Satchel paige biography summary of thomas

American baseball player and governor (–)

Baseball player

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (July 7, – June 8, ) was an English professional baseballpitcher who played hillock Negro league baseball and Important League Baseball (MLB). His life spanned five decades and culminated with his induction into loftiness National Baseball Hall of Illustriousness.

A right-handed pitcher, Paige pass with flying colours played for the semi-professional Portable Tigers from to He began his professional baseball career detect with the Chattanooga Black Lookouts of the Negro Southern Association and became one of rank most famous and successful send from the Negro leagues. Assert town tours across the Combined States, Paige would sometimes be born with his infielders sit down ass him and then routinely work to rule out the side.^[1]

At age 42 in , Paige made authority debut for the Cleveland Indians; to this day, this accomplishs him the oldest debutant slash National League or American Confederacy history. Additionally, Paige was 59 years old when he specious his last major league enterprise, which is also a transcribe that stands to this light of day. Paige was the first sooty pitcher to play in goodness American League and was nobleness seventh black player to overlook in Major League Baseball. Likewise in , Paige became rank first player who had upset in the Negro leagues without delay pitch in the World Series; the Indians won the Sequence that year. He played eradicate the St. Louis Browns evade to , representing the place in the All-Star Game outing and He played his remaining professional game on June 21, , for the Peninsula Grays of the Carolina League, brace weeks shy of ^[2] Press , Paige became the prime electee of the Negro Alliance Committee to be inducted be converted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.^[3]

Date of birth

While Satchel Paige was playing baseball, many ages spell birthdates were reported, ranging running off to Paige himself was honesty source of many of these dates. His actual birthdate, July 7, , was determined nonthreatening person when Cleveland Indians owner Tally Veeck traveled to Mobile, River, and accompanied Paige's family willing the County Health Department enrol obtain his birth certificate.^[4] Paige's birth certificate is displayed shore his autobiography.^[5]

In , Paige's progenitrix told a reporter that no problem was 55 rather than 53, saying she knew this on account of she wrote it down fragment her Bible. Paige wrote elation his autobiography, "Seems like Mom's Bible would know, but she ain't ever shown me nobleness Bible. Anyway, she was concern her nineties when she low the reporter that, and on occasion she tended to forget things."^[6]

Early life

Paige was born Leroy Parliamentarian Page to John Page, spick gardener, and Lula Page (née Coleman), a domestic worker, shrub border a section of Mobile, Muskhogean, known as Down the Bay.^[7] Lula and her children transformed the spelling of their term from Page to Paige birdcage the mid s, just earlier the start of Satchel's ballgame career. Lula said, "Page looked too much like a phase in a book," whereas Ballplayer explained, "My folks started meaningless by spelling their name 'Page' and later stuck in influence 'i' to make themselves fiord more high-tone." The introduction holiday the new spelling coincided hear the death of Paige's clergyman, and may have suggested well-ordered desire for a new start.^[8]

According to Paige, his nickname originated from childhood work toting baggage at the train station. Forbidden said he was not construction enough money at a deck a bag, so he informed a pole and rope decimate build a contraption that legal him to cart up craving four bags at once. On the subject of kid supposedly yelled, "You have a quick look like a walking satchel tree."^[9] A different story was low by boyhood friend and dwell Wilber Hines, who said put your feet up gave Paige the nickname subsequently he was caught trying distribute steal a bag.^[10] At leadership age of 10, Paige was playing "top ball", which was what got him into ball. "Top ball" was a kids' game that used sticks mushroom bottle caps instead of baseballs and bats to play great variation of the diamond sport.^[11] Satchel's mother, Lula, would securely comment on how Paige would rather "play baseball than urgent. It was always baseball, baseball."^[11]

On July 24, , just cardinal days after his 12th anniversary, Paige was sentenced to offend years—or until his 18th gorge oneself, whichever came first—at the Muskogean Reform School for Juvenile Swarthy Law-Breakers in Mount Meigs, River, owing to his truancy shut in school along with his predisposition to steal.^[12]

The person who schooled Paige to pitch while neat reform school was the Monk Moses Davis. It was Actress, who was also a protector of the school, who committed the long hours coaching blue blood the gentry boys in baseball, and gang was he who struck character deal with the sporting-goods storehouse in Montgomery to secure picture team's first uniforms. Davis was African American, as was distinction entire teaching staff at Barely Meigs, including the school's framer, Cornelia Bowen, a graduate familiar Tuskegee Institute.^[13] Paige was unbound from the institution in Dec , seven months short distinctive his 18th birthday. He summed up his years of incarceration: "I traded five years remove freedom to learn how shut pitch. At least I going on my real learning on character Mount. They were not bony years at all. It energetic a real man out confront me."^[14]

After his release, Paige seized for several Mobile semi-pro teams. He joined the semi-pro Travelling Tigers, for which his friar Wilson was already pitching.^[15] Fair enough also pitched for a semi-pro team named the "Down honesty Bay Boys", and he enrol an incident in the ordinal inning of a 1–0 situation when his teammates made unite consecutive errors, loading the bases for the other team mess up two outs. Angry, Paige oral he stomped around the clothing, kicking up dirt. The fans started booing him, so perform decided that "somebody was goodbye to have to be showed up for that." He commanded in his outfielders and challenging them sit down in ethics infield. With the fans person in charge his own teammates howling, Ballplayer struck out the final pummel, winning the game.^[16]

Negro leagues

Chattanooga abstruse Birmingham: –

A former friend wean away from Mobile, Alex Herman, was grandeur player/manager for the Chattanooga Ivory Sox of the minor Vile Southern League. In he revealed Paige and offered to apportionment him $ per month, defer to which Paige would collect $50 with the rest going talk to his mother. He also normal to pay Lula Paige uncut $ advance, and she grand to the contract.^[17]

The local newspapers—the Chattanooga News and Chattanooga Times—recognized from the beginning that Ballplayer was special. In April , shortly after his arrival, unquestionable recorded nine strikeouts over scandalize innings against the Atlanta Sooty Crackers.^[18] Partway through the interval, Paige's contract was sold in detail the Birmingham Black Barons promote to the major Negro National Alliance (NNL). According to Paige's cardinal memoir, his contract was friendship $ per month, but undecided his second he said invite was for $^[19]

Pitching for greatness Black Barons, Paige threw untouched but was wild and burdensome. In his first big distraction in late June , admit the St. Louis Stars, Ballplayer incited a brawl when enthrone fastball hit the hand lady St. Louis catcher Mitchell Lexicographer. Murray then charged the outfit and Paige raced for magnanimity dugout, but Murray flung coronate bat and struck Paige on high the hip. The police were summoned, and the headline forged the Birmingham Reporter proclaimed trig "Near Riot."^[20] Paige improved ground matured as a pitcher be introduced to help from his teammates, Sam Streeter and Harry Salmon, illustrious his manager, Bill Gatewood.^[21] Sharptasting finished the season 7–1 enter 69 strikeouts and 26 walks in &#;3 innings.^[22]

Over the ensue two seasons, Paige went 12–5 and 10–9 while recording strikeouts in ^[22] (Several sources soil his strikeout total as nobleness all-time single-season record for righteousness Negro leagues, though there anticipation variation among the sources fear the exact number of strikeouts.^[23]) On April 29 of ditch season he recorded 17 strikeouts in a game against loftiness Cuban Stars, which exceeded what was then the major combination record of 16 held from end to end of Noodles Hahn and Rube Waddell. Six days later he gripped out 18 Nashville Elite Giants, a number that was secured in the white majors fail to see Bob Feller in ^[24] Finish to his increased earning imaginable, Barons owner R. T. Politician would "rent" Paige out appoint other ball clubs for systematic game or two to get a decent crowd, with both Jackson and Paige taking uncluttered cut.^[25]

Cuba, Baltimore, and Cleveland: –

Abel Linares offered Paige $ cosset game to play winter globule for the Santa Clara posse in the Cuban League. Supposition on baseball games in Land was such a huge leisure activity that players were not permissible to drink alcohol, so they could stay ready to sport. Paige—homesick for carousing, hating high-mindedness food, despising the constant inspections and being thoroughly baffled close to the language—went 6–5 in Cuba.^[26] He left Cuba abruptly heretofore the end of the period, with several stories told request the circumstances. Paige told only version in which the politician of a small hamlet deliberately him, in Spanish, if appease had intentionally lost a in a straight line game. Paige, not understanding uncluttered word the man said, nodded and smiled, thinking the bloke was fawning over him, focus on then had to flee depart from the furious mayor.^[27] Another kind, also told by Paige, says that when he called way an attractive local girl hold her home, she and coffee break family interpreted his attentions in the same way an official engagement and spiral the police to enforce exchange, leading Paige to flee primacy island with police in pursuit.^[28] A third version, told spawn the general manager of ethics Santa Clara Leopards, says range he left Cuba in quickness after legal charges were knocked out against him regarding an fond incident with "a young dame from the provincial mulatto bourgeoisie."^[29]

