Babe Ruth First Day Cover - Negro Leagues

Jimmy Dean "The Original"

Pitcher - (1946-1950)

Philadelphia Stars

NY Black Yankees

NY Cubans

Willie "Curly" Williams

Newark Eagles (1945-1948)

Houston Eagles (1949-1950)

New Orleans Eagles (1951)

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (1949-1951)

Chicago White Sox system (1951-1952)

-Colorado Springs

-Toledo, American Association

-Scranton, Eastern League

Carmen Cardinals, ManDak League (1953)

Lloydminster Meridians, Western Canada League (1955-1960)

Lloydminster Green Caps, Northern Saskatchewan League (1961-1963)

Max Manning "Doctor Cyclops" - Pitcher

Newark Eagles (1938-1948)

Jim Walker

Newark Eagles

Jim Cohen "Fireball" - Pitcher

Indianapolis Clowns (1946-1952)

Venezuela (1948-1949)

Wilmer "Red" Fields - Pitcher, Outfield

Homestead Grays (1939-1950)

Branford, Canadian League (1951, 1953-1955)

Toronto, International league (1952)

Fort Wayne (1956-1957)

Mexico City Reds, Mexican League (1958)

Winter Leagues - Venezuela (1950-1952), Puerto Rico (1947-1951), Colombia (1955-1956), Dominican Republic (1953), Panama, Cuba...

Bill "Ready" Cash - catcher

Philadelphia Stars (1943-1950)

Mexican Pacific League (1950)

Brandon Manitoba, Canadian League (1951)

MLB Minor Leagues (1952-1953)

Satchel paige All-Stars (1946)

Bismarck, North Dakota (1955)

Warren Peace - Pitcher

Newark Eagles 1945-1948

The Jackie Robinson stamps was the issued in , to honor Robinson's contribution to "breaking the color barrier". In 1983 the USPS issued a stamp to honor Babe Ruth, and the stamp was issued in Chicago to coincide withe the 50th anniversary of the All-Star game. I had the privilege of being a part of a group that had the stamps shipped from Chicago on the day of issue, to New York, where our group traveled the area to obtain unofficial first day cancels. Along with some friends, Bob and Billy, we went to the Brooklyn Main Post Office to request hand cancels on several covers. After some time the postmaster agreed to our request and had the covers canceled. I choose to add the Jackie Robinson stamp to the covers since both Ruth and Robinson had worn the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. Ruth served as a first base coach for the last few months of the 1938 season.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson is probably the most honored player from the Negro Leagues, due to his being the first black player to enter Major League Baseball (1947-1957 Brooklyn Dodgers). Memorabilia ranges from his rookie baseball cards (1948 Bowman and 1948-49 Leaf), programs, comic books, magazines and books, photos, buttons (the yellow border button from my collection) and many other items still being produced.Major League Baseball honored Robinson by retiring his number from all major league teams on April 15, 1997...On the 60th anniversary of Robinson entering the MLB, Ken Griffey Jr requested of Robinson's widow Rachel if he could wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in his honor. The request was granted and extended to all players, which continues to this day.

I am in favor of honoring Jackie Robinson, I don't necessarily agree with every player wearing the number 42. My reasoning is there were many others in baseball who are not getting recognition. Larry Doby gets little mention as the first black to play in the American League, second to Robinson overall. MLB does not honor Native Americans, the first being Louis Socalexis playing in 1897 along with Chief Bender, Jim Thorpe, Zack Wheat and many others. The first Japanese player Masanori Murakami 1964, not followed until Hideo Nomo came in 1995. Esteban Bellan 1871 joined by a long list of players...

Citi Field honored Jackie Robinson by erected his number 42 in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda dedicated 2009. I have been to Citi Field twice (for a baseball game and a soccer game) and I think it is a great park, but I have to wonder why the number 42? Why not a statue or plaque?

I have to question why honor Robinson, when he did not play for the Mets, he played for the Dodgers. Why not honor other members of the Brooklyn Dodgers or the NY Giants, why are we selective in honoring one person? You may disagree, and I am not saying Robinson does not deserve the attention he receives, but let's honor all who are just as deserving. After a while honoring one individual can lose it's appeal and meaning...

In 2006 the US Congress designated May 20, 2006 as Negro League Baseball Day...

2006 the Brewers honored both the Negro Leagues and Hispanic players with Negro Leagues Tribute day and Cerveceros Day...

