April 25, 2007 - William H. Foster Biography

Willie Foster (1904-1978): Born in Calvert, Texas, the half-brother of the Rube Foster was the premier lefty pitcher throughout much of the 1920’s and early 1930’s for the Chicago American Giants that Rube managed adroitly in the early days of the Negro Leagues. Cumberland Posey thought he was the best lefty Negro League pitcher. During Foster’s Hall-of-Fame career (1923-1938), he utilized good heat, a fast curve, a superb change of pace and excellent control for the American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, Homestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Birmingham Black Barons.

Just four days after his brother’s permanent institutionalization in September 1926, Willie threw a one-hitter against the Indianapolis ABCs.[1] Later that same month, Foster carried his American Giants into the 1926 Negro League World Series by out pitching Wilbur ‘Bullet’ Joe Rogan in a two shutout performances (5-0, 1-0) against the Kansas City Monarchs. His iron man performance, in pitching both sides of a doubleheader, was duplicated by the losing pitcher Bullet Joe Rogan.[2]

In 1927, Foster went 18-3 over the course of the season, once again leading his team to the top of the Negro Leagues.

In the inaugural East-West All-Star game in 1933, Foster amassed the most votes from the fans and dominated on the mound for the West squad with a complete game victory. Again representing the West squad in 1934, Foster represented the American Giants in the all-star game losing a pitching duel to Satchel Paige. Like many others, Foster played in winter leagues in various locales with his Negro League counterparts, racking up a solid winning percentage against Major League caliber players.

After his playing days were over, he went into coaching and eventually landing back at his alma mater as baseball coach and dean of men at Alcorn College in Mississippi. He died in Lorman, Mississippi in September 1978. Eighteen years later, he received the nod into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

[1] Hauser Christopher. The Negro Leagues Chronology: Events in Organized Baseball, 1920 –1948. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc; 2006. 40.
[2] Hauser Christopher. The Negro Leagues Chronology: Events in Organized Baseball, 1920 –1948. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc; 2006. 43.