William "Billy" Richard Cox (1919-1978) was widely regarded as one of the best fielding infielders in the Major Leagues. A 1939 graduate of Newport High School, he began his career at shortstop for Harrisburg in the Inter-State League and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup in late 1941. Like many players of his era, he served overseas during World War II and lost some of his best athletic years. After returning to the Pirates, he was traded to Brooklyn and played for the Dodgers from 1948 to 1954, appearing in three World Series. Known for clutch hitting, he had his best year in 1953, batting .291, and received his largest salary, $19,000, in 1954. Traded to the new Baltimore Orioles in 1955, he retired in mid-season and returned to Newport, where he lived for the rest of his life. He died of cancer in 1978. In October 1948, he brought an exhibition game to Newport in which the Newport American Legion team played the Pennsylvania National All Stars before several thousand spectators, with proceeds split 50-50 between the All-Stars and the Newport team. He was praised by Walter O'Malley as the best glove man Brooklyn ever had and by Brooks Robinson as the best fielding third baseman he ever saw.