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SABR - NEGRO LEAGUES COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

April 1998

(portions reprinted with permission of the Editor)
____________________________________________________________
Editor: Dick Clark, 1080 Hull, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-6472
    Telephone Number: (734) 487-5273; Fax: (734)487-0807
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CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

    Hall of Fame Induction Day will be extra special this year as Bullet Rogan joins Larry Doby and Sam Lacy in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. Congratulations to Claudia Perry who made it to the Jeopardy Tournament Of Champions and won even more $$$. We hope Claudia gets 100% healthy and enjoy the rewards.

NEGRO LEAGUERS AND THE HALL OF FAME

    Induction Weekend is July 25-27, 1998. Sunday the 26th will be a grand day as Sam Lacy, Larry Doby and Bullet Rogan enter the Hall of Fame....three men with connections to the Negro Leagues. All were overdue. I'm especially pleased to see Sam Lacy being honored. Our sincerest congratulations to all of them. I say let's go Turkey Stearnes for next year! With Williams still out, the HOF has to extend the deadline on Negro Leaguers. We have a slew of articles.

    "Isn't it time Hall of Fame invited Doby?" NEWARK STAR-LEDGER 2/22/98, Jerry Izenberg column.
    USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY 3/4-10/98; "Fifty years later, Doby waits for call from Hall"
    USA TODAY 3/4/98, "Doby's way to Hall of Fame had obstacles
    THE NEW YORK TIMES, 3/4/98, "Doby is named to Hall of Fame"
    THE RECORD (Hackensack, NJ) 3/4/98, "Veterans send four to Hall" & "Patience pays off for Larry Doby" & "Quiet leader voted into Hall of Fame"
    NEWARK STAR-LEDGER, 3/4/98 "Learning to fly with Eagles"
    THE SUNDAY RECORD (Hackensack, NJ) 3/8/98, "Importance of being second"
    THE NEW YORK TIMES 3/8/97, "Into Halls of Fame" & "The might have been in Doby's career"
    USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY 3/11-17/98, "Vets Committee honors Doby, three others,"     THE KANSAS CITY STAR 3/4/98, "Monarchs Star to be Inducted"
    TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE, 3/4/98, "Finally Doby gets his due"
    THE SPORTING NEWS, 3/9/98, "Who are these new Hall of Famers?"
    THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/5/98, "Overshadowed by some but second to none, Doby finally gets his due"
    THE WASHINGTON POST, 3/4/98, "Doby elected to Hall"
    DAILY-RECORD (Morris County, NJ) 3/4/98, "Doby headed for Hall of Fame"
    NEW YORK POST 3/4/98, "Veterans Committee opens Hall door for Doby, 3 others"
    NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, 3/4/98, "Following Fame-ous footsteps"
    AD, private signings with Larry Doby.
    U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT 3/16/98 "People in the news"
    JET, 3/23/98 on Rogan & Doby.
    CHICAGO TRIBUNE 3/4/98, "Doby's rightful recognition"
    CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/4/98, "Veterans send Doby to Hall"

THE NEGRO LEAGUES BOOK

    Jerry Malloy provided 1889 Chicago Resolutes and New Orleans Pinchbacks rosters and added to the 1889 Chicago Unions.
    David Marasco greatly assisted with correctly identifying Jose Perez and Blue Perez.
    Nice review of the book in DODGERS DUGOUT
    Thanks to Bob Brown for a 1912 NEW YORK AGE boxscore.
    We are very grateful to Ralph Maya for passing along a copy of the program for the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame Gala of June 28, 1997. The 16 page booklet helped us with some new data.

HARRISBURG CONFERENCE

    All systems are go, interest is very high but registrations aren't happening. Folks sign up. We must get people registered NOW and research briefs submitted or we will draft speakers. DO NOT WAIT! Reservations at the Ramada you can do at your leisure (before June 1st) but we need $$$ to budget costs involved. Lots of people have shown interest but let's get with it and make this THE EVENT it should be. Conference registration is through Ted Knorr (717) 238-5151. $60 for the conference, $30 registration, $25 banquet, $6 game: $40 table at flea market. Checks to Ted Knorr, 205 Mulberry Street, #7, Harrisburg, PA 17104. Research briefs to Sammy Miller, 3916 Archer Ct., Florence, KY 41042. Hotel reservations through the Ramada at (717) 234-5021 $84.
    We are trying to work out a deal with a major corporation that has shown some interest in being the sole sponsor of the former Negro League players we want to have at the conference.
    For those of you interested in flying to The Harrisburg Conference, American Airlines has agreed to provide us with a "BIG DISCOUNT" if we can get at least ten people to agree to fly their airlines. We are in the process of finding out exactly what the discount is. If you would be interested contact me (248) 487-5273 or Sammy Miller (606) 525-1619. We HAVE to have ten people in order to get the discount. So do not wait we must know IMMEDIATELY of your interest.
    Here's the agenda:
8/6-Historic marker dedication, informal gathering at Ramada, Senator's game.
8/7-Opening ceremonies, 8 research presentations, sculptures and reception, Senator's game.
8/8-NLC meeting, 6 research presentations, Robert Peterson talk, player panel, trivia contest, naming of all-time team, etc. banquet.
    In addition, the library archives and state museum will be primed for baseball research. There will be a flea market. The players will be accessible for the duration of the conference. There will be an exhibit commemorating Harrisburg and Pennsylvania Negro League baseball.
    This will be the biggest Negro Conference since Baltimore 10 years ago. Don't miss out.
    THE HARRISBURG TIMES series of Negro League articles, 30 or more, may be secured from them at THE HARRISBURG TIMES, 99 South Cameron St. Harrisburg, PA 17101, just $10 for all. Articles are still requested.

