Willis "Red" Applegate (November 4, 1921 – August 1, 1965) was a United States boxer and Negro league baseball player.

Red Applegate
Pitcher
Born: (1922-11-04)November 4, 1922
Newark, New Jersey
Died: August 8, 1965(1965-08-08) (aged 42)
Batted: Unknown
Threw: Unknown
Negro league baseball debut
1947, for the Newark Eagles
Last appearance
1947, for the Newark Eagles
Teams

Early life

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In 1942 at the age of 20, Applegate served in the 92nd Infantry Division in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. He was discharged in 1945.[1]

Boxing

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His professional boxing career began in 1946 with 4 consecutive wins, 2 by knockout (both in the first round), but he was stopped by Austin Johnson. He won his next fight, and lost the next three. He fought several more fights afterwards. In April 1951, he fought legendary boxer Rocky Marciano for 10 rounds, only to lose by decision. Overall, he compiled a record of 11-16-2 (4 KO). His boxing career ended in 1951 after suffering a detached retina.

Negro league baseball

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In 1947, he briefly pitched for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Bedingfield, Gary. "Negro Leaguers Who Served With The Armed Forces in WWII". Baseball in Wartime. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Red Applegate". seamheads.com. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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