Wild Bill Wright

I found Bill in Aguas Calientes, Mexico after Armando Vazquez said I should look for him. I got his phone number from his teammate in Mexico, Lonnie Summers, who was living in California. Finding Bill Wright was a pretty big thing at the time as few players knew his whereabouts. Bill moved to Mexico from his home in Tennessee because of America's racism. In Mexico, Bill was a star and the people treated him as such.

Bill played mainly with the Baltimore Elite Giants in the Negro Leagues. He started off as a pitcher but hurt his arm and was relegated to play in the outfield. Bill was a superstar. He was 6’4” and as Monte Irvin proclaimed, “Bill had the physique of Greek Adonis.” He was one of the fastest players who played in the league and was timed at 13.2 seconds running around the bases. He once raced Cool Papa Bell, who was considered the fastest player in baseball, and lost by a whisker. Bill used his speed to bunt and along with his power, he was a force to be reckoned with. A seven time All-Star and a lifetime .325 average, Bill has a strong case for Cooperstown. He was elected to the Mexican HOF in 1982 and was elected to the Tennessee HOF in 2017.

Bill hit well against major-league pitchers, both in Mexico and in the California winter league, batting. 371 in competition against major leaguers including Bob Feller, Dizzy Dean, Ewell Blackwell, Max Lanier, and Bobo Newsom.

On my relationship with Bill:

After finding him I found out that he was in financially bad shape, and had a bad case Rheumatoid Arthritis that affected his legs so much that he needed a cane or wheelchair to get around. He was am amazing man both as a player and as a friend. Every time I had the opportunity, I would send for Bill to participate with the other players to have a good payday from autograph sessions. He was so gracious and thankful to see his friends, make new ones and make some money at the same time. We made a number of baseball card sets that included Bill so that he'd have something to sign. Bill and I traveled together from one show to another. I loved talking with him, and had many conversations about his friendship with Roy Campanella and their fishing trips together. He was a beautiful man with movie star looks. Once again I found another brother, who my family loved and included him with us whenever he was in town.

He died in 1996 at age 82. I flew down to Aguas Calientes, Mexico shortly after his passing to meet his family and pay my respects. While in Aguas Calientes, the family took me to his small diner, I think it was called the Dugout, that he owned and then I was taken to the baseball stadium which had a plaque honoring Bill. Bill was a legend in this city of over a million people. I hope he gets inducted in Cooperstown because he deserves it.

My friend and brother “Wild” Bill Wright . 💜