Birmingham Black Barons & Willie Mays Brotherhood
Reverend Greason served as a pitching ace for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League. In 1948, he took 17-year-old rookie center fielder Willie Mays under his wing as a roommate and mentor. Greason won crucial playoff games against the Kansas City Monarchs to capture the 1948 NAL Pennant, advancing to face the Homestead Grays in the final historic Negro World Series.
Explore the 1948 Negro American League Pennant roster. Click any teammate to inspect their bond with Greason and historical significance:
Official 1954 St. Louis Cardinals game log for Bill Greason (#30), the franchise's first African-American pitcher:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | IP | ER | SO | Historic Note |
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Timeline comparison of early Black pitchers in Major League Baseball following Jackie Robinson's 1947 arrival:
| Player | Franchise | Debut Date | Prior Negro League Team |
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Montford Point Marines (1943–1946)
Enlisted during World War II and trained at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Faced rampant Jim Crow segregation while undergoing grueling combat training.
Battle of Iwo Jima (February 1945)
Deployed with the 66th Supply Company. Greason witnessed the iconic flag raising atop Mount Suribachi amidst brutal artillery bombardment and high casualties, surviving heroic service on the volcanic sands.
Korean War Recall (1951–1952)
Called back to active duty during the Korean conflict, interrupting his ascendant baseball prime with Birmingham and the Mexican League before returning to professional baseball.
Congressional Gold Medal (2012)
Collectively honored with the nation's highest civilian award alongside fellow Montford Point Marines for unyielding courage, patriotism, and breaking racial barriers in the Armed Forces.