Billy Williams rumors, news

Breaking news and rumors

Injuries and suspensions

Lifestyle

Trade rumors, contract, salary

Stats and scores

Family

Top stories

Schedules and games

Rumors and scandals

• This Day in Braves History: Babe Ruth makes his Boston Braves debut

SetNumber: D82960 Braves Franchise History 1928 - Boston Braves pitcher Charlie Robertson has his glove removed from the game by umpire Charlie Moran after the Brooklyn Robins complain that the ball is acting strangely. Boston still manages to win the game, 3-2. 1935 - Babe Ruth makes his debut with the Boston Braves with a single and a home run off of Carl Hubbell. The Braves beat New Yo...2025
Click for news about Babe Ruth
• Baseball history unpacked, April 16

WGN-TV truck outside Wrigley Field in 1948 | Courtesy WGN-TV A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. The worst start in National League history, the first MLB WGN telecast, and other tales of interest to the discerning reader. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric...2025
Check it out Wrigley Field news and rumors
• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images PCA hit two homers and a triple with his parents in attendance at Dodger Stadium. I told you the Cubs could win this series! The Cubs went into Dodger Stadium and with solid pitching and hitting took two of three from the defending World Series champions, winning Sunday. They got a strong outing from an unexpected source (Colin Rea) and a great offen...2025
Check it out Crow Armstrong breaking news
• Today in Cubs history: An Opening Day for the ages

Ernie Banks | Getty Images The Cubs and Cardinals fought for more than four hours... and in the end, neither team won. Monday, April 12, 1965 was the season opener for the Cubs and Cardinals at Wrigley Field. When it began, both teams’ records were, of course, 0-0. And when it ended, those records were... the same. Let me explain. Larry Jackson had an outstanding 1964 season — 24-11, 3.14 ...2025
See more Ernie Banks news today
• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons

David Banks-Imagn Images There’s something else that this signing would do for the Cubs. With Kyle Tucker off to a great start with the Cubs, the chorus of voices urging Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts to open up the team wallet and sign Tucker to an extension before he hits free agency has gotten louder. While there’s no question about Tucker’s abilities on the field — he’s hitting the way he ...2025
Check it out Tom Ricketts headline news
• Baseball history unpacked, April 9

Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Happy birthday to David Robertson and others, plus sad passings and more stories for the discerning reader. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lo...2025
Click for news about David Robertson breaking news

• Baseball history unpacked, April 16
2025

See also Wrigley Field
• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks
2025

See more articles Crow Armstrong injury
• Today in Cubs history: An Opening Day for the ages
2025

Click for news about Ernie Banks injuries
• Baseball history unpacked, April 9
2025

Read about David Robertson availability report
• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview

Getty Images A discussion of the season to come from the BCB staff. BCB’s front-page writers have done several of these roundtable discussions previewing Cubs seasons and postseasons, so here we are again to kick off the 2025 season. Josh, Sara, Thomas, Duane and I had a lively online conversation Wednesday afternoon. The online chat has been lightly edited for clarity. Ashley was unable ...2025
Continue with Sara Sanchez injuries
• Here are the attendees for the 2025 Cubs Convention

Craig Counsell greets Cubs players at the 2024 Cubs Convention | Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Most of the 40-man roster plus some alumni favorites will be in attendance. The Cubs Convention begins this Friday at the downtown Sheraton Grand Hotel. Passes are still available and you can get yours here. Here are all the current, past and future Cubs who wi...2025
See more Craig Counsell injury report
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024

Ken Holtzman | Bettman Archive Rest in peace. At year’s end, it’s a good time to reflect and remember those who passed away throughout the year. In the baseball world in general: Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda, Rickey Henderson, Whitey Herzog and Willie Mays and notables Bud Harrelson, Pete Rose, Luis Tiant and Fernando Valenzuela. There were also 12 members of the Cubs family who passed aw...2024
Visit the page Ken Holtzman injury
• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932

Mark Koenig at Wrigley Field in 1933 | Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images It was a Cubs pennant year, with a couple of key acquisitions. The Cubs returned to the World Series in 1932, winning the NL pennant by four games. In second place for much of the season early, it took a 22-6 August — which included a 14-game winning streak and a 19-2 run — to secure the title. Unfortunate...2024
Visit the page Wrigley Field injury
• Baseball history unpacked, November 18

There goes another one over the fence from the 1987 MVP. | Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. The Hawk wins the MVP trophy and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty o...2024
See also Chicago Cubs
• Baseball history unpacked, November 8

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Neifi Perez signs! And other stories, including Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith ROY results. Dwight’s birthday, too. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, wi...2024
See also George Gojkovich injury update

• Sammy Sosa in Exile: There's Silence Rather Than Apology from Former Cubs Star
2015

Continue with Sammy Sosa

2025
"Billy Williams did it in 1964 and 1971."

