Barbare, a Greenville native, began his professional baseball career with Greenville Spinners in 1912. He was a versatile utility infielder and played eight years in the major leagues from 1914-1922 with Cleveland, Boston (A.L.), Pittsburg and Boston (N.L.) In 1921, he was voted “best shortstop” in the National League with a batting average of .302 and a fielding average of .957. He held a lifetime major league batting average of .260 in 501 games played.

Barbare served as a manager of several minor league teams including the Greenville Spinners. He also coached both baseball and basketball at Parker High School and baseball at Presbyterian College. Barbare worked as an umpire in the Piedmont League, the Mississippi Valley League and the South Atlantic League where he was the umpire-in-chief in 1939.

Blackwell played and managed in the local textile leagues from 1935 to 1958, primarily representing Pacolet, Monaghan, and Southern Bleachery. Renowned for his skills, longtime Greenville News Sports Editor Dan Foster once described him as “the greatest textile league player I had ever seen.” Known for hitting prodigious home runs that became legendary across textile ballparks, Blackwell consistently found ways to get on base when he wasn’t sending balls over the fence. His batting average was often among the highest in every league he joined. Blackwell also made his mark as a pitcher, known for a blazing fastball that kept hitters on their toes.

Brissie pitched in Major League Baseball from 1947 to 1953, playing for the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians and earning a spot in the 1949 MLB All-Star Game. Yet beyond his baseball achievements, Brissie was a true American hero.

During World War II, Brissie served in the U.S. Army's 88th Infantry Division in Northern Italy. On December 7, 1944, he was severely wounded by a German artillery barrage that shattered his left leg. Knowing that his dream of playing professional baseball hinged on keeping his leg, Brissie pleaded with doctors to avoid amputation. Remarkably, he endured 23 surgeries and a long rehabilitation, ultimately making his way to the major leagues against the odds. For his bravery and dedication, he was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Brissie was born in Anderson but spent the first 11 years of his life in Greenville. Brissie was an outstanding pitcher in the textile leagues for Riegel Textile and also pitched for Savannah in the South Atlantic League. Brissie pitched several times at Greenville’s Meadowbrook Park as well as several local textile fields. After retiring as a player, Brissie served as the Commissioner of the American Legion Baseball Program and was a scout for the Dodgers and Braves organizations.

Brissie's story stands as a testament to courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his dreams, both on and off the field.

Craig Brown is the owner of the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Before changing the face of Greenville’s West End with Fluor Field, Brown spent 23 years as a senior executive in the advertising industry. The ballpark mirrors the dimensions of Boston's Fenway Park, complete with its own "Green Monster." Since its opening in 2006, Fluor Field has become a central hub for community events.

Under Brown's leadership, the Drive has garnered national recognition, including the prestigious John H. Johnson President's Award in 2017, honoring the top Minor League team in the nation. The team has also been lauded for its community engagement initiatives, such as partnerships with local schools, businesses and health organizations to promote education and wellness.

Beyond baseball, Brown is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors and serves on several local boards. His vision and dedication have not only elevated baseball in Greenville but have also significantly impacted the Greenville community, fostering a spirit of unity and progress.

Greg Burgess is the Vice President of Operations and Grounds for the Greenville Drive and serves as the head groundskeeper at Fluor Field, the team's ballpark. Under his leadership, Fluor Field’s playing surface has garnered a stellar reputation—not just as the best in the South Atlantic League but as one of the finest in all of minor league baseball.

During his 16-year tenure with the Drive, Burgess has been honored with the South Atlantic League’s Groundskeeper of the Year award an impressive seven times. This prestigious recognition is based on ratings from visiting team managers, reflecting the exceptional quality of the field under his care.

Burgess began his career in baseball with the Charlotte Knights, while still in high school. He worked for the Knights for four years and rose to the position of assistant groundskeeper before he accepted a position with the Drive. A Rock Hill native, he majored in turfgrass management at Clemson University.

