Out of the darkness came the pale man with the word 'Orioles' written in large script on the front of his jersey. Oh, not like you didn't think the same thing too. Williamson was coming off his best season and the next one (1990) would be another good one for him.
Drafted by the Padres in the fourth round of the 1982 draft. His long stay in the Padres minors took him from Reno in the California League to Beaumont in the Texas League and Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League. In October of 1986 Williamson was sent to the Orioles along with Terry Kennedy for Storm Davis. Not a great deal for the Padres I think its safe to say. The next season it was the International League and the old O's AAA team at Rochester. 87 and 88 were spent bouncing between Baltimore and Rochester. Pitching out of the bullpen for his minor league career he made the most starts in his pro career with the O's in 88 making 10 starts.
In 89 he was 10-5 with a 2.93 ERA and a career best WAR of 2.2. Another good season in 90 would be his last as he began a slide. From an 8-2, 2.21 with a WAR of 2.1 he slumped over the last four season to a combined 15-11, 4.25 and a WAR of 0.1. Granted free agency at the end of the 94 that marked the end of his career.
One highlight came on July 13, 1991 he along with Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan and Gregg Olson combined to no-hit the Oakland Athletics. Starter Bob Milacki went the first 6 innings with no-hits but 3 BB and 3 Ks. Mike Flanagan faced four batters, walking one but kept the no-hitter going. In the 8th Williamson came in and retired his first batter, Mike Gallego on a pop out to first. Pinch-hitter Rickey Henderson hit a ground ball to third and was thrown out at first. Willie Wilson came to the plate and sent a ground ball to the second basemen who threw Wilson out at first. Gregg Olson finished off the game in the ninth by striking out Harold Baines.
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