Pete Willett Explained

Pete Willett should not be confused with Peter Willett.

Pete Willett
Position:Infielder
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:Negro league baseball
Debutyear:1923
Debutteam:Buffalo Colored Giants
Finalyear:1928
Finalteam:Cleveland Tigers
Teams:

James R. "Pete" Willett[1] was an American athlete who played baseball as an infielder in the Negro leagues and basketball. He played baseball with several teams from 1923 to 1928.[2]

Athletic career

Willett attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and also played football, basketball and ran track for Wilberforce University in 1922 to 1924.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

In 1923, Willett played baseball with the Buffalo Colored Giants,[8] and also played with the Lincoln Giants of the Eastern Colored League.[9] He spent time with the independent Dayton Marcos in 1924, before playing with the Cleveland Browns.[2] In June 1925, he was acquired by the Homestead Grays to fill in for injured players.[10] In September 1925, he played with the Pullman Colored Giants of Buffalo.[11] In 1926, he saw time with the Brown's Stars of Youngstown, Ohio,[12] and the Cleveland Elites.[13] Willett later played in 25 recorded games with the Cleveland Tigers of the Negro National League in 1928.[14] He also appeared with the Cleveland Oaks and Cleveland Pyramids in 1928.[15] [16]

Outside of baseball, he captained and coached the Benjee Drugs basketball team in 1925 and 1926.[1] [7] Willett also played with the Cleveland Elks in 1926 and 1927,[17] [18] and the Loendi Big Five in 1927 and 1928.[19]

On February 10, 1927, Willett dislocated his knee and two other Elks players were seriously injured after their car went into a ditch and overturned multiple times near London, Ohio.[20]

External links

and Seamheads

Notes and References

  1. News: C. W. Moorehead . Sport News . 18 January 2022 . The Buffalo American . 4 February 1926 . 3.
  2. Book: Riley, James A. . The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues . registration . New York . Carroll & Graf . 1994 . 0-7867-0959-6 .
  3. Web site: Wilberforce Ready for Simmons Tilt. 44. Dayton Daily News. Newspapers.com. October 20, 1922 . January 18, 2022.
  4. Web site: Three "Triple Threat" Men at Wilberforce. 7. The New York Age. Newspapers.com. October 13, 1923 . January 18, 2022.
  5. Web site: West Va. Institute Five Defeats Wilberforce Team. 6. Pittsburgh Courier. Newspapers.com. March 15, 1924 . January 18, 2022.
  6. Web site: Baseball, Track and Football Men Report. 11. Pittsburgh Courier. Newspapers.com. April 5, 1924 . January 18, 2022.
  7. Web site: Cleveland to Have Speedy Floor Team. 12. Pittsburgh Courier. Newspapers.com. October 17, 1925 . January 19, 2022.
  8. Web site: Baseball Tonight. 6. The Buffalo Commercial. Newspapers.com. July 19, 1923 . January 18, 2022.
  9. Web site: 8,000 Howling Fans See Lincoln Giants Take Two Games From Hilldale Nine. 6. The New York Age. Newspapers.com. August 11, 1923 . January 18, 2022.
  10. Web site: Homestead Grays Obtain Infielder. 12. Pittsburgh Courier. Newspapers.com. June 27, 1925 . January 19, 2022.
  11. Web site: Good Twirlers of Colored Giants to Face Bisons. 11. Buffalo Courier. Newspapers.com. September 3, 1925 . January 19, 2022.
  12. News: William G. Nunn . Diamond Dope . 19 January 2022 . . 28 August 1926 . 15.
  13. Web site: Cleveland Team To Play Four Games at Stadium. . July 2, 1926 . Fultonhistory.com . January 19, 2022.
  14. Web site: Pete Willett . seamheads.com . January 18, 2022.
  15. Web site: Cleveland Oaks Look Good Now. . March 10, 1928 . Fultonhistory.com . January 19, 2022.
  16. Web site: Cleveland Pyramids Open to Good Clubs. . April 21, 1928 . Fultonhistory.com . January 19, 2022.
  17. Web site: Cleveland Elks Beat Midlands. 14. Pittsburgh Courier. Newspapers.com. December 11, 1926 . January 19, 2022.
  18. Web site: Basketball Players Injured. 9. The Daily Advocate. Newspapers.com. February 10, 1927 . January 18, 2022.
  19. News: . The Sportive Realm . 18 January 2022 . . 11 February 1928 . 17.
  20. Web site: Three Players Injured. 22. The Lima News. Newspapers.com. February 11, 1927 . January 19, 2022.

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