|
|
Current through: Saturday, August 31, 1996
NEWS RELEASE ((( NEWS RELEASE ((( NEWS RELEASE THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND WILMINGTON
BLUE ROCKS TO HOST JUDY JOHNSON NIGHT A TRIBUTE TO NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL
Wilmington, Delaware ( The City of Wilmington is sponsoring a special tribute honoring
Hall of Famer and long-time Wilmington resident William (Judy) Johnson and the Negro
Leagues during the August 31st game between the Frederick Keys and Wilmington Blue Rocks
(Class A, Carolina League). The game will be played at the home ballpark of the Blue
Rocks, Judy Johnson Field at Frawley Stadium at 7:05 PM. Johnson (1899-1989), an
exceptional third baseman and clutch hitter who batted over .300 lifetime, spent 18 years
in the Negro Leagues, mostly with the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Hilldale Club of
Philadelphia. In 1935, Johnson captained the Negro National League champion Crawfords,
which boasted four other future Hall of Famers ( Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar
Charleston, and Cool Papa Bell. Many historians consider the 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords to
be the most talented and dominant team ever in the Negro Leagues. Johnson retired from
playing baseball after the 1936 season but remained active as a scout and coach for the
Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies for nearly 50 years. Johnson was inducted into
the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975. In Wilmington, interest in recognizing
Johnson’s achievements has been very high. During 1995, a life size bronze statue
was erected outside the ballpark that bears his name and Johnson’s Marshallton home
was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The latter distinction marking the
first time that the residence of a player who spent his entire baseball career in the
Negro Leagues was placed on the National Register. A number of special activities and
events are planned for the upcoming Judy Johnson Night. These include a limited-edition
baseball card of Johnson by nationally known sports artist Mike Mellett as a give away
to fans, a commemorative postal cancellation issued by the US Postal Service, a silent
auction of Negro League and sports memorabilia and collectibles, the sale of Negro League
memorabilia by licensed vendors, and an autograph session with former stars of the Negro
Leagues. Negro Leaguer Buck O’Neil, who starred in the PBS documentary BASEBALL, will
be the Master of Ceremonies for the pregame activities, which will include a first-ball
ceremony with Wilmington Mayor James H. Sills Jr. and an on field introduction of
Johnson’s daughter, Ms. Loretta Bruton, and the Negro League players. Anyone
interested in attending this inaugural event should contact the Blue Rocks’ ticket
office at (302)888-BLUE (2583). Requests from the media should be addressed to the Blue
Rocks’ General Manager, Chris Kemple, c/o Wilmington Blue Rocks, 801 S. Madison
Street, Wilmington, DE 19801; Phone: (302)888 2015; Fax: (302)888-2032. FOR MORE
INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT GREGG TRUITT AT 801 PARTRIDGE COURT, HOCKESSIN, DE 19707
PHONE: (302)886-7519; FAX: (302)886-2442; E-MAIL: TRUITT@ZEN.COM
BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST
02 - Lonnie Summers, Chicago American Giants
02 - Wilmer Fields, Homestead Grays
04 - Joseph Spencer, New York Black Yankees
06 - Waren Peace, Newark Eagles
11 - John "Mule" Miles, Chicago American Giants
11 - Josh Gibson, Jr., Homestead Grays
12 - Claro Duany, New York Cubans
16 - Sherwood Brewer, Kansas City Monarchs
20 - Armando Vasquez, New York Cubans
26 - Alvin Spearman, Chicago American Giants
26 - Frank Barnes, Kansas City Monarchs
SEPTEMBER
03 - William Greason, Birmingham Black Barons
04 - Jose Santiago, New York Cubans
08 - Walter "Buck" Leonard, Homestead Grays
10 - Frank "Wahoo" Pearson, Memphis Red Sox
13 - Acie Griggs, Birmingham Black Barons
15 - Edsall Walker, Homestead Grays
16 - Bryon "Mex" Johnson, Kansas City Monarchs
17 - Maurice Lisby, Newark Dodgers
17 - Sam Barber, Birmingham Black Barons
19 - Stanley "Doc" Glenn, Philadelphia Stars
21 - Leroy "Toots" Ferrell, Baltimore Elite Giants
23 - Cecil Cole, Newark Eagles
26 - Emilio Navarro, Cuban Stars
27 - Mamie "Peanuts" Johnson, Indianapolis Clowns
29 - Harold Gould, Philadelphia Stars
If you have an event to add, please send it to Webmaster@blackbaseball.com
|
