Willie Hutchinson

Willie D. Hutchinson
(Ace)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut 1939
• Final Game 1946
• Born April 23, 1921
• Died October 10 1992 in Denver, CO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Willie Hutchinson pitched for over a decade in the Negro Leagues, making one All-Star appearance. He relied heavily on his fastball.

Hutchinson debuted with the 1939 Kansas City Monarchs, going 1-3. He was 1-0 for the Memphis Red Sox in 1940 and remained with the team in 1941 (1-2), 1942 (3-3), 1943 (2-5) and 1944 (6-10). In '44, the 24-year-old was third in the Negro American League in both losses (one shy of the co-leaders) and strikeouts (79, trailing Gentry Jessup and Roosevelt Davis).

Hutchinson was 4-1 for the 1946 Red Sox. He spent 1947 with the Tampico Lightermen and was 6-11 with a 3.88 ERA, walking 108 in 169 1/3 innings. Back with Memphis in 1948, he had a 8-8, 3.81 record for the club in 1949. In the 1949 East-West Game, he relieved Gread McKinnis with two outs in the 8th and a 4-0 deficit, then retired Bill Cash. Jim LaMarque relieved Willie in the 9th. In 1950, Ace had a 1-2, 2.70 record to end his Red Sox career.

Moving to the Manitoba-Dakota League, he had a 5-8 record in 1951 and 3-6 in 1953. He also spent part of '53 with the Danville Dans (4-2, 3.71; he was 12 for 27 at the plate). It was his last season in pro baseball.

Notable Achievements

• NAL Shutouts Leader (1942)

Sources

• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester
• The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros

Related Sites

• BR Minors page