When Paige returned to the In partnership States, he and Jackson animated their practice of renting him out to various teams. Bring off the spring of , Actress leased him to the City Black Sox, who had won the American Negro League benefaction led by their bowlegged 3rd baseman Jud "Boojum" Wilson. Ballplayer, as a Southerner, found turn he was an outsider discovery the Black Sox, and her highness teammates considered him a provincial. Moreover, he was the team's number two pitcher behind Laymon Yokely, and Paige did yowl like being overshadowed.^[30]

In midsummer Ballplayer returned to Birmingham, where elegance pitched well the rest show consideration for the summer, going 7–4.^[22] Listed September he was leased tell off the Chicago American Giants all-round the NNL for a home-and-home series with the Houston Grey Buffaloes of the Texas–Oklahoma Association. Paige won one and misplaced one in the series submit then returned to Birmingham.^[31]

By high-mindedness spring of , the Put aside was taking its toll continual the Negro leagues, and description Black Barons had temporarily disbanded. Few teams could afford Ballplayer, but Tom Wilson, who was moving the Nashville Elite Giants to Cleveland as the Metropolis Cubs, thought he could.^[32] Execution in the same city tempt a white major league kit out, Paige recalled, "I'd look organize at the Cleveland Indians' stage, called League Park All spell 1 long it burned me, deportment there in the shadow signify that stadium. "It didn't gash my pitching, but it ring didn't do me any good."^[33]

Pittsburgh, California, and North Dakota: –

In June , the Crawford Splashed Giants, an independent club recognized by Pittsburgh underworld figure Gus Greenlee, made Paige an insinuation of $ a month.^[34] Confirm August 6, Paige made diadem Crawford debut against their hometown rivals, the Homestead Grays. Ingoing the game in the casern inning, Paige held the Grays scoreless and had six strikeouts and no walks in cinque innings of relief work conceal get the win.^[35]

In September, Ballplayer joined a Negro all-star setup organized by Tom Wilson, titled the Philadelphia Giants, to fanfare in the California Winter Alliance. This was the first relief nine winters that he studied in a league that conj admitting ongoing competition between elite swart and white baseball players, containing major and minor league actors. On October 24 Paige won his first California game 8–1, allowing five hits and awesome out 11, including Babe Bandleader four times. He finished honourableness winter with a 6–0 enigmatic and 70 strikeouts in 58 innings.^[36]

In , Greenlee signed Bon mot Gibson, Oscar Charleston and Undisclosed "Double Duty" Radcliffe away stranger Cumberland Posey's Homestead Grays be acquainted with assemble one of the quality baseball clubs in history. Ballplayer took the mound when goodness Crawfords opened the season gain April 30 in their not long ago built stadium, Greenlee Field, honesty first completely black-owned stadium drop the country. Paige lost ethics opener to the New Dynasty Black Yankees in a enshroud a arrive duel with Jesse "Mountain" Author, but he got even handle them by beating them duplicate that season, including Paige's head Negro league no-hitter in July.^[37] Paige went 10–4, allowing runs per game and striking fatigue 92 in &#;3 innings.^[22]

In rectitude midst of the Depression, Cum Posey's new East–West League locked away collapsed by mid-season, and Greenlee was able to obtain uncountable of the best players infiltrate black baseball. By the extremity of the season, Greenlee abstruse signed to contracts Cool Nipple Bell, John Henry Russell, Leroy Matlock, Jake Stephens, "Boojum" Writer, Jimmie Crutchfield, Ted Page, Judy Johnson, and Rap Dixon.^[38] Refined the Crawfords playing five prospect Hall of Famers, many Baleful league historians regard the uncompassionate Crawfords as the greatest gang in Negro league history.^[39]

The abide by season, Greenlee organized a unique Negro National League, which survived for 16 years. Despite Greenlee's efforts to control his star, Paige followed his fall down schedule and was often make public to games that he was scheduled to pitch. In Revered, he jumped the Crawfords, securing an offer from Neil Churchill's North Dakota semi-pro team, class Bismarcks (sometimes known as class "Bismarck Churchills" today), of $ and a late model machine for just one month's exertion. It was Paige's first contact playing with an integrated crew in the United States. Stylishness helped Bismarck beat their nearby rivals in Jamestown, who were also featuring a Negro corresponding item ace pitcher, Barney Brown. Ballplayer was unapologetic when he common to Pittsburgh in September render help the Crawfords win probity second-half championship. Paige was unsought after by other Negro league turn and fans when he was not selected for the premier ever East–West All-Star Game.^[40]

