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The 13 Black Aces Span Generations...Read More (Click Here)
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| Dontrelle Willis | ||||||||
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| 7-20+seasons | 5-20+seasons | 4-20+seasons | 3-20+seasons | |||||
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| Ferguson Jenkins HOF '91 | Bob Gibson HOF '81 | Dave Stewart | Vida Blue | |||||
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| 3-20+seasons | 1959 21-15 | 1965 21-7 | 1967 22-11 | |||||
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| Don Newcombe | "Sad" Sam Jones Deceased - July 6, 1966 |
Robert Earl Wilson
Deceased - Apr. 23, 2005 |
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| 1971 20-9 | 1976 20-15 | 1980 22-9 | 1985 24-4 | |||||
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| J.R. Richard | Al Downing | Mike Norris | Dwight "Doc" Gooden | |||||
Text Source: Mudcat Grant - web site and Fergie Jenkins Foundation
After being traded to the Florida Marlins, Dontrelle Willis made his first major league start in 2003. Dontrelle's wacky delivery and wicked fastball caused huge problems for opposing hitters. He was selected to the National League's All-Star team and was named the N.L. Rookie Of The Year after finishing the season with a record of 14-10. Willis finished off an incredible rookie season by helping the Florida Marlins defeat the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series. After a sophmore slump in his second year, Willis returned to his dominating form in 2005. Willis led the National League with 22 wins and became the first black pitcher in 15 years to win 20 games. This feat made Willis the 13th member of the Black Aces - the elite club of African-American pitchers who have won 20 or more games. Dontrelle's strange high-leg delivery continues to bewilder even the toughest hitters and has made him a favorite to win the 2005 National League Cy Young Award. { Came second to Chris Carpenter - Cardinals- Nov. 10, 2005 }
He made his Major League debut in 1969 for the A’s and no-hit the Twins in 1970, but did not pitch his first full season until 1971. In that season, the left-hander went 24-8 with eight shutouts and a 1.82 ERA. He won both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award for his efforts. In 1973, he won 20 games against 9 losses, helping the Athletics to their second straight World Series crown. In 1975, he had another 20+ win season, winning 22 games and finishing with a 3.01 ERA. He was traded to the Giants in 1978 and proceeded to win 18 games and became the first player to be named to All-Star teams in both leagues. Blue finished his career 209-161 (1969-1986) after being named to four All-Star teams and a 3.63 ERA.
Ferguson Jenkins
This right-handed pitcher played 17 seasons (1965-1983), primarily with
the Cubs. He also, like Bob Gibson, spent time playing for the Harlem
Globetrotters. Jenkins led the league in complete games four times, games
started three times, innings pitched three times, wins twice and strikeouts
once. He compiled twenty win campaigns seven times, including a string of six in
row (1967-1974). In 1971, he finished the season 24-13 with 30 complete games
and a 2.77 ERA. For his efforts, he won the Cy Young Award. In 1974, pitching
for the Rangers, he went 25-12, his seventh 20-win season, and was named
Comeback Player of the Year. Jenkins finished his career ninth on the all-time
strikeout list (3,192) and his 284-226 record with an ERA of 3.34 earned him a
spot in the Hall of Fame in 1991.
A Hall of Fame pitcher who spent all 17 seasons (1959-75) with the Cardinals, and he also moonlighted as a Harlem Globetrotter. The right-hander had five 20+ win seasons and led the league in ERA once, wins once and strikeouts once. His magical 1968 season is one of the greatest seasons by a pitcher. Gibson was 22-9, a minuscule 1.12 ERA, the third lowest in history and 13 shutouts — five of those consecutively. He won both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards, leading the Cardinals to the World Championship. He won another Cy Young Award in 1970, going 23-7 with a 3.12 ERA. In 1971, he threw his only career no-hitter against the Pirates. He struck out 200 hitters nine times and won eight Gold Gloves, while being named to eight All-Star teams. He finished his career 251-174 with a 2.91 ERA and 3,117 strikeouts and was named to the Hall of Fame in 1981.
A right-hander that spent most of his ten Major League seasons (1948-1960) in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. In 1946, Newcombe was assigned to the Montreal Royals with Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Roy Partlow. In 1948, he was named Rookie of the Year for going 17-8 with a 3.17 ERA. He followed his rookie season with 19- and 20-win seasons in 1950 and 1951 respectively and was named to three consecutive All-Star teams. After spending 1952 and ’53 in the military, Newcombe returned to form in 1955 by going 20-5. It was in 1956 that he shined. He won 27 games against seven losses and was awarded the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award, making him the first player to win both in the same season. This accomplishment also made him the only player to win the Cy Young, MVP and the Rookie of the Year Awards. Newcombe finished his career 149-90 with 3.56 ERA.
