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 Effa Manley, the owner of the Newark Eagles, who, as their one time field mentor, also holds the distinction of being the only female manager in the history of American male professional sports..
Effa Manley is our “Offering 8″ 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:
Effa Manley, Owner, Negro Leagues, 1935-1948, Baseball Hall of Fame, 2006.
Effa Manley by Michael Hogue of The Dallas Morning News
As owner/manager of the Newark Eagles, Manley is the only female manager in the history of American male professional sports. She overcame racial barriers and gender bias to make her mark as one f the most significant figures on the Negro Leagues.
After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, she lost many players to the major leagues. She spoke out against raiding Negro League teams without compensating them, but despite her efforts, the Eagle had to disband in 1948.
Pecan Park Eagle Footnote: The Eagles may have disbanded as a team playing out of Newark after 1948, but they weren’t through. They moved to Texas under new ownership for two final seasons of Negro League play as the Houston Eagles before giving up the ghost of a lost gate and changing times as all the best black ball players, and their fans, headed for new spots in the formerly all white (or non-American black) ranks of professional baseball.
Houston, Baseball, & Other Musings.
The Pecan Park Eagle 