Home / Sports / Marine, Pastor, MLB Player: Bill Greason at 102
Marine, Pastor, MLB Player: Bill Greason at 102
25 Sep
Summary
- Bill Greason, oldest MLB player and last Negro Leaguer, turned 102.
- He served as a Montford Point Marine during WWII in the Pacific.
- Greason also became a Baptist minister after his baseball career.
The Rev. William "Bill" Greason, a distinguished Montford Point Marine and Baptist minister, recently marked his 102nd birthday. He is also noted as the oldest-living Major League Baseball player and the last surviving Negro Leaguer. Greason's journey began in the Jim Crow South, yet he navigated life with dignity and humor. He enlisted as a Marine at 17, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, experiencing the intense combat on Iwo Jima.
Following his military service, Greason pursued a baseball career, playing for Negro League teams like the Birmingham Barons. He later broke the color barrier in professional sports, becoming the first Black player for the Oklahoma City Indians in 1952 and later pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954. His path then led him to the pulpit, becoming an ordained Baptist minister.
Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012 for his service, Greason continues to inspire. He embodies a life dedicated to service, whether in uniform, on the field, or in ministry, always asking, "Did I help someone?" His resilience and character serve as a powerful testament to his extraordinary life.
