Thursday, August 28, 1997
'Wild Thing' seeks to run private club
By ROY A. JONES II / Abilene Reporter-News
STEPHENVILLE -- Former professional baseball player Mitch Williams
sailed his pitch for a local sports-theme restaurant past the
Stephenville Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday like a 90-mph
fastball.
But the reliever who earned the nickname "Wild Thing"
for his erratic pitching -- and who became infamous in Philadelphia
for two blown saves in the 1993 World Series -- may face another
tough outing before the Stephenville City Council on Sept. 16.
Williams, who retired to his Hico ranch after being released
by the Kansas City Royals in May, won a major victory, according
to City Hall watchers, when he convinced the P&Z Commission
-- by a vote of 6-1 -- to recommend his request to rezone property
located at 1253 West Washington to the City Council.
The property, directly across the street from the Tarleton
State University campus, will be granted the private club zoning
classification unless the City Council has a super majority vote
-- six of the nine council members -- to deny the application.
The property is currently zoned for secondary and highway business.
"First pitch" at the special City Council meeting
on Sept. 16 will be at 5:30 p.m. Since he has to convince only
four of the council members not to deny his application, Williams
should be considered "ahead in the count."
Veteran observers said numerous applicants have failed in similar
attempts to get the P&Z Commission to rezone the property
in the past eight years, leaving Montana's and Bostock's, both
in the same block as Williams' property, as the only private clubs
in Stephenville.
Director of Community Development Betty Chew reported that
she had received only one call from those notified of the request
for the zoning change. She said that woman opposed the change
due to noise and traffic problems related to the Montana's and
Bostock's business.
Attorney Don Coan spoke on behalf of Williams, who no longer
sports the long, stringy hair that enhanced his "Wild Thing"
image. Coan also introduced Williams and his wife to the commission.
Coan said Williams was requesting the zoning change to enable
him to construct a restaurant. He said it would not be a fast-food
place and would not have dancing and music. Instead, Coan said,
it will have several televisions so patrons can watch sports during
their meals.
Citizens who spoke in favor of granting the request said the
business will be good for Stephenville and will have a positive
economic impact on the community.
Williams told the commission he moved to the Hico area because
he did not want to live in a large city. He added he wants to
open a restaurant where people can order wings and "yes,
have a beer."
He stressed that his business would not be a disco or club
or a wild place, but a family business where people can go have
a meal and watch sports on TV.
"I'm not trying to be a nuisance to the city of Stephenville.
I just want to add something to it," he said.
One of the opponents of the zoning change, Jerry Laughlin,
predicted, "It won't be a place where people can eat a meal
and have a drink. It'll be a place to have a snack with your drinks."
He said his mother-in-law lives behind the property in question.
Dr. Jim Kirby, a Tarleton professor, said he'd just come from
a meeting about student alcohol and drug abuse and said the last
thing Tarleton needs is another liquor outlet "just across
the street."
Others opposing the rezoning expressed concerns about increasing
traffic and noise problems. Some said allowing another private
club in an area where two already exist would also put more drivers
on the road who had consumed alcohol.
After hearing from the opponents, commissioners asked Williams
about operation of the proposed restaurant. Williams said he would
be willing to build a privacy fence more than six feet tall if
adjoining property owners feel it is needed. He also assured the
commissioners that he will not allow people to loiter in the parking
lot and that alcohol would not be brought into the restaurant
or taken out of it.
Glen Moody was the only commissioner present who voted against
the application, citing increased traffic concerns with two clubs
already nearby. Three members were not present.
Williams, now 33, first made the major leagues in 1987 and
pitched for the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies,
Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs during his seven-year career.
His career was highlighted by making the National League All-Star
Team with Chicago in 1989.
He frequently led the league in appearances as a reliever,
but also led the league in walks as he constantly struggled with
his control. He also struggled with his temper. Texas Manager
Bobby Valentine once fined him for yelling at batters.
He attempted a comeback with the Royals this year but was released
May 13 with an 0-1 record and 10.80 ERA in seven games.
Despite scores of saves as a relief pitcher, "Wild Thing"
is probably best remembered for two relief appearances with Philadelphia
in the 1993 World Series.
In Game 4 he failed to hold a four-run lead and the Toronto
Blue Jays came back to win, 15-14. And it got worse in Game 6
when he gave up a three-run homer to Joe Carter in the ninth inning
to give the Blue Jays their second consecutive World Series title.
He later joked that he was glad to get back to his off-season
refuge, a 600-acre spread near Hico.
"I got back here as fast as I could so I could get to
my guns on my ranch," he laughed in a November 1993 interview.
"The people of Philly were looking to get even."
(Stephenville correspondent Jane Pratt contributed to this
story.)
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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