Jimmy Claxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jimmy Claxton |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: December 14, 1892 Wellington, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Died: March 3, 1970 (aged 77) Tacoma, Washington |
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| debut | |||
| 1932, for the Pollock's Cuban Stars | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1932, for the Washington Pilots | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2021 | ||
James Edgar Claxton (born December 14, 1892 – died March 3, 1970) was a Canadian-American baseball pitcher. He made history as the first black man to play in organized white baseball in the 1900s.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Jimmy Claxton was born on December 14, 1892. His birthplace was Wellington, British Columbia, Canada. His parents were Americans. His father, William Edgar Claxton, was a miner from Virginia. His mother, Emma Richards, was from Illinois.
When Jimmy was just three months old, his family moved. They settled in Tacoma, Washington, in the United States. The Claxton family had a multiracial background. This included people of black, Native American, French, Irish, and English heritage.
Different census records listed Jimmy and his siblings in various ways. Sometimes they were called white, sometimes black, and sometimes mixed-race. Jimmy's World War I draft card listed his race as "Ethiopian." The person who married his parents noted that his father was "coloured" and his mother was "white." This difference caused problems for Jimmy later in his life.
Jimmy Claxton's Baseball Journey
Jimmy Claxton started playing baseball when he was thirteen. He played as a catcher for his town team in Roslyn, Washington. Later, he became a pitcher. When he was 18, he showed his amazing talent. He struck out eighteen players in one game while pitching for a team from Chester, Washington.
Breaking Barriers in 1916
By 1916, Claxton was playing for an all-black team in Oakland, California. The managers of the Oakland Oaks, a white professional team, noticed him. At that time, black players were not allowed in professional white baseball. However, Native American players were.
A friend of Claxton, who was part Native American, introduced Jimmy to the Oaks' owner. He said Jimmy was also a member of an Oklahoma tribe. This allowed Jimmy to get a chance to play.
On May 28, 1916, Jimmy Claxton made history. He became the first black man to play in organized white professional baseball in the 20th century. He played in two games of a doubleheader for the Oaks. He pitched for about two and a third innings. He gave up three runs, four hits, and four walks.
A Historic Baseball Card
The Zee-Nut candy company even made a baseball card for Claxton. This made him the first African American baseball player to appear on a baseball card.
However, his time with the Oaks was short. Within a week, his friend told people that Jimmy had both African American and Native American ancestors. Because of this, Claxton was quickly fired. In an interview years later, Claxton said he believed his race was the reason for his dismissal. The Oaks manager, Rowdy Elliott, claimed Claxton was released because of his performance. It would be almost thirty years before another black man played in organized white baseball.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
After leaving the Oaks, Claxton continued to play baseball. He joined Shasta Limited, an all-black semi-professional team in northern California. While with the Shastas, he set a record by striking out nineteen players in one game. He also helped the Shastas win a state semi-professional championship.
Claxton played for many different teams in the Negro Leagues. These included the Chicago Union Giants and the Cuban Stars. In 1932, he pitched for Pollock's Cuban Stars and the Washington Pilots. These teams were part of the East–West League.
Jimmy Claxton played his final game at age 63. It was an old-timer's game in Tacoma, Washington. He passed away on March 3, 1970, in Tacoma.
See also
