Chatting with Matt Williams

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 8 years ago on

February 8, 2017

Although he was traded away more than 20 years ago, Matt Williams remains a favorite among Giants fans. The slugging 3B played for San Francisco from 1987-96, helping the team to the 1989 National League crown and becoming a four-time All-Star (five total All-Star Game appearances in his career).

He played for two more pennant winners after his trade, in 1997 with Cleveland and winning it all with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. After he retired following the 2003 season, Williams continued in the game as a coach and then manager of the Washington Nationals in 2014-15.

Although never playing minor league ball in Fresno (the Giants had a California League affiliate through 1987, but Williams never found his way here professionally), he is still adored in the city. He recently appeared as the keynote speaker at the Fresno Grizzlies Hot Stove dinner.

Before he gave his speech, GV Wire spoke with Williams about relating to today’s younger players, the Giants-Dodgers rivalry, what it was like to be teammates with former Dodgers (i.e. Orel Hershiser), do Bonds and Schilling belong in the Hall of Fame and maybe a Babe Ruth impression?

Check out the video above.

E-mail David Taub

Photo/Veronique Werz

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email