The following art and text by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News is reproduced here in The Pecan Park Eagle by written permission from Michael Hogue. It is our “Offering 3” in this series and a continuation of this fine Texas artist’s work, Portraits of the Negro Leagues. Thank you again, Michael, for allowing TPPE to further share the beauty and joy of your work with those who care about the Negro Leagues and their place in baseball history.
Smokey Joe Williams, Pitcher, 1910-1932, Hall of Fame, 1999.
Smokey Joe Williams by Michael Hogue
A tall, lanky right handed native of Seguin, Texas, Williams began his career pitching for the San Antonio Black Bronchos. He was the star pitcher in the early days of the Negro Leagues. Satchel Paige called Williams the best pitcher he had ever seen.
Pitching with exceptional velocity and control, Williams would routinely reach double-digits in strikeouts, once striking out 27 Kansas City Monarchs in a 12-inning game. Available statistics show that he compiled a 20-7 record, inducing 10 shutouts, against major league teams. Williams was voted the top pitcher in Negro League history in a 1952 Pittsburgh Courier poll.
Tags: Dallas Morning News, Michael Hogue, Smokey Joe Williams
The Pecan Park Eagle 
September 22, 2011 at 2:18 am |
Where can we see the originals of these remarkable works? Is there a book? These are the equal of the illustrations done by Kadir Nelson for his outstanding book, We are the ship.
September 22, 2011 at 2:14 pm |
Michael has a web site… http://www.michaelhogue.com where you can see many of his pieces, not just sports, but illustrations for articles concerning finance, politics, etc…. In profile #2 on his web site, the complete illustration for the newspaper article concerning the negro league players, which you are seeing piece by piece, is located. He is a personal firend of mine and not only is he an exceptional artist, he is an exceptional person as well.
September 22, 2011 at 2:33 pm |
I have been to almost every Smokey Joe Williams Gal in Seguin, Texas to honor this man as a fellow Negro League player. I would have dreaded to hit against him and I would have a proud pitcher to have been able to pitch against him. Great pictures of him . He was a giant.
Dick “Lefty” O’Neal