The major leagues had Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson. The Negro Leagues had a pitcher who may have been even better in Smokey Joe Williams.
From the moment he entered professional baseball, he was a star. Pitching for the San Antonio Black Bronchos, Williams posted a 115-31 record in his first five seasons, before heading over to the Lincoln Giants. There, on one of the top Negro League teams of the day, Williams continued his dominant ways, emerging as one of the best pitchers in baseball, regardless of league.
Williams was at his best against major league competition as well. He shut out the New York Giants in 1912, earning a 6-0 victory. Williams outdueled Pete Alexander in 1915, winning 1-0 as he fired a three hitter. Then, in what may have been his greatest outing, he was reported to have struck out 20 Giants and threw a no hitter, but lost 1-0 due to an error.
Unfortunately, records from the Negro Leagues are questionable at best. He is considered to have won either 107 or 125 games in the top divisions, with another nine wins against major league teams. However, that does not count his time in foreign leagues or other independent ball. Nor does it include the countless exhibitions those teams played.
Another member of the Hall of Fame, Smokey Joe Williams was one of the top pitchers the game had seen. Unfortunately, he did not get as much of a chance to face the best players as he deserved.