Shell Game

Shell game: Ever since Jerome Williams' mother, Deborah, died of breast cancer two years ago, the 21-year-old has worn a puka necklace she gave him when he pitches. While pitching in Chicago against the White Sox on June 10, the necklace broke and the shells scattered. He gathered a few and glued them to the underside of his cap.

But it wasn't the same as the necklace, so Williams called his brother, Glenn, in Hawaii and instructed him to go to the cemetery and dig up a second puka necklace he had buried next to his mother's grave. Glenn did so and sent the necklace to Jerome, who wore it for the first time Friday night, and he threw a shutout against Oakland.

"She is there with me every time," Williams said of his mother. "She's not here, but she's always here with me in spirit."

Comments

That's a sweet story. It's always nice to see a touch of Hawaii surface in the most remarkable places.

Yeah, it is a nice story. And, he's quite a surprise; got called up because another rookie pitcher suffered a freak injury while rehabilitating. Looks like he could be around for a while.

Now if only he pitched for the right California team! ;)

its a very nice story! is it actually true? i dont mean to be critical but, digging up his mother's grave to fetch the other puka shell necklace?!?! my thoughts are... is he nuts? i sure wouldnt want my keiki's to be digging my grave no matter what. but thats my opinion. jerome said she is not here but here with him in spirit, why dig up the grave?

I can only assume that the necklace was not buried with the body. More like it was originally drapped over the headstone but was later buried to have it close and still kind of safe from the elements.

okay... randy had told me it was buried next to her grave... whew!! i do have to admit i do have quite an imagination and watch too much t.v.!!! lol. :)

I would disagree with the statement that Williams's success so far has been a surprise. He has been slated for the last two years to make it to the bigs in late 2003, so if there's a surprise it's that he made it a little early.

But most had speculated that if one of the Giants' starters should go down with an injury, Jerome would be the first to get a call-up. He's doing basically what everyone expected (scouting reports have always commented on his maturity and composure), but with fewer strikeouts and more control.

The first time through the league is generally the easiest for a talented pitcher, and Jerome's second swing through the league will take longer to come around, since he faced AL teams on consecutive weekends. I expect him to have no significant problems, seeing as how he's winning with location rather than stuff, but there's no such thing as a can't-miss rookie.

I'm thrilled, along with everyone else, with his performance so far, and hope he keeps it up! Especially since I've had him on my farm team in my pay-to-play fantasy league ever since he was drafted!

y is it a game i don't get it y would it b a game its a nice story and everything but how is it a game? y would he have his brother dig up his mouther's necklas?

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