Earl Williams, 1971 NL Rookie of Year, dies at 64

SOMERSET, N.J. (AP) -- Earl Williams, the 1971 National League Rookie of the Year, has died. He was 64.

Williams died earlier this week at home of acute myeloid leukemia.

Williams earned the 1971 rookie award after hitting 33 home runs with Atlanta. He hit 28 homers the next year, then was traded to Baltimore after the 1972 season in a multiplayer deal that sent Davey Johnson to the Braves.

The big catcher spent two years with the Orioles, often arguing with manager Earl Weaver, and later played for Montreal and Oakland. His final season in the majors was 1977 at age 29.

Williams hit 138 career homers with 457 RBIs and batted .247.

A funeral service will be held Feb. 9 at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset.

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