Bill Foster
| Birthdate | 6/12/1904 |
| Death Date | 9/16/1978 |
| Debut Year | 1923 |
| Year of Induction | 1996 |
| Teams | Negro Leagues |
| Position | Pitcher |
Hall of Fame left-hander Bill Foster was a two-time All Star and two-time Negro League Champion who compiled a 143-69 lifetime record.
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Bill Foster threw a fastball, changeup, curve, slider, and sinker - all were plus pitches
Bill Foster threw a fastball, changeup, curve, slider, and sinker - all were plus pitches
The younger half-brother of Negro Leagues legend and founder Andrew “Rube” Foster, Bill Foster was a lanky Negro League southpaw. Considered by many the best lefty in the league, Foster played from 1923-37.
His repertoire was vast. Armed with a firm fastball, his changeup from same release point was devastating. Scouts said Foster’s curve, slider, and sinker were also plus pitches.
Foster’s pitched his brother’s Chicago American Giants to the pennant in 1926, 1927, and 1933. He was at his finest in the ’26 National Negro League World Series. He pitched three complete games including a shutout. Over 28 1/3 innings his ERA in the ’26 World Series was 1.27.
Foster also holds the distinction of going the distance to earn the first win in the first East-West All-Star Game. He was at his best when pitching against the best.
According to BaseballReference.com, Foster’s career stats include a 110-56 record, 127 complete games, 31 shutouts, and 2.63 ERA. After his retirement from his playing days Foster was the head baseball coach at Alcorn State College for 19 years. He passed away in 1978 and was posthumously inducted into Cooperstown in 1996.
In the collection is an insurance card filled out and signed by Foster who died in 1978, long before interest in the Negro Leagues was revitalized.
Foster's posthumous induction came in 1996, eighteen years after his passing
Foster's posthumous induction came in 1996, eighteen years after his passing
According to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bill Foster won 26 consecutive games in 1926. BaseballReference.com credits Foster with league-leading numbers in both ERA (1.80), and shutouts (6) that season.
Foster led the league in ERA four times, complete games 3 times, shutouts twice, and strikeouts once.
His Hall of Fame plaque reads, “Regarded as one of the best left-handed pitchers in Negro League history and also managed several clubs. Devastating sidearm delivery made him a consistent winner. Instrumental in Chicago American Giants Negro League pennant and World Series success in 1926, 1927, and 1933. Won 26 straight in 1926 and had 32-3 mark in 1927. Coached baseball at alma mater Alcorn A&M College in Mississippi from 1960-1978.
Shown here is the back of the insurance card in the previous image.
Buck O'Neil lists Bill Foster on the LHP on his All Time Negro League team
Buck O'Neil lists Bill Foster on the LHP on his All Time Negro League team
Hall of Fame voters recognized Bill Foster as one of the greatest pitchers to play the game. The legendary Buck O’Neil also lists Foster as his left-handed pitcher on his All Time Negro League All Stars.
A quick glance down the list finds it peppered with other Hall of Fame players.
