Former Yankee Gerald Williams Passes Away

Terrible news from the world of baseball today, as former New York Yankee, Atlanta Brave and New York Met Gerald Williams has passed away at the age of 55. His close friend Derek Jeter announced the news today in The Players' Tribune.

“Gerald Williams passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. To my teammate and one of my best friends in the world, rest in peace, my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Liliana, and their whole family.” —Derek Jeter pic.twitter.com/mVoaZ8BPrP
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) February 8, 2022

The Hall of Famer Jeter posted his condolences: “Gerald Williams passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. To my teammate and one of my best friends in the world, rest in peace, my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Liliana, and their whole family."

Williams befriended Jeter when he was a rookie with the Yankees, and took him under his wing.

In his 2001 book, Jeter wrote about Williams, “You could sit down next to Gerald on a plane, take a three-hour flight, talk the whole time, and never, ever guess that he played baseball. Gerald would talk to you about politics, religion, health care, the judicial system, anything. He is a person who thrives on life. He always finds positives and has told me that he doesn’t think he could ever overuse the word positive.”

Williams was drafted by the Yankees in 1987 and he debuted in the Bronx in 1992. His best season in the majors came in Tampa Bay in 2000, when he hit .274 with 21 homers and 89 RBI. He played 14 years in the big leagues.

RIP Gerald Williams.