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.
Mục lục
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
