Negro Leagues legend celebrates 100th birthday: ‘Thankful to God’

The best sight in all of baseball this past week was Tuesday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., where the city and the military celebrated the 100th birthday of an American hero: Rev. Bill Greason.

Greason, who grew up in Birmingham with Willie Mays, is the oldest living member of the Negro Leagues and was the St. Louis Cardinals’ first Black pitcher.

Greason, who lived across the street from Dr. Martin Luther King and went to Sunday School together, has been an ordained minister since 1971 at the Bethel Baptist Church and still preaches every Sunday.

One of the first Black Marines, Greason served in World War II and fought at Iwo Jima where two of his best friends were killed. He had the U.S. Marine Corps in full dress uniform saluting him Tuesday.

Greason was celebrated at the poignant event organized and sponsored by the Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health.

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Greason, speaking to USA TODAY Sports the following day, says he still can’t believe there was such a fuss just for him.

“I’m thankful God let me live this long,’ Greason said, “and it was a tremendous blessing for all of the people that were there. I didn’t think anything like this would ever happen. The church, the Mariners, all of those people. I can only thank God.’’

So how does it feel to be an American hero, and one of the few 100-year-olds to give a Sunday sermon at church?

“I don’t want any recognition,’’ Greason said, “but’s a blessing to be called that. The attitude I have is keep a low proifile. I learned you recognize your responsibilities and stay low. If you stay low, you don’t have to worry about falling down.

“I’m just thankful to God for letting me stay healthy.’

The highlight of the event, which included dignitaries such as Major Gen. J. Michael Myatt and U.S. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, with letters of gratitude written by President George W. Bush and San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, was a message written by Mays before he passed away in June.

“When I was coming up and playing baseball with the Barons, Greason could see that I would make it to the majors one day,’ Mays wrote in the message. “He saw something special in me – a kid with nowhere to go but all over the place, and a talent that needed guidance. He wanted to make sure I headed in the right direction. He saw things I couldn’t see.

“Greason is always elegant, careful in his choice of words, faithful to God, loyal to his friends, quiet, but strong too. Steady, sure and smart. Oh, and he could pitch, too.

“We are still friends, and he still worries about me. I like knowing he is out there saying a prayer for me. I don’t worry about Greason. He knows what he’s doing. I don’t worry, but I think about him a lot.

“And, sometimes, I ask God to watch over my friend.”

Amen.

“I did something for baseball, but God did everything for me,’ Greason said. “He saved me. He blessed me. He protected me. He provided for me. He kept me safe all of my days.’

And now, 100 years later, Rev. William Henry Greason continues to strong, a daily blessing to everyone.