Williams Divorce, mid-season retirement, Montville book

[Gregory Pratt]

So, I read somewhere in Montville's biography of Williams that Williams was divorced and retired for half a season as a result of this so that his ex-wife wouldn't get more money, then came back. I might be mixing up details, and so I thought I'd come here and see if anyone knew what pages I can find that incident in or if anyone has their own knowledge of the incident, though I'd like some source.

[yanks0714]

So, I read somewhere in Montville's biography of Williams that Williams was divorced and retired for half a season as a result of this so that his ex-wife wouldn't get more money, then came back. I might be mixing up details, and so I thought I'd come here and see if anyone knew what pages I can find that incident in or if anyone has their own knowledge of the incident, though I'd like some source.

I vaguely remember reading this. I don't think he missed a half year due to this. He was going through his nasty divorce. He knew his wife was going to 'take him to the cleaners'. So, to avert that, he announced his 'retirement' thereby rendering him with no income when the settelement was due.

Someone else with more detials has to respond as I don't know enough about the situation.

[EdTarbusz]

I don't know about his divorce, but Williams retired after the 1954 season. I think he missed the first two months of the 1955 season.

[Brian McKenna]

Wiiliams' wife of 10 years Doris filed for separation on January 19, 1954, asking for maintenance (receiving $125 a week, plus property taxes on the $42,000 home she lived in in southern Miami, car expenses and emergency funds) and custody of their 6-year-old daughter Barbara Joyce. She was granted a divorce on May 9, 1955 but no financial settlement was given at this time.

Williams wanted to give her a lump sum payment rather than a monthly pymt. He was holding out (announced his retirement) on returning to baseball to skew his financial situation.

Williams rejoined the Red Sox on May 13 just after the judge ordered a financial settlement ($50,000 cash, the home, $100 a month child support, $6,000 attorney fees plus taxes and insurance due on home and car)