February 25, 1951 Joseph “Cyclone Joe” Williams, hall of fame Negro League baseball pitcher, died. Williams was born April 6, 1886 in Seguin, Texas. He began playing baseball professionally in 1905. Then known as Smokey Joe Williams, he spent 5 years with southern black baseball before moving in 1910 to the Chicago Giants. When playing [...]
Tag Archives | pitcher
February 8th in African American History – Joseph Black
February 8, 1924 Joseph Black, the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. Black won a baseball scholarship to Morgan State University where he graduated in 1950. He was called up to the major leagues in 1952 and chosen National League Rookie of the Year after winning [...]
September 16th in African American History – William Hendrick “Bill” Foster
September 16, 1978 William Hendrick “Bill” Foster, Negro League pitcher, died. Foster was born June 12, 1930 in Calvert, Texas. He pitched for various teams in the Negro League from 1923 to 1936 and had a career record of 132 wins and 62 losses.
June 8th in African American History – Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige
June 8, 1982 Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige, Negro League and Major League pitcher, died. Paige was born July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Alabama. At the age of 12, he was committed to the Industrial School for Negro Children where he developed his pitching skills. In 1926, Paige was signed by the Chattanooga White Sox of [...]
May 17th in African American History – Joseph Black
May 17, 2002 Joseph Black, the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, died. Black was born February 8, 1924 in Plainfield, New Jersey. He won a baseball scholarship to Morgan State University and graduated in 1950. Black was called up to the major leagues in 1952 and was chosen National League Rookie [...]
March 13th in African American History – Leon Day
March 13, 1995 Leon Day, pitcher in the Negro Baseball League, died. Day was born October 30, 1916 in Alexandria, Virginia and made his professional debut in 1934. Day was one of the top pitchers in the Negro Leagues from the mid-1930s through the 1940s. From 1935 to 1946, he appeared in a record seven [...]
November 9th in African American History – Pack Robert Bob Gibson
November 9, 1935 Pack Robert “Bob” Gibson, baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Despite a childhood filled with medical problems, Gibson was active in sports and won a basketball scholarship to Creighton University.