Jap Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jap Payne |
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![]() Payne in 1909
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Outfielder | |||
Born: Washington, D.C. |
December 6, 1879|||
Died: August 22, 1942 New York, New York |
(aged 62)|||
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debut | |||
1902, for the Philadelphia Giants | |||
Last appearance | |||
1922, for the Philadelphia Giants of New York | |||
Teams | |||
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Andrew H. "Jap" Payne (born December 6, 1879 – died August 22, 1942) was a talented baseball player. He played in the Negro leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players. Payne was very versatile, playing in many different positions, including outfield and infield.
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Andrew Payne's Baseball Skills
Even though Andrew Payne was not very tall, standing at 5 feet 5 inches, he was a powerful player. He was known for hitting hard line drives that would shoot past the infielders. Payne also had a very strong throwing arm, which was a great advantage for his team.
How Andrew Payne Got His Nickname
Andrew Payne was often called "Jap." This nickname was said to come from the shape of his eyes. It was a common practice at the time for players to get nicknames based on their appearance.
Payne's Passion for the Game
Andrew Payne was a very passionate player. Sometimes, his strong feelings during games would lead to him being removed from the game by the umpires. This showed how much he cared about playing well and winning.
Recognition for Andrew Payne
Andrew Payne was highly respected by other baseball players and sportswriters of his time. His skills on the field earned him many honors.
All-Star Team Selections
In 1909, a sportswriter and fellow player named Jimmy Smith chose Payne for his "All American Team." This was like being picked for an all-star team.
Pitcher Dizzy Dismukes also praised Payne. Before the 1930 season, Dismukes listed Payne as one of the nine greatest outfielders of all time. He wrote about Payne's amazing ability to catch difficult balls. Dismukes said Payne would often dive to catch balls that seemed impossible to get. He compared Payne's catches to famous plays made by other great outfielders.
Hall of Famer's Praise
Even a future Hall of Famer, Pop Lloyd, recognized Payne's talent. In 1953, Pop Lloyd named Andrew Payne as the best right fielder for his own all-time dream team. This shows that Payne's skills were remembered and admired for many years after he played.