Bill Clarkson

William Henry Clarkson
(Blackie)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut May 2, 1927
• Final Game October 6, 1929
• Born September 27, 1898 in Portsmouth, VA USA
• Died August 27, 1971 in Raleigh, NC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Virginia native Bill Clarkson spent nine seasons in pro baseball from 1922 to 1930.

Bill spent five seasons in the minors (1922-1926) before making his big league debut with the New York Giants on May 2, 1927. Bill put together a 3-9 record for the Polo Grounds crew before being traded, along with Virgil Barnes, Ben Cantwell and Al Spohrer, to the Boston Braves for Joe Genewich on June 15, 1928. Clarkson spent the remainder of 1928 with the Braves, going 0-2, appearing in two late season games in 1929, with his finale on October 6, 1929. Overall, he appeared in 22 games, pitching 134 innings with a 3-12 record and 5.44 ERA.

Bill ultimately spent seven seasons in the minors with six teams in five leagues. He had four double-digit win seasons on the farm, including pitching to a 16-9 record and 3.23 ERA in 40 games for the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Virginia League in 1925. He followed this up in 1926 with a 12-5 record and 4.07 ERA for the Toledo Mud Hens of the AA American Association. Bill finished his minor league career in 1930 with a 68-62 mark and 3.84 ERA in 198 games.

Clarkson died on August 27, 1971 in Raleigh, NC and was Interred at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 72 years.