Imagine....what if Satchell Paige started in the Major's in 1926..Show us your stuff

Jason19th · #1 11-27-2020, 10:12 PM

I actually wonder if Paige would have succeeded if he had joined the majors in 1926. I am not questioning the talent but wondering if he would have been able to fit into the culture of the majors at that time. With the exception of Babe Ruth, the majors at this time where pretty much the in the company man mode. Teams liked sort of boring guys who played and didn�t make a lot of waves. In many ways Paige would have fit in better in the 00�s and 10�s when the game had a lot more guys of let�s call it independent spirit. It is important to remember that Paige had a lot of battles with Negro league owners and got banned a number of times for jumping contracts. And though it�s become a bit of the mythology, the jumping wasn�t just part of what the Negro leagues were. Players like Monte Irvin, Larry Doby player only for one team for years before breaking the color line and Buck Leonard played all 16 years of his NL careers for the Grays. One must remember that the Commissioner at this time really wasn�t one for forgiving and moving on. It�s easy to picture Paige doing something to piss off Landis and then just deciding to make money playing for semi pro teams like Bismarck. For example it doesn�t take much to imaging a mlb Paige deciding that the Mexican league offered better prospects and jumping in the early 1940�s and then getting banned.

It is interesting to note however that as transient as he was as a younger man, Paige basically became Bill Veeck�s most dependable middle reliever from 1948-1958 ( with the Indians, Browns and in the minors with Miami). Paige became a workhorse pitching all different types of roles for Veeck. If you haven�t seen them take a look at his Miami stats - for much of the 1950�s he was probably one of the best relievers in the minors (and he was pushing 50)

Below is a image of Paige pitching in Puerto Rico in the late 1930�s

Exhibitman · #2 11-27-2020, 10:17 PM

vthobby · #3 11-28-2020, 12:28 AM

IMG_8934.jpg

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #4 11-29-2020, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Always nice to have some extra words penned in Satchel's hand. Mostly, it was just a signature. If you were lucky, maybe a "Best Wishes frommn". While the collector self-addressed this PC, Satch wrote the note on the left.

I recently read a very well-written biography. Several times throughout the book, it mentioned Paige's ongoing correspondence with various people, both handwritten and typewritten (on trains, no less). Where did all of that supposed correspondence go? To date, I am aware of the existence of exactly one rambling handwritten letter that wasn't even signed at the conclusion (nor properly addressed to its recipient!) and one typewritten letter. I've also seen a brief note on the back of a postcard or two. That's it. Judging by Paige's struggle with the written word, I just don't see him being a regular correspondent.

GoCubsGo32 · #5 11-30-2020, 07:51 AM

Signed Snapshot of Paige

Snapshot of Paige & Doby

Exhibitman · #6 11-30-2020, 10:43 AM

I found this snapshot in a pile of old newspaper clippings at the bottom of a box of miscellaneous sports stuff I bought at a vintage paper show. Moral of the story is always go through everything.

tedzan · #7 11-30-2020, 11:34 AM

Great photo....Adam

Serrated-edge photos like your's of Paige were very popular during the 1940's.

Perhaps, we may consider this Paige's "rookie card" (of him in a Cleveland uniform)

Anyway, thanks much for posting this photo.

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

h2oya311 · #8 11-30-2020, 01:25 PM

1933 Photo in Pittsburgh Crawfords uniform:

Mark17 · #9 11-28-2020, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason19th

I actually wonder if Paige would have succeeded if he had joined the majors in 1926. I am not questioning the talent but wondering if he would have been able to fit into the culture of the majors at that time. With the exception of Babe Ruth, the majors at this time where pretty much the in the company man mode. Teams liked sort of boring guys who played and didn�t make a lot of waves. In many ways Paige would have fit in better in the 00�s and 10�s when the game had a lot more guys of let�s call it independent spirit. It is important to remember that Paige had a lot of battles with Negro league owners and got banned a number of times for jumping contracts.

This is an excellent point. The guy was called "Satchel" for a reason.

GeoPoto · #10 11-28-2020, 04:05 AM

In 1948, Paige signs with Cleveland. Reverse caption reads: "Satch is a big-leaguer now. Cleveland, Ohio . . . Leroy "Satchel" Paige Negro pitcher who has been mowing down opposing batsmen in the top Negro baseball leagues for years and years, and who was named as being big-league material long before the Brooklyn Dodgers' precedent-shattering signing on of Jackie Robinson, is now a big-leaguer. Paige, who has plenty of "stuff" is shown demonstrating for his new boss, Bill Veeck, of the Cleveland Indians, following announcement of his addition to the Tribe's hurling staff. Photograph by Tom Peoples."
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1606557396

In spring training 1953, Satchel Paige on the mound in Tucson, Arizona trying to make another major league club despite being older than most players parents!
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1606557412

BRoberts · #11 11-28-2020, 08:33 AM

Beautiful 1948 Leafs. Such an iconic card.

tedzan · #12 11-28-2020, 07:35 PM

Here's a Satchell Paige card (with Jackie Robinson) that you do not see to often.

TOPPS re-printed 8 cards from their 1953 set, in 1973 (as a Test issue).

Very few of these 8-card sets were issued.

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

tedzan · #13 11-29-2020, 08:01 PM

The BOWMAN Gum Co. created many of their 240 subjects in their 1949 set from the 1948 Team Photo sets issued at the Ballparks.

For example......

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

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