Frank Grant (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Grant |
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Grant in 1887
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| Second baseman | |||
| Born: August 1, 1865 Pittsfield, Massachusetts |
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| Died: May 27, 1937 (aged 71) New York, New York |
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| debut | |||
| 1889, for the Cuban Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1903, for the Philadelphia Giants | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2006 | ||
| Election Method | Committee on African-American Baseball | ||
Ulysses Franklin Grant (born August 1, 1865 – died May 27, 1937) was an amazing American baseball player from the 1800s. He was a star player in the International League early in his career. But soon, unfair rules based on race stopped African-American players from joining organized baseball. Grant then became a pioneer in the early Negro leagues. He played for many of the best African-American teams in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many people believe he was the greatest African-American player of the 1800s. In 2006, Grant was chosen for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Baseball Career Highlights
Grant was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He started playing semipro baseball in his hometown and in Plattsburgh, New York.
In 1886, Grant joined the Meriden Silvermen team in the Eastern League. This league was based in Meriden, Connecticut. When the Meriden team stopped playing that season, Grant signed with the Buffalo Bisons. This team was in the International League, which was just one step below the major leagues.
Even though organized baseball was mostly white at the time, Grant was one of five black players in the minor leagues. When he first played for Buffalo, a newspaper reporter called him "a Spaniard." This was likely to avoid mentioning his race. That season, his batting average was an impressive .344 with Buffalo.
Amazing Skills on the Field
In April 1887, Grant played a preseason game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit a home run and was praised for his "remarkable fielding." During the 1887 season, the 22-year-old Grant was outstanding. He batted .353 and led the International League with 11 home runs. He also had 49 extra-base hits and led Buffalo with 40 stolen bases.
The Bisons' manager, Jack Chapman, thought Grant was worth a lot of money. He valued Grant at $5,000. This was a huge compliment, as a superstar player named King Kelly had recently been sold for $10,000. In 1887, Grant even hit for the cycle in one game. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. He also stole home twice in another game!
Facing Challenges
Despite his amazing talent, Grant faced many unfair challenges because of his race. In 1887, there was a lot of racial tension in the league. The Buffalo team fought hard to keep Grant playing when the International League tried to ban black players.
By 1888, unfair feelings against black players were common across the league. It seemed only Buffalo stood up against segregation, probably because of Grant. While playing for the Bisons, Grant led the team in batting average almost every year. However, some of his teammates did not like him. He also often faced opponents who tried to hurt him during games.
When black players were banned from white-controlled baseball in 1889, Grant continued his career. He became a very successful player in the Negro leagues. He played for famous teams like the Cuban Giants, Cuban X-Giants, and Philadelphia Giants. His baseball career ended in 1903.
A Top Player
Baseball writer Jerry Malloy called Grant "the greatest Negro baseball player of the 19th century." In the late 1800s, few black hitters were as good as Grant. He had great power when batting, often hitting home runs and many extra-base hits. He got an extra-base hit about every four times he got a hit. This was amazing because he was not a very big player (5 feet 7 inches tall and 155 pounds).
Grant played mostly as a second baseman in the middle of the field. His fielding skills were widely praised as the best in the league. People called him "The Black Dunlap," comparing him to the great white second baseman Fred Dunlap. Grant also made history by becoming the first black player to play on the same team in organized baseball for three years in a row.
Later Life and Legacy
After his baseball career, Grant lived a quiet life. He worked as a waiter for a catering company. He passed away at age 71 in New York City. For many years, his grave in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton, New Jersey, did not have a headstone. But in June 2011, a marker was finally placed there.
In 2006, Frank Grant was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the earliest Negro league player to receive this special honor.
See also
