Top 10 Negro Leaguers Who NEVER PLAYED MLB... INSANE TALENT!!!

Humm Baby Baseball
26 Sept 202214:14
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the remarkable talents of 10 Negro League players who, despite their exceptional skills, never had the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball due to the racial segregation that persisted until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. It highlights players like Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and Cool Papa Bell, emphasizing their extraordinary achievements and the rich history of the Negro Leagues, which ultimately led to the integration of professional baseball in the United States.

Takeaways
  • 🏆 The Negro Leagues were home to many talented players who, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) due to the color barrier.
  • 🚫 The color barrier in MLB, a result of the gentleman's agreement among league owners, lasted for over 50 years, effectively excluding black players from the league.
  • 📈 Jackie Robinson's entry into MLB in 1947 marked the end of the color barrier, paving the way for other Negro League players to join the major leagues.
  • 🌟 Even after the color barrier was broken, some Negro League players like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays went on to have exceptional MLB careers.
  • 🏅 The MLB officially recognized seven professional Negro Leagues as major leagues in 2020, giving some players official MLB stats posthumously.
  • 🥇 Willie Wells, a shortstop known for his exceptional defense and hitting, had a 30 career batting average and was considered a five-tool player.
  • 🏆 Ben Taylor, one of the earliest stars of the game, was known as 'Old Reliable' for his consistent performance, especially in clutch situations.
  • 🥇 Andrew Rube Foster, a top pitcher, manager, and executive, is credited with founding the Negro Leagues and setting high standards for player conduct and professionalism.
  • 🥇 Smokey Joe Williams was a dominant pitcher with incredible velocity, striking out 27 batters in a single game and earning a place in the Hall of Fame.
  • 🥇 Norman Turkey Stearns, an outfielder with a .349 batting average, was a five-tool player known for his power and defensive skills.
  • 🥇 Josh Gibson, a legendary catcher with immense power, had a home run to at-bat ratio that rivals the greatest power hitters in MLB history.
Q & A

  • What was the 'gentleman's agreement' in Major League Baseball history?

    -The 'gentleman's agreement' was a non-formal consensus between Major League Baseball owners that no team would draft or sign a black player, leading to the color barrier in the league that lasted for over 50 years.

  • When did Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in Major League Baseball?

    -Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947, allowing black players to have the opportunity to play in the league.

  • What is the significance of the Negro Leagues in the history of baseball?

    -The Negro Leagues were significant because they provided a platform for many of the best black baseball players in the country to showcase their talents during a time when they were excluded from Major League Baseball due to racial segregation.

  • How did the recognition of seven professional Negro Leagues impact the players' legacy?

    -In 2020, Major League Baseball officially recognized seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948 as major leagues, which led to some players having official MLB stats and a more formal acknowledgment of their contributions to the sport.

  • What was Willie Wells known for in his playing career?

    -Willie Wells was known for his amazing defense at shortstop, acrobatic ability, and powerful hitting, including a .330 career batting average and leading the league in home runs three times.

  • What was Ben Taylor's contribution to the game of baseball?

    -Ben Taylor was one of the earliest stars of the game, known for his consistent performance, clutch hitting, and perfect defense at first base. He was also a mentor to many players, including Buck Leonard, and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

  • What role did Rube Foster play in the establishment of the Negro Leagues?

    -Rube Foster is credited as the founder of the Negro Leagues. He organized the first national Negro League in 1920, which provided opportunities for black players to play professional baseball and flourished under his leadership.

  • What were some of the legendary feats attributed to Smokey Joe Williams as a pitcher?

    -Smokey Joe Williams was known for his incredible velocity, striking out 27 batters in a single game, throwing no-hitters, and leading his team to victories against great pitchers like Walter Johnson and Grover Cleveland Alexander.

  • What was unique about Norman Turkey Stearns' playing style?

    -Norman Turkey Stearns was known for his unorthodox stance and strange running style, which led to his nickname 'Turkey.' He was an underrated player with a .349 batting average, excellent defense, and a strong throwing arm.

