The Pete Hill Foundation
John Preston “Pete” Hill
Baseball outfielder and manager for the Negro Leagues – a legacy worth remembering.
Early Life & the Start of a Career
John Preston “Pete” Hill was born on October 12, 1882 in Culpeper County, Virginia to Ruben W. Hill and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Seals Hill. Pete had two older brothers, Jerome and Walter Hill. His father disappeared when he was still a child and the family suspected that he died in 1887. After this, Pete and his family later relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Hill started playing professional baseball at the age of 17 in 1899 with the Pittsburgh Keystones in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was one of the many all-black teams that existed before the first Negro Baseball League was founded in 1920. Hill remained with the team for two years until he joined the Cuban X-Giants and played with them from 1901 to 1902.
A Career of Excellence
In 1904, Hill signed with the Philadelphia Giants, owned by newspaperman H. Walter Schlichter and managed by Sol White. Hill played left field and batted in the bottom third of the order, eventually moving to center field and batting third, fourth, or fifth in the rotation. He played with the Philadelphia Giants from 1904 to 1907.
From 1908 to 1912, Pete spent his winters with the Habana Club, where he became the best hitter in the Cuban League and helped the team win two pennants. In the 1907–1908 season he was the island’s most valuable everyday player, leading the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, and walks, while finishing second in hitting (.328).
During his time in the Caribbean, Pete played against the Detroit Tigers and the great Ty Cobb, who said Hill was “one of the greatest flyhawks in the business”.
Hill returned to United States baseball with the Brooklyn Royal Giants (1908–1909) and the Chicago American Giants (1911–1918) before the formation of the Negro Leagues in 1920. He would go on to play for the Detroit Stars (1919–1921), the Milwaukee Bears (1923), and the Baltimore Black Sox (1924–1925), who were known to be a powerhouse Negro League team with elite talent.
“One of the greatest flyhawks in the business.”
– Ty Cobb, on Pete Hill
Pittsburgh Keystones
1899 – 1900
Cuban X-Giants
1901 – 1902
Philadelphia Giants
1904 – 1907
Habana Club (Cuban League)
1908 – 1912 (winters)
Brooklyn Royal Giants
1908 – 1909
Chicago American Giants
1911 – 1918
Detroit Stars
1919 – 1921
Milwaukee Bears & Baltimore Black Sox
1923 – 1925
Retirement, Personal Life & Lasting Honors
Hill retired from professional baseball in 1925 at the age of 43. He spent the rest of his life in Buffalo, New York, where he worked as a porter on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Hill married Gertrude Lawson in 1906 or 1907. The couple had two sons: John Hill, born in 1907, and Kenneth Hill, born in 1910.
John Preston “Pete” Hill died on December 14, 1951 from coronary thrombosis in Buffalo, New York. He was buried in the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Alsop, Illinois.
In 1952, the leading African American weekly newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, named Hill the fourth-best outfielder in Negro League history behind Oscar Charleston, Monte Irvin, and Cristobal Torriente.
Baseball Hall of Fame
In 2006, Hill was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of his extraordinary career.
Plaque Ceremony
A ceremony was held on October 12, 2010 to unveil a plaque in his likeness, attended by his family and enthusiasts.
Historical Landmark
In 2011, a historical landmark was named in his honor in Rapidan, Culpeper County, Virginia.
Culpeper County Portrait
In 2022, a portrait of Pete Hill was unveiled in the Culpeper County Circuit Court, making him the first African American to have his portrait displayed there.
Honor the Legacy
Help Us Keep Pete Hill’s Story Alive
Pete Hill’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 was a milestone long overdue. The Pete Hill Foundation continues to honor his contributions and ensure future generations know his name. Join us.