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.
Houston, Baseball, & Other Musings.
The Pecan Park Eagle 