Alva Williams
Born: 1/31/1882 in Carthage, IL, USA
Died: 7/23/1933 in Keokuk, IA, USA
MLB Debut: 1911-04-12 | Final Game: 1918-06-09
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 187 lbs
Full name: Alva Mitchell Williams
Biography
Alva Williams was a professional baseball player born in 1882, who made his mark in Major League Baseball between 1911 and 1918. Primarily recognized as a position player, Williams played in 498 games throughout his career. He recorded a total of 314 hits, achieving a batting average of .265, which reflected his ability to contribute consistently at the plate during an era characterized by a transition from the deadball style to a more offensive-driven approach in the game.
Williams showcased his versatility and speed on the base paths, finishing his career with 27 stolen bases. He also demonstrated power in his hitting with 2 home runs and a total of 145 runs batted in (RBIs). Despite not being a standout star of his time, he played a significant role in his teams' dynamics, contributing to the evolving nature of baseball in the early 20th century. Williams retired from professional baseball on June 9, 1918, leaving behind a legacy as a reliable player in a formative period of the sport's history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 | 1186 | 111 | 314 | 51 | 23 | 2 | 145 | 27 | 95 | 80 | 0.265 | 0.328 | 0.352 | 0.680 | 289.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | BOS | AL | 95 | 284 | 36 | 68 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 9 | 24 | 0 | 0.239 | -555.8 |
| 1912 | WSN | AL | 61 | 157 | 14 | 50 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0.318 | 304.3 |
| 1913 | WSN | AL | 66 | 106 | 9 | 30 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 0.283 | 176.8 |
| 1914 | WSN | AL | 81 | 169 | 17 | 47 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 13 | 19 | 0.278 | 254.4 |
| 1915 | WSN | AL | 91 | 197 | 14 | 48 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 0.244 | -21.3 |
| 1916 | WSN | AL | 76 | 202 | 16 | 54 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 19 | 0.267 | 113.5 |
| 1918 | CLE | AL | 28 | 71 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 0.239 | 18.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 144 | 0 | 1288 | 78 | 26 | 68 |
| 3B | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 212 | 0 | 980 | 254 | 29 | 14 |
| OF | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | BOS | C | 38 | 0 | 182 | 42 | 5 | 0 |
| 1911 | BOS | 1B | 57 | 0 | 545 | 31 | 15 | 28 |
| 1912 | WS1 | C | 48 | 0 | 234 | 74 | 7 | 6 |
| 1913 | WS1 | C | 18 | 0 | 51 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 1913 | WS1 | 1B | 9 | 0 | 64 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 1913 | WS1 | OF | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1914 | WS1 | C | 44 | 0 | 181 | 54 | 6 | 0 |
| 1914 | WS1 | 1B | 8 | 0 | 71 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1914 | WS1 | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1915 | WS1 | C | 40 | 0 | 213 | 51 | 9 | 4 |
| 1915 | WS1 | 1B | 15 | 0 | 149 | 16 | 1 | 6 |
| 1915 | WS1 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1916 | WS1 | C | 23 | 0 | 119 | 19 | 1 | 3 |
| 1916 | WS1 | 1B | 34 | 0 | 269 | 11 | 5 | 18 |
| 1916 | WS1 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1918 | CLE | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1918 | CLE | 1B | 21 | 0 | 190 | 10 | 4 | 11 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 208 |
| First Base | 151 |
| Third Base | 2 |
| Left Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 6 |