May 30, 2009 Negro League Day at Kauffman Stadium (KC Royals v Chicago White Sox)

May 2010 Maryland initiates Negro League Day

June 12, 2011 the Frederick Keys celebrated Negro League Baseball by wearing the uniform of the Homestead Grays...

May 14, 2011, the Atlanta Braves giveaway an Atlanta Black Crackers baseball hat...

June 10, 2011 San Diego Padres Salute to the Negro Leagues...

July 9, 2011 Milwaukee Brewers Negro League night, players were Negro League uniforms...

July 15, 2011 Detroit Tigers Negro League weekend and 17th annual Negro League Tribute Game...

July 19, 2011 Buck O'Neill Centennial Celebration - KC Royals...

Excellent site for Jackie Robinson pin-back buttons (baseballpinbackbuttons)

Jackie Robinson - 50th Anniversary Silver Dollar

The 1997 Jackie Robinson Silver Dollar was issued in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Robinson's appearance in a major league baseball game, as the first black player to integrate the league. The obverse of the silver dollar portrays Jackie Robinson sliding into home plate, just as he did in the 1955 World Series game. The reverse of the coin displays the logo of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Inscriptions read two accomplishments for Rookie of the Year 1947 and Hall of Fame induction 1962.

Legends of the Negro Leagues - Playing Cards

Set of playing cards "A product of the International Society of Athletes, PO Box 44E, Los Angeles, Ca." - Legends of the Negro Leagues...features 56 stars of the Negro Leagues including Red Moore, Chico Renfroe, Sunnie Brown, Billie Harden, "Pee Wee" Butts, Parnell Woods, Fran Matthews, Hilton Smith, Pancho Coimbre Art Pennington, along with all the expected greats of the game. The additional non-suit cards featureDouble Duty Radcliffe as the Joker, and Rube Foster as the Super Joker cards..Wilmer Fields and Connie Johnson have no assigned suit or card number....

Harold Hair

Harold "Buster" Hair - self published card through Contemporary Photo Ent.

Back of the card:

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

Education: 1956 Graduate from A&T State University, Greensboro,

1974 Masters Degree from the university of Florida, Gainesville, Fl

Position: Third baseman, Bat right/Throw right, infield and outfield

Played for the following baseball teams & leagues:

1953 Birmingham Black Barons - Negro League

1955-56 Garson Greyhounds - Nickel Belt League

1956 Hamilton Redwings - P.O.N.Y. League

1957 Edmonton All-Stars - Western Canadian League

1958 Kansas City Monarchs - Negro League

Chuck Harmon

Topps 1956 baseball card # 308

reverse: Height 6'2", Weight 170, Bats: right, Throws: right, Home: Gloversville, NY

At Toledo University Chuck starred on the basketball team. In a brilliant 5 year minor league career he hit .336. Chuck can play first base, 3rd base, as well as the outfield.

George Crowe

Topps 1960 baseball card # 419

reverse: Height6' 2", Weight 212, Bats: left, Throws: left, Home: Springfield Gardens, NY

Season Highlights

Apr 25: George's 8th inn HR beats LA

May 7: pinch hit HR against Cubs

June 12: 10th inn fly beats Reds

Aug 4: Pinch hits HR vs Pitts

Aug 13: Blasts grand slam homer as pinch hitter against Dodgers

Aug 22: Belts 10th pinch HR of career against Reds to tie a major league pinhc hit record.

George had a .592 slugging percentage last year..

Pancho Herrera

Topps 1958 baseball card #433

reverse: Height 6'3", Weight 210, Bats: right, Throws: right, Home: Havana, Cuba

This likeable Cuban was given first crack at the bag during spring training. Everyone in the Phillie's camp seems to believe he can do a big league job defensively. If Pancho can solve major league pitching, he's up to stay!

Pancho's bat is loaded with Power. He is amazingly graceful in the field for a big man.

Satchel Paige

1984.08.06 TCMA, Ltd producer of minor league baseball cards jumped on the first day cover collecting bandwagon. The release of the Babe Ruth stamp in 1983 found baseball card collectors building collection of first day covers. Additional issues for Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig and Roberto Clemente kept the hobby alive. To reach out further to collectors of first day covers, TCMA produced a set called "This Day In Baseball History" in which a baseball historical events that happened on the date of the stamp issuance would be commemorated, even though the event being honored would have no bearing on the stamp subject.

