Born
on August 11, 1922 in San Antonio, Texas, John “Mule” Miles was a power hitting
outfielder for the Chicago American Giants from 1946 – 1948. A basketball star in high school and junior
college, Miles served in the military beginning in 1942. He was stationed in Tuskegee, Alabama and
worked as an airplane mechanic for the Tuskegee Airman; the first black
military air unit.
After
military service in 1946 on the suggestion of a friend, Miles attended a tryout
for the Chicago American Giants and made the team. An adequate outfielder with a strong throwing
arm, Miles was best known for his power hitting. His manager gave him the nickname “Mule” because,
“he swung harder than a mule kicked”. In 1947, the right handed slugger hit 11 home
runs in 11 straight games.A member of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fames and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, John Miles died on May 24, 2013 in San Antonio.
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