Get to know Smokey Joe Williams—the 6’4” right-hander whose fastball terrified hitters, whose barnstorming record humbled MLB greats, and whose legend grew despite baseball’s color line. In this Rounding Third story episode, Peter Lemieux walks through Smokey Joe’s meteoric rise, his duels with stars like Walter Johnson, and the road that ended with a 1999 Hall of Fame induction.

00:00 Today's Story

00:25 The Historic First Pitch by President Taft

02:24 Walter Johnson: The Big Train

04:02 Introducing Smokey Joe Williams

05:17 Smokey Joe's Legendary Career

07:57 Legacy and Recognition

10:11 Conclusion and Call to Action

What you’ll learn

• How Opening Day 1910 (President Taft’s first pitch) sets the stage for Walter Johnson vs. Smokey Joe. 

• Why contemporaries said the ball “exploded” out of Smokey Joe’s hand (Ty Cobb’s praise). 

• Barnstorming receipts: wins vs. Grover Cleveland Alexander, Chief Bender, Rube Marquard, and even a 1–0 loss while throwing a no-hitter. 

• Smokey Joe vs. Satchel Paige (1–0 classic) and his late-career perspective when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. 

Why this matters

Baseball history isn’t complete without the Negro Leagues. Williams’s dominance—strikeouts, complete games, and success against championship MLB teams—puts him in the conversation with the greatest pitchers ever.

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