Garnett Bankhead facts for kids

Garnett Bankhead Jr. (born June 27, 1928 – died September 15, 1991) was an American baseball player. He was a pitcher in the Negro leagues. These leagues were important because they allowed African American players to play professional baseball during a time when they were not allowed in Major League Baseball.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Garnett Bankhead was born in Empire, Alabama. He grew up loving the game of baseball. Many of his brothers also played the sport. This was common in families during that time.

Playing in the Negro Leagues

Garnett Bankhead played as a pitcher. He joined the Memphis Red Sox in 1947. Later, in 1949, he played for the Homestead Grays. These teams were part of the Negro leagues. The Negro leagues were professional baseball leagues for African American players. They were very popular and had many talented players.

Beyond the Negro Leagues

After his time in the Negro leagues, Garnett also played in other leagues. In 1953, he played for the Drummondville Royals. This team was part of the Provincial League in Canada.

A Family of Baseball Players

Garnett came from a family of baseball stars. His four brothers also played in the Negro leagues. These brothers were Sam, Fred, Dan, and Joe. His brother Dan Bankhead even went on to play in Major League Baseball. This made the Bankhead family very well-known in the world of baseball.