John Miles (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Miles |
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Miles in 2010.
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| Outfielder / Third Baseman | |||
| Born: August 11, 1922 San Antonio, Texas |
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| Died: 24 May 2013 (aged 90) San Antonio, Texas |
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John "Mule" Miles (born August 11, 1922 – died May 24, 2013) was a talented American baseball player. He played in the Negro leagues from 1946 to 1949. He was famous for his powerful hitting. His manager gave him the nickname "Mule" because he hit the ball so hard.
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John "Mule" Miles: A Baseball Legend
Playing in the Negro Leagues
John Miles played for the Chicago American Giants. This team was part of the Negro leagues. These leagues were professional baseball leagues for African American players. They existed when Black players were not allowed in Major League Baseball.
Miles earned his nickname "Mule" from his manager, Candy Jim Taylor. One day, Miles hit two home runs in a single game. Taylor said that Miles "hit like a mule kicks." This nickname stuck with him.
Miles was known for an amazing streak. He once hit 11 home runs in 11 straight games. During his career, he played alongside many baseball stars. These included Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Monte Irvin. He also played in famous stadiums. Some of these were Yankee Stadium, the Polo Grounds, Comiskey Park, and Griffith Stadium.
Honored for His Achievements
John Miles received many honors for his contributions to baseball. On November 4, 2000, he was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. This special event took place in Dallas, Texas.
Later, on February 7, 2003, he was also inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. This ceremony happened at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
In 2008, Major League Baseball (MLB) honored many former Negro league players. On June 5, 2008, Miles and 29 other living Negro league players were "drafted" by MLB teams. This was a way to recognize their great skills and the important history of the Negro leagues. Miles was chosen by the Seattle Mariners.
Beyond Baseball
Besides his baseball career, John Miles was also a brave American hero. He was an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots and airmen. They fought in World War II. Miles was part of the San Antonio Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. This group was based at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.
