Ducks watch: Dave Williams
The pull of the game proved too much for lefthanded pitcher Dave Williams to pass up. After spending the 2010 season at home with his wife and two daughters, Williams, 32, signed with the Ducks on June 21 to add bullpen depth. Chosen by Pittsburgh in the 17th round of the 1998 amateur draft, Williams spent parts of four seasons with the Pirates, going 17-26 with a 4.25 ERA. He last appeared in the major leagues with the Mets from 2006-07, going 3-2 in eight games (six starts). He was 22-31 with a 4.83 ERA in six major-league seasons.
What was most memorable about spending part of the 2006 season with the Mets team that advanced to the NLCS?
"Getting a chance to see Tom Glavine. I followed him as a kid, and being a lefthanded pitcher myself, to have a chance to see him up close and personal and his workouts, that was one of the things I will always remember.
"But the team as a whole, just the camaraderie everyone had. I don't think people realized how jelling as a team can create victories just as much as having the best players."
What was it like coming up to the big leagues with the Pirates?
"For one, it was a dream to pitch with any team in Major League Baseball.
"With the Pirates, we were a young team, and I was always waiting for the day when they would get out of the bottom of the NL Central. I think I learned a lot from some of the older guys like Jason Kendall and Keith Osik."
The most intimidating hitter you ever faced?
"Sammy Sosa had a lot of success off me (8-for-13 with six home runs and nine walks). I wasn't really intimidated by anyone. You just know that there is less margin for error with the great hitters. I threw to Mark McGwire when he was on his way out, which was pretty neat."
What is it like coming into a clubhouse in the middle of the season when the Ducks already have had so much success?
"I'm not an ego guy. I can fit into any role. When I signed a contract, the guys in the clubhouse treated me with open arms.
"The organization told me I was going to be a bullpen guy. In my situation, any job was good enough for me. To get the chance to come in here and have the guys treat me like a teammate right out of the chute was awesome."
