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SABR - NEGRO LEAGUES COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

April 1997

@SABR - NEGRO LEAGUES COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

(portions reprinted with permission of editor)

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Editor: Dick Clark, 1080 Hull, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-6472

Telephone Number: (313) 487-5273; Fax (313) 487-0807

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All opinions expressed are those of the editor exclusively.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

Willie Wells, one of the top five shortstops of all-time, joins the ranks of the game's greatest at The Hall of Fame.

Claudia Perry is heading East to work for the NEWARK STAR-LEDGER, (address later). We also welcome 5 people who missed the previous list. Welcome to Jeff Eastland, Scot Mondore, Rod Nelson, Eric Newland, and James Passannante.

Our newsletter depends on the contributions of members and readers. Note the special Jackie Robinson Section at end of the newsletter.

NEGRO LEAGUERS AND THE HALL OF FAME

Congratulations to the family of Willie Wells upon his selection to the Hall of Fame. Wells is a most deserving player who should have been chosen while he was alive (died 1989).

The following HOF articles:

NEW YORK TIMES 3/6/97 ;

HACKENSACK (NJ) THE RECORD 3/6/97 ;

USA TODAY, 3/6/97 ;

SCD, 3/28/97 "The Negro League Dilemna" ;

KANSAS CITY STAR, "Hall of Fame contributions define O'Neil, & "Hall Hopefuls";

JET 3/24/97, ;

Bob Broeg commentary, "Willie Wells: A Stars' Star in St. Louis" ;

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 3/11/97, "He played here, now he's in the Hall";

NEW YORK TIMES 3/23/97, "Out of the Shadows to Cooperstown," .

We need EVERYONE to double their efforts to change the current "5 year rule" and work towards a fair system that will give qualified players a fair shot at selection. Write to Edward Stack at the Hall of Fame and to Monte Irvin and Buck O'Neil of the Veterans Committee. To Mr Stack please emphasize the overwhelming qualities of the people still not in. Tell Monte and Buck who you think should be the selection for next year. I believe letters coming from active, very informed historians will greatly help the cause. We need to step up our efforts with the Media. Let's get the word out more than ever!

PRIDE AND PASSION: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN BASEBALL EXPERIENCE exhibit is set to open on June 12th with Rachel Robinson participating in the official dedication. The exhibit traces the involvement of Blacks from the Civil War to the present with photos, text, artifacts, multimedia and an interactive component. The grand opening will occur during the 9th Cooperstown Symposium held June 11-13th. Jules Tygiel is keynote speaker. Look for a presentation on Cumberland Posey by Jim Overmyer. Larry Hogan will also be lending his vast talents to the endeavor.

The Wendell Smith Papers are now available at the National Baseball Library.

NEGRO LEAGUES COMMITTEE PUBLICATION

We have 2pp review of the NLC book and also BASEBALL IN PITTSBURGH. (the 1995 convention booklet). We also have a short segment by Richard Miller of SCD on the NLC book.

Luis Marquez should NOT be listed under Boston Red Sox on page 259.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The recent benefit for Geraldine Day was successful but you can still contribute and receive some fine items for a $30 donation. Fundraising letter from Hieronimus & Co. for Geraldine Day. Also NEWARK STAR-LEDGER 2/23/97, "Baseball's Shame".

An on-going event is BLACK DIAMONDS: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. It opened February 1, 1997 at The Pink Palace Museum in Memphis, TN and runs to April 27th. Dr John Haddock is serving as guest curator with the excellent assistance of Kurt McBee. The opening was a smash with 750-800 in attendance. The entire exhibit has exceeded all expectations and is a terrific success. Our heartfelt congratulations to John and Kurt and all involved. We are very thankful to John for passing along the press kit. Exhibit Description ; Fact Sheet ; A History of Negro League Baseball ; Red Sox Players ; Press Releases ; Pink Palace Museum SCOPE Newsletter 3pp.

Also,

SCD 2/28/97;

JACKSON (MS) ADVOCATE January 23-29, 1997 "Exhibit features best of several collections";

MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL 2/1/97, "Exhibit tells story of Negro Leagues," & 1/31/97 "Black History".

