees give up on their pursuit of former Oakland A’s manager Dick Williams and hire Bill Virdon. In December, the Yankees had announced the signing of Williams, only to learn that A’s owner Charlie Finley would not surrender him without compensation.  Although the former Pirates skipper will manage…

Oakland A’s win their second consecutive World Championship
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Oakland A’s win their second consecutive World Championship

On October 21, 1973, the Oakland A’s win their second consecutive World Championship. Reggie Jackson and Campy Campaneris hit two-run homers to lead the A’s to a 5-2 win over the New York Mets in Game Seven of the World Series. The game marks the final appearance in an A’s uniform for manager Dick Williams,…