2024
"Pre-game, the Cubs had their living Hall of Famers come to the mound for a first-pitch ceremony, and it was great to see Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Andre Dawson and Billy Williams together — and Billy looked great, I thought."

2023
"The Cubs’ fastest pair of cycles were 25 days apart, in 1966: by Billy Williams on July 17, and Randy Hundley on August 11."

2022
"Other Cubs Hall of Famers who participated: Billy Williams, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and Lee Smith."

2018
"Cubs icon Billy Williams shares memories of fellow Mobile, Ala."

2017
"Hall of Famer Billy Williams was to attend a breakfast on Monday to celebrate Rev."

2016
"So this, too, is what it looks like when the Cubs charge into the World Series: Hall of Famer Billy Williams standing on the field amid the celebration, nearly swallowed by the roaring wall of sound in the minutes after the final out and practically being overcome with emotion."

2015
"The Chicago Sun-Times noted the third baseman broke the team record Billy Williams held for most home runs as a rookie with 26."

2014
"On this day in 1976, the Athletics released outfielder Billy Williams, marking the end of his Major League career."

• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

Check it out Tom Ricketts
• Baseball history unpacked, April 9
2025

Read about David Robertson
• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview
2025

Visit the page Sara Sanchez contract
• Will the Cubs have a 40-homer man in 2025?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images It’s been quite some time. Derrek Lee hit 46 home runs for the Cubs in 2005. That’s 20 years ago! Since then, no Cub has hit 40 or more home runs. The most by any Cub in the last 20 seasons is 39, by Kris Bryant in his MVP season in 2016. Kyle Schwarber hit 38 in 2019. Nine different Cubs have accounted for 19 different 40-homer season...2025
See more Derrek Lee
• This Day in Braves History: Ted Turner purchases the Atlanta Braves

Braves Franchise History 1891 - The National League votes to allow the American Association to place a team in Boston, despite strong opposition by the owners of the Boston Beaneaters. 1988 - Bob Horner returns to the major leagues by agreeing to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Horner played the 1987 season in Japan after collusion between the owners reduced the demand for his servi...2025
Read about Atlanta Braves
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

Read about Ken Holtzman trade rumors
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Fergie Jenkins, 1970s edition

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images This one took a while. You might not think there are enough clues here, but dear reader, you know how long I’ve been at this, and I am here to tell you there are enough clues in this photo of Fergie Jenkins to at least narrow it down to xxx. First, here’s the entire photo, which I cropped above. Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Ge...2024
Continue with Fergie Jenkins
• This Day in Braves History: Braves trade Tommy Hanson to Angels

Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images Hanson’s four-year stint with the Atlanta Braves comes to a close as he gets sent to Anaheim. Braves Franchise History 1961: Braves catcher Joe Torre finishes second in the Rookie of the Year race in the National League to Cubs outfielder Billy Williams. 1970: The Atlanta Braves acquire 48-year old knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm from the Cubs in exchange...2024
Read about Scott Cunningham salary
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg edition

There are a handful of useful clues here, even though we can’t see the scoreboard. Here’s what we know about this photo: Future Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is batting The Cubs are playing the Astros The Astros catcher is wearing No. 14 The Astros pitcher is righthanded Not very many people are in the bleachers Here’s the full photo again: First things first. Alan Ashby was a ca...2024
Read about Ryne Sandberg contract rumors
• Baseball history unpacked, November 18
2024

Check it out Chicago Cubs contract

• Today in Cubs history: An Opening Day for the ages
2025

Click for news about Ernie Banks
• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

Read about Tom Ricketts statistics
• The 5 best Cubs games of 2024

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images These were all fun, well-played, or both. Now that you’ve read yesterday’s recap of the five worst Cubs games of 2024, here are five that should make you smile. Walk-offs, of course, always generate big cheers and excitement, no matter how they happen. I’ve got some of those here, but there are also other entertaining wins that deserve recogn...2024
Visit the page Matt Dirksen
• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932
2024

Visit the page Wrigley Field
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg edition
2024

