John Whiteside is a walking history book
- Charles Reams 1
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Greenville native, John Whiteside, lived during the period of the Black Baseball League. As a kid, his heroes were like big brothers. He stays in touch with them to this day.
Whiteside’s encyclopedic knowledge of the epoch has become the basis for a book called the “Voices of Meadowbrook” by local writer Mike Chibbaro.
You will agree that such a repository of history can easily justify a series on the Black Baseball League.
We start with a brief overview of the historic period, followed by chronicles of each individual vividly recalled by Whiteside himself. You can reach out to me to add your recollections at sourches@whatsupnews.online.
The Black Baseball League emerged due to segregation, starting post-Civil War informally and formalizing with Rube Foster’s Negro National League (NNL) in 1920.
Providing professional opportunities and economic centers for Black communities until Major League Baseball integrated, starting with Jackie Robinson in 1947. Before the leagues, individual Black players and teams competed as early as the 1850s.
History of Black Baseball Leagues
Early Days (Mid-Late 1800s): Black players and teams formed immediately after the Civil War (e.g., Philadelphia Pythians, Cuban Giants). Racism (the "color line") barred them from white leagues.
The Negro National League (NNL) (1920): Andrew "Rube" Foster founded the first viable, long-lasting league, aiming for Black economic control and stability.
Key Leagues: Following the NNL, other circuits like the Eastern Colored League (ECL) and later the Negro American League (NAL) operated, creating a vibrant professional scene.
Economic & Social Hub: Negro Leagues were critical economic drivers and cultural centers within Black communities, featuring legends like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and female players like Toni Stone.
Integration and Decline (1940s-1960s): Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier in 1947, leading to a talent drain from the Negro Leagues, which eventually disbanded by the 1960s.
y Figures
Andrew "Rube" Foster: "Father of Black Baseball," NNL founder.
Jackie Robinson: First Black MLB player (Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947).
Effa Manley: Only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an executive (Newark Eagles owner).
Stay tuned for the next addition on key Greenville figures who owned and promoted the League. Manning “Kingfish” Clark, often called Marion Clark, was the spark plug who founded the Black Spinners.
