People, Locations, Episodes

Ted ‘Double Duty’ Radcliffe, Baseball Player born

On this date in 1902, Ted Radcliffe, an African American baseball player in the Negro Leagues, was born.

‘Cool Papa’ Bell, Baseball Player born

On this date in 1903, James “Cool Papa” Bell was born in Starksville, Mississippi. He was an African American baseball player, considered by many as the fastest player in the sport.

William Hubbard, Olympic Athlete born

William Hubbard was born on this date in 1903. He was an African American track and field athlete.

William DeHart Hubbard grew up in the Walnut Hills section of Cincinnati, OH, and was known to be the fastest kid in school. He was not only athletic but also intelligent, with a four-year scholastic average of 90. Hubbard was part of the Golden Age of Sports and when people started using the word “Superstar.” He was the national long-jump champion of the 1920s who was also experienced in the sprints and triple jump.

Willie Foster, Baseball Pitcher born

On this date in 1904, William Foster was born. He was an African American Negro League baseball player from Calvert, Texas and a graduate of Alcorn State College.

The First Black Wins an American Olympic Medal

*On this date in 1904, the first Black Olympic medal winner was crowned. George Coleman Poage won a bronze medal in the third Olympic games in St. Louis, Missouri.

Halley Harding, Actor, and Journalist born

*Halley Harding was born on this date in 1904.  He was a Black college and semi-pro athlete, actor, journalist, and civil rights activist.  William Claire (Halley) Harding was born in Wichita, Kansas.  Early in his childhood, his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois.   In the early 1920s, he attended Knox College of Galesburg, Illinois, and […]

Edward Joseph Dwight Sr., Baseball Player born

*Edward Joseph Dwight Sr. was born on this date in 1905. He was a Black baseball player and chemist. He graduated from Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas.  He played second base and centerfield in the Negro League. He played mostly for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1924 to 1937. After retiring from baseball, he worked as a […]

Joe Lillard, American Football and Basketball Player born

*Joe Lillard was born on this date in 1905. He was an African American professional athlete (primarily) football player.

From Tulsa, OK, Lillard came to Mason City, Iowa in 1915, following the death of his parents at the age of ten. He was adopted by a Mrs. Walter White, but during high school lived with two relatives, Herbert and Horace Spencer, brothers who owned a sidewalk paving company in Mason City. Joseph Lillard graduated from Mason City High School in 1927.

Martin Dihigo, Baseball Player born

*Martín Dihigo was born on this date in 1906. He was an Afro Cuban professional baseball player.   Martín Magdaleno Dihigo Llanos was born in Cidra, Jesús María in Matanzas Province, Cuba. He began his professional career at 16 as a substitute infielder for Habana in the Cuban League. His first summer in United States […]

Satchel Paige, Baseball Pitcher born

Satchel Paige was born on this date in 1906. He was an African American baseball player, the first Black pitcher in the American League, and the first representative of the Negro Leagues to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Willie Wells, Baseball Player born

*Willie Wells was born on this date in1906. He was an African American baseball player.

Chet Brewer, Baseball Player, and Baseball Scout born

*Chet Brewer was born on this date in 1907. He was a Black right-handed pitcher and player scout in baseball’s Negro leagues and National League. Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, Chester Arthur Brewer toiled on the mounds of black baseball for twenty-four years. He played with various teams worldwide, including China, Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, Canada, […]

Hilton Smith, Baseball Player born

*On this date in 1907, Hilton Smith was born. He was an African American baseball player with the Negro Leagues. A native of Giddings, Texas, Smith played baseball as a student at Prairie View A&M College and on his father’s local team.

LeRoy Matlock, Baseball Player born

*Leroy Matlock was born on this date in 1907. He was a Black baseball player in the Negro Leagues. Born in Moberly, MO., Matlock was among the best left-handed pitchers in the 1930’s.  He played with several teams from 1929 to 1938. He was selected for the 1935 and 1936 East-West All-Star Games. Matlock won […]

Janet Bragg, Nurse, Aviator, and Businesswoman born

*Janet Bragg was born on this date in 1907. She was an African American aviator, nurse, and nursing home proprietor.