Bunny Downs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKinley "Bunny" Downs |
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| Infielder / Manager | |||
| Born: March 7, 1894 Chattanooga, Tennessee |
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| Died: June 30, 1973 (aged 79) Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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| debut | |||
| 1914, for the West Baden Sprudels | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1929, for the Hilldale Club | |||
| Teams | |||
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McKinley "Bunny" Downs was a talented baseball player and manager. He played in the Negro leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players. This was before Major League Baseball allowed players of all races. Bunny Downs played for many years, even before the first major Negro National League started. He also played in its early seasons.
Bunny Downs was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on March 7, 1894. He went to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. He started his professional baseball career in 1914 with the West Baden Sprudels. Downs played for many different teams during his career. One of his longest times was with the Hilldale Club, where he played for six years from 1917 to 1922.
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Who Was Bunny Downs?
McKinley "Bunny" Downs was an infielder in baseball. An infielder plays positions like first base, second base, shortstop, or third base. These positions are inside the diamond-shaped part of the baseball field. Downs was also a manager, which means he was in charge of the team. He made decisions about players and game strategies.
Early Life and Baseball Start
Bunny Downs grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He went to college at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. This is where he likely developed his baseball skills. His professional career began in 1914. He joined the West Baden Sprudels team. This was a time when professional baseball was still developing for African American players.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
Bunny Downs played for many different teams during his career. He was known for his skills as an infielder. The Negro leagues were very important. They gave African American players a chance to play professional baseball. This was during a time when they were not allowed to play in the major leagues.
Some of the teams Bunny Downs played for include:
- West Baden Sprudels
- Louisville White Sox
- St. Louis Giants
- Bacharach Giants
- Hilldale Club
- Brooklyn Royal Giants
- Harrisburg Giants
- Wilmington Potomacs
- Philadelphia Tigers
His longest time with one team was with the Hilldale Club. He played there from 1917 to 1922. He also returned to the Hilldale Club in 1929 for his final season.
A Respected Player
Bunny Downs was a respected player in the Negro leagues. Years after he stopped playing, he was still remembered for his talent. In 1952, the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper held a poll. Players from the Negro leagues voted for the best players ever. Even at age 56, Bunny Downs received votes in this important poll. This shows how much his fellow players admired his skills.
Later Life
Bunny Downs passed away on June 30, 1973. He was 79 years old. He died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His legacy as a talented infielder and manager in the Negro leagues continues to be remembered.
