Denny Despert facts for kids

James Daniel "Denny" Despert (born April 3, 1891 – died June 1, 1931) was a talented baseball player in the Negro leagues. He played as a pitcher and outfielder for several years before the main Negro National League was formed. His career was cut short in 1916 due to a serious injury he got while riding a train.

Denny Despert's Baseball Journey

Denny Despert was born in Washington, D.C., in 1891. He loved baseball and became a professional player in the Negro leagues. These leagues were important for African-American players during a time when they were not allowed to play in the major leagues.

Despert played for teams like the Philadelphia Giants from 1914 to 1915. He then joined the Brooklyn Royal Giants in 1916. He was known for his skills as both a pitcher, throwing the ball to batters, and an outfielder, catching balls hit into the field.

A Career-Changing Injury

On August 19, 1916, Denny Despert was riding on a train. During the journey, he was hit by an object that came from a passing freight train. This caused a very serious injury to his arm.

Sadly, the injury was so bad that doctors had to amputate, or remove, his arm. This meant that Despert could no longer play professional baseball. He had to stop playing the sport he loved.

The Impact of the Injury

Because of his injury, Denny Despert was unable to continue his career as a professional athlete. He later took legal action against the railroad company, saying that the injury prevented him from playing baseball and affected his health.

Later Life

After his baseball career ended, Denny Despert lived in Washington, D.C. He passed away on June 1, 1931, at the age of 40. Even though his time in baseball was short, he was part of the important history of the Negro leagues.