Satchel Paige
Harry Salmon
Harry “Beans” Salmon was one of the aces for the Birmingham Black Barons in the 1920s. He had an outstanding fastball and excellent control. “Harry Salmon pitched from one side like Ewell Blackwell of the Reds. I never did see anyone pitch like that. He was hard to hit. He […]
Day 30 – May 29
Smokey Joe Williams and Birmingham dominated Kansas City 5-0. Williams struck out 10 batters – it wasn’t 27, like his legendary game, but still pretty impressive. Larry Brown hit a big 3-run homer, and Ron Santo adder a 2-run homer. Alejandro Oms had 2 hits in the loss. Willie Mays […]
Smokey Joe Williams
Smokey Joe Williams is thought by many to be the greatest pitcher ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues. At the very least he led the way for Satchel Paige, and many who saw him play thought he was as good if not better than Paige. “You take a guy […]
Day 26 – May 22
One close game, followed by 3 blowouts today.Detroit edged Birmingham, 2-1, in 11 innings. Dick Redding allowed 1 run in 7-2/3 innings for the winners, and Smokey Joe Williams did the same in 9-1/3 innings. The winning rally began with a triple by Double Duty Radcliffe. Cool Papa Bell walked, […]
Bill Drake
Bill Drake was a pitcher whose career spanned 1920-1927. He pitched for the St. Louis Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, Indianapolis ABCs, and Detroit Stars. “I barnstormed with Babe Ruth, he was one of the finest men I ever met. One day I said ‘Ruth, give a chew of tobacco, so […]
Day 22 – May 15
Newark beat Kansas City 8-2, thanks to an outburst of 7 runs in the first 2 innings. Big Bill Foster picked up his 4th win with a complete game. Dave Winfield led the way with 3 hits and 5 RBI. Ty Cobb had 3 hits and Bill Perkins added 2 […]
Day 18 – May 8
Two shutouts and one blowout today on Day 18. Newark returned the favor, blanking Detroit 5-0. Big Bill Foster pitched 7-1/3 shutout innings to pick up his third win of the season, and Jelly Gardner had 3 hits. Cool Papa Bell had 3 hits for Detroit in the loss. Pittsburgh […]
Frank Duncan
Frank Duncan was a superb defensive catcher with a tremendous arm. Runners had a hard time stealing bases on him. He was an average hitter with little power. “He was an excellent catcher, and a good, but not devastating, right-handed hitter.” Robert Peterson, Only the Ball Was White Duncan’s career […]