SPECIAL EVENTS

    The BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACKIE ROBINSON exhibit opening went very well. Armando Vasquez, Pee Wee Jenkins, Jim Robinson, and Carlos Santiago joined with guest speaker Ron Teasley for a most enjoyable day. THE ADVOCATE (Stamford, CT) 2/2/98, "Exhibit recalls baseball in Black & White"

                Upcoming Special Events

    It will be "Luke Easter" Sunday on April 12th during a series of games between Rochester and Buffalo. They will be honoring Easter who played with Buffalo (57-59) & Rochester (60-64).
    A Legendary Tribute to Sam Lacy will take place Saturday April 25, 1998 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM at The Baltimore City Life Museum in conjunction with the 1998 UNCF Baltimore.
    Also, on April 25th, in Philadelphia, at the former home of the Stars, 44th & Parkside, an historical marker will be dedicated to the original Philadelphia black teams, the Pythians and Excelsior.
    May 14, 1998 will be the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies at the Meadowlands. Pop Lloyd, Leon Day, and the 1946 Newark Eagles will be inducted. On the 15th a reception for Pop at The All-Star Cafe in Atlanta City will be held. On the 16th a ceremony with placing of a permanent historic marker at Pop's grave site will occur. A Great Weekend!
    The Detroit Tigers will hold their annual Negro Leagues Celebration on Saturday June 27th in a game against Cincinnati, who will wear Cicinnati Buckeyes uniforms. The NLC is also actively involved, this year, in helping to plan the program. SABR Conventions are terrific. This is my first no-show since 1985. Unless I win the Lotto I won't be there. I'll let everyone know the meeting time in the June Newsletter. Please let me know now of anything you may want discussed at the NLC meeting.

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

    It is always a sad occasion to report the deaths of Negro Leaguers: Booker T. Robinson 1/29/98 in Lakeland, FL at 78; Eugene Collins 2/9/98 in Detroit at 73; Roy Welmaker 2/12/98 in Atlanta.(SCD and BASEBALL AMERICA); and Ed Finney 3/17/97 in Akron, OH.(AKRON BEACON JOURNAL 3/19/98) Obit 3/22/98.
    AP Wire stories, "Only Venezuelan to play in Baseball's Negro Leagues found unconscious" 2/27/98 & "Rescue came too late for Star" 2/28/98. These cover the death of Carlos Ascanio.
    Earl Taborn has died. Reportedly, Reuben Williams, Gene Richardson, Pepper Sharpe, and Tim Bond have died.
    Funeral program for Sammie Haynes
    Anyone aware of Negro League games broadcast on radio?
    Todd Holcomb of Marietta, GA has compiled a 16 page list of All-Star Teams for all 50 states and a few country and city teams compiled for APBA Baseball for Windows. They include a host of Negro Leaguers. It can be obtained from Len Levin at the Research Exchange.
    "The Men of Bethel Roast Buck O'Neil" program
    Seeking info on Melvin McCray (BEG), Fuzzy Tolbert (Pittsburgh area athlete), "Famous" Jones of KC Monarchs, and New Orleans Black Pelicans.
    Neil Lanctot provided info on Herb Hill.
    Mark Presswood, 2141 Misty's Run, Keller, TX 76248 seeks any info on the Fort Worth Black Wonders/Cats.
    Scott Allen spoke at the St. Louis SABR Chapter meeting January 31st on Black Baseball and the St. Louis Giants and entertained all. He is working on St. Louis Giants and Stars stats for the St. Louis Cardinals Encyclopedia. Scott also passed along a flyer on a baseball round table conference at Southern Illinois University the 24-25th of March in which former player Josh Johnson was in attendance along with Dr. John Haddock. John's video BLACK DIAMOND, BLUES CITY: Stories of the Memphis Red Sox was shown. Finally, a big thanks to Scott for passing along the St. Louis Public Library holdings 4pp on black baseball and its players.
    Lyle Wilson made a presentation on his book (excellent) SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT GARFIELD PARK: Seattle's Black Baseball Teams 1911-51, at Washington State Museum of History on 2/7. Lyle also points out the book ROSEWOOD-LIKE JUDGMENT DAY has some recollections about the Rosewood All-Stars and Florida Stars on pages 76-79. Quite an interesting work.
    Artie Wilson was a guest at the Northwest SABR Chapter meeting on February 15th.
    Official Grand Opening of the MCI National Sports Gallery was February 26-28, 1998 and was a huge success. Our congratulations to Jeff Eastland for his role in the exhibit. AP "Grand Opening" 3/1/98. SCD 3/27/98, "National Sports Gallery opens in Washington DC"

