Zollie Wright

Zollie Coffer Wright

Biographical Information[edit]

Outfielder Zollie Wright played a decade in the Negro Leagues. He was noted for a strong arm.

Wright debuted in 1931 with the Memphis Red Sox and Monroe Monarchs. In 1932, he hit .289 for Monroe. He spent 1933-1934 with the New Orleans Crescent Stars. He then moved to the Columbus Elite Giants and hit .227 in 1935. That winter, he starred for Wilson's Royal Giants in the California Winter League, hitting .382 and tying Biz Mackey for the league lead with 7 doubles.

In 1936, Wright hit .274 while batting cleanup for the Washington Elite Giants. He was 5th in voting among outfielders for the 1936 East-West Game with 5,874, only 297 behind the more famous Wild Bill Wright. In that contest, he doubled, walked twice, scored twice and drove home two in a strong showcase. Wright's hit came off Floyd Kranson and scored Josh Gibson and Sammy T. Hughes; he came home on a hit by Judy Johnson.

Zollie batted .273 for Washington in 1937. He split 1938 between the Washington Black Senators and the New York Black Yankees (.296). He was with the Baltimore Elite Giants and New York in 1939 and with the Black Yankees for all of 1940. He spent 1941 with the Philadelphia Giants, then wrapped up by hitting .273 for the Black Yankees in 1943.