Bill Ricks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Ricks |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: September 1, 1919 Lexington, North Carolina |
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| Died: July 15, 1987 (aged 67) Brooklyn, New York |
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| debut | |||
| 1944, for the Philadelphia Stars | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1948, for the Philadelphia Stars | |||
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John William "Schoolboy" Ricks (born September 1, 1919 – died July 15, 1987) was an American baseball player. He was known as "Schoolboy" and played in the Negro Leagues. He was a talented player who could play two different positions: shortstop and pitcher. Schoolboy Ricks played baseball from 1944 to 1950.
Who Was Schoolboy Ricks?
Schoolboy Ricks was born in Lexington, North Carolina. He became a professional baseball player. He played for several teams during his career. His main team was the Philadelphia Stars. He played with them from 1944 to 1948.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
The Negro Leagues were baseball leagues where African American players could play. This was before major league baseball became fully integrated. Many amazing players, like Schoolboy Ricks, showed their skills in these leagues. Ricks was a strong player for the Philadelphia Stars.
His Amazing 1949 Season
In 1949, Schoolboy Ricks had a fantastic year. He played for the Fort Wayne General Electric team. That year, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the National Baseball Congress Tournament. This award goes to the best player in the tournament.
During this tournament, Schoolboy Ricks was an excellent pitcher. He won 3 games for his team. He also struck out 30 batters in just 26 and a third innings. This means he got many batters out by throwing pitches they couldn't hit.
Later Career
After his great 1949 season, Schoolboy Ricks continued to play baseball. In July 1950, he signed with the Winona Chiefs. He also played for the Granby Red Sox in 1951. This team was part of the Provincial League.
