John Shackelford (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Shackelford |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: July 17, 1905 Tennessee |
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| Died: June 27, 1964 (aged 58) Guadalajara, Mexico |
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| debut | |||
| 1924, for the Cleveland Browns | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1930, for the Birmingham Black Barons | |||
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John Gerald "Gable" Shackelford (born July 17, 1905 – died June 27, 1964) was an important person in Negro league baseball. He was a player, a manager, and even helped run a league. He was also a lawyer. John lived in Prescott, Arkansas and Hot Springs, Arkansas when he was young.
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Early Life and Education
Some records show John Shackelford was born in 1894, but he was actually born in 1905 in Tennessee. His parents were John D. Shackelford and Lula May Oliver.
He grew up in Prescott, Arkansas. His father was a high school principal and a lawyer. John's mother passed away when he was only four years old. His father remarried the next year. Later, John and his family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In the mid-1920s, John went to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. He was the president of the Alpha Sigma fraternity. As a student, he worked to help more Black people learn to read and write. He also played on the school's baseball and basketball teams.
Baseball Talent in College
John was especially good at baseball. In 1923, he was chosen as the best third baseman in the Southern Athletic Association. He was so talented that he played professional baseball during his summer breaks from college.
He played for several Negro league baseball teams. These included the Cleveland Browns in 1924. He also played for the Harrisburg Giants in 1925. In 1926, he joined the Chicago American Giants. John later played with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1930.
Career as a Lawyer and Baseball Executive
After graduating from Wiley College, John Shackelford moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He studied at the University of Michigan Law School to become a lawyer, just like his father. He finished law school in 1931. Then, he opened his own law office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
While working as a lawyer, he also managed and played for semi-professional Negro teams. These teams were in nearby Lowell, Michigan. He played for the Fineis Gas Colored Giants from 1931 to 1932. He was with the Dixie Gas Stars from 1933 to 1934. In 1935, he played for the Chicky Bar Giants.
Involvement in Negro League Administration
By 1940, John moved his law practice to Cleveland, Ohio. There, he became involved in running Negro league baseball. In 1944, he was considered for president of the Negro American League. However, he did not win that election.
The next spring, John helped start a new league called the United States League. He was elected president of this organization. The league operated in 1945 and 1946. But it faced tough competition from other existing Negro leagues. It also had problems because of the economy during wartime. These challenges caused the league to close down. John served as president for both seasons the league was active. In 1946, he also managed the league's Cleveland Clippers team.
John Shackelford continued to practice law in Cleveland for many years. Eventually, he moved to Los Angeles.
Later Life and Passing
Later in his life, John traveled to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was sick with tuberculosis. John Shackelford passed away there on June 27, 1964. He was buried in Panteon Colonias Cemetery in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