See also Ryne Sandberg scores
• Baseball history unpacked, November 18
2024

See also Chicago Cubs scores
• Baseball history unpacked, November 8
2024

See more George Gojkovich statistics
• The case for each of the Classic Baseball Hall of Fame candidates

Photo by Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images Luis Tiant, Dick Allen and Tommy John are among eight players on this year’s Classic Era ballot. The Baseball Hall of Fame has had some form of “Veterans Committee” ballot in its induction process going all the way back to 1939. The committees have taken various forms over the years, but the most recent process breaks up potential candidates into...2024
Click for news about Louis Requena
• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1961

“The other” Frank Thomas bats for the Cubs in 1960 | Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images A companion series to last year’s. Last year’s offseason series here was a look at Cubs trades from 1962-2023. You can read all those articles here. So, this year I’m going to do the rest of the trades in Cubs history in the Modern Era, since 1901. Unlike last year, when I began in 1962 and ended in the pr...2024
Read about Frank Thomas stats
• Wrigley Field historical sleuthing: Johnny Bench edition

This is a cool snapshot of the Hall of Fame catcher. Once again, let me show you the full photo before I get into this one, which turned out to be pretty easy: This, of course, is Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench. One thing that stood out immediately in this photo is that there are only five games on each side of the board. That limits this photo to 1967 or 1968, because when th...2024
See also Wrigley Field

• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks
2025

See also Crow Armstrong
• Baseball history unpacked, April 9
2025

Click for news about David Robertson
• The 2025 Cubs by the numbers

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A complete numerical list of this year’s Cubs as they get ready for this year’s Spring Training. As I do here every spring, today I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 60 players in camp,...2025
Read about Matt Dirksen
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

Visit the page Ken Holtzman
• The 5 best Cubs games of 2024
2024

See more articles Matt Dirksen
• 2025 Cubs attendance watch: A deep dive into the season ticket price increases

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images We’ve got numbers and charts explaining things. As posted here last week, the Cubs have raised season ticket prices for 2025 in many sections, including more than 6 percent in the bleachers. While 12 percent of the home season remains (10 dates of the 81 scheduled), I asked BCBer Lifetime Cubs Fan to analyze the price increases. Here’s what h...2024
See more Matt Dirksen
• Today in 1984 Cubs history: The Gary Matthews/Bob Dernier trade changed everything

Getty Images The Cubs struggled through a painful spring training, and then Dallas Green made a deal that defined the 1984 team. The Cubs lost 91 games in 1983, two more than they had in 1982, the first year of “Building A New Tradition” under Tribune Co. and general manager Dallas Green. In fact, they had hovered around .500 as late as June 19, when they were 30-32, but went 41-59 the res...2024
Visit the page Fergie Jenkins
• The 2024 Cubs by the numbers

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images A complete numerical list of this year’s Cubs as they get ready for this year’s Spring Training. As I do here every spring, I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 59 players in camp, the 40-man roste...2024
See more Michael Reaves
• BCB After Dark: Who goes next?

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks what other free agents will the Cubs sign this winter. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the hippest hole-in-the-wall for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad that you braved the weather to make it here. Come on in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. There’...2024
Check it out Sarah Stier
• A perfect tribute to Lin Brehmer on what would have been his 69th birthday

Sara Sanchez Lin’s Binge was a home run all on its own Saturday at Wrigley Field The weather was perfection. The vibes were good with the Cubs unexpectedly in a Wild Card and Division race in mid-August. It was a quintessentially Chicago weekend with the Air and Water Show punctuating the normal cadence of a Cubs game with the roar of fighter jets. The Cubs’ 6-4 win over the Royals was the...2023
Click for news about Sara Sanchez

• Jake Arrieta 1st Pitcher in 2015 to Reach 20 Wins: Latest Details and Reaction
2015

See more articles Jake Arrieta
• Scott Miller's Starting 9: Kershaw Can Bring 300 Strikeout Feat Back from Dead
2015

See more Scott Miller
• Cubs 5, Rockies 0: Shōta Imanaga shines in the rain

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images The Cubs got the game in and got a great pitching performance. Let me get this out of the way first. Last Friday I wrote this article saying the Cubs should postpone Opening Day — right then. The forecasts were dire. But they got the game in, though it rained pretty hard from about the seventh inning on. So, mea culpa, they played, got Opening Day in — ...2024
Click for news about Michael Reaves
• Today in Cubs history: Mark Grace hits for the cycle
Getty Images It’s the last time any Cub has accomplished this feat. Hitting for the cycle is a fairly rare feat, although in recent times it’s happened maybe half a dozen times a year. Still, in all of MLB history, there have been 340 cycles, including one this year by Luis Arraez of the Marlins. That makes them slightly less rare than no-hitters, of which there have been 318. This is the...2023
See more articles Luis Arraez
• Sammy Sosa in Exile: There's Silence Rather Than Apology from Former Cubs Star
2015

