Bob Griffith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bob Griffith |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: October 1, 1912 Liberty, Tennessee |
|||
| Died: November 8, 1977 (aged 65) Indianapolis, Indiana |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| 1934, for the Nashville Elite Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1951, for the Granby Red Sox | |||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Robert Lee Griffith (born October 1, 1912 – died November 8, 1977) was an amazing American baseball pitcher. He played in the Negro Leagues for many different teams between 1934 and 1951.
Contents
Who Was Bob Griffith?
Bob Griffith was born in Liberty, Tennessee, on October 1, 1912. He grew up to be a very tall and strong baseball player. He was 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 235 pounds! Because of his size, he was sometimes called 'Big Bill'. He also had another nickname, 'Schoolboy'. Bob was a right-handed pitcher, meaning he threw the ball with his right arm. He also batted right-handed.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
Bob Griffith started his professional baseball career in 1934. His first team was the Nashville Elite Giants. The Negro Leagues were special baseball leagues. They allowed African American players to play professionally. This was important during a time when they could not play in Major League Baseball.
Bob played for several teams in the Negro Leagues. These included the Columbus Elite Giants, Washington Elite Giants, and the Baltimore Elite Giants. He also played for the New York Black Yankees and the Newark Eagles.
Bob was a very talented pitcher. He was chosen to play in the East-West All-Star Game three times! This was a special game where the best players from the East and West teams of the Negro Leagues competed. He played in this exciting game in 1935, 1948, and 1949.
Baseball Adventures Around the World
Bob Griffith didn't just play baseball in the United States. He also traveled to play in other countries! He played in professional baseball leagues in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela. This gave him a chance to experience different cultures and play with many different players.
Serving His Country
During his baseball career, Bob Griffith also served his country. He was a member of the US Army during World War II. Many athletes paused their careers to help during the war.
Later Years and Legacy
Bob Griffith played his final professional season in 1951. He played for the Granby Red Sox. After a long and exciting career, Bob Griffith passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1977. He was 65 years old. Bob Griffith is remembered as a talented pitcher who played an important role in the history of baseball.
