Negro Leagues
1860 through 1960
Updated October 2024
Posted July 2022
The Negro Leagues 1920-1945
In 1920, an organized league structure was formed from a grouping of independent black baseball team owners and members of the black press. In a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, owners created a governing body and established the Negro National League. Andrew "Rube" Foster - a former player, manager, and owner of the Chicago American Giants, was tapped to be the league's president. Rival leagues soon formed in Eastern and Southern states, bringing the thrills and innovative play of black baseball to major urban centers and rural countrysides in the US, Canada, and Latin America. The leagues maintained a high level of professional skill and became centerpieces for economic development in many black communities.
In 1920, an organized league structure was formed from a grouping of independent black baseball team owners and members of the black press. In a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, owners created a governing body and established the Negro National League. Andrew "Rube" Foster - a former player, manager, and owner of the Chicago American Giants, was tapped to be the league's president. Rival leagues soon formed in Eastern and Southern states, bringing the thrills and innovative play of black baseball to major urban centers and rural countrysides in the US, Canada, and Latin America. The leagues maintained a high level of professional skill and became centerpieces for economic development in many black communities.
Saint Louis Stars
Organized in 1909, the Stars, featuring greats suc has Willie Wells and James "Cool Papa" Bell, had their greatest seasons inthe lat 1020s.
Organized in 1909, the Stars, featuring greats suc has Willie Wells and James "Cool Papa" Bell, had their greatest seasons inthe lat 1020s.
William "Judy" Johnson
1909-1989
Judy Johnson was among the greatest infielders in the Negro Leagues. He played for a number of top caliber teams in the 1920s and 1930s, including Hilldale Homestead Grays, and Pittsburgh Crawfords.
1909-1989
Judy Johnson was among the greatest infielders in the Negro Leagues. He played for a number of top caliber teams in the 1920s and 1930s, including Hilldale Homestead Grays, and Pittsburgh Crawfords.
Detroit Stars
The Detroit Stars were charter members of the Negro National League in 1920 and featured stars Andy Cooper and Pete Hill.
The Detroit Stars were charter members of the Negro National League in 1920 and featured stars Andy Cooper and Pete Hill.
Philadelphia Royal Giants
This talented exhibition team was organized to tour California, Hawaii, and Japan. Here, team members pose after winning a competition in Hawaii.
This talented exhibition team was organized to tour California, Hawaii, and Japan. Here, team members pose after winning a competition in Hawaii.
William "Willie" Foster
1904-1978
Foster was a dominant left handed pitcher for the Chicago American Giants in the 1920s. He was also the half brother of Rube Foster.
1904-1978
Foster was a dominant left handed pitcher for the Chicago American Giants in the 1920s. He was also the half brother of Rube Foster.
Homestead Grays
The Grays played in Homestead, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Owner Cumberland Posey organized a well-respected team that included hitting star Josh Gibson.
The Grays played in Homestead, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Owner Cumberland Posey organized a well-respected team that included hitting star Josh Gibson.
Buck Leonard
1907-1997
Leonard was the leader of the Homestead Grays powerhouse team of the 1930s and 1940s. His steady play at first base helped the team win several championships.
1907-1997
Leonard was the leader of the Homestead Grays powerhouse team of the 1930s and 1940s. His steady play at first base helped the team win several championships.
Pittsburgh Crawfords
Hand-picked by owner Gus Greenlee, this was, one of the Negro Leagues' most talented teams. It included five future Hall-of-Famers: Oscar Charleston, Judy Johnson Cool-Papa-Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige.
Hand-picked by owner Gus Greenlee, this was, one of the Negro Leagues' most talented teams. It included five future Hall-of-Famers: Oscar Charleston, Judy Johnson Cool-Papa-Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige.
Ray Dandridge
1913-1994
Dandridge was a star third baseman for the Negro Leagues and Latin Leagues. One of the best players for the Newark Eagles in the 1930s and 1940s, he also excelled in minor league baseball, but never got the chance to play in the Major Leagues.
1913-1994
Dandridge was a star third baseman for the Negro Leagues and Latin Leagues. One of the best players for the Newark Eagles in the 1930s and 1940s, he also excelled in minor league baseball, but never got the chance to play in the Major Leagues.
Memphis Red Sox
The Red Sox were a popular attraction in Memphis from 1923 through to 1950. They were owned by the Martin brothers, who built a stadium for the team.
