Position: pitcher, outfield Bats: right Throws: right

Willie Lee was born to Carrie Nunley and Joe Lee in 1935, the third of what would be five children. He began his early education at Sherman Heights Elementary and later went to Council Jr. High in Ensley Alabama. His high school experience was divided between Parker H.S. and Western Olin Jackson High. The school grounds were the home to his early baseball memories. Pick-up games were a staple in his baseball diet until he found a spot on the Ensley Dukes and the Fairfield Greystones rosters. He had always admired the play of Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. He had great respect for their abilities. He kept his sights set on a developing his abilities and dreamed of fulfilling a career in baseball for himself.

He made his Negro Leagues Baseball debut with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1956. He remembers life on the road... the entire team often made their home on the team bus; eating, sleeping, changing clothes, singing and dreaming together. Their travels were never without some excitement and some discouragement and inconvenience. Along the way their ambition was often met with rejection - not welcome - turned away by many white-owned hotels, restaurants and filling stations. And so on they rode... zigzagging the country to play out their NLB schedule. Whenever possible, the team would take on challengers and slip a local contest or barnstorming game between regularly scheduled games.

East-West All-Star Games were a real thrill for the players. Fans, black and white filled the stadiums - Comiskey Park in Chicago and Yankee Stadium in New York.

Willie found success in the minor league system of the Detroit Tigers in 1959 and 1960 and with the minor league system of the Minnesota Twins from 1962-1964.

Willie is an active speaker in events around the Birmingham, Alabama area. He enjoys sharing his Negro Leagues Baseball experience with the children.