Yankees Sell Stan Williams to Indians

Mar. 30, 1965 - The New York Yankees sold Stan Williams (pictured) to the Cleveland Indians today in a straight cash transaction, reportedly $20,000.

The 28-year-old, 6-4 righthander became the fourth pitcher exchanged by the clubs since last September, when the Yankees acquired Pedro Ramos for cash and two players to be named later. The two were Ralph Terry and Bud Daley.

The 28-year-old Williams’ future seemed bright when the Yanks traded Bill Skowron for him after the 1962 season. He had won 43 games for the Dodgers in three years. Like Don Drysdale, he was big and could fire a baseball. He struck out 380 over 442 innings in two of his Dodger seasons.

What made him available was he walked out of the bullpen in the 1962 pennant-deciding playoff game against the Giants and walked home the winning run. The Yanks, with Joe Pepitone eager and ready to replace Skowron, looked like they had made a steal.

It didn’t work out that way. Last season, Williams found himself in the back row of the Yankee bullpen. He had plenty of opportunity — 21 starts in 1963 and most of them bad.

Williams bowed out gracefully today.

“I need a lot of work,” he said. “It’s hard to get work from a pennant contender if you haven’t won. The last three or four years, I’ve had adhesions in the spring. I have to tear them loose through pitching, and then I’ll be ready. [Cleveland general manager] Gabe Paul assures me I’ll get every opportunity with the Indians.”

That’s what Paul told Williams. What Paul told others was: “These things are a gamble. But you get a chance to buy a ballplayer for cash and he doesn’t produce, what have you lost but the cash?”

Williams didn’t cost much. He must prove quickly that he’s worth something.

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