August 6, 1952 - 46-year-old Satchel paige of the St. Louis Browns beat Virgil "Fire" Trucks and the Detroit Tigers in 12 innings to become the oldest hurler to pitch a complete game or a shut out

variety of Satchel Paige pinback buttons

Donruss Hall of Fame Heroes

1983 the Donruss card company introduced a set of 44 cards featuring various members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Among those honored by the set were James "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige...

Satchel Paige - Hall of Fame

Satchel Paige signed Hall of Fame post card

Negro Leagues 1926-1947

Cleveland Indians 1948-49

St. louis Browns 1951-53

Kansas City A's 1965

Paige was one of the greatest stars to play in the Negro Baseball Leagues. Thrilled millions of people and won hundreds of games. Struck out 21 Major Leaguers in an exhibition game. Helped pitch Cleveland Indians to the 1948 pennant in his first big league year at age 42. His pitching was a legend among major league hitters

The book

This completes the book to date....some of the information is incomplete as internet access and available books were limited at the time it was started. Photos of players are scare and often of poor quality.. As time permits I plan to amend the entries to include information as it comes along..

This was a project to make my collecting more enjoyable, and indeed it has been a pleasure and experience. I do not look to value in this project outside of what I have gained, and it is my hope that anyone who is interested in the subject of the Negro Leagues, autograph collecting or collecting in general will also find joy in this collection.

Satchel paige - page 64

Frazz by Jef Mallett honoring Stachel Paige

girl 1 - It's a shame Satchel Paige never got to hang out with the biggies.

Frazz - He did. They finally let him into the Majors in 1948

boy (Caufield) - She means hang with Aristotle or Descartes or Bertrand Russell.

girl 2 - My favorite one is " Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common."

Roy Campanella - page 63

Roy Campanella, catcher

1940-47 Baltimore Elite Giants

1948-57 Brooklyn Dodgers

1959 Hall of Fame

Honored as part of the US Postal Service Baseball Sluggers issue along with Mickey Mantle, Hank Greenberg and Mel Ott.

Issued July 15, 2006 Bronx, NY

the photo is of a statue of Campanella located at the Baseball Hall of Fame Cooperstown, NY

Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige - page 62

In 1999 Mastercard sponsored the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

100 great players were compiled by a panel of experts. Fans would then vote, selecting 2 players from each position and 6 pitchers. no latin or Negro League players made the final selection...(with the exception of Jackie Robinson, hank Aaron and Willie Mays).

July 6, 2000 Atlanta, Ga

The US Postal Service issued a sheet of stamps honoring players from the list of the 100 greatest players.

Honored from the Negro Leagues were

-- Jackie Robinson

(Kansas City Monarchs, Brooklyn Dodgers, Hall of Fame)

-- Josh Gibson

(Pittsburgh Crawford, Homestead Grays, Hall of Fame)

-- Stachel Paige

(Birmingham Black Barons, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Baltimore Black Sox, Kansas City Monarchs, Newark Eagles, New York Black Yankees, Philadelphia Stars, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, Kansas City Athletics, Hall of Fame).

Judy Johnson - page 61

Judy Johnson Night, A Tribute to Negro League Baseball
August 16, 1997 Wilmington, De

1975 elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

1976 Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

The home field, on the site of Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, of the Carolina League Wilmington Blue Rocks is named in his honor.

Each year since 1997 Wilmington has honored a different member of the Negro Leagues in conjunction with a Blue Rocks game...

1940s Homestead Grays pinback button

Willie Wells - page 60

Willie Wells Hall of Fame Induction

Aug 31, 1997 Cooperstown, NY

US Postal Service cancellation commemorating Wille Wells' induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1923 Austin Black Senators, Texas Negro League

1924-31 St. Louis Stars

1932 Detroit Wolves

1932 Kansas City Monarchs

1932, 1937 homestead Grays

1929, 1932-35 Chicago American Giants

1936-39, 1942 Newark Eagles

1941 Birmingham Black Barons

1940-41, 43-44 Mexican Leagues

1945-46 New York Black Yankees

1946 Baltimore Elite Giants

1947 Indianapolis clowns

1948 Memphis Red Sox

8-time All-Star

Negro National League MVP 1926, hitting 27 home runs

Career statistics are incomplete - known stats are .319 BA, 98 home runs, 644 runs scored, 399 RBIs...

Wells earned the nickname "El Diablo" from the Mexican fans for his intensity on the field.

National Baseball Hall of Fame - Satchel Paige was the first true Negro League player to be elected to the Hall of Fame, 1970.

He would be followed byJosh Gibson - 1972, Buck Leonard - 1972, Monte Irvin - 1973, Cool Papa Bell - 1974, Judy Johnson - 1975, Oscar Charleston - 1976, Pop Lloyd - 1977, Martin Dihigo - 1977, Rube Foster - 1981, Ray Dandridge - 1987, Leon Day - 1995, Bill Foster - 1996, Willie Wells - 1997, Joe "Bullett" Rogan - 1998, Smokey Joe Williams - 1999, Turkey Stearnes - 2000, Hilton Smith - 2001

June 30m, 2006 a committee of 12 Negro and pre-Negro league baseball historians elected 17 candidates.

The inductees include seven Negro leagues players:

Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Biz Mackey, Mule Suttles, Cristobal Torriente, Jud Wilson;

Five pre-Negro leagues players: Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Jose Mendez, Louis Santop, Ben Taylor

Four Negro leagues executives: Effa Manley (1^st woman elected), Alex Pompez, Cum Posey,J.L. Wilkinson

Pre-Negro leagues executive: Sol White

The Hall of Fame has had two Special Committees on the Negro Leagues. The first committee was founded in 1971. It was chaired by Monte Irvin and instituted by commissioner Bowie Kuhn. The committee was to elect one or two former Negro League players to the Hall of Fame until their mission was complete. The second was formed in 2001 by a grant to research African Americans in baseball from 1860 to 1960. Due to this new research, a committee was formed to elect players and executives that may have been previously overlooked.

Larry Doby - page 59

Larry Doby

1942-47 Newark Eagles

1942 hit .391. After serving in the military, Doby returned to the Eagles in 1946, helping them to win the Negro World Championship...

1947 Doby was batting .414 when he was signed by the Cleveland Indians to become the first Negro to play in the American League...

In his rookie season, 1948, Doby led the Indians against the Braves with a .318 World Series batting average. The Indians would defeat the Braves in 4 games, Doby hitting the winning home run in game 4.

1954 hit 32 home runs to lead the American League in home runs and RBIs.

Larry Dody served as Director of Community Relations for the NJ Nets of the NBA..

Bobby Robinson - page 58

Bobby Robinson

Indianapolis ABCs

Cleveland Elites

Memphis Red Sox

Detroit Stars

Cleveland Stars

Cleveland Red Sox

"In a playoff game against the St. Louis Stars, in 1930, Robinson playing 3rd base for the Detroit Stars, backhanded a hot liner off his shoe tops. Tagged Cool Papa Bell, while lunging back to third for the second out. then fired the ball to Grady Orange at second to complete the triple play..."

Robinson's glove work earned him the respect of ball players black and white....

Pancho Herrera - page 57

Pancho Herrera - 1st base - infield

Started his career with the Havana Giants, Cuba

Kansas City Monarchs

1958, 1960-61 Philadelphia Phillies

1960 set a National League record for a 154 game season by striking out 136 times... He led the NL first basemen in assists.

BA .271, 31 HRs...

Jesse Mitchell - page 56

Jesse Mitchell

1954-58 Birmingham Black Barons

"Most memorable event was batting against Satchel Paige..."

Herman Horn - page 55

Herman "Doc" Horn - 3rd base

1949-54 Kansas City Monarchs

1953 Monterey, Mexican League

"Favorite moment of playing was hitting against Satchel paige.."

Carl Holden -page 54

Carl Holden

1960 Birmingham Black Barons

Biggest thrill:

"Getting a base hit in my first at bat..."

Jim Zapp - page 53

Jim Zapp

1945-46, 50-51, 54 Baltimore Elite Giants

1946 Nashville Cubs

1947 Atlanta Black Crackers

1948, 1954 Birmingham Black Barons

1949-50 semi-pro teams

1952 Paris, Miss - Ohio Valley League (.330 Ba 20 HRs)

1953 Danville, Miss - Ohio Valley League

1953 Lincoln, Western League

1954-55 Big Springs, Longhorn League

1955 Port Arthur, Big State League

Biggest thrill:

"Hit a home run off Jim LaMarque of the K.C. Monarchs in the ninth inning to win a game 3-2, 1948..."

1.25"pinback button

JC Hartman - page 52

JC Hartman - shortstop

1952-54 Inster Colored Panthers, Independent

1955 Kansas City Monarchs

-signed by the Chicago Cubs

1961-62 Houston Colt 45s

1955 All-star team

Biggest thrill:

"I knocked the LA Dodgers out of the 1961 pennant, after they refused to walk me. I hit a line drive triple off of Tommy Davis' glove..."

Enrique Maroto, Raymond Haggins -page 51

Enrique Maroto - Pitcher

1954-55 Kansas City Monarchs

Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, 1956, Washington Senators 1957..did not make the MLB roster with either team..

Biggest thrill:

"7 Strikeouts in the 1954 All-star game..."

Raymond Haggins

1949 Nashville Cubs

1950 Minnesota House of David

1953-55, 1958 Memphis Red sox

Biggest thrill:

"Fondest memory is hitting a home run in Yankee Stadium..."

Harold Hair - page 50

Harold "Buster" Hair

3rd base

1953 Birmingham Black Barons

1955-56 Garson Greyhounds, Nickelbelt League

1956 Hamilton Red Wings, PONY League

1957 Edmonton All-Stars, W. Canadian League

1958 Kansas City Monarchs

1953 All-Star team

Biggest thrill:

"Hit a home run in Philadelphia that never came down, landing on the stadium rooftop....

Hit a ground rule double in Yankee Stadium, and slid into second base just get get the stadium dirt on my pants..."

Willie Harris - page 49

Willie Harris

first base - outfield 1953-60

Memphis Red Sox

Birmingham Black Barons

Biggest thrill:

"Playing in 2 All-star games in Comiskey Park, 1954, 1955..."

Chuck Harmon - page 48

Chuck Harmon

1947 Indianapolis Clowns

- played one week, then signed by the St. Louis Browns organization 1947-50

1951 Olean NY - Pony League

1952 contract purchased by the Cincinnati Reds, playing in their minor league system

1954-56 Cincinnati Reds (first African-American to play for the Reds)

1956-57 St. Louis Cardinals

1957 Philadelphia Phillies

Finished his career in Salt Lake City, 1960, and Hawaii, 1961...

Played 5 games for the clowns under the name Charlie Fine to maintain his amateur status...

1950 tried out for the Boston Celtics of the NBA, joined the Utica Pros of the American bAsketball League as a player-coach...

Harold Gould - page 47

Harold Gould

1946-48 Philadelphia Stars

1949 Franum, Canadian Provincial League

"Biggest thrill of my career, was getting a base hit off Satchel paige in Shibe Park..."

Jimmy Dean - page 46

Jimmy Dean "The Original"

1947-50 Philadelphia Stars

New York Black Yankees

New York Cubans

Biggest thrill:

"Josh Gibson hit a homerun off me that they are still looking for the ball at Griffith Stadium..."

Power pitcher with a hard sinker and curve ball....

Jake Sanders - page 45

Jake Sanders

1955, 1960 KC Monarchs

1956 New Orleans Bears

1957 Detroit Stars

1957 signed with Dodgers organization

Biggest thrill:

"Hitting a triple in the 1956 All-Star game at Comiskey Park, before 45,000 people..."

Dennis Biddle - page 44

Dennis Biddle

1953-54 Chicago American Giants

1955 contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs

"Pitched 7 no-hit games in High School, Magnolia, Ark..."

Big Jim McCurine - page 43

Big Jim McCurine

1945-49 Chicago American Giants

Biggest thrill:

"Getting a hit off Peanut Davis of the Indianapolis Clowns in Comiskey Park in a 22 inning game..."

Best seasons - 1946 .296 BA, 1948 ,257 BA

Robert Scott - page 42

Robert Scott

Pitcher - First base

1946-50 New York Black Yankees

1951 Pittsburgh Pirates spring training

1952-54 Macon Cardinals

"As a teenager, Bob Scott in the early 1940's, in Macon, Ga, had to walk several miles to play baseball with the Macon Braves, a sandlot team"..Somebody to Cheer for - exhibit at the Cornelius House, Piscataway, NJ May-July 2000...

"In the 1950's when the Negro Leagues were breaking up, I barnstormed with Jackie Robinson..."

1.25" pinback button

Ira McKnight - page 41

Ira McKnight

1956-60 Kansas City Monarchs

Biggest thrill:

"Catching Satchel Paige and getting 8 straight hits in 2 games..."

Career batting ave .300+

1.25" pinback button