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Wild Bill Wright was a big and fast outfielder, a switch-hitter with power and a strong arm. He could circle the bases in 13.2 seconds.
“Bill Wright was a switch-hitter but was big and strong and could run like a deer, similar to the present-day Dave Parker.”
Hall of Famer Monte Irvin
Wright played from 1932-1945 in the Negro Leagues with the Nashville Elite Giants, Columbus Elite Giants, Washington Elite Giants, and Baltimore Elite Giants. He also played many seasons in the Mexican League. He made 7 East-West All Star Game teams. In 1939 he led the Negro National League with a .488 batting average, and the Elite Giants defeated the Homestead Grays in a postseason playoff. His lifetime Negro Leagues batting average was .361. He also won the Triple Crown in the Mexican League in 1943.
He is rumored to have saved the life of teammate Rufus Lewis during a game in Mexico in 1950. Lewis had hit Lorenzo Cabrera with a pitch, and Cabrera charged the mound with a bat and knocked Lewis unconscious. Wright got to Cabrera and knocked him out before he could deliver another blow to Lewis, perhaps saving Lewis from death.
He picked up the nickname “Wild Bill” because of his lack of control as a pitcher.