Emma: Billy Williams Cherishes Chicago And Its Cubs
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With a genuine smile on his face, Cubs legend Billy Williams seated himself at the edge of the bench inside the home dugout at Wrigley Field and greeted all that came by.
The Cubs were at work for batting practice prior to their Tuesday tilt with the rival Cardinals, and Williams was there with the team. He marveled at the Cubs' young core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and so many more.
Watching these Cubs brings back memories.
"We had Santo, Beckert, myself, Kessinger (joining Ernie Banks on the roster)," Williams said. "All these players came up from the minor leagues, and we developed a good relationship here, and we played well. We had a great team here for a long time. This is what I see in this organization now."
Williams is savoring the Cubs' success, which sees them atop baseball at 47-21 entering Tuesday. He's a part of it, having formed relationships with players and Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Williams often brings a glove to the ballpark to play catch. He's there for a friendly conversation or hitting advice, too, because when the tag "Sweet Swinging" precedes your name, the advice is valuable.
Ever since Williams first suited up for the Cubs in 1959, the organization has been an important part of his life. He even joined the Cubs as a coach during parts of the 1980s and '90s, and he's considered one of the greatest to play at Wrigley Field.
When Williams was coming up in the minor leagues, he was once approached by his hitting coach, Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby, who predicted that Williams' sweet swing would win him a batting title.
Surely enough, Hornsby was right, as Williams won it in 1972. He would join Hornsby's name in the Hall of Fame 15 years later in 1987. Williams' dear friend, Santo, would finally be inducted posthumously in 2012.
Williams and Santo still hold the Cubs franchise record for most games played together: 2,015 in total. Several players on this current Cubs team could challenge that mark together.
"These players are going to be here for a long time, because most of them are 22 or 23 years old," Williams said. "They have longevity on a major league level."
The Cubs organization lost Santo in 2010 and Banks in 2015, two franchise legends and teammates to Williams. Fortunately, Williams is in good health and brings the same spirit of his playing days. That sweet swing is probably still sharp, too.
Now, Williams is amazed at the energy of the Cubs' young core. He becomes wide-eyed at the new Cubs clubhouse and their extravagant amenities. Plenty has changed around the Friendly Confines, but that charm remains the same.
A native of Whistler, Alabama, Williams currently resides in the western suburbs with his family. He has remained in the Chicago area ever since retiring from baseball. It became home.
"It's been a thrill over the years to live in Chicago," Williams said. "To walk down Michigan Avenue, walk into a restaurant and a lot of people recognize you, it's just great. I'm enjoying it here."
Williams wouldn't dare look ahead to World Series hopes. He's too busy caught in each day with the Cubs, enjoying those moments with Maddon, Rizzo, Bryant and more, and he doesn't want to get ahead of himself.
Each day when the Cubs take the field, they can look toward that right field pole and spot Williams' No. 26 flying high among the team's greats. There was no player quite like him.
Playing for the Cubs was a great joy to Williams. Watching this team thrive is plenty rewarding, too.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