FUTURE EVENTS

JACKIE ROBINSON: RACE, SPORTS AND THE AMERICAN DREAM Conference April 3-5 Long Island University, Brooklyn campus. A very thorough press release covering all the events.

A very special event will take place on Tuesday, June 17th: The First Annual Harrisburg Senator Negro League Commemorative Night. Starting at noon there will be exhibits, sale of many items, showing of Negro Leagues videos. At 2:00 PM lectures by Calobe Jackson on BlackBall in Harrisburg and Ted Knorr on the 1925 Harrisburg Giants. Then there will be a Q & A with the speakers and Marshall Waters, Giants batboy of '26, '27. Gates will open at 5:30 PM. Awards for youngsters, 1925 lineup introduction, free caps for kids and more. The Senators will wear replica Giants uniforms. 1,500 T-shirts will be given to youngsters. Ted Knorr has spearheaded this event and it should be terrific.

Ted will still be in attendance at the SABR National Convention in Louisville which will begin on June 20th. Besides the usual splendid NLC meeting, Larry Lester will have a slide presentation, an overview of the Negro Leagues from Fleet Walker to Jackie Robinson. A Negro League Player Panel is also scheduled with Bill Cash, Butch McCord, Josh Johnson, and Thomas Turner. Another great time!

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

It is sad to report a number of deaths.

Edsall Walker passed away 2/19/97 in Albany, NY at 86. ALBANY TIMES-UNION 2/22/97 "Wild Arm, Mild Heart,",. 2/21/97 death notice, "Edsall Walker dies at 86"; 2/27/97 "Baseball memories span generations".

Leandy Young, died 2/7/97 in Berkeley, CA at 86.

James Everett, expired 5/3/96 in Miami, FL.

Mrs Julia Crutchfield, died 12/2/96 in Chicago at 94.

Hillard Lee Motley, died at 82, in Newark, NJ

Other deaths: Nat Pollard, Wiley Lee Griggs, William "Cap" Brown.

Bill Owens (95) is recovering from a recent stroke.

We are seeking info on three rumored passings: David T. Harper in Atlanta, Bill Breda in Chandlet, AZ and Earl Taborn in Houston.

April 5 & 6th Larry Doby, Joe Black, and Buck O'Neil will be at a show at The Meadowlands Hilton Hotel.

A tribute to Negro Leaguers was held March 21-23, 1997 in Chantilly, VA.

Robert Peterson has written another wonderful book PIGSKIN: THE EARLY YEARS OF PRO FOOTBALL, 228 pages, 22 photos. It has a 21 page chapter "Black Players And Blackballs". Highly recommended!

An effort is being started to memorialize 4 prominent individuals in Kansas City baseball history: the Kauffman's, George Brett and Buck O'Neil.

The latest THE DIAMOND ANGLE (Winter 1997 issue) has 6 pages including Larry Lester on Willard Brown; James Floto on Toni Stone; David Marasco on Greenlee Field; a Monte Irvin piece; and a listing of NL veterans in HOF. Contact TDA at PO Box 409 Kaunakakai, HI 96748.

Gary Anderson, Artistic Director of Plowshares Theatre Company, will have a production entitled THE LAST SEASON loosely based on the Birmingham Black Barons and set in 1947. More later.

More articles on the Pension Issue:

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS 1/31/97 "We've come a long way;

USA TODAY 2/14/97 "Vets, Negro League Stars Set To Receive Pensions;

CHICAGO TRIBUNE 1/26/97, "Moseley-Braun goes to bat for Negro Leagues' players,";

OREGONIAN 1/31/97, "Hitting Pay Dirt," ;

PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS 3/3/97, "Negro League vets get pensions.

Larry Lester was guest of honor for a special program and reception on February 19, 1997 at the Johnson Center of George Mason University with regards to an exhibit The Mid-Atlantic Negro Leagues & Sandlot Heroes, ROUGH DIAMONDS.

Bill Plott was interviewed several times on Birmingham, AL. TV discussing the Negro Leagues.

