Bill Pierce (baseball)

William Herbert Pierce (born April 30, 1890 and died August 1962) was a Negro leagues catcher, first baseman and manager for several years before the founding of the first Negro National League, and in its first few seasons.

William Herbert Pierce
Catcher / First baseman / Manager
Born: (1890-04-30)April 30, 1890
Hanover, Indiana
Died: August 1, 1962(1962-08-01) (aged 72)
Batted: Unknown Threw: Unknown
debut
1910, for the Philadelphia Giants
Last appearance
1924, for the Detroit Stars
Teams

Nicknamed "Bonehead" and "Big Bill Pierce", he played for the Philadelphia Giants at the age of 20. During the winter, he often played baseball in Cuba and Florida. Pierce would play most of his seasons for the Lincoln Giants.

Pierce would follow his battery mate Ad Lankford from the Lincoln Giants after their successful 1915 season, to join the Pennsylvania Red Caps of New York.[4]

He registered for the WWI draft on June 5, 1917, listing his occupation as a Porter for the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Manhattan. He also lists himself as married and living at 2229 5th Avenue in New York City.[5]

Pierce managed the Baltimore Black Sox in 1922. His last known season as a player was 1924, for the Detroit Stars at the age of 34.

At the age of 62, Pierce received votes listing him on the 1952 Pittsburgh Courier player-voted poll of the Negro leagues' best players ever.[6]

He died at the age of 72.

References
  1. "Philadelphia Giants Win" Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Friday Morning, May 27, 1910, Page 10, Column 7
  2. "American Giants Rally at Finish" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, Indiana, Saturday, July 20, 1912, Page 4, Column 5
  3. "Lincoln Giants Adds Another Brace of Victories to its Brace" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, Indiana, Saturday, May 20, 1916, Page 4, Column 4
  4. "St. Patrick - Penn Red Cap Battle" Jersey Journal, Jersey City, New Jersey, Friday, September 28, 1917, Page 11, Column 2
  5. "WWI Draft Registration Card for William H. Pierce" Registered at New York City #167, June 5, 1917
  6. "1952 Pittsburgh Courier Poll of Greatest Black Players"
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