Pittsburgh Pirates: Forgotten All-Stars From the 20 Years of Losing

2002-2003 Mike Williams

Right hander Mike Williams was the Pittsburgh Pirates closer in 2002 and 20033. In both seasons, he made the NL All-Star team despite his results. In 2002, he may have deserved the call to the game. Throughout the year, Williams had a 2.93 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.22 WHIP. He did not really excel in anything in particular, nor really struggled either. He had a 16.1% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate and 0.9 HR/9 across 61.1 innings. He did, however, save 46 games.

The following year, Williams returned as the Bucs’ closer. His 2003 season might just be the worst season any relief pitcher has had that still made the All-Star Game. In 37.1 innings, Williams surrendered 26 earned runs on 42 hits. Five of those hits were home runs. He also walked more batters than he struck out, with a 20:22 K:BB ratio.

Mike Williams was traded in July of that year to the Philadelphia Phillies for Frank Brooks. In Philly, the ‘All-Star’ did better, but that isn’t saying much. He still gave up 17 earned runs in just 25.2 innings on 24 hits, and walked 19 batters and struck out just as many. Ironically, Williams is not really remembered for his awful All-Star Game or his 12 year baseball career. It’s more likely that you remember him as the guy who threw at Pedro Martinez and started a benches clearing brawl between the Phillies and Expos.