Baltimore Black Sox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baltimore Black Sox |
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|---|---|
| Information | |
| League |
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| Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Ballpark |
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| Year established | 1913 |
| Year disbanded | 1936 |
| League titles | 1929 |
The Baltimore Black Sox was a professional Negro league baseball team. They played baseball from 1913 to 1936. The team was based in Baltimore, Maryland.
Contents
How the Team Started
The Black Sox began as an independent team in 1913. Howard Young started the team. In 1923, they became one of the first six teams. These teams formed the new Eastern Colored League.
Their Best Years
In 1929, the Black Sox had a famous group of players. They were called the "Million Dollar Infield." This group included Jud "Boojum" Wilson at first base. Frank Warfield played second base. Oliver Marcell was the third baseman. Sir Richard Lundy played shortstop.
The media gave them this nickname. It meant they were so good, they would be worth a million dollars. This was if they had been white players. In 1929, the Black Sox won over 70% of their games. They also won the American Negro League Championship.
In 1932, the Black Sox played in the East–West League. They were in third place when the league stopped playing.
Later Years and the Team's End
In 1932, Joe Cambria became a co-owner and manager. He moved the team to a new league. This was the East–West League. The team also moved its home games to Bugle Field. Joe Cambria owned this field. He made the field bigger and added lights. This allowed for night games.
The team was doing well in the East–West League. But then the league stopped its operations. Teams also stopped paying player salaries. Instead, players shared a part of the money from ticket sales.
In 1933, the team joined the new Negro National League. The next year, Joe Cambria wanted to join the league again. But many star players said they would leave. So, his request was turned down. He then ended the team.
Another team used the Black Sox name in 1934. But this team did not do well. It stopped playing after only one year.
Honored by the Orioles
On September 6, 2007, the Baltimore Orioles wore special uniforms. These were Black Sox uniforms. They did this to remember the Black Sox' 1932 season. It was the 75th anniversary.
On May 18, 2014, the Baltimore Orioles wore Black Sox uniforms again. This was part of the Kansas City Royals's "Salute to the Negro Leagues."
