Diamond Heads '15

Joe Williams

Pitcher
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • City: New York
  • Team: Lincoln Giants
  • League: Independent
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Joseph Williams (1886-1951) may have been the best pitcher never to appear in the major leagues. He starred in the Negro Leagues and in Cuba and Mexico over a 27-year career. His best year was 1914 (an amazing 41-3). Playing against MLB players in barnstorming games, Williams compiled a 20-7 record over the “best” in the game.

  • At age 44 in 1930, closed his career with a 1-0, 12-inning win striking out 27 KC Monarchs
  • That same year, in his only confrontation with the rising star, beat Satchel Paige 1-0.
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1999

Auction History

Joe Wood

Pitcher
  • Series: Diamond Heads '15
  • City: Boston
  • Team: Red Sox
  • League: American League

Howard Ellsworth “Smoky Joe” Wood (1889-1985) was honored at age 95 with a doctorate from Yale, the institution for whom he coached for 20 years following his ML career. In 1912 for the Red Sox, Wood joined an elite list of 30-game winners, going 34-5. In one of the most dramatic duels ever, Wood defeated Walter Johnson 1-0, himself fresh off a 16-game win streak, gaining his 14th straight and would go on to tie Johnson’s AL record string. Wood then climaxed his phenomenal year by leading the Sox over McGraw’s Giants in a Series for the ages at brand-new Fenway Park.

  • A broken thumb in ’13 left Wood impaired, but he went on to a fine OF role for the Indians
  • Said Walter Johnson: “No man alive can throw harder than Smoky Joe Wood.”

Auction History