Steamboat Williams

Rees Gephardt Williams

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut July 12, 1914
• Final Game October 1, 1916
• Born January 31, 1892 in Cascade, MT USA
• Died June 29, 1979 in Deer River, MN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Williams’s major league record of 6-8 is dwarfed by his minor league achievements. He appeared in 305 minor league games, earning at least 116 victories over eight seasons." - from the SABR biography of Steamboat Williams [1]

Steamboat Williams, Montana's first major league representative, pitched briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1914 and then played for the St. Paul Saints in 1915. After spending the entire 1916 campaign back with the Cardinals, he returned to the Saints in 1917. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1918 to mid-1919, when he rejoined the Saints for a third stint. He remained with St. Paul through 1922.

The SABR biography says he got the name Steamboat because he could put away a "steaming boatload" of mashed potatoes.

"Cruise, an outfielder, and Bob Steele and "Steamboat" Williams, pitchers, "burned up" the American Association after joining Mike Kelley's squad, and as a result Huggins will give them another chance to make good in the majors." - a notice in Sporting Life, January 22, 1916

Related Sites

• Steamboat Williams at the SABR Bio Project