DOCSLIB.ORG

The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR Publication – Page 1 of 8 Your Daily All-Star Team: Conferences in 2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR Publication – Page 1 of 8 Your Daily All-Star Team: Conferences in 2011 A Publication of SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee “We are the Ship, All Else the Sea” Editor, Larry Lester March, 2011 In the News State Approves New Historical Highway Marker for Pete Hill Below is an excerpt of an October 7, 2010, press release from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “RICHMOND – As one of black baseball’s earliest power hitters, John Preston “Pete” Hill was welcomed home often by ecstatic fans of the many legendary African American teams for whom he played during the first quarter of the 20th century. Yet Hill never made it back home to the place of his birth Jan 13, 2011 - Reported by MLB.com, the Braves will in Culpeper County, Virginia. host the Civil Rights Game on May 15. It is a Sunday afternoon game against the Phillies, but that is not all The Virginia Department of during the week in Atlanta. Historic Resources has approved a new historical highway marker The four-day event will begin with the Selig Business honoring his career, as Hill is Conference at the Georgia Aquarium on May 12. During coming home. the conference, there will be a job fair and panel discussions. The conference will continue the next day Home, in this case, is Buena, a with a women's leadership forum, where wives of small, historically African- baseball icons share their experiences and highlight American community that arose women's roles in baseball. along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad in Culpeper County after Friday night, Hank Aaron will be the Civil War. That railroad carried Hill’s mother, likely celebrated in a ceremony and a former slave, and her children north to eventually settle screening of a documentary in Pittsburgh in the late 19th century, making Hill, born "Hank Aaron: Chasing the on October 12, probably in 1882, part of the Great Dream," at the Fox Theatre. The Migration of African Americans who departed the South next day, the Baseball and the Civil Rights Movement during the era of segregation. Roundtable Discussion will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church. It will stream live at MLB.com. “The Hill highway marker serves as a reminder that just as the history of our national game is incomplete without Saturday will feature clinics, interactive stations and the story of black baseball, so too is American and panels for children, held at Centennial Olympic Park. Virginia history incomplete if we fail to recognize the The day will feature former players, performers and struggles, triumphs, and contributions of all the people local celebrities for the kids to meet, and it will conclude who have had a role in shaping it," said Kathleen S. with a parade to Turner Field. That night, the MLB Kilpatrick, director of the Department of Historic Beacon Awards will be handed to three people at the Resources.” Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom. A date for dedication of the marker has not been The Braves and Phillies will wear throwback Negro finalized. For more information contact Randy Jones at League jerseys for the game Sunday. For full coverage, [email protected]. The new trading card of go to Civil Rights Game 2011 at MLB.com. John "Pete" Hill is by Cieradkowski Design. The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 1 of 8 Your Daily All-Star Team: Conferences in 2011 th Monday’s Child is fair of face. March 5, 2011 – The 8 annual Southern Baseball Association Conference will be held at Rickwood Tuesday’s child is full Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This conference is of grace. dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Southern Wednesday’s child is Association of Baseball, and will this year focus on “Fan full of woe. Favorite Players of the Southern Association.” The Thursday’s child has symposium will include authors and historians discussing far to go. their research and presentations. Registration is only $30. Friday’s child is loving Contact David Brewer at [email protected] or and giving. 205.458.8161 for more information. Saturday’s child works th hard for a living. March 9-12, 2011 – The 18 annual NINE Baseball Conference will be held at the Fiesta Resort But the child who is Conference Center in Tempe, Arizona. born on the Sabbath Day is bonny and blithe and good and gay. This year's conference will feature Keynote Speaker Charles Alexander. A winner of SABR's 2011 Henry Top 12 Negro Leaguers born on Monday: Chadwick Award, Charles Alexander is the author of Ty c, Larry Brown Cobb (Oxford UP, 1984), John McGraw (Viking, 1988), c, “Double Duty” Radcliffe Our Game: An American Baseball History (Henry Holt, p, Chet Brewer 1991), Rogers Hornsby: A Biography (Henry Holt, 1995), p, Leon Day - HOFer Breaking the Slump: Baseball in the Depression Era p, “Cannonball” Dick Redding (Columbia UP, 2002), and Spoke: A Biography of Tris Speaker (Southern Methodist UP, 2007). Breaking the 1b, Buck O’Neil Slump was awarded the Seymour Medal by the Society for 2b, Charlie Grant American Baseball Research. Alexander was a consultant 3b, Rap Dixon for the Ken Burns/Florentine Films 1994 documentary ss, Grant “Home Run” Johnson Baseball, and he serves on the editorial board of Base Ball: lf, Marvin “Tex” Williams A Journal of the Early Game. cf, Chino Smith rf, Hank Aaron - HOFer Conference Registration information can be at: http://web.mac.com/jeanardell/Site/Nine_Registration.html . Can you pick a better team? The next issue of The Courier will feature Tuesday’s squad of all-stars. July 21-24 – The 14th annual Jerry Malloy Conference JW Marriott® The Bob