ONLINE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Larry Lester asks anyone Emailing him to please accept his apologies in getting back to you in a timely fashion. He gets 50-100 Emails A DAY. Be sure Larry knows your address or make a specific title on mail. A lot gets deleted without reading. Do you believe 7 minutes to download mail in a flash session?
    Mike Kolleth's new Email address MKolleth@compuserve.com
    Clement Hamilton on Negro Leaguers in HOF
    A super SABR-L post by Jerry Malloy on early black baseball and Charles Douglass
    Hieronimus & Co. Press release at ZohandBobH@aol.com
    Alan Heaton AHEATON@PRODIGY.NET is seeking any info on Stuart "Slim" Jones.
    Steve Tahsler OTTERSBB@EVANSVILLE.NET seeks all Negro Leaguers that played in Evansville over the years.
    Joel DeLeon JoelDeLeon@aol.com is willing to help out the NLC.

NEGRO LEAGUES RELATED ARTICLES

    GERMANTOWN COURIER 2/25/98, "Lefty Jim Jones: Rewarded now for his play when only the ball was white"
    MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE 2/1/98, "A League of Legends," (NLBM).
    THE BRAZOSPORT FACTS, 9/7/97 Remember When "Black Tarpons"
    "The Negro Leagues" overview from DRAMATURE.
    THE KANSAS CITY STAR, "Buck O'Neil gets title to match his standing", KC "Mr Baseball"
    "Discover Greatness: The Negro Leagues. The NLBM exhibit in Louisville.
    THE RECORD (Hackensack, NJ) 2/25/98, "Lawmakers act to name post office for baseball great, Doby"
    LOS ANGELES TIMES, 2/28/98, "A park where only the game mattered"
    CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/8/98, "Double Duty, 95, a credit to game," by SABRite Michael Marsh
    THE RECORD, (Hackensack, NJ) 2/15/98, "Satchel Paige: Life and times of an ordinary man," & 2/21/98 New Jersey HOF Inductions **1pg.
    Cannon Classic from 8/16/55 in NEW YORK POST 5/25/97, "Endless road for Satchel"

CURRENT AND FUTURE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

    Adrian Burgos was in Cuba, researching 19th century baseball clubs in Cienfuegos, for a couple of weeks in March
    Dean Sullivan, author of EARLY INNINNGS & MIDDLE INNINGS is starting work on "Late Innings" on 1949 to present. He seeks subjects to consider and hopes to find primary articles on the demise of the Negro Leagues, status of the League in the 50's, effects of players in OB, etc. Contact at 3508 Queen Anne Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030-1831 and online at donsull@erols.com
    Mark Choquet, 974 North Main #1, Randolph, MA 02368-3036 is researching the Cuban Giants 1893-1896 and needs additional bio info on the players.

THE MARKETPLACE

    Books to look for this spring QUEEN OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES: EFFA MANLEY AND THE NEWARK EAGLES by Jim Overmyer $6.95. A great book!
    MIDDLE INNINGS: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF BASEBALL 1900-1948 by Dean Sullivan (several NL references) University of Nebraska Press.
    Youngster's books GREAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATHLETES,$2.95
THE NEGRO LEAGUES by Jim Riley from Chelsea House. One of the best young adult works ever.
    New addition to Latin American baseball is BEISBOL PROFESIONAL BORICUA (Puerto Rico Professional Baseball) by Jose A. Crescioni Benitez $28 postpaid. 376 pages (Spanish) tons of stats, lots of career stats. Recommended, order from Jose, PO Box 630548, Catano, PR 00963-0548.
    Due in August from Amistad Press/St. Martins Press will be Francis C. Harris two-volume work. THE AMISTAD PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATHLETE. Over 2500 pictures in each edition. One is collegiate and one professional. The proof pages I have seen are really impressive. As the release date appears closer I'll try to have more info including price.
    AD, Star Struck The Negro League Caps.
    Autograph price guide on NLers.
    AD Negro League Baseball Card Set $13.95 +P&H
    Hieronimus & Co. press release , NL Memoriabilia to benefit Geraldine Day.
    AD for autographed NL 8x10 photos.
    Josh Gibson Kenner figure available at Toys R Us.
    List of needed Negro League World Series tickets & stubs needed.

FINAL REMARKS

    Our next newsletter will be June's. Please get all information to me before the last week of May.

Dick Clark & Larry Lester
NLC Co-Chairpeople

www.blackbaseball.com