After the 1931 season, the Negro National League (NNL) disbanded. The Detroit Stars, which had represented the City of Detroit in the NNL since 1920, were also disbanded at that time.[5]
The Detroit Wolves were organized prior to the 1932 season as part of the newly formed East–West League (EWL). Cumberland Posey was a leader behind the formation of the EWL and the owner of the Wolves.[1][6] Described by one sportswriter as "the smartest man in Negro baseball," he was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.[6]
Dizzy Dismukes, an Alabama native and right-handed pitcher, was hired as the team's manager.[1]
In early June, the Wolves sent Suttles, John Henry Russell, and Creacy to the Homestead Grays in exchange for Giles (first baseman), Allen (second baseman), and Jud Wilson (third baseman).[8]
Position players
The team featured a powerful lineup of batters, scoring an average of 5.5 runs per game against EWL opponents.[2]
Center fielder Cool Papa Bell, a native of Mississippi, ranked second in the league with a .340 batting average and also ranked among the league's leaders with 40 runs scored (fourth) and nine stolen bases (tied for second).[9] Bell was one of the first Negro league players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving the honor in 1974.[10]
First baseman Mule Suttles, an Alabama native, was the team's leading slugger and led the league with 48 RBIs and 22 doubles and ranked second in the league with 30 bases on balls and a .524 slugging percentage.[9] Suttles also led the EWL with 468 putouts.[11] He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.[12]
Third baseman Dewey Creacy led the EWL by appearing in 63 games and playing 538 innings.[11] Creacy also led the league's third basemen with 72 putouts and 92 assists.[11]
Shortstop Willie Wells, a Texas native, ranked first among the league's shortstops with 87 putouts and second with 111 assists.[11] Considered one of the best defensive shortstops of his era, Wells was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.[13]
Pitchers
The Wolves' pitching staff compiled a 2.77 earned run average (ERA) that was the best in the EWL.[14]
Bertrum Hunter, a right-handed pitcher from Arizona, led the league in both wins (10) and strikeouts (72). He appeared in 16 games for the Wolves, 10 as a starter, and compiled a 10–2 record with a 2.93 ERA.[14]
William Bell, a right-handed pitcher from Texas, ranked second in the league with a 2.47 ERA. He compiled a 4–2 win–loss record.[14]
Smokey Joe Williams, another right-hander from Texas, compiled a 5–1 record and a 2.72 ERA.[14] Williams was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.[15]
Ray Brown compiled a 7–7 record in 16 games with a 3.67 ERA.[14] He went on to fame with the Homestead Grays and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.[16]
Roster
The following players participated in games for the 1932 Detroit Wolves.[1][4]
