The Pecan Park Eagle

The Newark Eagles were once a force in Negro League baseball, but that all changed rapidly for all segregated black clubs once integration finally arrived.

The Newark Eagles moved to Houston for the 1949-1950 seasons as the result of a dramatic loss of support for Negro League baseball back east following the integration of organized baseball. With Eagle stars like Monte Irvin signing with the New York Giants and pitcher Don Newcombe casting his lot with the Brooklyn Dodgers, old Newark fans were abandoning their home club in droves to watch their former heroes compete in integrated baseball.

For those two 1949-50 seasons, the transplanted Houston Eagles played out their home schedule as sub-let tenants at Buff Stadium in the hope of developing a fan base that could keep the club alive. When it didn’t happen, the Eagles moved again in 1951, this time heading 369 miles east to New Orleans, where they played out a few seasons during the death rattle days of Negro League baseball.

Here’s a Day in the (brief) Life of the Houston Eagles, as reported in a headline story on Page 14 of the August 30, 1950 edition of the Benton Harbor (Michigan) News Palladium:

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Benton Harbor Cubs Face Houston Eagles Tonight

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Contest to Start at 8:30

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Strong Colored Nine, Loaded with Talent, At House of David

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One of the “big” names in Negro baseball, the Houston Eagles, will come to town tonight at 8:30 to engage the Benton Harbor Cubs in an exhibition game at House of David Park.

The Eagles, who are reported to be an up-and-down club, seem to be in one of their uphill periods at present. After getting off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, Houston strengthened itself recently for the second half push in the Negro American league and is now a strong contender for loop honors. Ever since the acquisition of four new players, the Eagle gang has been a rough bunch to beat.

Much credit for helping to turn the Houston outfit from a so-so team into a red hot club fighting for first place in a tough league may be given to Willie Grace, formerly with the Cleveland Buckeyes, and Wiley Griggs. Grace, a hard-hitting outfielder, has added much balance to the Houston hitting attack, while Griggs, a fine third baseman, has tightened the inner defense. Two other new players are catcher Billy Bailey and Bill Scruggs, a pitcher.

Besides this quarter (quartet), a star-studded array of old “standbys” graces the Eagle lineup. The infield is reportedly fast and steady, with Johnny Washington at first, Eddie Brooks at second, (Wiley) Griggs at third, and “Curley” Williams at short. Williams is rated the leading shortstop in the league.

SPEEDY OUTFIELD 

A speedy outfield which boasts three good hitters is also a factor in Houston’s success. Bob Harvey, the team’s home run leader, holds down right field, with (Willie) Grace in center, and “Cotton” Williams in left. Jenosie Heard, a clever southpaw, heads a strong mound corps, and Leon Ruffin works behind the plate.

Harvey, Washington, Heard, and “Curley” Williams were all named as members of an All-Star team in the East-West battle recently in Chicago.

– Excerpt from an article on Page 14 of the August 30, 1950 edition of the Benton Harbor (Michigan) News Palladium.

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Tags: Houston Eagles

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