Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

#11 10-24-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATP

I agree with all of this. The issue is that not many other people do, except those who may live in the NW or follow PCL history closely. I do not mean to undermine what Claxton accomplished, I just don't feel what he did really impacted mainstream baseball on a nationwide level, as great as he was.
Best,
Jeff

Very well said Jeff.

This will sound like hyperbole, but Claxton was great, perhaps the greatest semi-professional ballplayer to ever play the game. Not to diminish Robinson's achievement but Claxton integrated the Tacoma Industrial League and Seattle Inter-City League in 1924. He even threw a no-hitter June 23, 1924 in the TIL. At the time, nearly 25% of the white male population in the United States was a member of the KKK. By the time Robinson and Doby played professional baseball, one of the largest institutions in the US, the armed services, had fully integrated. Quite the disparity in social circumstances.

I don't think you can go wrong with a list like this and I agree about Aaron, and others but I'm a hopeless Claxton apologist. Forgive my weaknesses.

View Poll Results: Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson
Bud Fowler (First Black Professional Ballplayer)	0	0%
Moses Fleetwood Walker (First Black Major League Ballplayer)	11	6.71%
Sol White (History of Colored Baseball)	2	1.22%
Rube Foster (Founder of Negro National League)	63	38.41%
Other (Please identify)	88	53.66%
Voters: 164. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
African American Baseball Exhibit in Seattle	Pythonfactory	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	7	03-11-2014 11:21 AM
Help Identifying team - African American baseball team (B-M)	baseball tourist	Net54baseball Sports (Primarily) Vintage Memorabilia Forum incl. Game Used	3	10-08-2013 05:42 PM
(2) Circa 1920/30s African American Baseball Photos For Sale	canjond	Baseball Memorabilia B/S/T	2	03-19-2012 10:24 AM
WTB: 1920s or Earlier African-American Baseball Team Photos or RPPCs	Ronnoco	Baseball Memorabilia B/S/T	0	12-12-2011 05:27 PM
1st African American Baseball card?	michael3322	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	15	12-28-2010 09:58 PM