This left-handed pitcher spent 17 seasons (1961-1977) in the Major Leagues primarily with the Yankees and Dodgers. In 1961, he was the first African-American starting pitcher in Yankees history. He led the American League in strikeouts (217) in 1964, while earning 13 victories. He made his only All-Star team in 1967, pitching two perfect innings, and finished the year 14-10 with a 2.63 ERA. In 1971, he joined the Dodgers, where he responded by going 20-9 with a 2.68 ERA and a league-leading five shutouts. He was named Comeback Player of the Year. In 1974, he entered baseball history by surrendering Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run. Downing finished with 123 career victories and a 3.22 ERA.
A right-handed pitcher who broke onto the scene as a 19 year old rookie in 1984. In 1984, Gooden went 17-9 with a 2.69 ERA and a league-leading 276 strikeouts, shattering the rookie record for strikeouts in a season. Gooden is the youngest player to be named Rookie of the Year, as well as the youngest to play in an All-Star Game. He followed his rookie campaign by going 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts, leading the league in all three categories. These numbers earned Gooden the 1985 Cy Young Award. At that time, he was only the ninth pitcher to capture the award unanimously. In 1986, he finished with 17 wins, helping the Mets to a World Championship. At the same time, he became the first pitcher in history to record 200+ strikeouts in his first three seasons. In 1989, Gooden became the third youngest player to reach 100 victories. He pitched his first no-hitter for the Yankees in 1996 against the Mariners, finishing that season with 11 wins. Currently, Gooden pitches for the Yankees.
Jim
"Mudcat" Grant
A right-handed pitcher who played 14 seasons (1958-1971), primarily with
the Indians and Twins. Grant was the first African-American to win 20 games in
the minor leagues. He debuted for the Indians in 1958 and as a member of the
Indians was named to the All-Star team in 1963. After being traded to the Twins
in 1964, he had his best year in 1965, going 21-7 with six shutouts and a 3.30
ERA. The Twins played the Dodgers in the 1965 World Series, and Grant became the
first African-American in the American League to earn a win in a World Series
game, winning Games One and Six. In 1969, Grant earned the Expos franchise’s
first win. In 1970, he went 8-3 with 24 saves for the A’s and the Pirates. Grant
finished with 144 victories and a 3.63 ERA.
Jones, a right-hander, began his career in the Negro Leagues, pitching the Cleveland Buckeyes to the 1947 Negro League World Series. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1950 but did not get his chance to pitch full-time until 1955 after being traded to the Cubs. It was that year that he got his first no-hitter against the Pirates and was named to his first All-Star team. Jones led the National League in strikeouts three seasons, two in Chicago and one in St. Louis. In 1959, his second All-Star season, he was traded to the Giants, where he compiled a 21-15 record, leading the National League in wins and strikeouts. He also pitched his second no-hitter against the Cardinals in that season. Jones career spanned 12 years (1951-1964) compiling 102 wins and a 3.59 ERA. Sad Sam Jones died on November 5, 1971, in Morgantown, WV, age 45.
Norris, a right-handed pitcher, pitched for ten years (1975-1983, 1990) for the Oakland Athletics. His best seasons were under manager Billy Martin. In 1980, Norris put together a 22-9 season with a 2.54 ERA, finishing second in the Cy Young Award balloting. In 1981, Norris helped the A’s to the American League West divisional title and made the All-Star team. Norris finished his career with 58 wins and two Gold Gloves to his credit in 1980 and 1981.
Richard was a flame-throwing right-hander for the Astros, who pitched ten seasons (1971-1980). In 1971, he tied a Major League record when he fanned 15 hitters in his first game. In 1978, he became the first National League right-handed pitcher in the 20th century to strike out 300 batters, and repeated the feat again in 1979. He won 20 games in 1976, finishing 20-15. Richard led the National League in strikeouts twice and ERA once, starting the All-Star Game in 1980. A stroke in 1980 cut his career short, and after a comeback attempt, he retired with a 107-71 career record and a 3.15 ERA.
Stewart pitched for 16 years (1978-1995), spending them primarily with the Athletics and Blue Jays. This right-hander enjoyed his best success with the A’s in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. From 1987-1990, Stewart strung together four 20+-win seasons. During the same stretch, he led the American League in starts three times, in complete games and innings pitched twice and once each in wins and shutouts. Despite this success, he was only named to one All-Star roster and never won a Cy Young Award. It was in the post-season that he received his success was rewarded. He was twice named the ALCS Most Valuable Player and was also named 1989 World Series Most Valuable Player. He never lost an ALCS game, winning eight games and compiling a 2.03 ERA. Stewart ended his career with 168 wins and a 3.95 ERA and currently works as a player agent.
Wilson played 11 years (1959-1970) with the Red Sox, Tigers and Padres. In his first full season in the Major Leagues (1962), he no-hit the Angels, finishing the season 12-8. In 1966, he was traded to the Tigers where he enjoyed his greatest success. He compiled 13 victories for the Tigers in ’66. In 1967, Wilson earned 22 wins against only 11 losses, finishing tied for the American League lead in wins. He helped the Tigers win the World Series in 1968 with 13 wins. Wilson’s last season was in 1970, and he finished with 121 career wins and a 3.69 ERA.
