[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]
Waipahu’s
Williams called upThe 21-year-old righty will debut
Saturday, starting for the GiantsWhen Jerome Williams got The Call from Bobby Evans yesterday, the newest member of the San Francisco Giants couldn't believe it.
"I said, 'Are you kidding me? You serious?' " Williams said.
Evans, the Giants' director of minor league administration, wasn't joking. He told Williams to leave Fresno and join Barry Bonds and the rest of his new teammates in Philadelphia.
Williams, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher, is scheduled to make his major league debut with a start Saturday against the Phillies. The 21-year-old is the first Waipahu High School graduate and 33rd player with Hawaii ties to make it to the majors.
"Jason Schmidt's mom passed away and they need a starter to take his place," Williams said. "Right now I'm just trying to stay on the ground. I know I have to face Jim Thome and all those sluggers on Saturday, but I'm just going to think of them as any other batters I have to get out, just take my time."
Schmidt will return to the team after a one-week bereavement period, so Williams' first stay in the big club could be short.
Williams, the 39th overall pick in the 1999 draft, was 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. He allowed 17 hits in 21 innings and struck out 15 and walked eight.
"I'm excited and nervous at the same time," he said. "(The call-up) caught me by surprise."
His father, Willie Williams of Waipahu, was also surprised when Jerome called him with the news. "He acted like it was no big deal, like it's just another day," the father said. "But I know how excited he is."
Willie Williams said he can't go to the game in Philadelphia. He has difficulties traveling long distances because of medical problems. "I'll definitely be there in San Francisco if he's still with the team when they get back," he said.
Father and son both said Jerome Williams won't be without a parent at his major league debut, however. Jerome's mother, Debbie, died two years ago at age 46. She will be there in spirit, they said.
The game will be aired here on KKEA 1420-AM at 1:05 p.m.
Another player with Hawaii ties got good news yesterday. Damien alumnus Chris Truby, a veteran third baseman, was called up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was hitting .306 in 62 at-bats with four doubles, two homers and seven RBIs for Triple-A Durham.
Star-Bulletin sportswriter Al Chase contributed to this report.
