Pythias Russ facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pythias Russ |
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| Catcher, Shortstop | |||
| Born: April 7, 1904 Cynthiana, Kentucky |
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| Died: August 9, 1930 (aged 26) Cynthiana, Kentucky |
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| debut | |||
| 1925, Memphis Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1929, Chicago American Giants | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Pythias Russ (born April 7, 1904 – died August 9, 1930) was an amazing American baseball player. He played as a catcher and shortstop in the Negro Leagues. His career was very promising, but it was sadly cut short because he became ill.
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Who Was Pythias Russ?
Pythias Russ was a talented athlete who played baseball during a time when African American players were not allowed in Major League Baseball. Instead, they played in their own professional leagues, known as the Negro Leagues. Russ was known for his skills both behind the plate as a catcher and in the infield as a shortstop.
A Talented Young Athlete
Pythias Russ was a fantastic athlete in college. He excelled in many sports, including baseball, basketball, and track and field. In 1924, he was even named an All-American football player. This shows how incredibly gifted he was in sports.
Starting His Baseball Journey
In 1925, a famous baseball manager named Candy Jim Taylor signed Pythias Russ. Russ began his professional baseball career with the Memphis Red Sox. He shared the role of catcher with another player, Larry Brown. During his first year, Russ showed great skill, hitting for a high batting average of .327.
Joining the Chicago American Giants
The next year, in 1926, Pythias Russ moved to a new team, the Chicago American Giants. This team was one of the most famous and successful teams in the Negro Leagues. He continued to play well, helping his new team.
Winning Championships
In 1926 and 1927, Russ and the Chicago American Giants were incredibly successful. They won the Negro World Series two times in a row! In 1927, Russ had an excellent batting average of .350. He was a key player in their championship victories.
A Star Shortstop
In 1928, Pythias Russ made a big change. He switched his main position from catcher to shortstop. This move proved to be a great one! He had an amazing season, hitting for an incredible .405 batting average. This made him the batting champion of the Negro National League that year. He also helped Chicago win another league championship.
In 1929, Russ continued his strong performance. He finished second in the league for batting average, hitting .386. He also hit 11 triples, which are hits where a player reaches third base.
A Career Cut Short
Sadly, Pythias Russ became very ill in early 1930. He had a serious illness called tuberculosis. He passed away in August of that year, at a very young age. His lifetime batting average in the Negro Leagues was an impressive .350, showing what a great player he was.
See also
- List of baseball players who died during their careers
