Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues sign a 17-year-old infielder named Henry Aaron

Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues sign a 17-year-old infielder named Henry Aaron

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On November 20, 1951, the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues sign a 17-year-old infielder named Henry Aaron. The skinny Mobile, Alabama native will spend one season in the Negro Leagues before signing a contract with the Milwaukee Braves’ organization. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links

Smokey Joe Williams dies in New York City at age 62
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Smokey Joe Williams dies in New York City at age 62

ByThis Day in Baseball

1951 – Smokey Joe Williams dies in New York City at age 62. Williams has been considered by many historians to be one of the game’s greatest pitchers, even though he never played a game in the major leagues. He spent his entire 27-year career (1905-1932) pitching in the Negro Leagues, Mexico and the Caribbean, but his path to the majors was barred by the color line. During his stellar career, he defeated five Hall of Fame pitchers in exhibition competition: Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson and Rube Marquard. In 1999, after extensive research on the early years of black baseball reveal his outstanding numbers, Williams will gain Hall of Fame honors himself.

Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League sign two white players, Lou Chirban and Lou Clarizio

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 29, 1950, In an effort to thwart the major leagues’ signing of black players, Dr. J.B. Martin, the president of the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League, instructs manager, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe to sign white players. Radcliffe inks three white players, teenagers Lou Chirban, Lou Clarizio and Al Dubetts. Later in the year he will sign at least two others…

Willie Mays in 1948 Negro League World
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Willie Mays in 1948 Negro League World

ByThis Day in Baseball

  October 5 1948 Birmingham Black Barons and a 17-year-old Willie Mays celebrate the 1948 Negro League World Series. The Games …. September 26 in Kansas City, MO: Homestead wins the opener, 3-2. September 29 in Birmingham, AL: Home field advantage is no advantage for the Black Barons, who drop a 5-3 game. September 30…

Larry Doby makes his first start as a major league player
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Larry Doby makes his first start as a major league player

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 6, 1947, Larry Doby makes his first start as a major league player. Doby, the first black player in the history of the American League, plays all nine innings at first base in the Cleveland Indians’ 6-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Doby will bat .326 in 1950, and will lead the…

Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey announces the signing of Jackie Robinson to a minor league contract
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Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey announces the signing of Jackie Robinson to a minor league contract

ByThis Day in Baseball

  Baseball is the only game you can watch on the radio. Join the community today and listen to hundreds of broadcasts from baseball’s golden age! Sign Up or learn more On October 23, 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey announces the signing of Jackie Robinson to a minor league contract. Robinson, who will debut…