Ted Strong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ted Strong |
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| Outfield/Infielder | |||
| Born: January 2, 1914 South Bend, Indiana |
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| Died: March 1, 1978 (aged 64) Chicago, Illinois |
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| debut | |||
| 1937, for the Indianapolis Athletics | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1951, for the Chicago American Giants | |||
| Negro league statistics | |||
| Batting average | .323 | ||
| Hits | 252 | ||
| Home runs | 22 | ||
| Runs batted in | 167 | ||
| Stolen bases | 28 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Theodore Reginald Strong, Jr. (born January 2, 1914 – died March 1, 1978) was an amazing American athlete. He was famous for playing both baseball in the Negro leagues and basketball for the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Ted Strong was known as a versatile player who could do it all!
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Ted Strong's Amazing Sports Career
Ted Strong played baseball from 1936 to 1942 and then again from 1946 to 1951. He played for several teams, including the Chicago American Giants, Indianapolis Athletics, Kansas City Monarchs, Indianapolis ABCs, and Indianapolis Clowns.
Baseball Highlights
Ted Strong started his professional baseball journey in 1937. That year, he played for the Indianapolis Athletics and later the Kansas City Monarchs. He was so good that he was chosen for his first East-West All-Star Game. He helped the Monarchs win the Negro American League (NAL) championship! In the final series, he batted an impressive .400.
Becoming an All-Star
In 1938, Ted was named an All-Star again. He mostly played in Indianapolis that year. Later, he joined the Kansas City Monarchs, where he stayed for most of his career.
By 1939, Ted was a key player. He led the Negro American League in walks and runs batted in. He was even picked for two All-Star games that year!
A Champion Season
After a short break, Ted returned to baseball in 1941. He had an incredible year, leading the league in walks and home runs. He was also selected for the All-Star team once more.
The year 1942 was Ted Strong's most famous season. He achieved the rare Triple Crown! This means he led the Negro American League in three major categories:
- Batting average (.364)
- Home runs (6)
- Runs batted in (32)
Only a few players in Negro league history ever achieved the Triple Crown. Ted Strong and Lennie Pearson were the last to do it in 1942. Ted also led the league in hits and runs that year. He helped his team, the Kansas City Monarchs, win the 1942 Negro World Series! They beat the Homestead Grays.
Serving His Country
Ted Strong's baseball career was paused during World War II. From 1943 to 1945, he served in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He was stationed in the Marshall Islands. He was honorably discharged in January 1946.
Returning to the Field
When Ted returned in 1946, he rejoined the Monarchs. He quickly showed he was still a star. He led the league in runs, home runs, and runs batted in. The Monarchs made it to the 1946 Negro World Series again, but they lost to the Newark Eagles.
Ted played his last year with the Monarchs in 1947. He finished his major league baseball career with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1948.
Basketball Adventures
Ted Strong wasn't just a baseball star; he was also a talented basketball player! During the baseball off-season, he played for the original Harlem Globetrotters. He played with them from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1949.
In 1942, Ted also briefly played for the Chicago Studebaker Flyers. This team was part of the National Basketball League. Ted Strong and other Globetrotters were among the first African American players in that league.
