Clyde resurfaces in Can-Am League
June 7, 2007 by Jason Guarente
AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com is reporting that former Barnstormers outfielder Clyde Williams has signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League. So the Barnstormers didn’t bring Williams back and they’re not getting anything in a trade to another Atlantic League team.
I spoke with Williams today. Here’s what happened …
Williams talked with BASA director Adam Gladstone immediately after the outfielder was released by Tijuana. Gladstone said the Barnstormers didn’t have an opening. Williams was also waiting for an offer from another Mexican League team, which never came.
After being unemployed for about a week, and with no Atlantic League spots immediately available, Williams went to the Can-Am League. He felt like he couldn’t wait any longer.
“I’ve got to play,” he said. “I can’t sit at home during baseball season and be happy.”
Williams said he would still like to return to the Atlantic League at some point this summer — possibly after the Can-Am League season ends on Sept. 3.
Is’nt that STUPID to not get something for him knowing that you could. I am no manger or team owner but is’nt that taught in Team Managemnt 101?
How do you read this Jason. Williams didn’t want back in the AL or AL teams were not interested in Williams.
The Barnstormers didn’t want Williams back, so he went to another league. I don’t know if the other AL teams were interested or not. It’s hard to believe no one would have interest in a guy who hit 20 homers in this league last season.
I am suprised York did not get him in one of those BASA magical moves.
Agree, there are not a lot of 20 HR guys around. However, all the AL teams have a very good 1st baseman at the present time. Leathers has the lowest average, and he seems to be fixture in this league.
Yeah coming back to Lancaster at this point he wouldnt have had anymore playing time than he had before he left unfortunately. its just too bad we couldnt find a place for him here.
I updated this story with more details after talking with Williams this afternoon.
Thanks Jaydog!
Also—Do you think now or sometime really soon would be the the best time to get rid of Barry Bonds rookie cards?
I have a Barry Bonds ‘86 Donruss “The Rookies” card I might want to unload. I also have some ‘52 Bowmans that are incredibly cool.
Thanks JG.
It’s disappointing that BASA couldn’t immediately find a spot for Williams in this league. He’s obviously good enough to play here. Maybe he’ll come back at a later date.
I remember that card. It is bright yellow striped. Yeah I have a 87 Fleer PSA 9 OC that I feel like if I don’t get rid of it now, it will just start to go down after this year.
The 52 Bowmans are cool looking! Aren’t they cartoonish? I try only to get or hold onto vintage cards now since the value usually only goes up over time. Plus Vintage cards I think are fun to look at. I can’t help busting open new packs of cards though trying for that big hit. I always try to justify to my wife that buying a box of cards or a $40 pack of cards COULD be an investment. Of course overtime you basically loose money, but how fun is it opening up a pack of cards and seeing a large patch on a card accompanied with an autograph!
The ‘52 Bowmans are the first cards with full color photographs. That’s why they’re so valuable. Because the set cost so much to make, Bowman had to do half of it in black and white. A few years later, Bowman went bankrupt and Topps took over the industry.
I have a few Mantles, and four or five Berras. They’re not mint, but they’re in good shape.
I have a Babe Ruth rookie card but I used it in the spokes of my bike to make those cool sounds.
Seriously, how many of us could shoot ourselves for taking someone’s famous rookie card and doing that to it.
Yeah you can’t go wrong with cards from the 50’s and earlier. I always wish I could get back into set collecting. I’ve been thinking of getting into some of the cool 60’s and 70’s groovy looking football and baseball sets just for fun. Plus, you can go to card shows, buy cards for a nickel and be happy.
I think it’s awesome the two of you(Jason & MR B) appreciate cards from before you were born. My favorites are the 53 Bowman color. Favorite card #44 w/Bauer, Berra, & Mantle. Ted Williams wasn’t in either the 52 or 53 Bowmans. I assume because he was back in the war.
Actually, I was off a year. The 53 Bowmans are the ones I have. I don’t have the Bauer, Berra, Mantle card, unfortunately. There’s an article about that set here …
http://www.psacard.com/articles/article2209.chtml
Ted Williams is my hero! I love that he was such an amazing patriot, fighter pilot, foul mouth fisherman, and the best hitter ever in the game! It’s crazy that he still is the last guy to hit 400. Plus how he could of sat out his last game to keep his record but he insisted to stay in and went 3/4. Then at his last at bat before he retires he crushes a home run. And he did it all with out sticking himself w/ needles.
Yeah, I thought the 52 Topps were the cartoon looking ones. The 53 set is beautiful though!
Pretty amazing that a player as skilled as him can’t find a place in the Atlantic League.
How about Moe Berg? Athlete scholar and spy! They sure don’t make players like they used too!
Thanks for that link Jason. I wish my card was a PSA 8. It doesn’t have any creases. I’d grade it VG to EX. If Ted Williams hadn’t spent all those years in the two wars
Bonds would be a long way from the HR record Williams set.
Those cards are also difficult to find correctly centered because the printing wasn’t as good as it is today.
And, yes, it is hard to believe Clyde Williams can’t find a spot in the Atlantic League. If he waited, maybe something would have opened up. He didn’t want to wait.
Hey, they are laying sod at the York Stadium. They also have the steel up for the video board. It’s starting to come together. Here is a link to check out some photos.
http://yorkrevolution.com/stadium_photos.cfm
Just so that no one thinks I am turning into a Revolution Fan. I am still true to the red, white & blue Lancaster Barnstormers. I just enjoy watching baseball and I think the York Stadium is going to turn into a really nice looking stadium with a feel of Fenway Park.
The stadium is looking nice. It will be fun watching people play off the wall. I never thought Manny Ramirez ever got enough credit as an outfielder. He plays the green monster perfectly and most of the time he’ll hold people to a single if the ball hits the wall.
On another note, has anyone ever noticed the tiny smiley face at the bottom of each page? The mysterious face is starting to freak me out! It’s almost as if it is taunting me!
I saw it too. It is the eyes of the BASA. They are watching us.
hahaha thats pretty good stormin!
Manny runs like he has an urgent need to leave another “present” inside the Green Monster, so even as a Red Sox fan, I find it hard to give him a lot of credit from a defensive standpoint.
Mr. B, where did Teddy’s frozen body end up?
Manny is definitely is a goofball out in left field. I think he plays way to shallow too. Every once and a while though he’ll make some crazy catches out of nowhere.
As for Ted Williams. Your answer is below. It’s hard to believe and sounds like something form a science fiction novel. This lates report is from Sports Illustrated.
Hall of Famer Ted Williams’ head and body are being stored in separate containers at an Arizona cryonics lab.
The remains have been suspended in liquid nitrogen at Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Ariz., since the former slugger’s death in July 2002. Williams’ son, John Henry Williams, had his father placed in cryonic suspension, a deep-freezing process done in hopes that future scientific advances will restore the dead to life.
But contrary to recent news reports, Williams’ body is not resting upside down in a liquid nitrogen tank at Alcor. Instead, reports Verducci, his head sits on a shelf in a liquid nitrogen-filled steel can, while his body is in the same room, stored upright in a liquid nitrogen-filled, nine-foot-tall cylindrical steel tank.
The silver can containing Williams’ head resembles a lobster pot and is marked in black with Williams’ patient I.D. number, A-1949, according to the SI story. Williams’ head has been shaved and drilled with holes. Verducci also reports that, before the head was placed in its present location, it was accidentally cracked as many as 10 times due to fluctuating storage temperatures.
If I die, don’t put me down for this.
Also, York LOST to the Road Warriors 7-1. Can I get a Amen.
I’m glad your all talking about the ” Splendid Splinter” as Ted Williams was called. He batted .344 lifetime and hit .388 in 1958 when he was 38 yrs. old. He said if I was able to beat out a couple more infield hits or bunts he’d of been able to bat .400 again. All of this against the shift started by Lou Boudreax of the Indians since he was a dead pull hitter. Imagine if he had hit the ball to left once in awhile lol.
I wish I hadn’t read that SI story on Williams body. Now I can’t get the voice of Rod Serling out of my head.
I love the Twilight Zone! It’s on the Sci-Fi channel every night and a great show to fall asleep too. I’m always amazed at the famous actors that show up on that show.
One last ? on Williams. The Barnstormers did not want him, but they retained his rights so Williams was not a free agent. Meaning if Williams found an interested AL team we received the famous Player To Be Named.
The little smiley is Mozart’s Ghost.
Nothing says summer like a Tedsicle!
The Barnstormers’ roster is at 22 players now. Maybe there should have been room for Williams.
But you said he wanted to play everyday. Ambrosini cant even get in every day yet. By the way, where would you put Ambrosini in every day. DH? Right field? I dont really think Klebe would replace any of his regular starters for him. And I personally think we need Chris Van Rossum”s defense in right field.
You’re right. Klebe won’t replace any of his current starters. That’s why Ambrosini sat for a week and why Williams is in the Can-Am League. Whether or not it’s a wise choice is up for debate.