In 1934, Ed Bolden’s Philadelphia Stars joined the new Negro National League II (NNL2), which had been founded one year earlier. After fending off their intrastate-rivals, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Stars claimed the NNL2’s second-half championship and faced the first-half champions for the title. They defeated the Chicago American Giants to claim the NNL2 crown.
Over two dozen SABR members researched the Stars’ history for this book, which includes biographies of as many of the team’s players as possible, even those who participated in only a single game. The 1934 Stars featured future Hall of Famers Raleigh ‘Biz’ Mackey and Jud Wilson; stalwarts like Phil Cockrell, Webster Mc Donald, and Chaney White; shooting star Stewart ‘Slim’ Jones; and temporary fill-ins like Frederick Coleman and Clifford ‘Whip’ Irons.
Majority owner Ed Bolden, a vital figure in the history of Philadelphia baseball, and minority owner/booking agent Eddie Gottlieb-who is better known to basketball fans-are both featured, as well, along with the history of the Stars’ home ballpark in 1934, Passon Field, named after another prominent local baseball entrepreneur. Also included is a complete season timeline, articles about select games such as the epic September 9 Satchel Paige-Slim Jones pitching duel at Yankee Stadium, and a comprehensive write-up of the NNL2 championship series complete this portrait of the 1934 title-winning team.
Cuprins
The Stars Shone on Philadelphia: The 1934 Negro National League Champions
Edited by Frederick C. Bush and Bill Nowlin
Associate editors Len Levin and Carl Riechers
Preface & Acknowledgements
Background
Ed Bolden’s Philadelphia Stars: A Franchise in the Shadows of Its Peers by Courtney Michelle Smith
A Second Act in Black Professional Baseball: Ed Bolden, Hilldale, and the Philadelphia Starsby Courtney Michelle Smith The Players
Bernard Blackwell by Margaret M. Gripshover Ameal Brooks by Margaret M. Gripshover George ‘Tank’ Carr by Mike Whiteman Paul Carter by Richard Bogovich William (Mickey) Casey by Paul Hofmann Porter Charleston by Jay Hurd Phil Cockrell by Thomas Kern Frederick Coleman by Margaret M. Gripshover Dewey Creacy by Bill Nowlin Joseph (Jake) Dunn by Jeb Stewart Rube ‘Rocky’ Ellis by Dave Wilkie Johnny Hayes by Jay Hurd Frank ‘Lefty’ Holmes by Frederick C. Bush Clifford ‘Whip’ Irons by Margaret M. Gripshover Stewart ‘Slim’ Jones by Frederick C. Bush Granville Lyons by Darren Gibson Raleigh ‘Biz’ Mackey by Chris Rainey Webster Mc Donald, pitcher/manager by Leslie Heaphy Richard (Dick) Seay by Alan Cohen Paul (Jake) Stephens by Bob Le Moine Pete Washington by Bill Johnson Chaney White by Frederick C. Bush Jud Wilson by Joseph Gerard Others
Armon Stovall, batboy by Richard Bogovich Edward W. Bolden, owner by Michael Haupert Eddie Gottlieb, booking agent/minority owner by Rebecca T. Alpert Ballpark
Passon Field by Rebecca T. Alpert Timeline
1934 Philadelphia Stars Season Timeline by Bill Nowlin Selected games
The Hottest Show in Town: Satchel Paige Mows ‘em Down in Negro Leagues East-West All-Star Game: August 26, 1934: East All-Stars 1, West All-Stars 0, at Comiskey Park, Chicagoby Will Osgood Satchel Paige and Slim Jones Throw Head-to-Head Pitching Gems / September 9, 1934: Pittsburgh Crawfords 1, Philadelphia Stars 1, at Yankee Stadium, New York by Jim Overmyer Dizzy Daffy Stars Lose Double Bill: October 16, 1934: Philadelphia Stars 8, Dizzy Dean All-Stars 0 (first game); Philadelphia Stars 4, Dizzy Dean All-Stars 3 (second game), at Shibe Park, Philadelphiaby Thomas Kern The 1934 Negro National League Championship Series: Philadelphia Stars vs. Chicago American Giantsby Richard J. Puerzer Umpiring
Three Strikes and You’re Not Out: The Trouble with Umpires by Courtney Michelle Smith
