baseballhall.org
Smokey Joe Williams is thought by many to be the greatest pitcher ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues. At the very least he led the way for Satchel Paige, and many who saw him play thought he was as good if not better than Paige.
“You take a guy like Cyclone Joe Williams. When you get a guy who can throw that fastball, you don’t step into it. You have to have a little respect when you’re facing guys like that.”
Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch
Smokey Joe Williams had a career that spanned 1905-1932, pitching for the Chicago American Giants, Hilldale Daisies, Brooklyn Royal Giants, and Homestead Grays, among others. He had an overpowering fastball (his nickname was originally Cyclone Joe), great control, and truly knew how to pitch. In 1930 he struck out 27 Kansas City Monarchs in a 12-inning, 1-hitter.
theathletic.com
Williams was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Links to Learn More About Smokey Joe Williams
- Smokey Joe Williams – NLBM
- Smokey Joe Williams – Hall of Fame
- Smokey Joe Williams – Baseball Reference
- Smokey Joe Williams – Seamheads
- Smokey Joe Williams – MLB
- Smokey Joe Williams – The Athletic 100 No. 62
(This Joe Posnanski article is behind a pay wall. A subscription is well worth the price. The Athletic offers trial subscriptions and I highly recommend you giving it a read.)