Posts Tagged ‘Dallas Morning News’

Michael Hogue’s Portrait of Oscar Charleston

September 27, 2011

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 reputedly best player in the history of the Negro Leagues, Oscar Charleston.

Oscar Charleston is our “Offering 7″ in this series and a continuation of this fine Texas artist’s work, Portraits of the Negro Leagues. Thank you again, Michael, for allowing The Pecan Park Eagle 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:

http://www.michaelhogue.com

Oscar Charleston, Center Fielder, Negro Leagues, 1915-1944, Baseball Hall of Fame, 1976.

Oscar Charleston by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News

In a 1952 Pittsburgh Courier poll, sports writers voted Charleston the greatest Negro Leagues player of all time. A 2000 poll of former Negro League players reached the same conclusion.

He was a versatile player who batted over .300 most years. He combined speed, a strong arm and fielding instincts to become a standout center fielder. He also managed several teams during his 40-year career in black baseball.

 

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Michael Hogue’s Portrait of Smokey Joe Williams

September 21, 2011

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. It is our “Offering 3” 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.

Smokey Joe Williams, Pitcher, 1910-1932, Hall of Fame, 1999.

Smokey Joe Williams by Michael Hogue

A tall, lanky right handed native of Seguin, Texas, Williams began his career pitching for the San Antonio Black Bronchos. He was the star pitcher in the early days of the Negro Leagues. Satchel Paige called Williams the best pitcher he had ever seen.

Pitching with exceptional velocity and control, Williams would routinely reach double-digits in strikeouts, once striking out 27 Kansas City Monarchs in a 12-inning game. Available statistics show that he compiled a 20-7 record, inducing 10 shutouts, against major league teams. Williams was voted the top pitcher in Negro League history in a 1952 Pittsburgh Courier poll.

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Michael Hogue’s Portraits of the Negro Leagues

September 17, 2011

SATCHEL PAIGE by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News

The following text and preceding art by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News is reproduced here in The Pecan Park Eagle by written permission from Michael Hogue. Thank you, 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. We shall continue to randomly show the work you have provided until we either run out of material – or you send us some more. We are in debt to you for this valuable contribution to our humble publishing efforts in behalf of baseball, Houston, Texas, music, and pop cultural history.

Did I leave anybody out? Probably. But here it is, anyway. Readers enjoy!

Satchel Paige By Michael Hogue. Reproduced by Written Permission from Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News.

“I sure get a laugh when I see in the papers where some major league pitcher says he gets a sore arm because he pitches every four days. Man, that’s be just a vacation for me.” – Satchel Paige, Hall of Fame, 1971.

SATCHEL PAIGE, Pitcher, Negro Leagues 1926-1947. Paige is the best known player to come out of the Negro Leagues. This tall, lanky right-hander employed masterful pitching skill with a colorful personality to achieve folk-hero status.

He was the consummate show man. He would sometimes pull in the outfielders to sit behind the mound while he struck out the side. He was advertised as guaranteed to strike out the first nine batters he faced in exhibition games and almost always fulfilled his billing. Paige frequently warmed up throwing 20 straight pitches across a chewing gum wrapper used as home plate.

It is estimated that Paige pitched 2,600 games, 300 shutouts and 55 no-hitters.

Some major leaguers, including Joe DiMaggio, called Paige the toughest pitcher they had ever faced.

Paige was offered a contract to play for the Indians and, at age 43, became the oldest rookie in major league history. He helped Cleveland to the 1948 World Series title. He appeared in the All Star Games of 1952 and 1953. Paige was thought to be 59 (his true age was never established) when he pitched three innings for the Kansas City A’s, becoming the oldest man to pitch in a major league game.

He became the first Negro Leagues star inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

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