Billy Williams: My Sweet-Swinging Lifetime with the Cubs

by Billy Williams, Fred Mitchell, Ron Santo (Foreword)

One of the most popular Cubs of all time—and now an executive advisor for the team—Williams reminisces about his early years, his Hall of Fame career, and his five decades in the game in this inspirational autobiography. In Billy My Sweet-Swinging Lifetime with the Cubs , he remembers the sturdy values and selfless devotion of the people from Whistler who helped shape his character; people like Lilly Dixon, his grade school principal, and Virgil Rhodes, his high school coach, both of whom he remembered in his Hall of Fame induction speech, and also his father who lived long enough to see his son play in the big leagues.

Genres: Baseball, Sports

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Tom Leland · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is so poor -- the repetition of anecdotes is astounding, and some statements so untrue it's like they were written by a senile person. But it doesn't matter if you're a big baseball fan from this era.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up as a Cubs' team fan. Of all the players I grew up with, Billy Williams was a favorite of mine. For me, he was the soft-spoken man who let his talent and calm demeanor speak for him. This is a book about the memoirs of a star baseball player and a friend to all who knew him. There is a strong senes of humility in this memoir.

Although, Williams' youth, that two of his brothers played professional ball, and details about his personal family life, the book is not chronological in that the book focuses on topics and themes that are important to him. He is forthright about his struggle with the abject racism he experienced and how he walked away from baseball as a young player. He talks about the men Like Buck O'Neill, Leo Durocher, and Bob Kenndy, who mentored taught him about professional baseball and how he later emulated them. He credits soon-to-be Hall of Famer, Buck O'Neill for sticking to baseball. When speaking about the 1969 Cubs' collapse, he clearly states the Mets won because they played better than the Cubs. Williams is frank that the Cubs fell short but played the ebst they could. Williams also dedicates a third of the book to the players he played with as baseball player. His personal thoughts about each are mostly touching.

Williams speaks of his hitting philosophy, his preferred bat, winning the batting title in 1972, and finishing second in the MVP that same year. Still, he remained resolute in his attitude. He is also quite forward about standing his ground on issues and his salary which he earned with solid production numbers. In truth, he was a solid player and teammate.

I was touched by his chapter on leaving the Cubs via a trade and finallylamking the post-season with the Oakland A's in 1975. He seemed sad and happy about the new team as his career wound down. Although it was a bit melancholy, he remained hopeful and excited about continuing to play. In spite of his misgivings about baseball injustices, the steroid controversey, and greed, Williams' love for the game remained. His Hall of Fame speech is included at the end of the book.

Overall, this was a wuicker read and quite enjoyable. Read this if you are baseball fan.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Player

When I was young, we went to a Chicago Cubs game. We were driving on Lake Shore Drive, and a convertible came up (with Billy Williams driving) and he waved. We waved back. From that point on, he’s been my favorite Cub. This book is excellent, and he defers credit to himself, by talking about his teammates. That was the kind of man Billy Williams is.

[Simon Robs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fav. Cub from the 1969 run that ended in epic failure, but that my friends is baseball, a game where in only 3 of 10 times at the plate means you're one of the best .. and Billy was a lifetime 300 plus hitter. "Sweet Swinging" indeed!

[M2189 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry but a good story, interesting information on his relationship with Sammy Sosa and the corked bat game as well

[Leslie]

This is a great book if you are a long-time Chicago Cubs fan, which I am! The writing was a little bit all over the place, but I was familiar with the people mentioned in the book and I enjoyed reading it.

[Lindsey Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting stories about the Cubs, especially the greats of the 1969 season, but overall this was a very poorly written book. I had higher hopes for this book, but would still recommend it to other Cub fans looking for something to read.