Bill Foster

William Hendrick Foster
(Willie)

• Bats Both, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
• School Alcorn State University
• Debut 1923
• Final Game 1937
• Born June 12, 1904 in Calvert, TX USA
• Died September 16, 1978 in Lorman, MS USA

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1996

BR page

Biographical Information

Lefthander Bill Foster was the half-brother of Negro Leagues star Rube Foster and a great pitcher in his own right.

"Bill Foster was my star pitcher, the greatest pitcher of our time, not even barring Satchel. Rube taught him, I didn't teach him. The art of pitching he learned from Rube." - Dave Malarcher from the book Voices from the Great Black Baseball Leagues.

Foster later became dean of men and baseball coach at Alcorn State University in 1960.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time NNL All-Star (1933 & 1934)
• 4-time NNL ERA Leader (1924-1927)
• NNL Wins Leader (1927)
• 2-time NNL Winning Percentage Leader (1924 & 1927)
• NNL Saves Leader (1933)
• NNL Strikeouts Leader (1930)
• 3-time League Complete Games Leader (1927/NNL, 1928/NNL & 1932/NSL)
• 3-time NNL Shutouts Leader (1924, 1926 & 1927)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1927)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1927)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1927)
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1996

Related Sites

• Bill Foster at the SABR Bio Project
• Negro Leagues eMuseum