Former MLB outfielder Gerald Williams has died at age 55, multiple news outlets are reporting.
According to Sports Illustrated, Williams’ friend and former teammate, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, shared the news Tuesday in a statement tweeted by The Players’ Tribune, Jeter’s new media platform.
“Gerald Williams passed away this morning after a battle with cancer,” Jeter’s statement read. “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.”
📸: M. David Leeds/Getty Images
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) February 8, 2022
During his major league career from 1992 to 2005, Williams played with several teams, including the Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Florida Marlins and New York Mets, according to MLB.com. He logged a career batting average of .255, with 85 home runs and 365 RBIs, Sports Illustrated reported.
Several teams and athletes took to social media or issued statements to pay tribute to Williams. Here’s what they were saying:
The Yankees mourn the passing of Gerald Williams. pic.twitter.com/3Vsb7eL0PA
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 8, 2022
Rest in Paradise, Gerald Williams 🙏🏾
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) February 8, 2022
Bernie Williams on the passing of his former teammate Gerald Williams: pic.twitter.com/YVLXgV35nU
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 8, 2022
We join the baseball community in mourning the loss of Gerald Williams pic.twitter.com/7xXd9Hvq6K
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) February 8, 2022
The Brewers mourn the loss of former outfielder Gerald Williams, who played for the team from 1996-97. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/a76ru4bDRE
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) February 8, 2022
Sad to hear about the passing of my former teammate Gerald Williams RIP G 🙏
— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) February 8, 2022
One time for Gerald Williams! 🙏🏾 https://t.co/VArpQlL3ie
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) February 8, 2022
So sad to hear the news of long time friend an ex teammate Gerald Williams passing. What a great person and at 55 , words can’t describe how shocked I am. RIP my friend
— Jeff Nelson (@NYnellie43) February 8, 2022
Statement on the passing of Gerald Williams: pic.twitter.com/9SsX2gb7Gb
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) February 8, 2022
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