Wiley Griggs

Wiley Lee Griggs
(Willie, Diamond Jim, Robert)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.
• High School A. H. Parker High School
• Debut 1948
• Final Game 1948
• Born March 24, 1925 in Birmingham, AL USA
• Died August 23, 1996 in Birmingham, AL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Wiley Griggs was an infielder for 11 years at the end of the Negro Leagues.

Griggs broke in with the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, hitting .242. He backed up Piper Davis at second base and John Britton at third on the club that went to the 1948 Negro World Series (the last Negro World Series). After another year with Birmingham, he bounced around in 1950, between the Black Barons, Cleveland Buckeyes and Houston Eagles. He split 1951 between the Eagles (now in New Orleans) and Birmingham.

In the 1951 East-West Game, the 26-year-old infielder pinch-hit for Kelly Searcy in the 7th inning and was retired by Jay Heard; his East team won the game, 3-1. Griggs remained with Birmingham until 1958, then spent 28 years working for the Birmingham Water Works.

Later in life, Griggs lost both legs to amputation.

He is the brother of Acie Griggs.

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester

Related Sites

• Wiley Griggs at the SABR Bio Project