An amateur boxer, Wonderful Willie earned his nickname while with Syracuse (International League) in 1963 when he batted .380 and was 14-2 on the mound. He debuted as a pitcher with Detroit that season. After going 9-for-15 as an Angels pinch hitter in 1964, he won a job in their outfield. That June 4 in Cleveland, he pinch hit, played the OF, and relieved in the eighth inning. He is the only black player in ML history to appear in at least 20 games as a pitcher and 20 as a fielder.
