(LOT 82)
1965 Topps #220 Billy Williams PSA 10 GEM MINT
BILLY FROM WHISTLER!!!... Like many players of his era, it wasn't easy growing up for Billy Williams in the Deep South; born and raised near Mobile, Alabama. But family helped the youngest of five overcome and Billy found solace in baseball and as future teammate Ernie Banks would later state "Billy Williams can hit." It was his fielding where he struggled, though he worked tirelessly to improve his skills. In the end, though seemingly on a yo-yo bouncing around the minor leagues but moving up (for the most part), Billy Williams' bat got him into and kept him in the lineup for the Chicago Cubs where in his first season he hit .278 with 25 home runs and 86 RBIs to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

From then on, Williams was a fixture in the Cubs outfield, missing only 27 games over the next 12 years. During that same span (1962-73), Williams batted .299 with 2,232 hits including 360 doubles and 349 homers while driving in 1,190 runs. Sweet Swingin' Billy from Whistler (Alabama) had a Hall of Fame career. Offered here is a 1965 Topps #220 Billy Williams holdered GEM MINT 10 by PSA. This superb example is one of only three at this highest assessment and we can see why. Presenting perfect centering, color clarity and borders, this one is absolutely flawless.

MIN BID $5,000
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