Manning Clark was a pioneering Black entrepreneur in Greenville who recognized the need to expand recreational opportunities for the city’s Black community. He and a partner helped organize the Greenville Black Spinners baseball team, which represented Greenville's Black baseball community from 1921 to 1969. The Black Spinners provided a platform for talented local players to showcase their skills and compete against teams like the Spartanburg Sluggers, Asheville Blues, Charlotte Black Hornets, and Easley Browns.

Fondly known as “Kingfish,” Clark was a true renaissance man, using his diverse talents and accomplishments to uplift and serve his community. A self-taught chef, he operated a popular local café. At a time when motorized vehicles were rare in his community, Clark owned a Cadillac, which he used as a makeshift taxi to help neighbors reach their destinations. He transported youth and adults to state NAACP meetings and other pivotal political events, later transforming this service into a successful taxi business. Clark opened Clark’s Funeral Home, which continues to serve the community to this day and supported his wife, Emma Shumate, in establishing a thriving beauty parlor.

Driven by a deep commitment to community service, Clark was known for stepping up whenever he saw a need. He assisted elderly and infirm neighbors, provided financial aid to those in distress, and organized enriching activities for children and youth, including teaching precision drill and marching techniques.

Manning Clark’s known not only as the man who helped found the Greenville Black Spinners baseball team, but also a man with an enduring legacy of generosity, leadership, and dedication to improving the lives of those around him.

An Inman native, Culbreth had a distinguished career as a major league umpire from 1999 to 2021. Over his tenure, he officiated in five Division Series, six League Championships, three World Series, and one All-Star Game. Notably, he was on the field when Rafael Palmeiro and Cal Ripken Jr. reached the 3,000-hit milestone, and he officiated the historic game in which Ripken concluded his record-setting streak of 2,632 consecutive games in 1998. Culbreth was also part of the crew for two no-hitters.

Before his umpiring career, Culbreth excelled as a baseball player at Chapman High School and later at UNC-Charlotte. A two-way player from 1984 to 1986, he made history in 1984 as the only UNC-Charlotte player to lead the team in both home runs (10) and ERA (2.47). In 1985, he batted .301 and pitched a career-high 111.2 innings, setting a school record with 10 complete games. He concluded his college career with an impressive 3.08 ERA and an outstanding rate of 1.96 walks per nine innings.

Dawson was a native of Greenville and graduate of Sterling High School where he played shortstop for the Tigers. Known for his flashy style and athletic ability, Dawson was outstanding hitter who reportedly hit over .400 throughout his high school career. Dawson played a season at South Carolina State University and then returned to Greenville where he continued to impress local fans with his abilities on the diamond playing for the Greenville Black Spinners as well as various neighborhood teams.

While playing for the Black Spinners in an exhibition against the Indianapolis Clowns, Dawson said he had a “real good game” and after the game, the Clowns offered him a contract to go on the road with them. They agreed to pay Dawson $4 a day for his services. Dawson played for the Clowns in 1969 and 1970 and his association with them led to his appearance on the biggest stage of his life. Dawson was recommended as an “extra” for the movie “Bingo Long and the Traveling All Stars and Motor Kings,” a 1976 sports/comedy depicting life in the Negro baseball leagues. The film started Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor and James Earl Jones. Despite having no acting experience, Dawson so impressed the directors that he was given the speaking role of second baseman, Willie Lee Shively.

Dawson said in an interview regarding his role in the movie, “After they found out I had such a great sense of humor, they changed my part and made it a little bigger. I just kept everybody alive on the set with my wisecracking . . . and had everybody rolling in stitches.” The movie was a box office hit, grossing over $33 million.

DeSalvo served as General Manager for the AA Greenville Braves of the Southern League from 1987 to 2004. During that time, the team won multiple Southern League Championships and showcased several future Atlanta Braves stars, including Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine, Andruw Jones, and Javy Lopez. Notably, the 1992 Greenville Braves—who achieved an impressive 100 wins in a 143-game season—were named one of the top 100 greatest minor league teams of all time.

