Foster, Willie H.

WILLIAM HENDRICK ‘WILLIE’ FOSTER

Born: June 12, 1904
Died: September 16, 1978
Bill Played for: Memphis Red Sox, Chicago American Giants, Birmingham Black Barons, Homestead Grays, Kansas City Monarchs, Cole's American Giants, Pittsburgh Crawfords.

A left hander with a good fastball, devastating change-up, and pinpoint control, William Hendrick Foster (Rube Foster's half-brother) was one of the best pitchers in the original Negro National League for much of its 12-year existence.

On the last day of the 1926 season, he won both ends of a crucial doubleheader to clinch the pennant for the Chicago American Giants; then, in the ensuing World Series, he posted a 1.27 ERA. He was the leading vote-getter and winning pitcher in the inaugural East-West All-Star Game in 1933.

Elected to Hall of Fame by Committee on Baseball Veterans: 1996