Davids Chapter of Hotel Washington, DC. Indianapolis 10 S West Street Indianapolis, The DC chapter, Indiana 46204 USA named after the co- Phone: 317-822-8554 founder of SABR, Ask for “Jerry Malloy Negro Leagues” when recently announced you call, or the winners of their raffle for two one- Register at this secure online link to get discounted rates: year memberships to https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_n the Negro Leagues ew&groupID=3216925 Baseball Museum (NLBM). The Room Rates for this brand-new Five-Star Hotel are: winners were: Mark Single, Doubles, Triples or Quads: Pattison of Washington, DC and Dave Raglin of $139 a night plus taxes McLean, Virginia. Cut-Off Date for JW Marriott’s Discounted Rooms is June 28, 2011 Congratulations to Pattison and Raglin on Register Today! becoming members of the NLBM. The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 2 of 8 Call for Papers 14th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference July 21-24, 2011 The JW Marriott Indianapolis, IN Theme: ―Black Baseball in Indiana‖ lack baseball has deep roots in Indiana. During the late 1800s, African American players were emerging from B communities across the state. After the turn of the century, some businesses began forming semi- professional teams. The most notable of these were the West Baden Sprudels, French Lick Plutos, and original Indianapolis ABCs. In 1914, C. I. Taylor took the Sprudels to Indianapolis and transformed the ABCs into a fully professional team. Taylor was then instrumental in forming the Negro National League, which played its first game in 1920 at Washington Park. Through the history of the Negro Leagues, Indianapolis hosted other teams, including the Crawfords (1940) and the Clowns (1942-1962). Among all its sports legends, Indiana’s greatest athlete was Oscar Charleston, who was born in Indianapolis in 1896, played for the ABCs, and managed the 1940 Crawfords and 1954 Clowns. The 14th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference will celebrate Indiana’s rich baseball history. In addition to two days of research presentations and player panels, attendees will also enjoy a public screening of a new documentary film, the dedication of a new state historical marker at Washington Park, and a Negro Leagues tribute game with the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates). On Sunday, attendees can participate in services at Bethel A.M.E. Church (where C.I. Taylor’s funeral was held) and a grave marker installation for Olivia Taylor, who owned the ABCs after her husband passed away. At the end of the conference, we will also offer an optional overnight trip to the West Baden Springs Hotel, which has been fully restored to the way it was when C. I. Taylor’s Sprudels played there. Several MLB teams also trained at West Baden during the early 1900s. Presentation Proposals: due March 18th, 2011 Presentations may focus on any topic related to the theme, black baseball in the Midwest, or other Negro Leagues issues. Some possibilities: Indiana teams and players (including town clubs, early semi-pro teams, and professional teams), Indianapolis involvement in the first and second formations of the Negro National League, Indiana ballparks, Indianapolis Freeman sports writing, baseball as part of Indianapolis’s black community, the KKK’s influence on baseball, barnstorming, or anything else that captures your interest. Proposals should include a 250-word abstract, plus a brief biographical note with contact information. For oral presentations, please indicate whether you will require any AV equipment. For poster presentations, please indicate the number and size of posters you wish to display. Please email your proposal as a Word or RTF attachment to [email protected]. Or, send it via traditional mail to Geri Strecker, Dept. of English, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. Notifications will go out by Jackie Robinson Day—April 15. To register at the brand new Five-Star J.W. Marriott go to: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/indjw-jw- marriott-indianapolis/?toDate=7/24/11&groupCode=JERJERA&fromDate=7/20/11&app=resvlink Room rates are currently at $139 per night.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Hoosier Historical Hike
    Welcome to the Hoosier Historical Hike. This hike was created by Scouts from the Wapahani District and the Hoosier Trails Council. This experience is a great way to learn about the history of Bloomington, Indiana. You will enjoy a three-phase hike that totals 5.5 miles in some of the most beautiful parts of the state. You can complete these hikes all at once or in different segments. The segments will include the downtown Bloomington area, Rose Hill Cemetery, and the Indiana University Campus. You will find 43 stops along these scenic routes. Please use the attached coordinates to find all the great locations and just for fun, we have added some great questions that you can research along the way! Keep in mind: One person should in charge of the documents and writing down the answers from the other members of the group. You will need the following for this hike: • Comfortable hiking foot ware • Appropriate seasonal clothing • A first aid kit • A copy of these documents • A pad of paper • Two pens or pencils • A cell phone that has a compass and a coordination app. • A trash bag • Water Bottle It is recommended that you wear you Scout Uniform or Class B’s. Remember, you are Scouts and during this hike you are representing the Scouting movement. You will be walking through neighborhoods so please respect private property. Do not liter and if you see liter please place it in your trash bag and properly dispose it. Remember leave no trace, take only photographs and memories. During this pandemic some of the buildings will be closed.
