At the height of its popularity between the 1920s and 1940s, the Negro League baseball circuit was known for players with tremendous talent.
It was their hard work, dedication and drive to win that gave African-American communities something positive to look forward to during rough times marked by Jim Crow racism and severe economic downturns.
Here is a list of 10 athletes who are frequently mentioned as among the most influential players in the Negro Leagues. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Hank Aaron (1934- )
Although best known for his historic achievements in the Major Leagues, Aaron had developed an admirable record with the Negro Leagues early in his career.
He started out playing with the Mobile Black Bears, and later became one of the star members of the Indianapolis Clowns.
At the age of 18, he helped the Clowns win the 1952 Negro League World Series.
During his Major League career he was a 25-time All-Star, a member of the Atlanta Braves’ 1957 championship team, a three team Gold Glove winner, the 1957 National League Most Valuable Player and the 1970 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award winner. Upon leaving professional baseball in 1974, his No. 44 was retired by both the Brewers and the Braves. He also hit 755 home runs in his career, breaking the record set by Babe Ruth.
James “Cool Papa” Bell (1903-1991)
Considered by many to be the fastest man to play professional baseball, Bell once scored from first base on an infield bunt. Another time, he stole two bases on a single pitch.
He was signed by the St. Louis Stars of the Negro Leagues for $90 a month as a left-handed pitcher. After beating the Chicago American Giants’ Jimmy Lyons in a match race to claim the league’s fastest man title, the Stars assigned Bell to play centerfield. Two years later, the switch-hitting Bell became the starting centerfielder for the Stars and led them to league titles in 1928 and 1930.
In 1932, Bell joined the Detroit Wolves for a short time, then the Kansas City Monarchs and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, which won the NNL championship in 1935.
Bell stayed with the Crawfords until 1937, when dictator Rafael Trujillo hired players from the Negro Leagues for his All-Star team in Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic).
At the age of 39, Bell returned to the States in 1942 to played with the Chicago American Giants. Later in his career, he managed minor league teams and mentored new players.
Oscar Charleston (1896-1954)
Recognized as one of the best center field players and managers in the Negro Leagues, Charleston was born in Indianapolis.
After retiring from service in the U.S. Army in 1915, he began his baseball career with the Indianapolis ABCs the same year. He later played with the Chicago American Giants, Lincoln Stars, St. Louis Giants, Harrisburg Giants, Philadelphia Hilldales and Homestead Grays. Known for his attention to detail, intellect and strength, Charleston had an impressive .348 batting average during his career, and was frequently on lists of leaders in home runs and stolen bases.
In 1932, he became player-manager of the Pittsburgh Crawfords and led what many historians have described as the best Negro League team of all time, which boasted a roster of talented players such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Judy Johnson.
Charleston also did well in exhibition games against all-white Major League teams.
Charleston was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976, and was ranked No. 67 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players of all-time.
Josh Gibson (1911-1947)
Gibson began his promising baseball career early in life, playing for 16 years and for four teams, including three stints with the legendary Homestead Grays.
Although he never made it into the Major Leagues and didn’t enjoy the mainstream notoriety of icons like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, Gibson is recognized by many historians as one of the greatest Negro League players of all time, hitting an unconfirmed 800 home runs during his short lifetime.
He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Walter “Buck” Leonard (1907-1997)
Known as a superb first baseman for his smooth style of play, Leonard was a leading player with the legendary Homestead Grays.
A native of North Carolina, Leonard left school at age 14 because there wasn’t a high school available for Blacks in his hometown. After working different low-paying jobs, Leonard was hired in the Negro Leagues in 1933 by the Brooklyn Royal Giants. From 1934 until his retirement in 1950, he played with the Homestead Grays.
From 1937 to 1945, the Grays won nine consecutive Negro National League championships. Leonard earned the top batting average (.395) in the Negro Leagues in 1948.
Leonard was offered a Major League contract in 1952, but declined, believing he was too old. After he permanently retired in 1955, Leonard worked as a physical education instructor and managed minor league teams. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 along with former Grays teammate Josh Gibson.
He received a special honor during the 1994 Major League All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, the hometown of the Grays.
John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (1884-1964)
Lloyd has been described as one of the best shortstops and strategists of his era. Many historians say it is no coincidence that he ended up playing with championship teams in the Negro Leagues.
