Willie Wells
| Birthdate | 8/10/1908 |
| Death Date | 1/22/1989 |
| Debut Year | 1924 |
| Year of Induction | 1997 |
| Teams | Negro Leagues |
| Position | Shortstop |
Shortstop Willie Wells played in the Negro Leagues and in Latin America from 1924-1948 and is in Halls of Fame in Cuba, Mexico, and the USA.
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Negro League great Willie Wells is one of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game
Negro League great Willie Wells is one of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game
Willie Wells played professional baseball from 1924-1948 at the most athletic position on the field. Fellow Cooperstown man Cool Papa Bell saw him up close and was impressed.
According to the Hall of Fame’s website, Bell said, “The shortstops I’ve seen, Wells could cover ground better than any of them. Willie Wells was the greatest shortstop in the world.”
Baseball historians agree.
Wells started playing 9 years before the East-West All Star game was formed in 1933. Despite this, the man known as El Diablo played in eight of the star-studded affairs.
As he reached his late-30s, Wells was still a top player in the game. The five-tool player continued at a high level into his mid-40s, serving as a mentor to the younger player.
The Veterans Committee voted Wells into the Hall of Fame in 1997, eight years after his death of January 22, 1989. Though many index cards exist signed by Wells, it’s relatively rare to see one with this much of his handwriting. Here he wishes his best to a collector who requested one of his photos. Wells is in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Cuba, and Mexico.
Buck O'Neil rates Wells as the shortstop on his All Time Negro League team
Buck O'Neil rates Wells as the shortstop on his All Time Negro League team
The Veterans Committee thought enough of Willie Wells to put him in the Hall of Fame. Thinking along those same lines, the legendary Buck O’Neil rated Wells his his shortstop among O’Neil’s All Time Negro League All Stars.
O’Neil’s vast knowledge and memory of the game’s greats carries weight. A quick glance at the rest of the names finds many Hall of Fame players on the list.
A Hall of Famer in three countries!