9/7 Sweet swinging Billy

The Cubs unveiled a statue of Hall of Famer Billy Williams on Tuesday that captures the young outfielder as he’s coming out of the batter’s box after hitting a home run. The bronze is at the corner of Addison and Sheffield streets.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Williams, accompanied by his wife, Shirley, and several family members and teammates, including Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Randy Hundley and Glenn Beckert.

On one side of the base of the statue are Williams’ No. 26, and on the opposite side is “Sweet Swinging” Billy Williams. He has spent 52 years with the Cubs as a player, a coach, a special assistant and now as a senior advisor.

“I’m living proof that perseverance really can make a dream come true,” he said.

– Carrie Muskat