Dobie Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dobie Moore |
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| Shortstop / Outfielder | |||
| Born: February 8, 1896 Atlanta, Georgia |
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| Died: August 20, 1947 (aged 51) Detroit, Michigan |
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| debut | |||
| 1920, for the Kansas City Monarchs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1926, for the Kansas City Monarchs | |||
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Walter "Dobie" Moore (born February 8, 1896 – died August 20, 1947) was an amazing shortstop and batter in the Negro Leagues. He played his whole career with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro National League. His baseball career ended after only seven seasons because of a serious leg injury.
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Who Was Dobie Moore?
Dobie Moore was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Before becoming a baseball star, he joined the United States Army in May 1915. He was stationed in Hawaii.
While in the Army, he played baseball for the 25th Infantry Wreckers. He played from 1916 to 1920. Other future Negro League players, like Bullet Rogan, also played on this team.
Joining the Kansas City Monarchs
In the middle of the 1920 season, Dobie Moore joined the Kansas City Monarchs. He quickly became the best shortstop in the league. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds.
Dobie was known for his amazing fielding skills, like a Gold Glove winner. He also hit the ball very well. His lifetime batting average was .359. He had good power and speed too.
"The Black Cat" and His Achievements
Dobie Moore was nicknamed "the Black Cat." In 1924, he won the Negro National League batting title. He hit an incredible .453 that season!
He helped the Monarchs win three league titles: in 1923, 1924, and 1925. In 1924, he also helped them win the Colored World Series. He batted .300 in the 1923 Series. In the 1925 Series, he batted .364, even though his team lost.
Dobie also played in the California Winter League. This was the first baseball league in the United States that allowed players of all races. He had the highest lifetime batting average there, hitting .385. He also played one season in the Cuban Winter League in 1923-24.
An Early End to a Great Career
Dobie Moore's career ended suddenly in the middle of 1926. He suffered a serious leg injury that stopped him from playing professional baseball. He reportedly played semi-pro baseball in Detroit into the 1930s. He played as a first baseman because of his stiff leg.
Many important baseball figures praised Dobie Moore. Major League Baseball manager Casey Stengel said he was one of the best shortstops ever. Negro League administrator Cum Posey and teammate Chet Brewer agreed. They believed Dobie was one of the top shortstops in any professional league.
A few years after he passed away, Dobie Moore was recognized in a special poll. The Pittsburgh Courier newspaper asked players to vote for the best Negro League players of all time. Dobie received votes on this list.
Career Highlights
- Hit .359 lifetime in the Negro National League (NNL).
- Led the NNL in batting average (.453) in 1924.
- Led the California Winter League in batting average (.487) in 1924–25.
