Biography

One of the greatest shortstops in Negro League history, Willie Wells was nicknamed "Devil" by opposing teams. Players would commonly say, "don't hit it to short, the ‘Devil’ himself plays there". At the peak of his career with the Newark Eagles he teamed with Ray Dandridge, Dick Seay and Mule Suttles to form the "Million Dollar Infield". Wells routinely batted for an average of .350 or better. In exhibition games against major leaguers he batted in excess of .390. In 1942, Willie Wells graduated to player-manager with Newark. Three of the players that he managed, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin and Don Newcombe, went on to star in the Major Leagues. During the course of his 26 year professional career Wells played with the St. Louis Stars, KC Monarchs, Detroit Wolves, Homestead Grays, Memphis Red Sox, Newark Eagles and several other top-notch Negro League teams. Willie Wells was elected posthumously to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1997.

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