Published: June 05, 2009 04:44 pm      

AFTERNOON UPDATE: Williams enjoying retirement from baseball

It took less than two seasons for Mike Williams to reach the major leagues.

That wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

’It didn’t take me too long, but I think I actually got there too quick,’ Williams said. ’I didn’t know how to really pitch, I don’t think I was ready, but I was glad to get there.

’I was up and down for several years and still learning for the whole time.’

A native of Pearisburg and a star athlete Giles High School and Virginia Tech, Williams spent 12 seasons in the major leagues, playing for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Houston and Kansas City.

He collected at least 22 saves in five seasons, earning All-Star honors in 2002-03 with the Pirates.

’It was fun, I’ll be the first to tell you I was very lucky to be able to play that long,’ said the 39-year-old Williams.

Read more about Williams in Saturday's Daily Telegraph