    [Show full text]
  • Numbered Panel 1
    PRIDE 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E The African-American Baseball Experience Cuban Giants season ticket, 1887 A f r i c a n -American History Baseball History Courtesy of Larry Hogan Collection National Baseball Hall of Fame Library 1 8 4 5 KNICKERBOCKER RULES The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club establishes modern baseball’s rules. Black Teams Become Professional & 1 8 5 0 s PLANTATION BASEBALL The first African-American professional teams formed in As revealed by former slaves in testimony given to the Works Progress FINDING A WAY IN HARD TIMES 1860 – 1887 the 1880s. Among the earliest was the Cuban Giants, who Administration 80 years later, many slaves play baseball on plantations in the pre-Civil War South. played baseball by day for the wealthy white patrons of the Argyle Hotel on Long Island, New York. By night, they 1 8 5 7 1 8 5 7 Following the Civil War (1861-1865), were waiters in the hotel’s restaurant. Such teams became Integrated Ball in the 1800s DRED SCOTT V. SANDFORD DECISION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BA S E BA L L PL AY E R S FO U N D E D lmost as soon as the game’s rules were codified, Americans attractions for a number of resort hotels, especially in The Supreme Court allows slave owners to reclaim slaves who An association of amateur clubs, primarily from the New York City area, organizes. R e c o n s t ruction was meant to establish Florida and Arkansas. This team, formed in 1885 by escaped to free states, stating slaves were property and not citizens.
    [Show full text]
  • Forgotten Heroes
    Forgotten Heroes: Sam Hairston by Center for Negro League Baseball Research Dr. Layton Revel Copyright 2020 “Sam Hairston Night” – Colorado Springs (1955) “Sam Hairston Night” at the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Ball Park Sam Receives a New Car (1955) Hairston Family at Colorado Springs Ball Park “Sam Hairston Night” (front row left to right - Johnny, Sam Jr., Wife and Jerry) (1955) Samuel Harding Hairston was born on January 20, 1920 in the small town of Crawford, Lowndes County which is in the eastern part of the state of Mississippi. He was the second of thirteen children (eight boys and five girls) born to Will and Clara Hairston. Will Hairston moved his family from Crawford to the Birmingham area in 1922. The primary reason for the move was to find better work so that he could support his large family. Will became a coal miner and worked alongside Garnett Bankhead who was the father of the five Bankhead brothers who all played in the Negro Leagues. By 1930 Will had gained employment with American Cast Iron and Pipe (ACIPCO) as a laborer in their pipe shop. According to United States census records the Hairston family also lived in North Birmingham and Sayreton. Sam spent his formative years in Hooper City and attended Hooper City High School. Reportedly Sam did not finish high school and when he was 16 he told the employment office at ACIPCO that he was 18 and was given a job working for the company. According to Sam he went to work to help support the family and give his brothers and sisters the opportunity to go to school.
