THE NEGRO LEAGUES

At the turn of the century, Rube Foster, a star pitcher for several African American teams, envisioned a baseball league for blacks that would rival the white major league, eventually forcing full recognition and inclusion of African American ballplayers.

With partner John Schorling, Foster formed in 1911 the Chicago American Giants, setting the foundation for the creation of a black baseball league. In February 1920, Foster founded the Negro National League (NNL) with the owners/representatives of Indianapolis ABCs, the Chicago Giants, the Kansas City Monarchs (owned by white promoter J.L. Wilkinson), the St. Louis Giants, the Detroit Stars, and the Cuban Stars.

As the first enduring professional sports league managed by African Americans, the NNL was widely successful. With players such as sluggers Oscar Charleston, John Henry Lloyd, and the great Smokey Joe Williams, the new, mostly Midwestern league garnered fanfare and popular support in African American communities. In 1923, the Eastern Colored League (ECL) was formed by white booking agent Nat Strong, leading to a feud with the NNL. Tensions were alleviated in 1924, however, when owners in each league agreed to a system based on the major league, with split schedules and the two best teams meeting for a black World Series. In the mid-1920s, league teams such as the Birmingham Black Barons and the Cuban Stars enjoyed success in league play and in the ever-fruitful barnstorming circuit.

Both leagues failed, however, soon after Foster's leadership was cut short by mental illness in 1926 and by his death in 1930. The ECL folded in 1928, and NNL followed in 1931. In 1932 black baseball thrived mainly in the Southern Negro League (which had been a lesser league prior to that year), and in Latin America, where great ballplayers were welcome, regardless of race.