A native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, he graduated from Wake Forest University.

In his rookie year, Newsome won 19 games (third in the American League) and compiled 10 shutouts, leading a Red Sox pitching rotation that included Charlie Wagner, Mickey Harris, Joe Dobson and Lefty Grove.

After the 1943 season, he served in the Army during World War II, and then returned to his farm.

In a three-season career, Newsome posted a 35–33 record with 138 strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA in 526.0 innings pitched.

Newsome died in an automobile accident in Ahoskie, North Carolina, just two days after he turned 56 years old.