Spot Poles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spot Poles |
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Poles in 1913
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: December 27, 1887 Winchester, Virginia |
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| Died: September 12, 1962 (aged 74) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
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| debut | |||
| 1909, for the Philadelphia Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1923, for the New York Lincoln Giants | |||
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Spottswood Poles (born December 27, 1887 – died September 12, 1962) was an amazing American baseball player. He was an outfielder in the Negro Leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players before they could join Major League Baseball. Spottswood was known as one of the fastest players of his time. Some people even called him "the black Ty Cobb" because Ty Cobb was also a very fast and skilled player.
A Baseball Star's Journey
Spottswood Poles was incredibly fast, so fast that some people said he was as quick as Cool Papa Bell. Cool Papa Bell was another famous Negro League player from the 1930s, often called the fastest man in baseball history! Poles was also a great hitter. He batted left-handed and had a sharp eye, which helped him get a very high batting average. This means he got a lot of hits.
Poles started playing organized baseball with the Harrisburg Giants in 1906. He became a professional player in 1909 with the Philadelphia Giants. Soon after, in 1911, he joined the New York Lincoln Giants. This is where he really shined and became a star! In his first four years with the Lincoln Giants (1911-1914), Poles had amazing batting averages: .440, .398, .414, and .487. These numbers show how consistently well he hit the ball.
Service in World War I
After playing for a few different teams like the New York Lincoln Stars and the Hilldale Daisies, Poles took a break from baseball to serve his country. He joined the 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Harlem Hellfighters." This was a brave unit that fought alongside the French Army during World War I. Poles was a sergeant and earned several awards, including a Purple Heart, for his courage in battles in France.
Return to Baseball and Later Life
When Spottswood Poles returned home from the war, he continued his successful baseball career. He played for the Lincoln Giants again from 1919 to 1923. Throughout his career, Poles had a lifetime batting average of over .400 in all games he played. He also played in Cuba during the winters and hit .319 there.
One of the most exciting parts of his career was how well he played against white Major League teams. Poles hit an incredible .610 against these teams! This included getting three hits in a row against Grover Cleveland Alexander, who is a famous player in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
After he stopped playing baseball, Poles worked as a taxi driver for a while. Later, he got a job at Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown, Pennsylvania. This job allowed him to live comfortably until he passed away at age 74. Because he served in the Army, Spottswood Poles was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, a special place where many heroes are laid to rest.
