Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This Hall of Fame centerfielder is thought by many (including baseball sachem Bill James) to be the best all-around ballplayer in the history of the Negro Leagues. Beginning his career in 1915 with the Indianapolis ABCs, he would play for various teams before taking the reins a manager of the legendary Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1932 and moving to first base in deference to Cool Papa Bell. He would later manage the Philadelphia Stars and Indianapolis Clowns practically until his death in 1954. Who was this paragon of baseball talent?
2. One of the best pure hitters of the Negro Leagues, this great left-handed slugger had his best years with the Detroit Stars, playing left and center fields. He was the top vote-getter in the inaugural East-West All-Star Game, batting leadoff in that contest to take advantage of his exceptional speed. He would later win pennants as the elder statesman of the 1940-41 Kansas City Monarchs. Who was this great ballplayer who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000?
3. One of the leading African-American businessmen in 1930s Pittsburgh, this legendary operator put together one of the elite teams of all time, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, named for his restaurant, the Crawford Grill. Though the Crawfords would only win two pennants, and one of these was bitterly disputed, his teams would feature five Hall of Famers, including the legendary battery of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. Who was this businessman who contributed mightily to Negro League lore?
4. After a turn as an All-American halfback at UCLA and an abbreviated tour as an officer in World War II, this great all-around athlete played shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. Though by all accounts he played admirably, this would be his only season in the Negro Leagues. Rather, he would go on to distinguish himself in other pursuits. Who was this renowned 20th century figure?
5. This strapping first baseman would also go on to greatness beyond the Negro Leagues. A teammate of Rube Foster, he would play the bag for the Philadelphia Giants in 1903 and 1904 before moving on to other things. Who was this iconic, divisive figure?
6. An exceptional defensive catcher, this switch hitter broke in with the Indianapolis ABCs in 1920 and would make his mark with the Hilldale Daisies. He toured Japan with an all-star team in 1927, then repeated the trip in 1934-35 with the Philadelphia Stars. He beat out Josh Gibson for the catcher's spot on the East team in the inaugural Negro League All-Star Game in 1933, and would go on to manage the Baltimore Elite Giants and Newark Eagles. Who was this wizard behind the plate whom they also called the Silver Eagle?
7. Playing from 1910 to 1938, this overpowering fastball pitcher had one of the dominant arms of the dead ball era. He is credited with developing the "hesitation" windup that would later be used by Satchel Paige and, among other great nicknames, was dubbed "the Demon Pitcher" by the black press. Who was this star for the New York Lincoln Giants and Brooklyn Royal Giants?
8. This smooth fielding, rocket-armed third baseman held down the hot corner for the Newark Eagles' "million-dollar infield" in the 1930s. He jumped to Venezuela in 1939 and would be a dominant force in Mexican baseball, earning a spot in that country's Sports Hall of Fame while splitting time in Cuba, putting in eleven seasons on the island. He signed with the New York Giants farm club, the Minneapolis Millers, in 1949 at the age of 35 and, despite batting .363 that year and winning league MVP in 1950, never did play in the big leagues. Who was he?
9. One of the most versatile talents in Negro League history (next to all-positions star Martin Dihigo), Damon Runyan dubbed this star "Double Duty" because of his penchant for pitching the first game of a doubleheader, then catching the second. In addition to exhibiting unbelievable stamina in playing the two most physically taxing positions, Double Duty anchored the championship-winning 1930 St. Louis Stars and 1931 Homestead Grays before moving to the talent-packed Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1932. He would continue in journeyman style throughout his 1928-1950 career. What was his given name?
10. Brother of one of the cornerstone figures of Negro League ball, this pitcher was a fine athlete and 1996 Hall of Famer in his own right. Thought by many to be the greatest southpaw in black baseball, he was a mainstay of the Chicago American Giants. Who was this fine baseball gentleman?
11. Satchel Paige called this versatile Kansas City Monarchs hurler one of the ten best pitchers he'd ever seen. Along with his killer fastball, he threw a curve, sinker, spitball, and palm change. In addition to his pitching greatness, he was often one of the best hitters on the Monarchs squad; like Babe Ruth and Smoky Joe Wood, he played outfield between his starts on the mound. Who was this fine athlete who managed the Monarchs off and on from 1926, then continued to guide the team after hanging up his glove in 1938?
12. This outstanding defensive shortstop played for several teams in his career, but is best known for his service with the St. Louis Stars (1924-31) and Newark Eagles (1936-39, '42, '45). He was also a keystone player for the Chicago American Giants' pennant-winning teams in 1932 and 1933 (first half). According to legend, he pioneered the wearing of batting helmets in 1936, playing against doctors orders after being beaned. Who was this great ballplayer that joined the Hall of Fame in 1997?
13. Reputed to have the best outfield arm of his generation, this centerfield great was known as "the ballclub" when playing for Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants from 1918 to 1925. Though his love of the nightlife often caused friction (he chafed after joining the Kansas City Monarchs in 1926 and left the team in mid-season, despite leading the team at the time with a .381 batting average), his real aggravation came from the US tax system, and he would retreat to his native Cuba in the off-season. Who was this Latin superstar?
14. This left fielder/first baseman, though a notorious bad ball hitter and a questionable fielder, was one of the most reliable offensive stars of his time. He was credited by some with as much power as Josh Gibson. Perhaps best known for holding down his corner of the Newark Eagles' "million-dollar infield", he broke in with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1923. He rose to stardom with the St. Louis Stars, powering them to titles in 1928, 1930, and 1931, then played for several teams after the Negro National League folded in 1931, finally settling in with the Eagles in 1936. Who was this good-natured powerhouse of a ballplayer?
15. One of the clichés of Negro League history is that the great players never got a chance to play at the top levels. This ignores both how solid the competition in black baseball was and how, unlike totally white-owned "Major League" baseball, the Negro Leagues were essentially an African-American enterprise, with the profits and pride remaining in the black community. That being said, some established Negro League stars did "get" to play big league ball. What great Newark Eagles centerfielder achieved his greatest popular fame playing left field next to Willie Mays in the Say Hey Kid's initial seasons for the New York Giants?
Source: Author
stuthehistoryguy
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