Jim Riley was very busy this last period. On February 7th he was in Melbourne, FL with a slide presentation on the Negro Leagues. The next day, in Tampa at the Tampa Library with a slide show and also presiding over a double-header with many veteran players. On the 9th he was a guest on 20th Century Radios Hieronimus & Co. After a brief rest, Jim had a presentation on the Negro Leagues with emphasis on Texas born players, at the SABR Regional in Dallas, Tx. March 5th Jim joined with Monte Irvin and Buck O'Neil as a guest at the Veterans Committee Press Conference announcing the selection of Willie Wells to the Hall of Fame.

ONLINE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Leading Edge Productions and their Negroleaguesbaseball Webzine which featured Willie Wells last month and helped with the Wells selection.

Also, Jim Riley's DANDY, DAY AND THE DEVIL aided greatly in convincing selectors.

Negro Leagues Collector's Page at the following;

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/spaige

Paul Debono has a web page at www.indy.net/~pdebono

THE VINTAGE & CLASSIC BASEBALL COLLECTOR, Jan/Feb, 1997 "Hobby Internet Presence Explodes".

Clem Hamilton made available some of his terrific work on First Blacks on Major League teams through the SABR-List .

"Major League Baseball's Web Site to launch new section for National Black History Month," Press Release says it all about a wonderful source. Larry Lester wrote the History of the Negro Leagues. This was a three part section; Baseball's Missing Chapter; The Great Teams; & The Decision. Larry also wrote the 28 bios seen each day on the site. Bell, Black, Brewer, Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Charleston, Dandridge, Day, Dihigo, Doby, Rube Foster, Willie Foster, Gibson, Irvin, Johnson, Leonard, Lloyd, Mackey, O'Neil, Paige, Robinson, Rogan, Hilton Smith, Stearnes, Suttles, Wells, Williams, and Wright.

The site also had short team histories. Web site credits are available.

Eric Newland and Leading Edge Productions also provided an Artie Wilson audio and video interview and a video interview of Bobbie Robinson, for the Major League site.

NEGRO LEAGUES RELATED ARTICLES

NORTH JERSEY HERALD & NEWS, 3/13/97, "group resists razing of Paterson [Hinchliffe] stadium";

Larry Lester's "Where baseball was as Black as the Blues," appeared in the BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN, 2/22/97;

Keith Olbermann column from ESPN Sportszone , "Fight began long before Jackie,";

SCD 2/28/97, "B.A.T. banquet draws 160+ Major Leaguers," & "B.A.T. steps up to the plate for needy menbers,";

SCD 3/7/97, Don Newcombe; Chuck Harmon; Henry Kimbro;

NEW YORK TIMES 2/23/97 Front Page, "He crossed color barrier, but in another's shadow," (Doby);

EBONY, Feb. 1997, Miller Lite & Coors ads;

"Negro Leaguer Marcelle was a baseball pioneer," THE TIMES-PICAYUNE (New Orleans) 6/23/96;

The Josh Gibson Foundation Newsletter;

CHICAGO TRIBUNE 2/7/97, "Immortalized in extra innings";

DUPAGE COUNTY DAILY HERALD 2/7/97, "Elmhurst College exhibit honors Negro Leaguers";

"Sculpture in League of its own" from SPOTLIGHT Jan31-Feb 6, 1997, above three on Radcliffe, Lockett, Sampson busts.

"Regal Rickwood",USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY;

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, March 10, 1997 on class of '47;

From the 1996 GRANDSTAND BASEBALL ANNUAL, "The lady played second base," (Stone) & "Apocrypha in Pittsburgh" by David Marasco;

HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/21/96 on Bill Owens;

SCD 4/4/97 "Negro Leagues Museum";

DAILY RECORD Morris County, NJ 2/22/97 "Green has no prejudice";

JACKSON (MS) ADVOCATE, January 23-29, 1997, "History of Negro Leagues baseball," & February 13-19, 1997 "Movie pays tribute to Negro Leagues," (Bingo Long) ;

TAMPA TIMES, 2/7/97, "League of their own" (Billy Felder),'

SCD 3/28/97, "Double Duty featured guest at Rhode Island show";

NEWARK STAR-LEDGER, 2/28/97, "Hypocrisy hath no barriers,"

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 6/14/97, "Man-Dak loop a haven for blacks";

JACKSON (MS) ADVOCATE, March 13-19, 1997, "NLBM has exciting activities for 1997".

