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Jim Williams (Negro Leagues)
From BR Bullpen
James Williams (Big Jim, Jimmy)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
Jim Williams was a Negro League outfielder for almost a decade and was a one-time All-Star.
Williams debuted with the New York Black Yankees in 1936, hitting .321. In April 1937, New York sold him to the Newark Eagles. He was only there a short while, then moved on to the Homestead Grays for the rest of the year. He hit .371, third in the Negro National League behind Josh Gibson and Chester Williams. His 7 doubles tied Sammy T. Hughes for fifth-most. Williams fell to .286 for the Grays in 1938.
Moving from the outfield to third base, he hit .265 for the 1939 Toledo Crawfords. He git 486,682 votes for the East-West Games, leading all outfielders. In the first East-West Game of 1939, he pinch-hit for Leroy Morney in the 7th and then stayed in the game, replacing Henry Milton in right field; he went 0 for 2. Big Jim pinch-hit for Hilton Smith in the 9th inning of the second 1939 East-West Game and was retired by Leon Day.
Williams was manager of the Cleveland Bears to open 1940 then returned to the Black Yankees, hitting .213 with them. He spent 1941 as a bench player for New York. He regained a starting role in 1944 and hit .294, then finished his career with lesser teams.
[edit] Sources
- The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
- The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
- Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester
