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).