Steel Arm Johnny Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steel Arm Johnny Taylor |
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| Pitcher / Manager | |||
| Born: August 12, 1879 Anderson, South Carolina |
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| Died: March 25, 1956 (aged 76) Peoria, Illinois |
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John Boyce Taylor (born August 12, 1879 – died March 25, 1956) was a famous American baseball player. He was known as "Steel Arm Johnny" because of his powerful pitching. Johnny was one of four brothers who all played baseball professionally. His brothers were Charles, Benjamin, and James.
Johnny Taylor was a pitcher and also a manager. He played in professional baseball leagues, including the Negro Leagues, from 1903 to 1925.
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The Story of Steel Arm Johnny
Johnny Taylor got his cool nickname, "Steel-Arm Johnnie," from a sportswriter. This writer was amazed by Johnny's super-fast pitches. This happened in 1898 when Johnny was pitching for Biddle University in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Starting His Baseball Journey
In the summer of 1898, Johnny played for two teams in South Carolina. He started with the Greenwood Red Stockings. Then he finished the season with the Greenville team.
From 1899 to 1900, Johnny pitched for his hometown team in Anderson, South Carolina. He was incredibly good, reportedly winning 90% of his games! During these years, he also coached the Biddle University team.
Playing for the Birmingham Giants
In 1903, Johnny joined the Birmingham Giants. He was a very busy pitcher, playing 30 to 40 games each season. He was also very successful, reportedly losing no more than seven games in any season while with Birmingham.
By 1908, all four Taylor brothers were playing together on the Birmingham Giants. Johnny even beat a future Hall of Famer, Joe Williams, in a close 1-0 game. In that game, Johnny struck out three batters with the bases loaded in the ninth inning!
Coaching and Other Teams
In 1908, Johnny also coached a college team in Mississippi. He helped develop new players who later became important parts of the Birmingham Giants team.
Johnny played for several different teams during his career:
- In 1909, he pitched for the St. Paul Colored Gophers. He helped them win a share of the western championship that year.
- He played for the Chicago Giants in 1910.
- He joined the St. Louis Giants in 1911.
- He played for the West Baden Sprudels in 1912.
- In 1913, he was with the Chicago American Giants.
After playing for these teams, Johnny reunited with his brothers in 1914. They all played for the Indianapolis ABCs.
Later Career and Legacy
When the official Negro Leagues started in 1920, Johnny became a manager. He managed the Peoria Black Devils for half a season. Then, on June 21, 1920, he rejoined the Indianapolis ABCs as a player. Even at 40 years old, he still pitched in at least three games that year.
Johnny Taylor continued to play professional baseball until 1925.
Throughout his life, especially when coaching college baseball, Johnny was known for his good habits. He never used tobacco. He always encouraged his players to live healthy lives and work hard.
For 51 years after his death, Johnny Taylor's grave did not have a headstone. But in 2007, a group called the Negro Leagues Baseball Grave Marker Project placed a proper gravestone on his grave. This helped make sure his legacy was remembered.
