John Britton (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Britton |
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| Third baseman | |||
| Born: April 21, 1919 Mount Vernon, Georgia |
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| Died: December 2, 1990 (aged 71) | |||
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| debut | |||
| 1940, for the New Orleans–St. Louis Stars | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1953, for the Hankyu Braves | |||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .293 | ||
| Home runs | 5 | ||
| Runs batted in | 95 | ||
| Teams | |||
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John Britton (born April 21, 1919 – died December 2, 1990) was an American baseball player. He was a skilled third baseman who played in the Negro Leagues in the United States. Later, he also played in the Japanese Pacific League. John Britton played professional baseball for many years, from 1940 to 1953.
He played for several teams during his career. These included the New Orleans–St. Louis Stars, Chicago American Giants, Cincinnati/Indianapolis Clowns, and Birmingham Black Barons. John Britton made history when he and Jimmy Newberry became the first African-American players to join a Japanese baseball team.
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John Britton: A Baseball Pioneer
John Britton was born in Mount Vernon, Georgia. He grew up with a love for baseball. His talent for playing third base was clear from a young age. He became known for his strong hitting and good defense.
Baseball was very popular in the United States during his time. However, there were separate leagues for Black players. These were known as the Negro Leagues.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
John Britton began his professional career in the Negro Leagues in 1940. He started with the New Orleans–St. Louis Stars. The Negro Leagues were full of amazing players. They played exciting baseball across the country.
Britton then played for the Chicago American Giants in 1942. He later joined the Cincinnati/Indianapolis Clowns in 1943 and again in 1950. From 1944 to 1948, he was a key player for the Birmingham Black Barons.
In 1944, his team, the Birmingham Black Barons, played in the 1944 Negro World Series. During this important series, John Britton was in a car accident. Other players like Tommy Sampson, Pepper Bassett, and Leandy Young were also in the car. Britton suffered a dislocated left hand from the accident.
Making History in Japan
After playing in the Negro Leagues, John Britton looked for new opportunities. He found one in Japan. In 1952, he joined the Hankyu Braves in the Japanese Pacific League. This was a very important step.
John Britton and Jimmy Newberry were the first African-American players to play on a Japanese baseball team. This showed that baseball was becoming more global. It opened doors for other players to follow. Britton played for the Hankyu Braves until 1953.
His Baseball Legacy
John Britton had a strong career. In the Japanese league, he had a batting average of .293. This means he got a hit almost three out of every ten times he batted. He also hit 5 Home runs and had 95 Runs Batted In (RBIs). RBIs are when a player's hit helps a teammate score a run.
John Britton's career showed his skill and determination. He played in different leagues and helped break barriers in baseball. His story is an important part of baseball history.
See also
- American expatriate baseball players in Japan