The Florida native’s career began in 1905 with the Cuban X Giants of Philadelphia, and Lloyd later played for the Philadelphia Giants, New York Lincoln Giants, Chicago American Giants and Hilldale Club and the Harlem Stars.
Lloyd was also a popular player in Cuba, and developed an impressive career record of a .337 batting average and a .450 slugging percentage.
After his retirement from sports in 1931, Lloyd devoted much of his time organizing youth sports and volunteering in his community.
In 1977, Lloyd was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Willie Mays (1931- )
Willie Mays is best know for his accomplishments with the New York Giants, but he also had an impressive record with Negro League teams, including the Chattanooga Choo Choos and the Birmingham Black Barons.
While playing with Birmingham, Mays attracted the attention of talent scout Bud Maughn, who unsuccessfully tried to get the Atlanta Braves to sign Mays. The New York Giants however, did sign Mays to their Class-B affiliate in Trenton. After hitting .351 in Trenton, Mays was hired by the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association.
In 1951, he was called to the majors, and played 20 years with the Giants. During the 1972 season, he was traded to the New York Mets, and retired in 1973 at age 42.
In 1979, he was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
During his career he was a 20 time All-Star, a 1954 World Series Champion, a 12-time Gold Glove award winner, a two-time NL MVP, the 1951 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1971 Roberto Clemente Award winner.
LeRoy “Satchel” Paige (1906-1982)
Paige received the nickname “Satchel” as a child while carrying luggage in train stations.
During his 21 years (1926-1947) with the Negro Leagues, he played for 12 different teams, including the famous Pittsburgh Crawfords and Kansas City Monarchs.
Paige followed Jackie Robinson into the Major Leagues in 1948 after being signed by the Cleveland Indians at age 42. He later played with the St. Louis Browns and Kansas City (later Oakland) Athletics.
Known for his longevity, Paige retired from professional baseball in 1953 at 47, but returned briefly in 1965 at 59 to play for the Athletics one more year.
It was during this time he coined his most famous phrase: “Age is about mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”
Paige was an American League All-Star in 1952 and 1953, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
Robinson will always be remembered for his success in ending segregation in “America’s Favorite Pastime,” playing an early role in helping to launch the civil rights movement.
Robinson began his professional career in the Negro Leagues by playing for the Kansas City Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs and 13 stolen bases in 47 games.
Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn (now Los Angeles) Dodgers, boldly agreed to sign Robinson to his team in 1947.
Robinson played nine seasons with the Dodgers, becoming a six-time All-Star, a World Series Champion in 1955, the 1947 Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year and the 1949 National League Most Valuable Player MVP.
After his retirement from sports, Robison became an entrepreneur and community activist. His No. 42 was retired throughout the Major Leagues, making him the first player to have his number retired by all teams.
Norman “Turkey” Stearnes (1901-1979)
Nicknamed for his unusual (but highly effective) style of running and throwing, Stearnes has been recognized as one of the most prolific home-run hitters in the Negro Leagues. He led the Negro National League in home runs six times and hit 140 round trippers in 585 career games.
A native of Nashville, Stearnes began his professional baseball career in 1921 with the Montgomery Grey Sox, then joined the Detroit Stars in 1923. He was forced to leave the Stars during the Great Depression in 1931 when the team could not pay his salary. He retired in 1942 with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Today, Stearnes is universally celebrated as one of the best all-round players. He is credited with 183 home runs, the all-time Negro League record, a .350 batting average and a .664 slugging percentage. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Joseph “Smokey Joe” Williams (1886-1951)
Also known as “Cyclone Joe,” Williams has been recognized by some historians as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, although he never played in the Major Leagues.
A native of Texas, Williams began his career in 1905 with the San Antonio Black Bronchos, and later joined the Chicago Leland Giants.
Williams joined the Lincoln Giants of New York in 1911, and helped make that team one of the most successful of that era. He served as manager of the team from 1914 to 1923, before joining the Brooklyn Royal Giants, the Homestead Grays and the Detroit Wolves.
In 1914, he won 41 games against just three losses, and in 1930, at age 44, struck out 27 Kansas City Monarchs in a 1-0, 12-inning victory. Williams pitched many games against major-league stars in post-season exhibitions, striking out many famous players, white and Black, including Grover Cleveland Alexander and, close to the end of his career, a young Satchel Paige.
He retired in 1932, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