Check it out Sammy Sosa
• Bryant ties Cubs rookie record with 25th HR
Kris Bryant made history when he connected on his 25th home run of the year on Saturday. He tied Billy Williams' record -- set in 1961 -- for the most by a Cubs rookie in a single season....2015
Continue with Kris Bryant
• Bryant ties Cubs rookie record with 25th HR
Kris Bryant made history when he connected on his 25th home run of the year on Saturday. He tied Billy Williams' record -- set in 1961 -- for the most by a Cubs rookie in a single season....2015
See more articles Kris Bryant
• Bryant's huge homer ties Cubs' rookie marks
Kris Bryant's 23rd home run of the year, an 0-2 pitch off D-backs starter Rubby De La Rosa in the fifth inning, was projected by Statcast to travel 495 feet from home plate, the longest home run in Major League Baseball this season. It gave Bryant his 86th RBI, tying him with Billy Williams and Geovany Soto for the most by a rookie during a single season in club history....2015
See also Kris Bryant

1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

. . .

754. Billy Williams

• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks
2025

See more articles Crow Armstrong
• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

See more Tom Ricketts
• A look at Cubs cycles through history

MLB Photos via Getty Images Here are the 11 Cubs who cycled before Monday. Carson Kelly hit for the cycle in Monday’s game against the A’s in Sacramento. He's the first Cub to accomplish that feat in more than 31 years. One of the reasons for that is that Wrigley Field, particularly since the completion of the iconic bleacher structure in 1937, is not a good triples park. And some of the n...2025
Visit the page MLB Photos
• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview
2025

Visit the page Sara Sanchez
• Here are the attendees for the 2025 Cubs Convention
2025

Read about Craig Counsell
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

Read about Ken Holtzman
• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932
2024

Continue with Wrigley Field
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Fergie Jenkins, 1970s edition
2024

See more articles Fergie Jenkins
• This Day in Braves History: Braves trade Tommy Hanson to Angels
2024

See more Scott Cunningham
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg edition
2024

Read about Ryne Sandberg

• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

See more articles Tom Ricketts gossip
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

Continue with Ken Holtzman buzz
• The 1970 Cubs were better than the 1969 Cubs. Why didn’t they win?

Jim Hickman scores for the Cubs against the Mets on May 23, 1970 | Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images It was another failure, in some ways more frustrating than the fabled ‘69 team. Yesterday, I posted this article about how some players who the Cubs let go for almost nothing in the late 1950s and early 1960s might have helped the 1969 team get over the hump and make...2024
Visit the page Oscar Gamble scandals
• Baseball history unpacked, October 23

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. David Ross is signed, Rick Sutcliffe lets out a Cy, and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and various narratives to...2024
Check it out Michael Reaves
• Baseball history unpacked, September 2

Happy birthday, Christian Bethancourt! | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Pappas throws a no-no and other stories. Happy birthday to Christian Bethancourt! On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseba...2024
See also Christian Bethancourt scandal
• BCB After Dark: Who goes next?
2024

Read about Sarah Stier
• Baseball history unpacked, October 23

Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Quite a glare he had, Jack Coombs. He was a Cubs nemesis for a long time, way back in the day. Plus many other events in this episode. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centr...2023
Read about World Series
• A perfect tribute to Lin Brehmer on what would have been his 69th birthday
2023

Click for news about Sara Sanchez buzz
• Baseball history unpacked, July 31
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources, a little bit cheesy but nicely displayed. Happy birthday to Leon Durham, Mike Bielecki, and others, plus a plethora of good stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s co...2023
Check it out Leon Durham whispers
• Today in Cubs history: The Lindy McDaniel game
lindymcdaniel.com The Cubs reliever did it all, helping put his team in a first-place tie. 1963 was a watershed year for the Chicago Cubs. The widely-mocked College of Coaches was quietly ended. Bob Kennedy led the team for the entire year, though his title was still given as “head coach,” and the team got off to a surprisingly good start. A good 16-12 May had them in contention, led by tw...2023
Read about Chicago Cubs whispers