CURRENT AND FUTURE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

Brad Sullivan is beginning the indexing of the PITTSBURGH COURIER, 1923 to date. This will help NL researchers tremendously, along with the RBI project.

Lou Hunsinger is working very hard to get George Stovey recognized by the local chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

I am seeking any info on players J.W. Wingate, Johnny Lee Williams, Bill Mitchell, Jabe Brazzle, and John Willis.

Richard Riegler seeks info on Memorial Field in Belmar, NJ and mainly items on the New York Cubans' use of the field for home games in 1935. Contact me.

Scott Allen, a senior at Southern Illinois, is doing a paper on the Black Freedom Movement and focusing on NL baseball in St. Louis, with hope for future publication.

Henry Rothgerber, of the Louisville Convention Committee informs me that Negro Leaguers from Kentucky will be a part of the published booklet received at the affair.

Liam Atchison is pursuing the goal of having a plaque erected in Leavenworth, Ks, the birthplace of Chet Brewer.

Finally, Neil Lanctot has begun work on his new book. It is a follow-up to his earlier superb work on the Hilldale club, examining the Philadelphia Stars, Black baseball in the East and Black professional baseball in general between 1933 and 1955. The work will also utilize the history of the Philadelphia Stars as a means to examine the social. cultural, and economic experience of African-Americans in Philadelphia during this time. University of Nebraska Press could be the publisher. Please pass along any info, photos, etc, you may wish to share with Neil Lanctot 210 West Byron Place #210 King of Prussia, PA 19406.

THE MARKETPLACE

USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY Feb 26-March 4, 1997 had a 4 page book guide for 1997. New books for our interest are:

VOICES FROM THE NEGRO LEAGUES: CONVERSATIONS WITH 51 BASEBALL STANDOUTS OF THE PERIOD 1924-1951 by Brent Kelley.

JACKIE ROBINSON BETWEEN THE BASELINES

THE JACKIE ROBINSON READER

DARWIN'S ATHLETES

GREAT NAMES IN BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS

BASEBALL AT WAR:WORLD WAR II AND THE FALL OF THE COLOR LINE (Juvenile)

We eagerly await Lyle Wilson's self-published book in April or May. We are especially looking for Paul Debono's INDIANAPOLIS ABC's: HISTORY OF A PREMIER TEAM IN THE NEGRO LEAGUES being published by McFarland.

Jeff Eastland will be doing a postcard show with his Jackie Robinson collection in April in Havre de Grace, MD.

Frank Keetz just finished the second edition of BASEBALL ADVERTISING TRADE CARDS which has 4pp on Baseball and Race.

Avon Products has added a Satchel Paige figurine.

1pg Ad for New Era Negro League Caps, 1pg Ad on Negro League Autographs.

Review of VERACRUZ BLUES novel.

Cassette tapes on Jackie Robinson's autobiography I NEVER HAD IT MADE are in the marketplace.

Ad for Cooperstown Bears featuring NL teams for $140.

I strongly recommend purchasing the April 1997 issue of BECKETT VINTAGE. The issue has a picture of Robinson on the cover and a load of Negro Leagues related ads and stories. Cost is $3.95 at newstands.

JACKIE ROBINSON

On April 6th Jim Overmyer will give a talk on Jackie Robinson to the Men's Club at Temple Anshe Amunium in Pittsfield, MA.

On April 15th cable station MSNBC and it's Dayside show will have complete Jackie Robinson Day coverage with special programming and panels throughout the day. Be sure to watch some of our own may be on TV.

Enough articles have made been written recently on Robinson to fill several file cabinets. Much is rehashing but many are quite good. A few of the following may be repetitive but the best part is that these articles also highlight the Negro Leagues and its' players. The celebration of Robinson's courageous act gives us all the perfect opportunity to educate and promote the Negro Leagues and the players who should be in The Hall of Fame.

