R.I.P. to Samuel "Bay" Taylor, a catcher and outfielder in the Negro Leagues. He died on April 8. The obituary from the St. Louis American reports his age at 92, but a Facebook post from his granddaughter reports his birthdate as January 27, 1929, which would have made him 90. He played for the Kansas … Continue reading Obituary: Samuel “Bay” Taylor (1929-2019)
Tag: Negro Leagues
Obituary: Don Newcombe (1926-2019)
R.I.P. to Don Newcombe, a Dodgers legend and an All-Star pitcher who helped integrate the game of baseball. He died on February 19 at the age of 92 after a long illness. In making the announcement, the Los Angeles Dodgers called Newcombe, "one of the franchise's final links to Brooklyn and the days of Roy … Continue reading Obituary: Don Newcombe (1926-2019)
Grave Story: Buck O’Neil (1911-2006)
Here lies John “Buck” O’Neil (approximately), a Negro Leagues legend, a baseball icon and a trail-blazer in the major leagues. Right up to his final days, he worked ceaselessly to preserve the memories of his fellow Negro Leaguers. He was a first baseman for the Memphis Red Sox (1937) and player (and later player-manager) for … Continue reading Grave Story: Buck O’Neil (1911-2006)
Obituary: “Jumping” Johnny Wilson (1927-2019)
RIP to "Jumping" Johnny Wilson, who was the oldest surviving member of the famed Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. He was a multi-talented athlete was was also a member of the 1949 Chicago American Giants of the Negro Leagues. He died on Friday, January 11 at the age of 91. According to news reports, he had … Continue reading Obituary: “Jumping” Johnny Wilson (1927-2019)
Obituary: Porter Reed (1923-2019)
RIP to Porter Reed, an Oklahoma Negro Leagues legend who played against the likes of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and more. He died on January 2 at the age of 95 after experiencing chest pains the previous week and undergoing surgery to place stents in two arteries. Reed served in the U.S. Army during World … Continue reading Obituary: Porter Reed (1923-2019)
Obituary: Neale “Bobo” Henderson (1930-2018)
It has been reported by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, that Neale "Bobo" Henderson has died at the age of 88. Henderson was a shortstop and outfielder from 1949-53 and played with the Kansas City Monarchs from 1950-51. Henderson was born on Fort Smith, Ark. on June 24, 1930. His introduction … Continue reading Obituary: Neale “Bobo” Henderson (1930-2018)
Obituary: Frank “Bubba” King (1923-2018)
RIP to Frank King, a tough hitter on many black baseball clubs in the Atlanta area in the 1930s through the '50s. He died on December 9 at the age of 95. "Bubba" King never played in the organized Negro Leagues, but he was on many teams, according to his obituary in the Atlanta Constitution … Continue reading Obituary: Frank “Bubba” King (1923-2018)
Teaching Negro Leagues history through the power of Bobbleheads
(This is a bit of a departure from what I normally do, but when a bunch of excellent baseball people get together and launch something amazing, I just have to write about it.) Bobbleheads are charming. Bobbleheads are the undisputed king of baseball giveaway day goodies. Bobbleheads are… educational? In the case of a special … Continue reading Teaching Negro Leagues history through the power of Bobbleheads
RIP Baseball 