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Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams was the Orioles 1st round pick (26th overall) in 1980 from Princeton HS in Cincinnati. He had an 8 season run as a pro spending 1980-86 with the Orioles reaching AAA for 17 games in 1986 before he went to Detroit's AA squad. He was not in affiliated ball in 1987-88 but returned in 1989 spending time with the Phillies and Mariners orgs. at the AA level.
He flashed some promise in his first half season when he hit .346 at Bluefield in 214 AB. He swiped 32 bags at Hagerstown in 2982 but batted just .259. In 2278 AB he batted .252/.337/.346/683 with 123 SB and 22 HR.
Perhaps this comment best explained why Williams never reached his 1st round potential "
"You mentioned Jeff Williams....a first round pick, left-hitting outfielder with some speed, some talent, but he was kind of a goof ball. Grady would get so mad at him for not hustling. I clearly recall the early part of ‘84, we were losing in the first half, things were going really badly. Jeff got on the bus after a game, wearing these big headphones, listening to music and Grady said, “Look at that. I admire him.” And I said “Admire him, for what?” And Grady said, “He can play as lousy as he played tonight and not even worry about – he just puts on his music and goes about his business.”
"Burns suffered in a cooking accident injured his right hand and ultimately ended his baseball career.
Williams died in a motorcycle accident at age 44." from BREF.COM
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