  • What was Cool Papa Bell's claim to fame in baseball?

    -Cool Papa Bell was renowned for his speed, often described as one of the fastest runners in baseball history. He had a career batting average of .325, led the league in stolen bases seven times, and was known for his excellent knowledge of the strike zone.

  • How did Josh Gibson's hitting prowess compare to other legendary power hitters?

    -Josh Gibson was considered a spectacular talent with a better power-hitting ability than many other legendary players. He led the league in home runs and RBIs every season from 1933 to 1938 and had a .433 batting average in 1943, showing he could rival the greatest power hitters of all time.

  • What impact did the color barrier have on the talent level of Major League Baseball?

    -The color barrier resulted in Major League Baseball not being a true representation of the best baseball players available, as many of the best players in the country, who were black, were excluded from the league and had to play in the Negro Leagues.

Outlines
00:00
🏆 The Unrecognized Greatness of Negro League Players

This paragraph discusses the lives and careers of Negro League players who never had the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). It highlights the unjust exclusion of black players from the MLB due to the color barrier, which lasted for over half a century. The paragraph emphasizes that despite their remarkable talents, many of the best players in the country were relegated to the Negro Leagues. It sets the stage for a countdown of the top 10 greatest Negro League players who were denied the chance to showcase their skills in the MLB.

05:01
🥇 The Ten Greatest Negro League Players Never to Play MLB

This segment of the script presents a countdown of the ten greatest Negro League players who never played in the MLB. It starts with number 10, Willie Wells, a shortstop known for his exceptional defense and hitting abilities, often compared to Ozzie Smith. The paragraph continues to discuss players like Ben Taylor, a first baseman celebrated for his consistent performance and sportsmanship, and Rube Foster, a pitcher, manager, and executive who founded the Negro Leagues. Each player's unique skills, accomplishments, and contributions to the game are detailed, emphasizing their extraordinary talents and the historical significance of their exclusion from the MLB.

10:04
🌟 The Legendary Negro League Players and Their Impact

The final paragraph continues the countdown, highlighting the incredible skills and achievements of the top Negro League players who never played in the MLB. It covers Smokey Joe Williams, a dominant pitcher with a legendary fastball, and Norman Turkey Stearns, an outfielder known for his high batting average and defensive prowess. The paragraph also mentions the remarkable Cool Papa Bell, one of the fastest runners in baseball history, and the exceptional shortstop Pop Lloyd, considered the best in Negro League history. The narrative concludes with the stories of Walter Buck Leonard, a prolific hitter, and the legendary Josh Gibson, known for his power hitting and catching skills. The paragraph emphasizes the lasting impact these players had on the game and their eventual recognition in the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite the injustices they faced during their careers.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Negro Leagues
The Negro Leagues were professional baseball leagues consisting primarily of African-American players. They were established due to the racial segregation prevalent in the United States, which prevented black players from joining the Major Leagues. The video discusses the immense talent in the Negro Leagues and the tragic fact that many of these players never had the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues due to the color barrier.
💡Major League Baseball (MLB)
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It is a symbol of the highest achievement in the sport, and for much of its history, it was segregated, excluding players of color due to the infamous 'gentleman's agreement.' The video discusses the rich history of MLB and the eventual integration of players from the Negro Leagues after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.
💡Color Barrier
The color barrier in Major League Baseball refers to the unwritten agreement among team owners not to recruit or sign black players. This led to a segregation period in professional baseball that lasted for over 50 years, during which many talented black players were excluded from the Major Leagues. The color barrier was officially broken in 1947 when Jackie Robinson became the first black player in modern MLB history.
💡Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson is a seminal figure in baseball history as he was the first African-American player to break the color barrier in modern Major League Baseball. His entry into the MLB with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 marked the end of racial segregation in professional baseball and paved the way for other black players to join the league.
💡Hall of Fame
The Baseball Hall of Fame is a museum in Cooperstown, New York, that honors the greatest players, managers, and other important figures in baseball history. In the context of the video, it's significant because many of the Negro League players mentioned, despite their remarkable talent and contributions to the sport, were not recognized in the Hall of Fame during their lifetimes.
💡Five-Tool Player
A 'five-tool player' in baseball refers to a player who excels in all five key areas of the game: hitting for average, hitting for power, base running, fielding, and throwing. This term is used to describe players who are exceptionally well-rounded and contribute significantly to their team's success in every aspect of the game.
💡Barnstorming
Barnstorming in the context of baseball refers to a series of exhibition games played by teams or individual players, often traveling to different locations to participate in these matches. Negro League teams frequently engaged in barnstorming to showcase their talents and gain recognition outside of their regular league games.
💡Integration
Integration in the context of baseball refers to the process of ending racial segregation and allowing players of all races to compete together in the Major Leagues. This was a significant milestone in the sport's history and represented a more inclusive and equitable approach to professional baseball.
💡Gentleman's Agreement
The 'gentleman's agreement' was an informal, unwritten understanding among Major League Baseball team owners to not recruit or sign black players. This led to the exclusion of African-American players from the Major Leagues and the establishment of the Negro Leagues as an alternative for these players to showcase their talents.
💡Home Runs
A home run in baseball is a type of hit where the batter successfully hits the ball and runs around all four bases, scoring a point for their team. It is a significant measure of a player's power-hitting ability and is often used as a benchmark for a player's offensive prowess.
💡Batting Average
Batting average in baseball is a statistic that measures a hitter's performance by dividing the number of hits by the number of at-bats. A higher batting average indicates better contact and overall hitting ability, with a mark of .300 or above considered very good.
Highlights

