Most people read about history, Rockingham County natives Henry Mullins and Willie Sellars lived an interesting part of it as former Negro Leagues professional baseball players. In their hometown of Reidsville North Carolina, they blend right in and are just regular, salt-of- the-earth folks. Mullins and Sellars are good neighbors and even better friends. They are the fellows you see in church on Sundays or high school ball games on Friday nights, always there with a handshake and a smile.
Not the bragging types, their history as professional baseball players with the now defunct Indianapolis Clowns was unknown to many of their friends and fellow citizens until earlier this year (three years ago). In 1970, the duo went for a tryout in Danville, Virginia. Mullins hit an inside of the park homerun and Sellars pitched a shutout in a 1-0 win. That’s all the coach needed to see, so he invited the guys to join the team.
Their contribution to history did not go unnoticed by Major League Baseball. Throughout the painstaking research project, MLB officials identified the two former players for the Clowns that played in 1979 along with other retired former players from around the country.
The Royal Treatment
Both men received the surprise of a lifetime in the mail earlier this year (three years ago) with an invitation to be special guest at “A Tribute to the Negro Leagues” included along with the invitation were tickets to a showcase game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants at Rickwood Field and a letter signed by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The ceremony honoring Mullins, Sellars and other former players took place in Birmingham, Alabama at Rickwood Field, America’s oldest ballpark on June twentieth. Built in 1910, the fields is considered hallowed ground, a venue where MLB Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Satchel Page and Hank Aaron once played, men that both Mullins and Sellars considered heroes growing up. That’s just part of Willie and Henry’s professional Baseball League story.
My relationship with Willie started when I became the personal driver for my pastor in Ruffin for five years. We met at his business “Sellars Carlot” in Reidsville. It was during one of the times at the car lot that I met Henry. Willie is retiring as pastor, but he is being elevated to another chapter of his life, that started in 1969 season humility. Thanks be to the Lord God Almighty that Willie’s lovely helpmate Joyce supports and encourages him in his endeavors.
To summarize Willie and Henry’s story, this is what the Word of God says: Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it (Revelation 3:7). Even though Jesus told John to write to the seven churches, the principle is the same today.
For exaltation [promotion] comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another (Psalm 75:5-7). Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10). God uses ordinary people to do great exploits!
Let Willie and Henry’s story cry out, to “Wait for your turn” be “Salt-of-the-earth” folks.
The article was sent to me by a friend (additional information was my personal knowledge) – Jim Sands was staff reporter
It is my pleasure to post this article about these country boys that are part of our history indeed!
His Handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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