Willie Pope

William Robert Pope

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 230 lb.

• Debut 1947
• Final Game 1947
• Born December 14, 1918 in Birmingham, AL USA
• Died June 10, 2010 in O'Hara, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The brother of big leaguer Dave Pope, pitcher Willie Pope played in the Negro Leagues and the minor leagues.

The oldest of eleven siblings, Pope began his pro career with the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1946. The following year, he joined the Homestead Grays. In his first year with the club, he posted a 6-7 record and threw a no-hitter against the New York Cubans. The next summer, his team won the Negro National League pennant and the Negro League World Series against the Birmingham Black Barons.

After the Negro National League folded, Pope played several seasons in the minors in the Provincial League, Western League, and American Association. Following his playing days, he owned a restaurant and worked for the city of Pittsburgh as a surveyor. He died in 2010 at age 91.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page