Lena Styles

William Graves Styles

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of Alabama
• Debut September 10, 1919
• Final Game September 27, 1931
• Born November 27, 1899 in Gurley, AL USA
• Died March 14, 1956 in Huntsville, AL USA

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Biographical Information

"Stormiest man on the team. He fought the enemy – Prohibition too." - James Bready, writing about Styles in the 1922 season, in the book "The Home Team"

Lena Styles played five seasons in the majors and had a long minor league career. He was part of a couple great Baltimore Orioles teams in the 1920's at a time when they were a great minor league team.

Styles came out of the University of Alabama, where he attended in 1917-19. In 1919, he was there with Joe Sewell, Luke Sewell, Ike Boone, and Riggs Stephenson. After briefly playing for Atlanta, he moved up to the majors in 1920. He also spent time with the 1920 Baltimore Orioles, a team that won 110 games. He was reportedly suspended during Orioles spring training for being drunk (web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=9). In 25 games with the Orioles in 1920, he hit .289.

Styles spent some of 1921 and 1922 with the Orioles. In 1922, the Orioles won 115 games and Styles played all nine positions. He was both the backup catcher and the backup first baseman, as well as playing 40 games in the outfield and a variety of games at other infield positions, along with one pitching stint. He hit .314 with 94 RBI.

Later in his minor league career, he played for Newark, Toronto, Reading, Dallas and Little Rock. After retiring as a player he managed in the minors.

One source: minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=15

He is one of four major league players given the nickname "Lena".