'Bill Lefty', as he was nicknamed, was renowned for his ability to work the corners of the plate.[2] He started his career with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1949, pitching with both the Monarchs and the Birmingham Black Barons in 1950 and continuing with the Monarchs until early 1951, when his career was interrupted for military service in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.[3]
During service, Bell continued to pitching in games that were played between mixed teams of whites and blacks. Among others, he had teammates like Vernon Law and Syd Thrift, both Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers, as well as New York GiantsoutfielderWillie Mays.[3] Following his discharge, Bell pitched briefly for the Monarchs in 1954.[1]
After his baseball days, Bell returned to his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa and worked in the U.S. Postal Service, serving in various supervisory and management positions during 34 years. In addition, he was the co-chairman of the Committee for Better Race Relations at Des Moines East High School between 1972 and 1974.[1]
Besides, Bell coached a local youth baseball team in the Babe Ruth League for three years, and guided the squad to one Iowa State tournament title.[1]
Bell passed away on March 6, 2021.[4] He was 90 years old.
Sourcesedit
^ abcdWilliam Bell, Jr. profile. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum website. Retrieved on February 12, 2019.
^ ab2008 Special Negro Leagues Draft. MLB.com. Retrieved on January 27, 2019.
^ abI’ll Never Forget: The Baseball Life of William “Lefty” Bell in the Negro Leagues. Article by Will Carlson. Retrieved on February 12, 2019.
^"William Reginald Bell, Jr". Retrieved January 21, 2024.
External linksedit
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
William Bell Jr. Oral History
January 01, 1970
william, bell, baseball, william, bell, july, 1930, march, 2021, former, pitcher, played, negro, american, league, part, four, seasons, spanning, 1949, 1954, born, moines, iowa, batted, threw, left, handed, william, bell, pitcherborn, 1930, july, 1930des, moin. William Bell Jr July 30 1930 March 6 2021 was a former pitcher who played in the Negro American League in all or part of four seasons spanning 1949 1954 Born in Des Moines Iowa he batted and threw left handed 1 William Bell Jr PitcherBorn 1930 07 30 July 30 1930Des Moines IowaDied March 6 2021 2021 03 06 aged 90 Des Moines IowaBatted LeftThrew LeftTeamsKansas City Monarchs 1949 1951 1954 Birmingham Black Barons 1950 Contents 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 Sources 4 External linksCareer edit Bill Lefty as he was nicknamed was renowned for his ability to work the corners of the plate 2 He started his career with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1949 pitching with both the Monarchs and the Birmingham Black Barons in 1950 and continuing with the Monarchs until early 1951 when his career was interrupted for military service in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 3 During service Bell continued to pitching in games that were played between mixed teams of whites and blacks Among others he had teammates like Vernon Law and Syd Thrift both Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers as well as New York Giants outfielder Willie Mays 3 Following his discharge Bell pitched briefly for the Monarchs in 1954 1 In 2008 Major League Baseball staged a special draft of the surviving Negro league players doing a tribute for the surviving Negro leaguers who were kept out of the Big Leagues because of their race Hall of Fame Baseball player Dave Winfield hatched the idea to have this draft which was held before the 2008 MLB Draft MLB clubs each selected a former NLB player and Bell was drafted as a pitcher by the Minnesota Twins 2 Personal life editAfter his baseball days Bell returned to his hometown of Des Moines Iowa and worked in the U S Postal Service serving in various supervisory and management positions during 34 years In addition he was the co chairman of the Committee for Better Race Relations at Des Moines East High School between 1972 and 1974 1 Besides Bell coached a local youth baseball team in the Babe Ruth League for three years and guided the squad to one Iowa State tournament title 1 Bell passed away on March 6 2021 4 He was 90 years old Sources edit a b c d William Bell Jr profile Negro Leagues Baseball Museum website Retrieved on February 12 2019 a b 2008 Special Negro Leagues Draft MLB com Retrieved on January 27 2019 a b I ll Never Forget The Baseball Life of William Lefty Bell in the Negro Leagues Article by Will Carlson Retrieved on February 12 2019 William Reginald Bell Jr Retrieved January 21 2024 External links editNegro Leagues Baseball Museum William Bell Jr Oral History Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Bell Jr baseball amp oldid 1210501719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
