Dell Matthews facts for kids

Dell Richard Matthews (born February 27, 1880 – died December 10, 1938) was an American pitcher who played in the Negro leagues. He played baseball for a few years before the official start of the first Negro National League.

Who Was Dell Matthews?

Dell Matthews was a talented baseball player who pitched for teams in the early 1900s. He was born in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and later passed away in Chicago, Illinois. He played during a time when African American baseball players were not allowed to play in the major leagues because of racial segregation. This led to the creation of special leagues just for Black players, known as the Negro leagues.

Playing in the Negro Leagues

The Negro leagues were professional baseball leagues for African American players. These leagues were very important because they gave Black athletes a chance to play the game they loved at a high level. Many amazing players, who are now famous, got their start in the Negro leagues. Dell Matthews was one of the many players who helped make these leagues exciting and competitive.

Dell's Teams: Union Giants and Leland Giants

Dell Matthews played for at least two years with teams led by Frank Leland, a very important figure in early Black baseball. In 1904, Dell played for the Chicago Union Giants. This team was well-known in the Midwest.

The next year, in 1905, the Chicago Union Giants changed their name and became the Leland Giants. Dell Matthews was still with the team during this change. The Leland Giants became one of the strongest independent Black baseball teams in the country. Playing for these teams meant Dell was part of a significant era in baseball history, even though he didn't play in the major leagues.