Saturday, July 24, 2010

Buck O'Neil page 4



John "Buck" O'Neil - Kansas City Monarchs 1937-1955, Memphis Red Sox. 1942 NL American Title,Negro World Series. 1940, 1946 Batting Title.Played in East-West All-Star Classic 1942, 1943, 1949, managed West 1950, 1953, 1954, 1955.
Led Monarchs to league titles 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953.
First black coach in the majors with the Chicago Cubs 1962, had scouted for the cubs since 1956.

Monte Irvin page 3



Monte Irvin - Newark Eagles..Joined the NY Giants in 1949. during the 1951 season Irvin drove in a league leading 121 runs, while batting .312 with 24 HRs.
Irvin had a MLB career .293 BA, 443 RBIs and 99 HRs.
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame - 1973.

Jackie Robinson page 2


Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier of Major League Baseball in 1947, when he appeared for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The US Postal Service issued a stamp in honor of Jackie in 1982, I decided since I would not be able to add Jackie's signature to the book, I would take a first day cancer and add the cancel to the book, along with a printing of a linoleum block print I had created for the issuance of the stamp in 1982.

Negro League Baseball page 1


The opening page of the book provides some information on the development of the Negro Leagues..

Negro League Baseball


When I first heard there was going to be a memorabilia show featuring over 60 Negro League Baseball players, June 21-22, 1997, I knew I had to go. The show was held at a hotel in Secaucus, NJ With the league's demise in the 1950's, I knew there would be a point in time when there would be no players living. Therefore the time was right to put together a special collection. I decided to purchase a sketch book, have the ballplayers sign a page to which I would later add information and draw an appropriate sketch.
I found a sketch book that utilized a beige colored paper, instead of white. I would then draw all my sketches in brown and orange inks to give the book a old-time feel. I also asked the players what there favorite memories of playing were and added them to the page with their signature, for a more personalized touch.

While I was collecting the autographs JC Hartman's wife inquired if I was going to get the book published. That was not my intention, however with this blog, I am publishing the book.

At the time I worked on this book, getting information or photos of players from the Negro Leagues was difficult. Dial-up internet, non-existant books at the library. It was a struggle so some data may be missing from the players in this book.