Joe Reliford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe Reliford |
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| Batboy / Outfielder | |||
| Born: November 29, 1939 Fitzgerald, Georgia |
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Joe Louis Reliford was born on November 29, 1939. He became famous for being the youngest person ever to play in a professional baseball game. This amazing event happened on July 19, 1952, when he was just 12 years old. He played for the Fitzgerald Pioneers, a team in the Georgia State League.
Contents
A Young Baseball Player
A Historic Game
On that special day, the Fitzgerald Pioneers were playing against the Statesboro Pilots. The Pioneers were losing badly, 13–0, as the eighth inning began. The fans in the crowd started cheering loudly. They wanted the team's manager, Charley Ridgeway, to "put in the batboy!"
Manager Ridgeway listened to the crowd. He sent Joe, who was the team's batboy, up to bat. Joe was only 12 years and 234 days old. He faced the pitcher, Curtis White, and hit the ball, but it was an out to third base. After batting, Joe stayed in the game and played as the center fielder.
Breaking Barriers
Playing in that game made Joe Reliford the youngest person to ever play in professional baseball. But he also did something even more important. He helped break the "color barrier" in the Georgia State League. This means he was the first African-American player in that league. At the time, many sports leagues were segregated, meaning Black and white players were not allowed to play together. Joe's appearance was a big step forward.
After the Game
After the game, things changed quickly. Joe Reliford was released from the team. Manager Ridgeway was suspended for five days and had to pay a $50 fine. Local fans thought this was unfair and helped pay his fine. The umpire, Ed Kubrick, was also fired by the league.
Life After Baseball
Later that summer, Joe Reliford continued to play baseball for a semi-pro team called the Fitzgerald Lucky Stars. A "semi-pro" team is one where players are paid, but it's not as high-level as professional baseball.
Joe had a chance at a sports career, but it ended when he broke his collarbone in college. After finishing college, Joe became an electrical technician. He moved to Douglas, Georgia. There, he made history again by becoming only the third African-American person hired to the city's police force. He later became a deputy sheriff, which is a law enforcement officer. Joe held this job until he retired in 1998.