ALBANY TIMES-UNION 2/27/97, "Baseball honors Robinson 50 years after debut;

NEW YORK TIMES 2/23/97, "Robinson image goes to market";

NY TIMES 2/27/97, "Foundation pushes Robinson's legacy;

NY TIMES 2/28/97, "A hard hitting profile of Robinson by ESPN";

NY TIMES 3/2/97 "Claire Smith on Baseball";

SCD 3/7/97 "Jackie's arrival signaled the end of the Negro Leagues", "Robinson's big league debut uneventful", "Robinson commemoratives expected to flourish in '97" **4pp. "Robinson baseballs, patches available," **1pg. "1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson,", "Wheaties pays tribute to Robinson";

USA TODAY 2/13/97, "Field of items commemorate Jackie Robinson milestone" and 2/27/97 "Salute to Robinson includes $1M pledge";

USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY 1/29-2/4, 1997, "BAT salutes past, present," 2/26-3/4, 1997 "Another barrier broken,"and 3/5-3/11,1997 "Clinton to honor Robinson";

THE RECORD, Hackensack, NJ 2/6/97, "Clinton to attend Robinson ceremon," ;

THE HERALD, Everett, WA 2/28/97, "Robinson was target of conspiracy";

THE ANN ARBOR NEWS, 2/23/97, "Negro Leaguers savor memories";

JACKSON (MS) ADVOCATE, Feb 6-12, 1997, "A spectacular season," March 13-19, 1997, "MLB and Jackie Robinson Foundation honor 'barrier breaker' on 50th anniversary," & "Jackie Robinson and the Black Pres,;

Jackie Robinson play STEALIN' HOME was staged in NYC at the Castillo Theatre, February 7th to March 9th.;

NORTH JERSEY DAILY RECORD, 2/21/97, "Remembering Robinson and the Negro Leagues legacy";

NEWARK STAR-LEDGER, 2/12/97, "Champions of Robinson," 2/27/97, "Widow says Jackie Robinson would frown on '97 situation";

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, 2/9/97, "Jackie's 5th inning stretch," 2/10/97, "A golden night for Jackie," 2/27/97, " Robby still a step ahead" ;

NEW YORK POST, 2/27/97, "Robinson a pioneer 'til the day he died";

Review of GREAT TIME COMING: THE LIFE OF JACKIE ROBINSON, FROM BASEBALL TO BIRMINGHAM by Falkner.

KANSAS CITY STAR, 3/2/97, "Today's athletes can't see what Robinson was about";

REUTERS, 2/27/97, "Baseball to rededicate season to Jackie Robinson";

JR Press conference from Media Advisory;

WASHINGTON POST, 2/27/97. "Many ceremonies set for baseball's first Black player," 2/27/97, "Nation remembers Jackie Robinson legacy," 2/28/97, "Robinson Special: old footage, new insight," 3/1/97, "Robinson: A man in need," **& 3/1/97, "Robinson legacy goes far beyond the ballparks";

THE BOSTON GLOBE, "Rickey's grandson wants to preserve meaning of signing";

SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER, 1/13/97, "Card sets commemorating Jackie Robinson worth getting";

LOS ANGELES TIMES, "Crusade to honor a pioneer bears belated fruit, "Jackie Robinson's trials must never be forgotten", "Remembering the men Jackie Robinson left behind";

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/9/97, "Awareness of Jackie Robinson isn't universal, but runs deep";

NEW YORK TIMES, "Jackie Robinson vs Orioles," "Lacy's words matched Robinson with impact that still resonates," "Robinson nearly caused strike" & "The fiesty side of Jackie Robinson";

The following are magazine pieces:

EBONY, Feb.1997, "Jackie Robinson Remembered" reprint of Doc Young ;

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS, Feb.1997, "The Man Who Changed America";

AMERICAN LEGACY, Spring, 1997 Vol 3 No 1, Jules Tygiel "A spectacular Season"; AMERICAN HISTORY, April, 1997, "Henry Aaron Remembers," "Baseball's Noble Experiment";

SCHOLASTIC NEWS Feb. 1997, "Jackie Robinson Led The Way";

SCHOLASTIC ACTION, 2/14/97, "Here's to you Jackie Robinson ";

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 3/24/97, "A grandfather's greatest gift," and many JR articles by Joe Lee.

FINAL REMARKS

Our next newsletter will be June's. You must get items to me before the last week of May, especially anything for Louisville.

Dick Clark & Larry Lester

NLC Co-Chairpeople

www.blackbaseball.com