Bill Monroe (1900s infielder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Monroe |
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| Born: March 16, 1878 Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| Died: March 16, 1915 (aged 37) Chattanooga, Tennessee |
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William S. Monroe (born March 16, 1878 – died March 16, 1915) was an amazing American baseball player. He played in the Negro leagues, which were baseball leagues for African American players. People often called him "Money."
Bill Monroe played for 19 years, from 1896 to 1914. He was known as a great hitter and a fantastic infielder. He played third base and second baseman especially well. Some even compared him to famous Major League Baseball star Jimmy Collins. Bill Monroe could play all four infield positions, but he was best at third and second base.
Many years after he played, in 1952, a newspaper poll asked who the greatest Negro league players were. Bill Monroe was chosen as one of the top second basemen. He was also considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Bill Monroe's Amazing Baseball Career
Bill Monroe was born in Tennessee. His father was a minister. From a young age, Bill was known as a fantastic athlete and baseball player. He started playing professionally in 1896. By 1899, he joined the Chicago Unions as a shortstop.
Playing for Top Teams
In 1900 and 1901, Monroe played for the Cuban X-Giants. He played both second base and shortstop for them. From 1903 to 1905, he joined the Philadelphia Giants. This team was one of the best in black baseball at that time. He played shortstop and third base for them.
Statistics from this time are hard to find. But in a 1903 playoff, Monroe hit well, getting 3 hits out of 11 tries. The Philadelphia Giants won championships in 1904 and 1905.
A Famous Home Run
There's a great story about Bill Monroe and a Hall of Fame pitcher named Joe McGinnity. McGinnity was paid a lot of money to pitch against the Philadelphia Giants. The game was tied for a long time. When Monroe came to bat, he pointed his bat at McGinnity and teased him. McGinnity threw a pitch that knocked Monroe down! But Monroe kept teasing him.
Then, Monroe bet McGinnity $500 that he would hit a home run. McGinnity took the bet and threw a fastball. Monroe hit it out of the park for a home run! This home run won the game for the Giants. Monroe even ran the bases backward to keep teasing the pitcher!
Moving to the Brooklyn Royal Giants
In 1906, Monroe played part of the season with the Philadelphia Giants. Then, he moved to the Brooklyn Royal Giants. He played third base for them until 1908. From 1909 to 1910, he played second base. The Royal Giants were the champions of the eastern leagues in 1910.
Playing in Cuba
Bill Monroe also played baseball in Cuba during the winters. In 1906-1907, he played 14 games and hit very well, getting 18 hits out of 51 tries. He even hit a triple and a home run! The next winter, he played 16 games and continued to hit well.
In the fall of 1908, the Royal Giants toured Cuba. They played against the best Cuban teams. Monroe also played in a series against a major league team, the Cincinnati Reds. In two games, he got 3 hits out of 8 tries.
A sportswriter named Harry Daniels picked Monroe for his "All American Team" in 1909. He said Monroe was "the great, fastest man in base ball, and the most wonderful base runner."
Joining the Chicago American Giants
In 1911, Bill Monroe joined the Chicago American Giants. This team was one of the best Negro league teams ever. In his first season, he played second base and was a key hitter, batting right after the famous player Pete Hill.
Monroe was a very popular player. People called him the "king of second basemen" and the "idol of all the ladies." They also said he was "the most sensational player on the American Giants' team." In 1914, the American Giants easily won their league. They then beat the eastern champions, the Brooklyn Royal Giants, in four straight games. Monroe was a big part of their success.
Although Bill Monroe was still a great player in 1914, he sadly did not live to play another baseball season. On March 16, 1915, he passed away from tuberculosis at his parents' home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was 37 years old.
After he died, it was reported that the famous baseball manager John McGraw once said, "Monroe was the greatest infielder he had ever seen." However, because of the color barrier in baseball at the time, McGraw could not have Bill Monroe play on his team.
Five days after Bill Monroe's death, the entire Chicago American Giants team played with black ribbons on their arms. They were mourning the loss of their beloved teammate.
Images for kids
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Bill Monroe
