Clark, "Will" (William N.)
Baseball
b. March 13, 1964, New Orleans, LA
Known for his tough "game face," his grim concentration on the pitcher, and a laid-back attitude off the field, Clark was an All-American at Mississippi State University for two years before signing with NL's San Francisco Giants in 1985. After a year in the minor leagues, he entered the major leagues in 1986 but played only 111 games because of an injury.
A left-handed first baseman, Clark blossomed as a star in 1987, batting .308 with 35 home runs and 91 RBI. Although his average slipped to .282 the following season, he led the NL in games with 162, RBI with 109, and walks with 100.
Clark hit over .300 in 3 of the next 5 seasons and had more than 100 RBI in two of them. A knee injury that kept him out of action during the stretch drive in 1993 may have cost the Giants the pennant, as they dropped out of first place during that period to finish a game behind the Atlanta Braves.
In two league championship series, Clark put up some amazing numbers. He batted .360 in 1987 and .650 in San Francisco's five-game victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1989, setting series records for most hits with 13 and most total bases with 24. He also holds the single-game record for most RBI with 6.
Clark went to the Texas Rangers as a free agent in 1994 and batted over .300 four times in five seasons, but missed quite a few games because of injuries. In 1999, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. He retired after splitting the 2000 season between the Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals.