by Scoop Malinowski
Alexander "Alika" Williams plays second base and shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Williams with the 37th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2023.
DOB: March 12, 1999, in San Diego, CA
First Baseball Memory: Growing up in San Francisco, going to Giants games a couple of times a week. Watching Barry Bonds hit home runs. My earliest memories.
Baseball Inspirations: I'd say it was just being around the game growing up. Just going to San Francisco Giants games and going to that ballpark... thinking it was the coolest thing in the world. Maybe one day playing at that stadium.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: Hmmm,,,, I can't remember the first guy. At one of those Giants games, one of the coaches - I can't remember who it was - we went early for batting practice - he came up and gave me a ball. I'll never forget that. That was pretty cool. I can't remember the coach's name, but it was pretty special (age 5).
Last Book Read: Relentless Optimism (By Darrin Donnelly). It's really good.
Greatest Sports Moment: Probably when I debuted in San Diego, where I ended up growing up. That was pretty cool.
Most Painful Moment: Probably losing in college, we were in LSU Regionals and we had an eight run lead going into the eighth inning and we ended up losing. So that was pretty tough. Against Southern Miss.
Favorite Uniforms: I like the black Pittsburgh uniforms. They're pretty sweet.
Favorite Ballparks: PNC Park. Petco Park. And I don't even know what Giants stadium is called now. It was Pac Bell Park. And I love Pittsburgh.
Funny Baseball Memory: Was in college, the guy in front of me hit a home run, and I had my helmet up for a high five, and he hit me in the nuts [laughs]. Took the wind out of me, but that was pretty funny. (Who?) Spencer Torkelson.
Why Do You Love Baseball: I love baseball because I love competing. I love growing. I think it's the best sport in the world. I love getting better at something every day. Dedicating your life to something is what makes it special.
Funniest Players Encountered: There's some funny guys in the locker room. Probably Spencer Horwitz is up there.
Strangest Game: Two years ago we were in Louisville. The seventh inning they brought the tarp out - it was going to rain. It never rained. During the rain delay, they started the fireworks show, And then after the fireworks show, they took the tarp off, we went out and played. I'd never seen that before.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint chocolate chip.
Favorite Artists: No painters, in music I'd say Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Favorite Sport Outside Baseball: I love golf.
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: Xander Schauffele. Scottie Scheffler. Justin Thomas.
Most Memorable Hit: Probably my first one against Philadelphia. Endy Rodriguez was on third and it was a single up the middle.
People Qualities Most Admired: I would say honesty and just being a genuine person.
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