William Pennington Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William Pennington Young |
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| Catcher | |||
| Born: October 28, 1896 Orange, New Jersey |
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| Died: November 30, 1968 (aged 72) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
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| debut | |||
| 1921, for the Homestead Grays | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1927, for the Homestead Grays | |||
| Teams | |||
As player
As manager
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William Pennington Young was an amazing American athlete and political leader. He was known for playing many sports, including baseball, basketball, and football. He played as a catcher in Negro league baseball for the Homestead Grays. Later in life, he became an important figure in politics in Pennsylvania.
Early Life and College Sports
William Young was born in Orange, New Jersey, in 1896. He grew up there and went to Orange High School. During his time in high school, he was a star athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball.
After high school, Young went to Lincoln University. He continued to excel in sports there. He was a key player on the school's basketball team, playing alongside his older brother, Ulysses S. Young. William also played baseball for Lincoln University. In football, he was a quarterback and was even named a Negro All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best players in the country. Young was also a brilliant student. He graduated from Lincoln University in 1917 as the top student in his class.
Professional Sports Career
After college, William Young and his brother Ulysses became professional athletes. They played professional basketball in Pittsburgh. They joined a famous team called the Loendi Big Five. This team was owned by Cumberland Posey, who was also a well-known sports promoter.
William Young was a big part of the Loendi Big Five team. They were incredibly successful. From 1919 to 1923, they won four championships in a row. These were known as the Colored Basketball World Championships.
Besides basketball, Young also played professional baseball. He joined the Homestead Grays, another team owned by Cumberland Posey. Young played as a catcher for the Grays. He was known for having a very unusual way of standing when he batted. Later in his career, in 1932, he even managed a baseball team called the Cleveland Stars.
Political Career and Later Life
After his time as a professional athlete, William Young started a new career. He worked for a company called Lockhart Iron and Steel Co. There, he helped with hiring and working with employees.
Young also became very involved in politics. He joined the Republican Party. His hard work led to a big role in the government. The Governor of Pennsylvania, William Scranton, appointed him as the Secretary of Labor and Industry for the state. This meant he was in charge of important decisions about jobs and workers in Pennsylvania.
In 1964, Young was a delegate at the 1964 Republican National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Republican Party chose its candidate for president. Young was a leader for a group of African American delegates. They protested against the nomination of Barry Goldwater. During this protest, some people who supported Goldwater attacked Young. Sadly, his suit was even set on fire.
William Young passed away in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1968. He was 72 years old.
