Bill Cash

Negro league stars, Baseball Hall of Famer

What is Bill Cash known for?

Bill Cash, born on February 21, 1919 in Round Oak, Georgia, was a veritable baseball hero who made a significant impact on Negro league baseball. An all-star catcher, Bill played for the Philadelphia Stars from 1943 to 1949. He was a right-handed player who built a reputation for readiness, which also inspired his nickname "Ready".

His family relocated to the neighborhood of Eastwick-Elmwood in Philadelphia when he was five, and he graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia in 1939. During his time in high school, he was the only black player on the baseball team. After high school, he played semi-pro ball for four years with teams including the Camden Giants, the Black Meteors, and the Philadelphia Daisies.

As part of the Philadelphia Stars, Cash left a lasting legacy. Throughout his career, he maintained a batting average of .274, made 8 home runs, and had 131 runs batted in. His rookie season in the Negro league saw him batting .258 despite coming in from the semi-pros with an average of .321. His involvement in an altercation with an umpire on Opening Day in 1946 led to a brief suspension and fine, but couldn't dim his rising star.

Though an unfortunate broken thumb prevented him from catching for Satchel Paige’s barnstorming All-Star team in 1946, he was able to participate in the East-West All-Star games during 1948 and 1949. In the latter game, he employed his superb skills as a catcher to help the East execute a two-hit shutout against the West All-Stars.

After leaving the Negro league, Cash played minor league baseball for various teams including the Mexico City Red Devils, where he achieved a commendable batting average of .311 and 15 home runs. He also played for Chicago White Sox's farm teams and had stints in Canada, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. He eventually ended his baseball career in Bismarck, North Dakota, leaving behind an impressive career in baseball, and dedicating the rest of his life as an active member of the Philadelphia community until his death on September 12, 2011.

For more about Bill Cash, please visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.