Encyclopedia Dubuque
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COLORED BASEBALL: Difference between revisions
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"COLORED BASEBALL." "Colored Baseball" was the term used in 1916 to refer to | "COLORED BASEBALL." "Colored Baseball" was the term used in 1916 to refer to baseball teams composed of [[AFRICAN AMERICANS]]. The much anticipated game that year was between the Chicago Leland Giants and the "Black Cats" of Dubuque. The writer of the newspaper column claimed the "smokes" were making a trip through the area and would probably appear on either June 27th or 28th. As yet undefeated in the season, the Chicago baseball team had drawn a large crowd several years previously. (1) | ||
On December 16, 1924 Dubuque was the scene of the murder of Jess "Cannonball" Jackson, one of the best African American pitchers in the Mid-West. For two or more years prior to his death, he had been a member of the Glinkenson Union Giants of Chicago. While playing with the colored team, Jackson also played in Dubuque pitching against the Dubuque White Sox and other teams. In 1922 he had dazzled the local crowd by striking out 17 opposing batters. He was also employed by the J. A. Rassmussen and Sons street improvement contractors. Investigators found that Jackson had been struck by an acquaintance in the head. The man pled guilty to manslaughter and was given an eight-year sentence. When local African Americans found that Jackson had no relatives, a collection was taken up so that he could have a proper grave and marker in [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]]. (2) | |||
The Dubuque baseball club in 1935 competed with the Memphis Red Sox, a colored team, on July 27th and 28th. (3) In June, Dubuque had hosted the Elkader Eagles baseball team who were playing the Brown Cubs, a colored team from Piney Woods, Mississippi. The Cubs won by a score of 10-7 in a game "hard hitting on the part of both teams." (4) | The Dubuque baseball club in 1935 competed with the Memphis Red Sox, a colored team, in a double-header on July 27th and 28th. (3) In June, Dubuque had hosted the Elkader Eagles baseball team who were playing the Brown Cubs, a colored team from Piney Woods, Mississippi. The Cubs won by a score of 10-7 in a game featuring "hard hitting on the part of both teams." (4) | ||
In 1944 Al Ney, sports editor of the ''Telegraph-Herald'', reported on June 22, that A. M. Saperstein, "bossman" of Sports Enterprises in Chicago, Illinois had contacted him in regards to sending a couple of "top flight colored baseball teams," to Dubuque for an exposition. The two teams, | In 1944 Al Ney, sports editor of the ''Telegraph-Herald'', reported on June 22, that A. M. Saperstein, "bossman" of Sports Enterprises in Chicago, Illinois had contacted him in regards to sending a couple of "top flight colored baseball teams," to Dubuque for an exposition. The two teams, from the Negro American League, the major of league of "colored baseball," might be available but would want to play night ball. | ||
Perhaps rather than bring two colored teams to play each other, one could come to play | Perhaps rather than bring two colored teams to play each other, one could come to play | ||
Revision as of 02:36, 27 July 2021
Being researched
"COLORED BASEBALL." "Colored Baseball" was the term used in 1916 to refer to baseball teams composed of AFRICAN AMERICANS. The much anticipated game that year was between the Chicago Leland Giants and the "Black Cats" of Dubuque. The writer of the newspaper column claimed the "smokes" were making a trip through the area and would probably appear on either June 27th or 28th. As yet undefeated in the season, the Chicago baseball team had drawn a large crowd several years previously. (1)
On December 16, 1924 Dubuque was the scene of the murder of Jess "Cannonball" Jackson, one of the best African American pitchers in the Mid-West. For two or more years prior to his death, he had been a member of the Glinkenson Union Giants of Chicago. While playing with the colored team, Jackson also played in Dubuque pitching against the Dubuque White Sox and other teams. In 1922 he had dazzled the local crowd by striking out 17 opposing batters. He was also employed by the J. A. Rassmussen and Sons street improvement contractors. Investigators found that Jackson had been struck by an acquaintance in the head. The man pled guilty to manslaughter and was given an eight-year sentence. When local African Americans found that Jackson had no relatives, a collection was taken up so that he could have a proper grave and marker in LINWOOD CEMETERY. (2)
The Dubuque baseball club in 1935 competed with the Memphis Red Sox, a colored team, in a double-header on July 27th and 28th. (3) In June, Dubuque had hosted the Elkader Eagles baseball team who were playing the Brown Cubs, a colored team from Piney Woods, Mississippi. The Cubs won by a score of 10-7 in a game featuring "hard hitting on the part of both teams." (4)
In 1944 Al Ney, sports editor of the Telegraph-Herald, reported on June 22, that A. M. Saperstein, "bossman" of Sports Enterprises in Chicago, Illinois had contacted him in regards to sending a couple of "top flight colored baseball teams," to Dubuque for an exposition. The two teams, from the Negro American League, the major of league of "colored baseball," might be available but would want to play night ball.
Perhaps rather than bring two colored teams to play each other, one could come to play
an all-star Mississippi Valley League team. Some years ago such promotions were very
popular, but towards the peak of the decline of baseball here a few years back the
promoters and traveling teams got "took" for plenty. The present stands couldn't hold
enough fans to pay the cost of such a game, but extra bleachers could possibly be
erected. (5)
In 1952 the Dubuque Independents played the Harlem Globetrotters at the FOURTH STREET BASEBALL FIELD. The Globetrotters were coached by Winfield Scott Welch, who also served as the road manager of the Harlem Globetrotters of basketball fame. Welch's success included championships for such teams as the New Orleans Crescent Stars, Birmingham Black Barons, American Giants, New York Cuban Giants, Detroit Stars, and the Cincinnati Crescents. (6)
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Source:
1. "Leland Giants to Play in Dubuque," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, June 15, 1916, p. 11
2. "Colored Baseball Star is Buried," Telegraph-Herald, December 24, 1924, p. 18
3. "Behind the Screen with Scoop," Telegraph-Herald, July 25, 1935, p. 15
4. "Elkader Eagles Lose to Brown Cubs Team," Telegraph-Herald, June 24, 1938, p. 11
5. Ney, Al, "Sports Alley," Telegraph-Herald, June 22, 1944, p. 23
6. "Trotters Boast Canny Pilot," Telegraph-Herald, June 1, 1952, p 21