People, Locations, Episodes

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.

Joe Bartholomew, Golfer, and Golf Course Designer born

Joseph M. Bartholomew was born on this date in 1885. He was an African American golfer who specialized in designing golf courses.

Joe Bartholomew was born in New Orleans, and was a seven-year-old caddie at nearby Audubon Golf Course. Bartholomew copied the swings of the golfers for whom he caddied, taught himself the game’s touch, and quickly became skilled enough to instruct others. He became such a good player–he once shot 62 at Audubon–that club members backed him in arranged matches.

Jimmy Winkfield, Horse Jockey born

Jimmy Winkfield was born on this date in 1882. He was an African American horse jockey.

From Chilesburg near Lexington, KY, he began racing in 1898. Winkfield went from being the youngest of 17 in a family of sharecroppers, to racing for $8 a month and eventually, $1,000 a race. His racing statistics show him winning back-to-back Kentucky Derby’s, (1901 on His Eminence, and 1902 on Alan-A-Dale). He was the last Black jockey to win a Kentucky Derby.

Bob Douglas, Basketball Architect born

*Bob Douglas was born on this date in 1882. He was an African American athlete, coach and administrator.

Born in Saint Kitts, British West Indies, in 1923 Robert L. “Bob” Douglas founded the New York Renaissance (Rens) basketball team. Douglas owned and coached the Rens from 1923 to 1949, guiding them to a 2,318-381 record (.859). The Renaissance barnstormed throughout the United States, mostly in the Midwest, and played any team that would schedule them, Black or White.

Samuel L. Ransom, All-Sport Athlete born

*Samuel Ransom’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1883. He was a Black high school, college, and professional athlete in several sports. He played professional football and baseball and later coached college football. Some researchers believe he is the first Black to play college basketball. Samuel L. Ransom was born in Chicago, Illinois, and […]

Harry Haskell Lew, Basketball Player born

*Harry Haskell Lew was born on this date in 1884. He was a Black basketball player. Harry “Bucky” Lew was born in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell, Massachusetts, to William and Isabell (Brown) Lew. Young Lew was a talented musician and played a violin solo at his graduation from Pawtucketville Grammar School. In the late […]

John Baxter Taylor, Olympian and Veterinarian born

*John Baxter Taylor Jr. was born on this date in 1884. He was an African American veterinarian and Olympic track star.

John Lloyd, Baseball Player, and Manager born

On this date, John Henry Lloyd was born in 1884. He was an African American baseball player and manager in the Negro leagues, considered one of the greatest shortstops in the game.

John P. Turner, Doctor born

*John P. Turner was born on this date in 1885.  He was a Black doctor.  John Patrick Turner was born in Raleigh, NC, and was the son of Jesse Edward and Virginia Turner.  After the family moved north, he attended public schools in Raleigh and NYC public school number 60.  At age 17, he enrolled […]

Sam Langford, Canadian Boxer born

*Sam Langford was born on this date in 1886. He was an Black Canadian boxer known as the Boston Tar Baby and the Boston Terror.

He was a well-known and respected boxer on three continents in the early 1900’s. Sam Langford was considered to be one of the most punishing punchers in boxing history.

Joseph Williams, Baseball Player born

*Joseph Williams was born on this date in 1886. He was a Black right-handed pitcher in the Negro Baseball League. Williams was born in Seguin, Texas; his father was Black, and his mother was a Comanche Native American. He grew up to become an outstanding baseball pitcher. Still, as his path to the major leagues was […]