During his 17 years in Greenville, DeSalvo was heavily involved in several community and charitable initiatives. In 2004, he guided the team’s relocation to Pearl, Mississippi, where he was General Manager for the Mississippi Braves for 14 years. Over the course of his career, DeSalvo was honored as the Southern League Executive of the Year on four times.

Dietz played major league baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves from 1966-1973. He was a lifetime .261 hitter and was voted to the 1967 Topps All Rookie Team. He was selected to play for the National League in the 1971 All-Star game. He replaced Johnny Bench at catcher in 7^th inning and belted a ninth inning homerun off future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter that helped spark a rally for the National League’s dramatic 12-inning victory.

Dietz was the catcher for Gaylord Perry’s no hitter on September 17, 1968. As the Giants’ player representative during the 1972 players' strike, he played an important part in labor relations. After his playing days, Dietz continued his involvement in baseball as a minor league manager in the Giants organization from 1993 to 1999.

Dietz was an Outstanding three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) at Greenville High. He earned All-State honors in football and was a three-time all-conference catcher in baseball. Dietz passed away in 2005 at the age of 63, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the game.

Dan Foster was a distinguished sports journalist whose career spanned over five decades, significantly shaping sports coverage in Greenville and beyond. Born in Greenville, Foster graduated from Furman University in 1949 and began his writing career with the Greenville News-Piedmont in 1948.

After serving three years in the United States Air Force, Foster returned to the newspaper in 1953. He became the sports editor of the afternoon Piedmont in 1958 and later served as sports editor of the Greenville News from 1968 until his retirement in 2000.

He expertly told stories to baseball fans in the community, covering both the professional teams and textile baseball. His articles entertained and enlightened thousands of readers and stand as an archive of Greenville’s rich baseball history.

Foster is also a member of the Furman University Hall of Fame and received the Greenville Lions Club Citizen of the Year award in 2002.

The 1992 Greenville Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, delivered a historic season that remains a benchmark in minor league baseball. Under the leadership of manager Grady Little, the team achieved a remarkable 100-43 record, becoming the first in Southern League history to reach 100 wins.

The roster featured future Major League stars, notably shortstop Chipper Jones and catcher Javy Lopez. Jones batted .346 and hit 9 home runs with 42 RBI as a midseason promotion from Class A. Lopez hit .321 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI.

The team's dominance extended into the postseason, sweeping the Charlotte Knights in the semifinals and clinching the Southern League championship by defeating the Chattanooga Lookouts in five games.

The 1992 Greenville Braves' exceptional performance earned them recognition as one of the top 25 minor league teams of all time from the National Association of Professional Baseball League.

Thomas Hallums, fondly known in his community as “Big Thomas,” earned his nickname early in life due to his impressive size and stature. A natural athlete, Hallums quickly became one of the most well-respected athletes in Greenville’s Black community during the 1960s. His reputation for hitting towering home runs began on the Little League fields and followed him to Sterling High School, where he starred as a power-hitting first baseman for the Tigers. By his senior year, Hallums stood an imposing 6’3” and weighed 220 pounds. Despite his fierce competitiveness on the diamond, he was remembered off the field as a soft-spoken and kind-hearted “gentle giant.”

Hallums went on to play collegiate baseball at South Carolina State University, where he earned All-Conference honors in 1969. After college, he spent a season with the Greenville Black Spinners before being drafted in the ninth round of the MLB Draft by the New York Mets.

In his first season of professional baseball, Hallums dominated the Appalachian League while playing for the Marion (NC) Mets, leading the league in total bases, home runs, and RBIs. His performance propelled him through the minor leagues, and by his third season, he hit an impressive .305 for the Double-A Memphis Blues.

Hallums' professional career concluded after his fourth season in the minors. He wrapped up his playing days with the Triple-A Tidewater Mets, where he batted .249.

