“Ball one, down and away,’’ says Stan Williams, spitting out the words with a grimace. “Ball two, down and away.’’
This former Dodger threw to 7,521 batters in a career he believes has been defined by only one — Jim Davenport, San Francisco Giants, 1962, ninth inning, bases loaded.
It was a pennant-deciding playoff game between the Dodgers and Giants. The score was tied 4-all. Williams had been summoned from the bullpen to save a season, drive a stake through a rival, and help send the Dodgers to the World Series.
“Threw him two more balls, and that was it,’’ Williams says, shaking his head.