People, Locations, Episodes

Charles Grant Jr., Baseball player born

*Charles Grant Jr. was born on this date in 1874. He was a Black baseball player in Negro League baseball before the formal league was created.  Grant was born in Cincinnati, the son of an African American horse trainer, Charles Grant, and his mother, Mary.  A good fielder, Grant was of “medium height,” weighed approximately 160 pounds, and hit right-handed.  Charlie Grant joined the Page […]

Joe Gans, Boxer born

On this date, Joe Gans, African American professional boxer, was born in 1874.

Born in Baltimore, Joseph Gaines (his name at birth) was a legend in the sport. Because he was black, he was compelled by boxing promoters to permit less-talented white fighters to last the scheduled number of rounds with him and occasionally to defeat him. He was also forced to fight at unnaturally low weights, and, perhaps as a result, he was so weakened that he contracted tuberculosis and died while a young man.

John M. Shippen, Jr., Golfer born

John Mathew Shippen, Jr., was born on this date in 1874. He was an African American golfer.

Black Horse Jockey Wins The First Kentucky Derby

On this date in 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run with a Black man as the winning jockey.

He (Oliver Lewis) rode three-year-old Aristide in record time winning the race.

Alonzo ‘Lonnie’ Clayton, Horse Jockey born

*The birth of Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton in 1876 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American horse jockey.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1876, Clayton followed his brother into the riding profession. He launched his career on the track as an exerciser rider for E.J. “Lucky” Baldwin in Chicago during the summer of 1888. He stayed with Baldwin for about a year before moving on to work for D.A. Honig’s horses in Clifton, N.J. He rode a horse named Redstone in his first race in 1890 at the Clifton track, and earned his first career victory in 1891.

Dangerfield Talbert, Baseball Player born

*Dangerfield Talbert was born on this date in 1878. He was a Black baseball third baseman in pre-Negro League baseball. Dangerfield F. Talbert was born in Platte City, Missouri, and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, attending the public schools there. He began his career as a baseball player at Omaha High School, working as a catcher at […]

Jack Johnson, Boxing Heavyweight Champion born

*Jack Johnson was born on this date in 1878. He was an African American Boxer, and the first Black heavyweight-boxing champion.

J. L. Wilkinson, Baseball Executive born

*J. L. Wilkinson was born on this date in 1878. He was a White American Black sports executive.

Born in Algona, Iowa, James Leslie Wilkinson grew up in Des Moines and attended Highland Park College.  While there he pitched for the baseball team while also playing professional and semiprofessional ball. An injury ended his playing career, but he remained on the management side of the game for the rest of his working life.

Major Taylor, Cyclist born

This date marks the birth in 1878, of “Major” Taylor. He was an African American cyclist and one of the preeminent American sports pioneers of the 20th century.

Charles Follis, Football Player born

*Charles Follis was born on this date in 1879. He was a Black professional American football player. Charles W. Follis was born to James Henry and Catherine Matilda Anderson Follis in Cloverdale, Virginia. James Henry was a farm laborer. Follis was the third child of seven. The older siblings were Lelia M. and Cora Belle, sister Laura […]

James Peters, Rugby Player born

*James Peters was born on this date in 1879. He was a Black Rugby player.

From Salford, England, his father George Peters, was from the West Indies and worked in a circus until he was killed in a lion’s cage. Young Peters played cricket and rugby at school. He was also an outstanding (all-around) athlete winning the 100 yards, mile, long jump, high jump and walking races in 1894. After leaving school Peters became a printer. He moved to Bristol in 1898 and in 1900 joined Knowle Rugby Club. Some white members objected to the inclusion of a Black man and resigned.

Rube Foster, Baseball Player, and Manager born

*On this date, we the recall the birth of Andrew “Rube” Foster in 1879. He was an African American baseball player, one of the most completely talented baseball players in Black baseball.

From Calvert, Texas. As a raw-talent rookie pitcher in 1902, Foster is credited with 51 victories. In 1903, pitching for the Cuban American Giants, he won four games in the play-off victory over the Philadelphia Giants. The next year, after jumping to the Philly team, Rube won two games in the three-game play-off victory over his former teammates.

Jesse Stahl, Cowboy, and Rodeo Star born

*The birth of Jesse Stahl in 1879 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American cowboy and rodeo star.

Bobby Marshall, Minnesota Lawyer, and Athlete born

*Bobby Marshall was born on this date in 1880. He was an African American athlete and lawyer.

George Poage, Olympian, and Teacher born

*George Coleman Poage was born on this date in 1880. He was an African American athlete and teacher.