Elbert Eatmon facts for kids

Elbert "Lefty" Eatmon was an American professional baseball pitcher. He was born on August 3, 1914, and passed away on February 9, 1998. He played in the Negro leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons during the 1937 and 1938 seasons.

Who Was Elbert "Lefty" Eatmon?

Elbert Eatmon was a talented baseball player from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He became known for his skills as a pitcher, especially because he threw with his left hand. This earned him the nickname "Lefty."

Playing in the Negro Leagues

During Elbert Eatmon's time, professional baseball in the United States was segregated. This meant that African American players were not allowed to play in the major leagues with white players. Because of this, they formed their own professional baseball organizations, known as the Negro leagues. These leagues were incredibly important. They gave amazing Black athletes a chance to play baseball professionally and show off their talents. Many legendary players, who are now in the Baseball Hall of Fame, played in the Negro leagues.

His Time with the Birmingham Black Barons

Elbert Eatmon played for the Birmingham Black Barons, a famous team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Black Barons were one of the top teams in the Negro leagues. They were known for their strong players and exciting games. Elbert Eatmon was a pitcher for this team for two seasons, in 1937 and 1938. As a pitcher, his job was to throw the baseball to the batter, trying to get them out.

A "Foremost Southpaw"

In 1938, a newspaper called the Quad-City Times wrote about Elbert Eatmon. They described him as the "foremost southpaw" in the Negro American League. A "southpaw" is another word for a left-handed pitcher. Being called "foremost" meant he was considered one of the best left-handed pitchers in the league at that time. This shows that he was a highly respected and skilled player during his career.