Bud Fowler
John W. "Bud" Fowler (March 16, 1858 – February 26, 1913) was an African-American baseball player, manager, and club organizer. He is the earliest known African-American player in organized professional baseball; that is, the major leagues and minor leagues.
Bud Fowler | |
|---|---|
 Fowler in 1885 | |
| Born | John W. Jackson March 16, 1858 |
| Died | February 26, 1913 (aged 54) |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1877–1895 |
| Known for | Professional baseball player |
Early life
changeThe son of a fugitive hop-picker and barber, Bud Fowler was christened John W. Jackson.[1]
Professional baseball career
changeEarly career
changeFowler first played for an all-white professional team based out of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1872. He was 14 years old.[2] He is documented as playing for another professional team on July 21, 1877. He was 19.[3] On April 24, 1878, he pitched a game for the Picked Nine, who defeated the Boston Red Caps, champions of the National League in 1877.[4] He pitched some more for the Chelsea team, then finished that season with the Worcester club.
References
change- ↑ Riley, James A. (1994). "Fowler, John W. (Bud)". The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Carroll & Graf. pp. 294–95. ISBN 0-7867-0959-6.
- ↑ Rader, Benjamin G. (2008). Baseball : a history of America's game (3rd ed.). Urbana: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-03302-5.
- ↑ Queen, Frank, ed. (21 July 1877). "Our Boys vs. Franklin" (PDF). New York Clipper. Vol. 25, no. 17. New York City, NY. p. 131. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ↑ Queen, Frank, ed. (4 May 1878). "Boston vs. Picked Nine" (PDF). New York Clipper. Vol. 26, no. 6. New York City, NY. p. 45. Retrieved 5 December 2014.