Bacharach Giants facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bacharach Giants |
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| Location | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Ballpark | Inlet Park (1917–1921) Bacharach Park (1923–1927) Atlantic Park Dog Track (1928–1929) |
| Year established | 1916 |
| Year disbanded | 1929 |
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The Bacharach Giants were a famous Negro league baseball team. They played in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This team was known for its talented players and exciting games.
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How the Bacharach Giants Started
The Bacharach Giants baseball team began in 1916. Two African-American politicians helped move a team called the Duval Giants from Jacksonville, Florida. They brought the team to Atlantic City. There, they renamed the team after Harry Bacharach, who was the city's mayor.
Within a few years, the Bacharachs became a top independent team. This meant they played against many different teams but weren't part of a main league yet. Some of their star players included shortstop Dick Lundy and third baseman Oliver Marcell. They also had amazing pitchers like Dick Redding and Jesse "Nip" Winters.
Joining the Leagues
Playing in the Negro National League
In 1920, the Bacharach Giants joined the first Negro National League (NNL). This league was mostly based in the Midwest. The Bacharachs were an "associate member," which meant they played many games against NNL teams. They even toured the Midwest from 1920 to 1922. However, they did not compete for the NNL championship title.
Competing in the Cuban League
During the winter of 1920-1921, the team traveled to Cuba. They played in the Cuban League. There, they were managed by Tinti Molina.
Team Changes and Reunions
In 1922, the team split into two groups. One group, with most of the players, moved to New York City. This group was managed by baseball legend John Henry Lloyd. The other group stayed in Atlantic City.
But in 1923, the two parts of the team came back together in Atlantic City. The reunited Bacharach Giants then became a founding member of the Eastern Colored League (ECL).
Success in the Eastern Colored League
For a few years, the team had an average record. But in 1926, shortstop Dick Lundy became the team's playing manager. Under his leadership, the Bacharachs won two league championships in a row! Players like Oliver Marcell, center fielder Chaney White, and pitchers Arthur "Rats" Henderson, Claude Grier, and Luther Farrell helped them achieve this success.
The Bacharachs played in the Negro League World Series both years. They faced the Chicago American Giants but lost both times. Still, pitchers Claude Grier and Luther Farrell made history. They each threw a "no-hitter" in the World Series. A no-hitter means the opposing team gets no hits during the entire game. These were the only no-hitters ever thrown in Negro League World Series history!
When the Eastern Colored League stopped operating in early 1928, the Bacharachs continued to play as an independent team.
End of the Atlantic City Team
Even with their success, not enough fans came to the games. This made it hard to pay for their expensive roster of talented players. In a famous trade, the Bacharachs sent their star players, Dick Lundy and Oliver Marcell, to the Baltimore Black Sox. In return, they received veteran first baseman and manager Ben Taylor, catcher Mack Eggleston, and some money.
Lundy and Marcell helped the Black Sox win the 1929 American Negro League championship. Meanwhile, the Bacharachs struggled. They finished in fifth place out of six teams. After the 1929 season, the team disbanded. This ended their connection to Atlantic City.
A New Bacharach Team in Philadelphia
In 1931, a new Bacharach team was formed in Philadelphia by a promoter named Harry Passon. This team eventually joined Gus Greenlee's new Negro National League in 1934. However, they went back to playing as an independent team in 1935. The Philadelphia Bacharachs continued to play independently until Harry Passon passed away in 1942. After that, the team disbanded for good.
