A new exhibit in Birmingham honors Oscar “Butler” Williams, a standout player, manager, and coach who significantly shaped black industrial baseball for over 50 years.The Negro Southern League Museum and Jefferson County leaders unveiled a traveling exhibit celebrating Williams, featuring photos and archival materials that highlight his impact on local leagues, which helped launch legends like Willie Mays and Bo Jackson.”My dad paved the way for a lot of young gentlemen,” said Oscar Williams Jr. “So the Industrial League has been a very inspirational league and a very supportive league of the youth in the city. I think it’s important that we keep continuing to shine the spotlight on baseball, especially with African Americans and in our community, because we would like to see more of those kids excel and go into baseball.”Commissioner Sheila Tyson said the exhibit keeps Birmingham’s “major-league history” alive, even without a major league team.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WVTM 13
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
A new exhibit in Birmingham honors Oscar “Butler” Williams, a standout player, manager, and coach who significantly shaped black industrial baseball for over 50 years.
The Negro Southern League Museum and Jefferson County leaders unveiled a traveling exhibit celebrating Williams, featuring photos and archival materials that highlight his impact on local leagues, which helped launch legends like Willie Mays and Bo Jackson.
“My dad paved the way for a lot of young gentlemen,” said Oscar Williams Jr. “So the Industrial League has been a very inspirational league and a very supportive league of the youth in the city. I think it’s important that we keep continuing to shine the spotlight on baseball, especially with African Americans and in our community, because we would like to see more of those kids excel and go into baseball.”
Commissioner Sheila Tyson said the exhibit keeps Birmingham’s “major-league history” alive, even without a major league team.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WVTM 13