Joseph Jefferson "Shoeless Joe" Jackson (1887–1951) was an outfielder renowned for his exceptional hitting prowess. Born in Pickens County, Jackson’s family moved to the Brandon community of West Greenville in 1901. By the age of 13, he was already showcasing his baseball talents on local mill teams.

His moniker, "Shoeless Joe," originated from a game in 1908 when he was playing semi-pro ball with the Greenville Spinners. He played without shoes due to painful blisters. Wearing just his socks, it’s said that Jackson hit the longest home run in the history of Memminger Street Park.

Jackson's Major League career spanned from 1908 to 1920, during which he played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps and the Chicago White Sox. He achieved a remarkable .356 career batting average and set a rookie hits record - 233 in a single season - that stood for 90 seasons.

Jackson was instrumental in the White Sox's 1917 World Series victory. Despite his on-field achievements, Jackson's legacy is often overshadowed by his alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, where eight White Sox players were accused of conspiring to fix the World Series. Although acquitted in a 1921 trial, Jackson and his teammates were permanently banned from professional baseball.

Jackson eventually returned to Greenville where he opened a restaurant and later owned and operated a liquor store. He continued to play with semi-professional baseball teams and maintained his passion for the game.

Eric Jarinko has served as the General Manager of the Greenville Drive for 13 years, bringing exceptional leadership and innovation to the organization. He began his tenure with the Drive in 2005 as Director of Media Relations after spending a year with the Frederick Keys, part of the Baltimore Orioles organization.

In his role as General Manager, Jarinko has guided the Drive’s business and ballpark operations, led efforts to enhance the fan experience at Fluor Field, and oversaw several significant stadium enhancements. Under his leadership the Drive has established itself as a model organization within minor league baseball and has earned numerous accolades such as Baseball America's Bob Freitas Award and the John H. Johnson President’s Award given to the Minor League Organization of the Year.

A native of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, Jarinko excelled in baseball, basketball, and golf at Souderton High School before earning a degree in Sports Management from Clemson University. He was named the South Atlantic League’s Media Relations Director of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he was honored as one of Greenville Business Magazine’s “Best and Brightest Under 35.”

Jarinko has been a driving force in fostering partnerships with local charities and community organizations, solidifying the Drive’s role as a pillar of the Greenville community. He is respected throughout the baseball and Greenville communities for his professionalism and commitment to excellence.

Bob Kipper was a left-handed pitched in the Major Leagues from 1985-1992. He is best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he also played for the California Angels and Minnesota Twins. He was a key member of the Pirates’ pitching staff for two of their three consecutive N.L. East championships (1990-92).

Kipper grew up in Aurora, Illinois and after an outstanding high school career, he was the first-round pick of the California Angels in the 1982 Major League baseball draft. He turned down multiple college scholarship offers to pursue his dream of playing in the major leagues. Kipper posted a 27-37 record with a 4.43 ERA, striking out 431 batters in 562.2 innings across 271 games.

Following his playing days, Kipper transitioned into coaching, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of players. In 2002, he served as the bullpen coach for the Boston Red Sox and has held various coaching roles throughout MLB organizations, particularly within the Red Sox system. Kipper has spent 11 seasons as the pitching coach for the Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League, where he has been instrumental in developing young talent in the Red Sox organization.

Thomas Charles "Tommy" Lasorda (1927–2021) was an iconic figure in baseball, renowned for his passion and leadership. His illustrious professional career began in Greenville where he pitched for the Greenville Spinners in 1949. During that season, Lasorda compiled a 7-7 record with a 2.93 ERA, showcasing his potential and setting the stage for his future in the sport.

While in Greenville, Lasorda met Joan "Jo" Miller, a local resident. Their relationship blossomed, leading to their marriage on April 14, 1950.

Lasorda's time in Greenville marked the beginning of a career that would see him become a celebrated manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His tenure with the Dodgers spanned from 1976 to 1996, during which he led the team to two World Series championships and earned induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mahon grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and graduated from Parker High School and Winthrop University. After college, she worked at the Greenville post office while playing softball for the Dunean Mill women’s team. Thanks to Jimmy Gaston, President and General Manager of the Greenville Spinners, Mahon secured a tryout in 1943 with the newly established All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Mahon played in the AAGPBL from 1944 to 1952 with three different teams, spending most of her career with the South Bend Blue Sox.

