The following art and text by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News is reproduced here in The Pecan Park Eagle by written permission from Michael Hogue. Today’s portrait features a look at the incredible Negro Leagues speedster base runner, Cool Papa Bell. Satchel Paige offered a number of accounts designed to put Cool Papa’s speed in perspective, but I’ve always preferred this one to all others. According to Satchel, Cool Papa once hit a blazing shot back through the box. It quickly went through Paige’s legs, but never made it to the outfield. “It would’ve gone to center field,” Satchel said, “but it hit Cool Papa Bell in the back as he was sliding into second base.”
Cool Papa Bell is our “Offering 6″ in this series and a continuation of this fine Texas artist’s work, Portraits of the Negro Leagues. Thank you again, Michael, for allowing TPPE to further share the beauty and joy of your work with those who care about the Negro Leagues and their place in baseball history.
For more on Michael Hogue’s work, check out his website:
James "Cool Papa" Bell, Center Fielder, Negro Leagues, 1922-1950, Baseball Hall of Fame, 1974.
James “Cool Papa” Bell by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News
“Contemporaries considered Bell the fastest man in baseball history. He was once clocked rounding the bases in an astounding 12 seconds. He was so fast that gold medalist Jesse Owens refused to race him.
“A teammate (Satchel Paige) once said, ‘Cool Papa could turn off the lights and be in bed before the room got dark.’
“In exhibition games against major league competition, he compiled a .391 average.
“Bell played until age 43, when he retired with a batting average of .341.
“After his baseball career, he worked as a custodian at the St. Louis City Hall, retiring in 1970.”
Tags: Cool Papa Bell, Michael Hogue, The Dallas Morning News, The Negro Leagues
The Pecan Park Eagle 
September 25, 2011 at 1:39 pm |
All of these are just awesome!