Bill Deck, Negro League pitcher dies at 95

Bill Deck - 1939

Bill Deck, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro Leagues died Tuesday February 22, 2011 at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia according to Dr. Steven McIlwain. He was 95.

Born Sept 28, 1915, Deck had an early start in Negro League baseball as he was a ball chaser for the Hilldale Daises, where he had the chance to watch Hall of Famer Judy Johnson operate up close and personal.

Deck would go on to play for local semi-pro teams in the early 1930's before signing on with the Philadelphia Stars in 1939.

In 1943, Deck was drafted into the Marines for World War II. Deck was in one of the first all-black Marine units in the war. He served until 1946, and upon his return, played for the Bacharach Giants until 1951. 

Deck returned to Philadelphia where he lived in North Philadelphia until his death.

- Update - Excerpts from a 2007 interview I conducted with Deck are posted here. "Bill Deck's Exciting Journey Through the Negro Leagues."