Mahon had her best season in 1945, leading the league with 79 RBIs. A two-time All-Star, she finished her career ranked fourth in all-time RBIs with 400 and had a lifetime batting average of .248. The 1992 movie, A League of Their Own, starring Tom Hanks depicted life in the AAGPBL.

After retiring from baseball, Mahon earned a master’s degree from Indiana University and went on to a successful career as a teacher and counselor in South Bend.

Moss was a long-time leader of the Post 3 American Legion baseball program in Greenville. He spent countless hours helping organize and operate the local American Legion baseball program giving hundreds of young baseball players the opportunity to further develop their skills across three decades (1970s, 80s and 90s). His work with the American Legion program helped numerous young players obtain college scholarships as well as advance to the professional level.

Osteen, was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina and grew up in Piedmont, South Carolina. From 1892-1900, he was one of the stars of the local textile leagues. He was signed to a professional contract and made his MLB debut with the Washington Senators in 1903 and played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1904. He is considered to be the first player from Greenville County to play in the major leagues. Over his short MLB career, he appeared in 42 games, holding a batting average of .193. Known for his versatility in the infield, he played both second base and shortstop positions. Osteen continued to play for various minor league teams up until 1914, when he retired from professional baseball at the age of 37.

Patterson pitched 13 seasons (1985-1998) in the Major League Baseball, representing the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, California Angels and Chicago Cubs. Primarily a reliever, he pitched in 559 games, achieving a 4.08 career earned run average with 39 wins, 483 strikeouts, and 21 saves. He held an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio at 2.38 (483 strikeouts to 180 walks), and his fielding skills were exceptional, as he committed only one error over his Major League career.

Before reaching the majors, Patterson spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, including two with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his time in Buffalo, he posted a 14-6 record with a 3.20 ERA over 35 games. His achievements earned him induction into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.

A 1977 graduate of Wade Hampton High School, Patterson went on to play collegiate baseball at East Carolina University, where he compiled a 27-8 record and 256 strikeouts, helping lead the Pirates to two NCAA postseason appearances. In recognition of his impact on ECU baseball, he was inducted into the East Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Phillips played five seasons of professional baseball within the Chicago Cubs organization. He enjoyed an outstanding athletic career while attending Greenville High (Class of 1945) where he excelled not only in baseball but also in football and basketball. During Phillips senior year, the school struggled to field a baseball team in the wake of World War II. Out of a desire to give he and his fellow classmates a chance to play the game, Phillips single-handedly organized the team and served as its player/coach.

Phillips played several years in the textile leagues representing Dunean, Poinsett, Monaghan, and Poe Mills. He also served as athletic director at Monaghan Mill from 1948-1951.

Phillips spent 11 years coaching American Legion Post 3 baseball teams, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with younger players. He served as a scout for the San Francisco Giants. Phillips was also part owner of Oneal-Williams Sporting Goods in downtown Greenville and a long-time board member of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in Greenville.

Phillips was an outstanding three-sport athlete at Greenville High School, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, he earned a tryout with the Philadelphia Athletics, where he had the opportunity to meet legendary Hall of Famer Connie Mack. Despite the appeal of a potential professional career, he chose instead to attend Furman University, where he continued to play baseball and earned All-Southern Conference honors in 1948.

Upon graduating from Furman, Phillips signed with the Athletics. He spent two years playing in the Athletics’ minor league system before returning to Greenville to play for the Greenville Spinners.

In 1955, Phillips returned to Greenville High, as a teacher and coach, launching a highly successful coaching career. He served as head coach for both basketball and baseball and as an assistant football coach. Summers were dedicated to coaching Greenville’s American Legion baseball team from 1956 to 1965. Under his guidance, Greenville’s basketball teams claimed back-to-back state championships in 1964 and 1965. In 1969, Phillips moved to Wade Hampton High School, where he took on the roles of athletic director, head football coach, and head baseball coach.