    [Show full text]
  • Jackie and Campy William C
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska Press -- Sample Books and University of Nebraska Press Chapters 2014 Jackie and Campy William C. Kashatus Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/unpresssamples Kashatus, William C., "Jackie and Campy" (2014). University of Nebraska Press -- Sample Books and Chapters. 263. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/unpresssamples/263 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Nebraska Press at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Nebraska Press -- Sample Books and Chapters by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. JACKIE & CAMPY Buy the Book Buy the Book JACKIE & CAMPY Th e Untold Story of Th eir Rocky Relationship and the Breaking of Baseball’s Color Line William C. Kashatus University of Nebraska Press Lincoln and London Buy the Book © 2014 by William C. Kashatus. Portions of chapters 3, 4, and 5 previously appeared in William C. Kashatus, September Swoon: Richie Allen, the 1964 Phillies and Racial Integration (University Park: Penn State Press, 2004). Used with permission. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Kashatus, William C. Jackie and Campy: the untold story of their rocky relationship and the breaking of baseball’s color line / William C. Kashatus. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978- 0- 8032- 4633- 1 (cloth: alk. paper)— isbn 978- 0- 8032- 5447- 3 (epub)— isbn 978- 0- 8032- 5448- 0 (mobi)— isbn 978- 0- 8032- 5446- 6 (pdf) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Negro Southern League Museum Research
    Negro Southern League (1920-1951) It was common practice for the teams in the league to all play a different number of games during the season. Standings are presented based on winning percentage for the entire season in “league” games only. Negro Southern League (1920) Newspaper accounts differ in the final standings of the teams that played in the Negro Southern League in 1920. Part of the difference in records reported by Southern newspapers revolved around whether or not certain forfeited games were counted or not counted in a team’s won-loss record. On September 11, 1920 The Chicago Defender reported the following Negro Southern League standings: 1920 Games Record Pct. Knoxville Giants 76 55-21 .724 Montgomery Grey Sox 86 47-39 .547 Atlanta Black Crackers 84 45-39 .536 Birmingham Black Barons 82 43-39 .524 New Orleans Caulfield Ads 82 43-39 .524 Nashville White Sox 80 40-40 .500 Jacksonville Stars 44 18-26 .409 For some explained reason, the Pensacola Giants were left out of the standings. Speculation is that it was a dropped line of type when the newspaper was put together. On September 12, 1920, the Alabama Journal of Montgomery, Alabama reported the following Negro Southern League standings: 1920 Games Record Pct. Montgomery Grey Sox 98 48-40 .545 Knoxville Giants 64 34-30 .531 New Orleans Caulfield Ads 83 44-39 .530 Birmingham Black Barons 82 43-39 .524 Atlanta Black Crackers 89 45-44 .505 Nashville White Sox 80 40-40 .500 Pensacola Giants 83 40-43 .482 Jacksonville Stars 44 18-26 .409 Notes: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Numbered Panel 2
    2A 2B 2C 2D 2E Broadside featuring the Belmont Colored Giants of Harlem, 1908 Courtesy of National Baseball Hall of Fame Library A f r i c a n -American History Baseball History 1 8 8 7 GENTLEMEN’S AGREEMENT Midway through the season, International League owners agree to sign no new contracts with African-American baseball players, sparking the tradition of barring black players from pro ball. Other leagues follow and the era of integrated baseball soon ends. BARNSTORMING ON THE OPEN ROAD 1887–1919 NATIONAL COLORED BASE BALL LEAGUE With teams from Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, LINCOLN GIANTS Land of Giants Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Louisville, this league fails within three weeks of its May opener. By 1887, some black players were on organized baseball rosters, Many black barn s t o rmi ng teams took the name “Giants” arguably because 1 8 9 1 mainly in the minor leagues. But during that season, the International of the prominence of the National AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOLDS Financially weakened by long years of competition with the National L e a g u e ’s New York Giants, who were League, the American Association fails. League owners agreed to make no new contracts with African- managed by John McGraw. These American players. In unspoken agreement, other leagues adopted black teams, among them the 1 8 9 6 Mohawk Giants of Schenectady, PLESSY V. FERGUSON DECISION similar policies over the next 15 years. Black players, in response, the Union Giants of Chicago and the In a test of Jim Crow laws, the Supreme Court allows “separate Lincoln Giants of New York City, but equal” schools and public accommodations for African Americans, thereby supporting segregation of schools and started their own professional teams.
