Wilmer Fields

Fans of the Negro Leagues will recognize the name of Wilmer Fields. He is now the President of the Negro Leagues Alumni Association which represents the interests of the former players and has been instrumental in getting pensions for some of the players who never received the chance to play "Major League Baseball".

Wilmer, or "Red" as he was called due to the colour of his hair, was an all-round athlete on the baseball diamond. As a pitcher for the Homestead Grays in the 1940's, a league powerhouse, Wilmer had won-loss records of 16-1, 17-2 and 15-3 in different seasons. But he was also an exceptional outfielder and 3rd baseman who regularly batted over .300. Wilmer's talents led the Grays to 8 championships during his tenure with the team from 1939 to 1950. Here he had the privilege of playing along side Hall of Fame members Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Cool Papa Bell.

Just how good was Wilmer? After Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier with the Dodgers in 1947, Wilmer received 5 contract offers from major league teams. The New York Yankees wanted him as a 3rd baseman, the Brooklyn Dodgers as a pitcher, and the Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators all wanted him as an outfielder. However, Wilmer found he could make more money and be happier playing in leagues away from the racism found in the United States in places like South and Central America, Puerto Rico and Canada. In fact, Wilmer was named MVP of his league an astounding 8 times! Overall, he played for 25 seasons.

His autobiography, "My Life in the Negro Leagues: an Autobiography", gives his account of his time spent in baseball. In spite of all the terrible racism Wilmer and his teammates encountered, some of it almost unspeakable, Wilmer is not bitter. He thanks God for providing for him and his family and has no regrets about not playing in the "majors". After all, he knows the talent in the Negro Leagues was equal to the talent in the majors - he did play against the best!

Wilmer is a living encyclopedia of Negro League baseball history and a true gentleman. Learn about the fun, as well as the hardships, of the Negro league veterans firsthand.