"Smokey Joe" Williams Headed To Cooperstown…Finally!

April 1, 1999

85 years after his astonishing 41-3 season, the man Satchel Paige called "the best pitcher I’ve ever seen" is headed for Cooperstown. Smokey Joe Williams, legendary Negro League pitcher, has been selected by the Veterans Committee for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Williams will be inducted during the annual induction ceremony at Cooperstown in August.

This year’s voting saw close competition between Williams and Biz Mackey, legendary catcher who mentored Roy Campanella during Campanella’s early years with the Baltimore Elite Giants. Williams, who died in 1946, joins Nolan Ryan, Robin Yount, George Brett and Orlando Cepeda in the Hall of Fame class of 1999.

Throughout his more than 20-year career Williams remained a dominant force in black baseball. His legendary fastball earned him nicknames like "Smokey Joe" and "Cyclone", and his precision stymied two generations of Negro League hitters.

Though Williams played for more than 10 teams during his tenure in black baseball, he is primarily remembered for his performances for the New York Lincoln Giants (1911-1923) and Homestead Grays (1925-1932). His best season came in 1914 when he compiled a 41-3 record.