The Negro Leagues players did not initially consider playing in the Major Leagues due to the color barrier.

Major League Baseball has a rich history of over 150 years filled with memorable moments and legendary players.

The color barrier in Major League Baseball, a result of the gentleman's agreement, lasted for more than 50 years, excluding many talented black players.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, leading to the integration of black players into Major League Baseball.

Willie Wells, a shortstop known for his exceptional defense and hitting, had a 30 career batting average and was considered a five-tool player.

Ben Taylor, one of the earliest stars of the game, was known as 'Old Reliable' for his clutch hitting and perfect defense at first base.

Rube Foster, a top pitcher, manager, and executive, is credited with founding the Negro Leagues and organizing the National Negro League in 1920.

Smokey Joe Williams was a dominant pitcher with incredible velocity, striking out 27 batters in a single game and throwing several no-hitters.

Norman Turkey Stearns, an outfielder with a .349 batting average, was a power hitter and excellent defender, earning him a place in the Hall of Fame.

James 'Cool Papa' Bell was an incredibly fast runner and contact hitter with a .325 career batting average and seven league stolen base titles.

John Henry 'Pop' Lloyd, considered the best shortstop in Negro League history, had a .300 average and was known for his power and base running.

Walter 'Buck' Leonard, a first baseman with a .345 career batting average, was a pure hitter and led the league in various offensive categories.

Oscar Charleston, compared to Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Tris Speaker, had batting averages over .400 and led the league in home runs five times.

Josh Gibson, known as the 'black Babe Ruth,' had an impressive power hitting ability and was a phenomenal catcher, with a home run to at-bat ratio rivaling the greatest in history.

In 2020, MLB officially recognized seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948 as major leagues, giving some players official MLB stats.

Many Negro League players, despite their talent, never got the chance to play in the major leagues due to the color barrier.

The list of the 10 greatest Negro League players who never played Major League Baseball highlights their incredible talent and the loss to the MLB due to racial discrimination.

Transcripts

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Negro LeaguesBaseball HistoryJackie RobinsonRacial BarriersSports InjusticeTalent ShowcaseHall of FameMajor League BaseballPrejudice OvercomeAthletic Excellence