Phillies May See ‘Wild Thing’ Again

Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams, the erratic reliever who helped Philadelphia win the National League pennant in 1993 before giving up the World Series-ending homer, will try a comeback with the Phillies, the team announced Friday.

General Manager Lee Thomas said talk of the comeback began several weeks ago, when he asked Williams, 31, to participate in a celebrity softball game that will be part of the All-Star workout day activities Monday.

“Mitch told me he couldn’t attend because he hoped to be pitching again by then,” Thomas said. “He called back a few days later saying he was looking for a chance to make a comeback, and wondered if the Phillies would give him a chance.”

Thomas agreed to let Williams work out for the next 7-10 days at the Phillies’ spring training complex in Clearwater, Fla.

“Once Mitch feels he is ready to pitch, he’ll be placed on the Clearwater Phillies roster,” said Thomas, referring to the team’s Class-A Florida State League affiliate. “What happens from there will be determined by Mitch.”

Williams last pitched with the Angels in 1995. He was 1-2 with a 6.75 earned-run average when the Angels released him last June 18. At the time, Williams said he was retiring.

After giving up the Series-winning home run to Toronto’s Joe Carter, Williams was vilified in Philadelphia, and Thomas was forced to trade him to Houston.

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One season after Pete Schourek was the National League’s second-best pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, his future is at risk because of an injured ligament in his left elbow.

Schourek needs surgery after going on the disabled list twice in the last five weeks. The only question is whether his elbow needs reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Schourek (4-5, 6.01 ERA) this week in Los Angeles, and said the ligament in Schourek’s elbow--as well as a bone spur--will have to be surgically repaired.

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Ryan Minor, who was drafted in the baseball and NBA drafts last month, agreed to contract terms with the Baltimore Orioles.

Minor, a third baseman and forward at Oklahoma, was drafted by the Orioles in the 33rd round and the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round. He is scheduled to report to the 76ers’ rookie camp next week, and plans to play minor league baseball with the Orioles in July.