[RCOW] Bill Greason | The Pioneering Pastor

In honor of Black History Month, Random Cardinal of the Week steps away from the usual deep cuts to profile a true pioneer. Meet William Henry Greason, the man who broke the pitching color barrier for the St. Louis Cardinals.

While the story of Jackie Robinson is well-known, the integration of the Cardinals—the southernmost and westernmost team in MLB at the time—was a unique struggle set against the backdrop of a deeply segregated St. Louis.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Hero Before the Mound: Greason’s service as one of the first Black Marines, including his time in combat at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

• The Birmingham Black Barons: His years in the Negro Leagues playing alongside a teenage phenom named Willie Mays.

• Integrating the Birds on the Bat: The business and social pressures that led Gussie Busch to finally integrate the roster in 1954, and Greason’s historic debut at Wrigley Field.

• A Century of Resilience: How Greason transitioned from the mound to the ministry, serving the Birmingham community for decades during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

From growing up across the street from Martin Luther King Jr. to throwing out the first pitch at Rickwood Field at 100 years old, Bill Greason’s legacy is a testament to perseverance in the face of the "gentleman’s agreement" and Jim Crow.

Key Statistics & Facts:

• MLB Debut: May 31, 1954 (First Black pitcher in Cardinals history).

• Negro Leagues: 2.84 ERA with the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons.

• Longevity: As of 2026, Bill Greason remains the oldest living Negro Leagues veteran at 101 years old.

#BlackHistoryMonth #STLCards #NegroLeagues #BillGreason #MLBHistory #StLouisCardinals