The Red Sox were a popular attraction in Memphis from 1923 through to 1950. They were owned by the Martin brothers, who built a stadium for the team.
Leon Day
1916-1995
Although he played many positions, Leon Day was the ace of the Newark Eagles pitching staff in the 1940s. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
1916-1995
Although he played many positions, Leon Day was the ace of the Newark Eagles pitching staff in the 1940s. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Washington Homestead Grays
After relocating to Washington DC, the Grays began a very successful run of league championships, earning nine consecutive pennants from 1937-1945.
After relocating to Washington DC, the Grays began a very successful run of league championships, earning nine consecutive pennants from 1937-1945.
Atlanta Black Crackers
The Black Crackers excelled in the Negro Southern Leagues in 1938, The White minor league team in Atlanta was called the "Crackers," so the black team called themselves the "Black Crackers."
The Black Crackers excelled in the Negro Southern Leagues in 1938, The White minor league team in Atlanta was called the "Crackers," so the black team called themselves the "Black Crackers."
East All Stars
The East-West All-Star Classic was the highlight of most baseball seasons in the Negro Leaques. Beginning in 1933, fans flocked to Chicago's Comiskey Park to see the best players in black baseball. Fifty thousand fans would pack the stadium in most summers. Below is the powerful East team from the 1939 game, featuring Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard among others.
The East-West All-Star Classic was the highlight of most baseball seasons in the Negro Leaques. Beginning in 1933, fans flocked to Chicago's Comiskey Park to see the best players in black baseball. Fifty thousand fans would pack the stadium in most summers. Below is the powerful East team from the 1939 game, featuring Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard among others.
Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Paige is arguably the most famous Negro Leagues player in the Negro Leagues, having established a 20+ year career as the league's premier pitcher and personality. A perennial All-Star, Paige would eventually join the Major Leagues in the 1940s, well past the age of 40.
Paige is arguably the most famous Negro Leagues player in the Negro Leagues, having established a 20+ year career as the league's premier pitcher and personality. A perennial All-Star, Paige would eventually join the Major Leagues in the 1940s, well past the age of 40.
Kansas City Monarchs 1924
The first Colored World Series pitted the Negro National League Champion Kansas City Monarchs and the Easter Colored League Champion Hillsdale Club of Pennsylvania. The Monarch's prevailed five games to four.
The first Colored World Series pitted the Negro National League Champion Kansas City Monarchs and the Easter Colored League Champion Hillsdale Club of Pennsylvania. The Monarch's prevailed five games to four.
- 1924 Kansas City Monarchs:
The first Colored World Series pitted the Negro National League Champion Kansas City Monarchs and the Easter Colored League Champion Hillsdale Club of Pennsylvania. The Monarchs prevailed five games to four.
- Monarchs Manager:
Frank Duncan stands next to the Monarch's Bus while on the road. Bus travel was the norm in the Negro Leagues and teams that had access to their own bus were the most successful at getting games, increasing popularity, and sustaining income. - Monarch Lighting Truck:
A portable lighting system to illuminate night games, developed by Kansas City Monarch's owner JL Wilkinson, debuted in 1930, five years before the first official Major League Baseball night game.
Newark Eagles
Led by owners Abe and Effa Manley, the Eagles were one of the best teams of the Negro Leagues in the 1940s. The team featured future Hall of Fame players Monte Irvin, Larry Doby, Leon Day, and Ray Dandridge.
Indianapolis Clowns
The Indianapolis Clowns were a popular attraction during the 1930s, but despite their clowning ways they were a legitimate ball club. The Clowns joined the Negro American League in 1943.
Led by owners Abe and Effa Manley, the Eagles were one of the best teams of the Negro Leagues in the 1940s. The team featured future Hall of Fame players Monte Irvin, Larry Doby, Leon Day, and Ray Dandridge.
Indianapolis Clowns
The Indianapolis Clowns were a popular attraction during the 1930s, but despite their clowning ways they were a legitimate ball club. The Clowns joined the Negro American League in 1943.
The Negro Leagues
In 1920, an organized black baseball league structure was formed in Eastern and Southern states in the US, Canada, and Latin America.
In 1920, an organized black baseball league structure was formed in Eastern and Southern states in the US, Canada, and Latin America.