Throughout his distinguished coaching and teaching career that spanned over three decades, Phillips became a positive influence on hundreds of student-athletes, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and careers. Among those he influenced were future Greenville Baseball Hall of Fame members Dick Dietz, Bob Patterson, and Doug Strange, all of whom played for Phillips.

Phillips joins his brother, Alva, and nephew, Randy, in the Greenville Baseball Hall of Fame.

Phillips was a successful entrepreneur and businessman whose efforts were pivotal in bringing the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A franchise to Greenville in 1984. He played a key role in securing the Braves' arrival by spearheading an initiative to construct the Greenville Municipal Stadium.

A Greenville native, Phillips attended Greenville High School, where he excelled as a baseball player and earned a scholarship to Clemson University. After his first year, he transferred to Furman University, where he completed his education.

Beyond his business achievements and devoted interest to the game of baseball, Phillips was deeply committed to his community, dedicating significant time and resources to numerous local charities and civic organizations in Greenville.

Rhem was a major league pitcher from 1924-1936, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Nationals. Rhem was key member of the Cardinals during their “Gashouse Gang” era, and was known for his gritty, unconventional, and often unpredictable style of play.

While pitching for the Cardinals, Rhem pitched in four World Series. His best season in the majors was 1926 when he went 20-7 and helped the Cardinals clinch their first World Series Championship. He had a lifetime record of 105 wins and 97 losses. Born in Rhems, South Carolina, Rhem returned to South Carolina after his baseball career, settling in Greer. Before his time in the majors, he pitched for Clemson University from 1922-1923 and competed in the textile leagues. Rhem is a member of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Verner Ross was the Owner and President and of the minor baseball franchise in Greenville from 1966-1972. During that time, the Greenville team was part of the Mets (1965-66), Red Sox (1967-1971), and Rangers (1972) organizations under Ross’s ownership. Through Ross’ efforts, professional baseball stayed alive in Greenville during some very challenging times. Ross operated a Tire and Battery business during the day but spent countless hours at Meadowbrook Park overseeing the operations of his baseball teams.

His dedication to baseball was recognized when he was posthumously inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame in 2007.

Ryan is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. Following his record setting 27-year career in the major leagues, Ryan was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. He pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. He holds a career won loss record of 324-292 and is the all-time MLB strikeout leader with 5,714. He also holds the record for the most no-hitters, with seven.

In 1966, Ryan pitched for the Greenville Mets and led the Western Carolina League in wins with 17 and strikeouts with 272. Ryan once referred to the season he spent in Greenville as “one of the most pleasant I’ve ever had in baseball.”

Strange spent ten seasons (1989-1998) in the major leagues with six different teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, and Pittsburg Pirates. He held a lifetime batting average of .233 in 707 games. He was known as a versatile utility infielder, often playing second base, third base, and shortstop. Strange’s most productive year was 1995 with the Mariners, where he hit .237 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs and helped the Mariners earn a playoff berth.

Strange was a 1982 graduate of Wade Hampton High School where he played for fellow Greenville Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Phillips. He played collegiately at North Carolina State University and was a 7^th round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1985. After retiring as a player, Strange has worked as a baseball executive with the Pirates organization.

Williams, a Greenville native, played professional baseball from 1946 to 1957, during which he played for several minor league teams, including Vicksburg, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Columbia in the South Atlantic League. Known as a power-hitting first baseman, he enjoyed his best season in 1950 with Vicksburg, batting .302 while smashing 21 home runs and driving in 109 runs.

After concluding his minor league career, Williams became a standout in the textile leagues from 1958 to 1961. In 1959, while playing for Dunean, he hit an impressive .351, recorded 20 home runs, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Western Carolina League (Textile).

Williams' talent was a key member of Greenville's American Legion Junior Baseball team that captured the state championship in 1945.