By BARBARA WALKIN
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, January 24, 2024 — Seventeen-year-old Phillando Williams has taken the next step to fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player, signing his name to a contract with Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I am very excited and grateful to God for this blessing and opportunity,” Williams told Grand Bahama News.
“It has been a long journey.”
Decked in his team’s colors of black, gold and white, Williams credited a number of Grand Bahama coaches, including his step dad Neko Grant II and Willard Rutherford, for shaping his early years of baseball.
“My first time on the baseball diamond was at the St. Paul’s Playing Field,” he recalled.
“Then games moved to the Emera Park, where I played for the Buccaneers in the 9-10 and 11-12 division, before moving to New Providence.”
While in the capital, Williams joined the International Elite Sports Academy (I-Elite) and, under the direction of coach Marcian Curry, began fine tuning his playing skills — racking up a .280 batting average; 300 OBP (on base percentage) and powering up his throwing arm with speeds up to 85 mph from right field
Williams said his experience on the diamond broadened when he had the opportunity to spend some time in Plant City, Florida, at the training facility of Jose Fortuna.
“In Florida, I enjoyed a lot of exposure attending showcases, locally and internationally. Coach Fortuna and Coach Curry played a big role in my life,” Williams said.
The outfielder said he is completing his high school education online, after which he will play in the team’s Summer League.
Williams said having to leave his family was a hard decision, but that he is ready for the move.
His mother, Ranada Grant, is still processing his leaving.
“It’s been a very long, tedious, strenuous, hardworking journey but I am happy to know that he is on the way to accomplishing his dream,” she said. “This was his goal. He did the work and everything he could to make it to this point.”
Asked about helping her son with balancing his education and his passion for baseball, Grant said, “I always tell him once you are off the field, take a break and get into your books. The most important thing I stress is education is first.”
To other mothers who have children pursuing a dream in any sporting discipline, Grant offered this advice, “Push your children and keep them in prayer. Don’t give up on them, because you never know where they may end up.”