    [Show full text]
  • “Play-Off Championship” Series
    “Play-Off Championship” Series The schedules for most Negro League seasons were played in two halves with a winner being declared for each half of the season. If different teams each won one half of the season or if the season ended in a dispute over who should be crowned the “league” champion, a Play-Off Series was held. It is important not to confuse a Play-Off Series with a Colored Championship Series or the Negro League World Series. The Play-Off Series was played between teams from the same formalized league. Many if not most Colored Championship Series were played between two self appointed teams, while the Negro League World Series was played against the champions from two different formalized leagues. From 1924 to 1927 the Negro League World Series was a post season championship series that was played between the Negro National League champions and the Eastern Colored League (ECL) champions. Then in latter years, there was also a Negro League World Series played from 1942 to 1948 when the champions of the Negro American League (NAL) met the champions of the Negro National League (NNL). “Play-Off Championship” Series (Summaries) 1941 Homestead Grays vs New York Cubans (Negro National League) The Homestead Grays won the first half of the Negro National League season and the New York Cubans won the second half. Neither team however had the best regular season record. The Baltimore Elite Giants actually had the best overall won-loss record for the season at 36-21 (.632). Homestead finished with the second best record at 34-25 (.576) and the New York Cubans were a distant fourth with a loosing record of 19-21 (.475).
    [Show full text]
  • The Philadelphia Stars, 1933-1953
    Lehigh University Lehigh Preserve Theses and Dissertations 2002 A faded memory : The hiP ladelphia Stars, 1933-1953 Courtney Michelle Smith Lehigh University Follow this and additional works at: http://preserve.lehigh.edu/etd Recommended Citation Smith, Courtney Michelle, "A faded memory : The hiP ladelphia Stars, 1933-1953" (2002). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 743. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Lehigh Preserve. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Lehigh Preserve. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Smith, Courtney .. Michelle A Faded Memory: The Philadelphia . Stars, 1933-1953 June 2002 A Faded Memory: The Philadelphia Stars, 1933-1953 by Courtney Michelle Smith A Thesis Presentedto the Graduate and Research Committee ofLehigh University in Candidacy for the Degree of Master ofArts m the History Department Lehigh University May 2002 Table of Contents Chapter-----' Abstract, '.. 1 Introduction 3 1. Hilldale and the Early Years, 1933-1934 7 2. Decline, 1935-1941 28 3. War, 1942-1945 46 4. Twilight Time, 1946-1953 63 Conclusion 77 Bibliography ........................................... .. 82 Vita ' 84 iii Abstract In 1933, "Ed Bolden and Ed Gottlieb organized the Philadelphia Stars, a black professional baseball team that operated as part ofthe Negro National League from 1934 until 1948. For their first two seasons, the Stars amassed a loyal following through .J. regular advertisements in the Philadelphia Tribune and represented one of the Northeast's best black professional teams. Beginning in 1935, however, the Stars endured a series of losing seasons and reflected the struggles ofblack teams to compete in a depressed economic atmosphere.
    [Show full text]
  • Finding Aid to the Historymakers ® Video Oral History with Bobby Robinson
    Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers ® Video Oral History with Bobby Robinson Overview of the Collection Repository: The HistoryMakers®1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60616 [email protected] www.thehistorymakers.com Creator: Robinson, Bobby, 1903-2002 Title: The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Bobby Robinson, Dates: September 22, 2001 Bulk Dates: 2001 Physical 5 Betacame SP videocasettes (2:21:46). Description: Abstract: Baseball player Bobby Robinson (1903 - 2002 ) played in the Negro Leagues for eighteen years and is considered to be one of the game's greatest third basemen. Robinson grew up in Whistler, a town outside of Mobile, Alabama, with fellow Negro League baseball player, Satchel Paige and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe. Robinson is particularly well known for his stellar defensive play, earning him the nickname "The Human Vacuum Cleaner". Robinson was interviewed by The HistoryMakers® on September 22, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois. This collection is comprised of the original video footage of the interview. Identification: A2001_066 Language: The interview and records are in English. Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers® Legendary third baseman Bobby Robinson was born on October 25, 1903. He grew up in Whistler, a town outside of Mobile, Alabama, with fellow Negro League baseball player, Satchel Paige and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe. Robinson was scouted for the Negro League while playing baseball with the semi- Robinson was scouted for the Negro League while playing baseball with the semi- professional Pensacola Giants. The Giants made a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, when a scout who had been watching him for several weeks approached Robinson. The scout offered Robinson a contract to play professionally with the Indianapolis ABC's.
