Jack Johnson (second baseman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jack Johnson |
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| Second baseman / Manager | |||
| Born: April 25, 1883 Topeka, Kansas |
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| Died: January 29, 1940 Topeka, Kansas |
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| debut | |||
| 1903, for the Chicago Union Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1911, for the Kansas City Giants | |||
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John Thomas "Topeka Jack" Johnson (born April 25, 1883 – died January 29, 1940) was an important baseball player and manager. He played in the Negro leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players. These leagues existed before Black players were allowed to play in Major League Baseball.
Johnson was a skilled second baseman and also managed several teams. He was also a professional boxer and boxing trainer. His nickname, "Topeka Jack," helped people tell him apart from the famous heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson.
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Jack Johnson's Early Life and Career
Jack Johnson grew up in Topeka, Kansas. He even went to Washburn University in Topeka. Besides playing baseball, he was also a professional boxer. He fought against some very famous boxers of his time, including the heavyweight champion Jack Johnson and Sam Langford.
In baseball, people said Johnson was very good at fielding. They described his playing as "swift" and "above criticism," meaning he was excellent at catching and throwing the ball.
Playing for the Chicago Union Giants
Johnson started his baseball career with the Chicago Union Giants. He played for them from 1903 to 1905, and then again in 1907. Some of his teammates on the Union Giants included players like George Hopkins, Albert Toney, and Joe Green.
Founding the Topeka Giants
In 1906, Jack Johnson decided to create his own baseball team. He founded and managed a team called the Topeka Giants. He led this team on a long tour, playing games across several states. They traveled through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas.
Managing in Kansas City
Johnson later became a key figure in Kansas City baseball. He helped lead two important teams there.
Leading the Kansas City Giants
In 1909, the Kansas City Giants became a fully professional team. The team's owner, Tobe Smith, hired "Topeka Jack" Johnson to be their player-manager. This meant Johnson played on the team while also being in charge of managing it.
Forming the Kansas City Royal Giants
In the winter of 1909, Johnson helped create a new Negro league team called the Kansas City Royal Giants. This team was based in Kansas City, Missouri. When they started playing in 1910, they quickly became a local rival to the Kansas City Giants.
Johnson was hired to manage the Kansas City Royal Giants. He even tried to start a new Negro National League just before the 1910 season. He wrote articles in newspapers, explaining that organized baseball was the best way for teams to succeed.
Moving Between Teams
After the 1910 season, Johnson left the Kansas City Royal Giants. He returned to manage the Kansas City Giants in 1911.
In 1912, Johnson went back to the Kansas City Royal Giants. During his time managing and playing for these Kansas City teams, he worked with many talented players. These included Tullie McAdoo, Bill Pettus, a young Bill Lindsay, Bingo DeMoss, and Hurley McNair.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1917, Jack Johnson managed a team called "Jack Johnson's Topeka Giants." This team played at least one game against the famous All Nations baseball club.
Years later, in 2016, a special event honored Jack Johnson. The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) held a ceremony. They dedicated a new grave marker for "Topeka Jack" Johnson at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas. This honored his contributions to baseball history.
