The Negro League baseball history fact for today

Born on May 23, 1918 in Akron, Ohio; Leonard “Lennie” Pearson played first base for the Newark Eagles for 12 years (1937 – 1948).  6’2” and 200 pounds, Pearson attended the same high school in East Orange, New Jersey as Eagle teammate Monte Irvin.  A good fielder, he had “soft hands” that allowed him to dig out the low throws in the dirt.  He also had some seasons where he hit over .300.  Fans elected him to play in the East-West All Star Game five times.  In the 1943 Negro League World Series, Pearson hit .393 to help the Eagles defeat the Kansas City Monarchs.

Said to have had a romantic relationship with Eagles’ co-owner Effa Manley, Pearson stayed with the team until she sold it after the 1948 season.  He then became player/manager for the Baltimore Elite Giants.  After playing in the minor leagues (1950 – 1951) and the Canadian League (1953), Pearson retired and lived in Newark until he died in 1984.

Today's African American fact from baseball's "Golder Era"

Born on May 9, 1936 in Prescott, Arkansas; Floyd Andrew Robinson keyed the offense of the pitching rich Chicago White Sox teams of the early 1960s.  The 5’9”, 175 pound outfielder began his pro baseball career in 1957 with the Cleveland Indians’ San Diego minor league team.  The White Sox obtained him in 1960.  Known for his hitting, not fielding or throwing arm, Robinson on average hit .301 for the years 1961 – 1964.  He also hit with some power, averaging eleven home runs per year for the period.  In his best season, 1962, he hit .312 with 109 RBI and 42 doubles. 

The Negro League baseball history fact for today

At the peak of his career, many fans considered Marshall Riddle one of the best second basemen in the Negro American League (NAL).  Born on April 22, 1918 in Warren, Arkansas, Riddle played most of his years in Negro League baseball with the St. Louis Stars (1937, 1939 – 1941).  Known mostly for his fielding ability, he had no long ball power as a batter; strictly a singles hitter.   He could also play shortstop.  Riddle played in the 1939 and 1940 East-West All-Star Games. 

Jackie Robinson Day

On April 15, 1947; Jackie Robinson became the first African American since before the turn of the century to play Major League baseball.  Wearing Number 42 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson played first base and batted second in the team’s home opener at Ebbet’s Field against the Boston Braves. 

Robinson’s breaking through of baseball’s “invisible color line” was not just one of the most significant historical events in sports.  Occurring seven years before Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, many see it now in retrospect as the first step in the civil rights movement.

To celebrate the day of Robinson’s debut, Major League Baseball has designated today, “Jackie Robinson Day”.  All players today will wear number “42” on their uniforms.

On that historic day, Robinson grounded out to third base in the first inning, flied out to left field in the third, and hit into a double play in the fifth against Braves tough starting pitcher Johnny Sain, a twenty game winner.  In the seventh inning, he reached on an error by the first baseman and came around to score his first Major League run on Pete Reiser’s double.

For the year, Robinson hit .297, with 12 home runs and 36 stolen bases.  He was winner of the National League’s first Rookie of the Year award.

When did you first hear of Jackie Robinson?

Today's African American fact from baseball's goldren era (1947 - 1960)

On April 14, 1955; Elston Howard became the first African American to play for the New York Yankees.  Howard entered the game for Yankee leftfielder Irv Noren in Fenway Park against Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the sixth inning with his team trailing 6 – 2.   Their second game of the season, New York had opened with a victory at Yankee Stadium the previous day.  They defeated the   Washington Senators 19 – 1, but Howard did not play.  This game was the home opener for Boston, who had no African Americans on their team.    

In the top of the eighth inning, Mickey Mantle walked.  Yogi Berra hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Mantle out at second base and then Bill Skowron singled.  In his first Major League At Bat against Red Sox pitcher Willard Nixon, Elston Howard followed with a single, his first Major League hit.   Berra scored from second base, Howard’s first Major League RBI, making the score 6 – 3.  Yankee second baseman Jerry Coleman followed Howard with another single driving in Skowron and making the score 6 – 4.  However, when the Yankee’s next batter, pitch hitter Eddie Robinson, hit a line drive to Boston pitcher Ellis Kinder; Howard could not get back to second base before the ball was thrown to complete a Red Sox double play and end the inning.  The Yankees lost the game 8 – 4.

Seeing action in 97 games his rookie season, Howard hit .290 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. Manager Casey Stengel used Howard’s versatility and played him in left field, right field, and catcher.

The Yankees went on to win the American League pennant, but lost to Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series, four games to three.  Howard hit a two run home run off the Dodger’s Don Newcombe in the Yankee’s Game One 6 – 5 win.  Playing in all seven World Series games, he went five for twenty seven.

What is your favorite memory of Elston Howard?

The Negro League baseball history fact for today

Teammates said when Negro League power hitter George “Mule” Suttles swung his bat at a pitch they could feel the earth shake.  “Kick Mule, Kick Mule”, is what fans and teammates would chant when “Mule” can up to bat.  The fifty ounce bat he swung was a testament to his strength. 

There is contrary information as to the origin of George Suttles’ nickname “Mule”.  It comes from a dispute about his birthplace.  Some information says Suttles was born in Brockton, Louisiana on March 31, 1900 or 1901.  It says the nickname came from raising mules while growing up on a farm.  Other information says he was born in Blocton, Alabama and the nickname was due to the strength he developed working in coal mines as a teenager.  In either case “strong as a mule”, was the opinion others had of him throughout his Negro League career.

One thing was not in dispute, other than Josh Gibson; no other power slugger was feared by Negro League pitchers more than “Mule”.  Suttles may not have hit more home runs than Gibson, but he could hit them as far.   

Today's African American fact from baseball's "Golden Era" (1947 - 1960)

On March 25, 1959; the San Francisco Giants traded infielders Bill White along Ray Jablonski to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Sam Jones and Don Choate.

Despite their third place National League finish in 1958, the Giants were 16 games behind the first place Milwaukee Braves and needed more starting pitching.  “Toothpick” Sam Jones could give the immediate help they desired.  Although the Cardinals did not give him a lot of run support in 1958, he still won 14 games with a 2.88 ERA.  At 32 years old; Jones also struck out 229 batters, leading the league for the third time.  The Cardinals had finished fifth and were looking to improve their overall lineup.

Bill White hit 22 home runs for the Giants in 1956 as a first baseman/outfielder.  He missed 1957 due to military service and upon return to the team had more competition for playing time.  Orlando Cepeda, the National League’s 1958 Rookie of the Year was the Giant first baseman and top prospect Willie McCovey was ready to come up from the minor leagues.  The outfield alongside Willie Mays was also crowded with Willie Kirkland, Leon Wagner, Jackie Brandt, and Felipe Alou.  The 24 year old White played in only 26 games in 1958. 

The Giants received the immediate benefit they desired from Jones as he became their best starting pitcher winning 21 games in 1959 and 18 in 1960.  However, they never won a pennant with him; finishing a close third in 1959.

The Cardinals received more long term benefit from the younger White.  From 1959 – 1965, his time with the Cardinals, he hit over .300 four times; never hitting below .280.  A six time Gold Glove inning fielder at first base, White made five All-Star Game appearances and was one of the leaders on the Cardinals’ 1964 World Series Championship team.

What are your favorite memories of “Toothpick” Sam Jones and Bill White?