    [Show full text]
  • A Walk Through the Rose Hill Cemetery
    Rose Hill’s Symbols and Iconography: Throughout modern history headstones have been decorated A Walk Through with symbolic images, stylistically reflecting current histori- cal and architectural trends, along with changing tastes and the trends. Rose Hill Cemetery is an excellent example of this variety, displaying stones from its pioneer beginnings to the Rose Hill present day. Cemetery Acorns - prosperity and fruitfulness Anchor - hope and Christianity Book - the Bible; if closed, a completed life, and if open, to Historic Tour Guide No. 12 register the name of the dead Broken column - life cut short Calla Lily - beauty and marriage Cross with crown - victory and Christianity Curtain or veil - passing from one existence to another Doors and gates - passage from one realm to another Dove - purity, peace and the Holy Ghost Easter Lily - purity and chastity; casting off earthly things FOE - Fraternal Order of Eagles, associated with the theater Treestones Ferns - humility, frankness and sincerity Popular during the Victorian era, these Flame - eternal life, may be within an urn stones were both typically carved in Hand coming down - depiction of God’s presence limestone and could be ordered through Hand pointing up - soul has risen to heaven Sears and Roebuck, making their preva- Hands together - marriage, earthly farewell or welcome lence in Rose Hill particularly significant. Hour glass - passing of time, cyclic nature of life and death Some are tall and elaborate, others short IHS or IHC - Greek or Latin abbreviations for Jesus and simple, and some are combined with IOOF or three links - Odd Fellows, a social and benevolent Victorian-styled “soul houses.” Often order for the working class, the links symbolize Friendship, adorned with other forms of symbolism, Love and Truth treestones themselves when depicted as Lamb - innocence; usually used on children’s graves a broken stump, refer to a life cut short.
    [Show full text]
  • One of Baseball's Greatest Catchers
    Excerpt • Temple University Press 1 ◆ ◆ ◆ One of Baseball’s Greatest Catchers f all the positions on a baseball diamond, none is more demanding or harder to play than catcher. The job behind the plate is without question the most difficult to perform, Oand those who excel at it rank among the toughest players in the game. To catch effectively, one has to be a good fielder, have a good throwing arm, be able to call the right pitches, be a good psy- chologist when it comes to dealing with pitchers, know how to engage tactfully with umpires, how to stave off injuries, and have the fortitude to block the plate and to stand in front of speeding or sliding runners and risk serious injury. Catching is not a position for the dumb or the lazy or the faint-hearted. To wear the mask and glove, players have to be smart. They have to be tough, fearless, and strong. They must be alert, agile, and accountable. They are the ones in charge of their teams when on the field, and they have to be able to handle that job skillfully. Excerpt • Temple University Press BIZ MACKEY, A GIANT BEHIND THE PLATE There are many other qualities required of a good catcher that, put together, determine whether or not players can satisfac- torily occupy the position. If they can’t, they will not be behind the plate for long. Rare is the good team that ever took the field without a good catcher. And yet, while baseball has been richly endowed with tal- ented backstops, only a few have ever made it to the top of their profession.
    [Show full text]
  • The Courier Dec2011
    A Publication of SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee “We are the Ship, All Else the Sea” Editor, Larry Lester December, 2011 In the News Sam Hairston goes into the Hall Soon after, in 1973, Jerry Hairston, Sr., made his debut with the White Sox. The legacy continued The Colorado Sky Sox honor Hairston when Jerry’s sons Scott and Jerry Junior joined n October 25, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox the Arizona Diamondbacks (2004) and the posthumously Baltimore Orioles (1998), Oinducted Sam becoming the fourth & Hairston into the Colorado fifth of the Mississippi Springs Sports Hall of Delta-based family to Fame. Hairston played for play in The Show. the Sky Sox of the old Western League between The Hairston legacy 1950 and 1956. His legacy began, when Samuel to integrate the national Harding Hairston was game was recognized. born on January 20, 1920, in Lowndes Hairston was called up County, near Crawford, from Colorado Springs in Mississippi in the Plum 1951, making him the first African-American player Grove community, where in Chicago White Sox history. Hairston was the a ball field was named in his honor in 2010. Two Western League MVP in 1953, hitting .310 with years later, the Hairston family moved to eight home runs and 102 RBIs, while leading the Birmingham, Alabama, where Sam later joined the Sky Sox to the league title. In 1955, he won the American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) League batting title with a .350 average, adding six baseball team, which employed his father, Will. home runs and 91 RBIs.
    [Show full text]