Best Of The Oakland Athletics: Top 10 Seasons At Designated Hitter
By Phil Watson
7. Billy Williams, 1975
| Year ▾ | Age | G | PA | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 37 | 155 | 602 | 68 | 127 | 20 | 1 | 23 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 68 | .244 | .341 | .419 | .760 | 116 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/7/2014.
The future Hall of Famer was acquired from the Cubs the previous October in exchange for pitchers Darold Knowles and Bob Locker and young second baseman Manny Trillo as the A’s looked to plug a veteran hitter into the DH spot. It worked as Williams had a solid season while helping Oakland to its fifth straight AL West crown.
He was 10th in the American League with 22.6 at-bats per homer.
Williams tied for the lead among AL designated hitters with 68 runs; was second with 23 home runs, 81 RBI and 20 doubles; and third with a .760 OPS.
Playing in the postseason for the only time in his career, Williams was 0-for-7 with a walk as the A’s were swept by Boston in the ALCS.