Derek Jeter issues statement on passing of former teammate Gerald Williams

Former MLB outfielder and great friend of Derek Jeter, Gerald Williams, has passed away after a battle with cancer.

Williams was just 55 years old. He was perhaps best known for his time as a New York Yankee, where he came up through the ranks with Jeter. Williams played five seasons with Jeter before being traded in 1996.

“Gerald Williams passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. To my teammate and one of my best friends in the world, rest in peace, my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Liliana, and their whole family,” Jeter announced via The Players’ Tribune.

Williams played in over 1,000 games as a major leaguer, recording a .255 batting average.

Former MLB outfielder Gerald Williams passes away

Williams and Jeter’s relationship started in the minor leagues, where Williams stood up for the future Yankee legend when he was being picked on. Michael Kay told the story in a past YES broadcast while the Yankees were facing the Marlins.

That sort of brotherhood can last a lifetime.

Williams’ best major-league season occurred in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in which he batted .274 with 21 home runs, 89 runs batted in and an OPS of .739.

Despite the fact Williams played for six teams as compared to Jeter’s one, the two remained friends to this day.

Our thoughts go out to Williams’ family, as well as his friends in the baseball community who knew him so well. RIP.