The spell 1 was perhaps the best be snapped up Paige's career, as he went 14–2 in league games measure allowing runs per game, gramophone record strikeouts, and giving up sole 26 walks.^[22][41] On July 4, Paige threw his second no-hitter, this time against the Pad Grays. He struck out 17, and only a first-inning turn to future Hall of Famer Buck Leonard and an fail to distinguish in the fourth inning prevented it from being a entire game. Leonard, unnerved by high-mindedness rising swoop of the abrupt, repeatedly asked the umpire give somebody the job of check the ball for scuffing. When the umpire removed sole ball from play, Paige hollered, "You may as well tangled 'em all out 'cause they're all gonna jump like that."^[42]

The Denver Post conducted an every year baseball tournament (sometimes known translation the "Little World Series") give it some thought attracted semi-pro and independent educated teams from across the state. In it was open, uncontaminated the first time, to grey players. Greenlee leased Paige agreement the Colored House of King, a prominent barnstorming team take off white men who represented keen religious commune and wore beards. Their manager was Hall assiduousness Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Vanquisher. Paige pitched shutouts in surmount first two starts, striking pronouncement 14 and The final, patronage game was his third elicit in five days and elegance faced the Kansas City Monarchs—at the time an independent, barnstorming team—who were participating in interpretation tournament with a lineup augmented by Negro league stars Gallinacean Stearnes and Sam Bankhead. Ballplayer faced Chet Brewer before expert crowd of 11, Paige won the pitchers' duel 2–1, wondrous out 12 Monarchs for well-ordered tournament total of 44 strikeouts in 28 innings. The head-to-head was Paige's first major unveiling in front of the bloodless press.^[43]

Paige received his first East–West All Star Game selection bland Playing for the East, Ballplayer came in during the ordinal inning with a man prolong second and the score tied up certain 0–0, and proceeded to punch out Alec Radcliffe and leave Turkey Stearnes and Mule Suttles on soft fly balls. Rendering East scored one run amusement the top of the one-eighth and Paige held the Westmost scoreless the rest of interpretation way, giving him his chief All-Star Game victory.^[44] 27 period after winning the second-ever East-West All-Star Game, Paige was along with the winning pitcher of class East-West Game, the next tip last in the series.

Despite an outstanding season, Paige confidential a strong competitor for unsurpassed Negro league pitcher of , the year-old Slim Jones good deal the Philadelphia Stars, who went 22–3 in league games. Remark September, a four-team charity charisma doubleheader was played at American Stadium, with the second recreation featuring a faceoff between Ballplayer and Jones. Paige recalled go-ahead all night from Pittsburgh be proof against parking near the stadium, exploitation falling asleep in the machine. A batboy found and woke him, and he got halt uniform just in time expend his scheduled start. In first-class game that was sometimes declared as the greatest game shaggy dog story Negro league history, Paige reprove Jones battled to a 1–1 tie that was called for of darkness.^[45] A rematch was scheduled, and this time Ballplayer and the Crawfords beat Linksman and the Stars 3–1.^[46]

That connect, Paige faced off against main league star Dizzy Dean, who that season had won 30 regular season games plus link more in the World Progression, in several exhibition games. Agreement Cleveland, Paige struck out 13 while beating Dean 4–1, though for that game Dean was playing with a minor combination team. Later, while playing disturb the California Winter League, Ballplayer faced Dean in front succeed 18, fans in Los Angeles, with Dean's team including bigger league stars like Wally Berger. The two teams battled particular 13 innings, with Paige's gang finally winning 1–0.^[47] Bill Veeck, future owner of the City Indians, St. Louis Browns, see Chicago White Sox, was observation the game and many length of existence later described it as "the greatest pitchers' battle I be born with ever seen."^[48] Paige and Brother would continue to barnstorm anti each other until ^[49] Ulterior, when Dean was a amusements columnist for the Chicago Tribune, he called Paige "the ballplayer with the greatest stuff Uncontrolled ever saw."^[50]

In the spring come within earshot of , Greenlee refused Paige's inquire to raise his $ erupt month salary, so Paige approved to return to Bismarck lay out the same $ per four weeks and late model used motorcar that he got before. General added other Negro league designate to the team—pitchers Barney Craftsman, and Hilton Smith, catcher Quincy Trouppe, and pitcher/catcher Double Pay off Radcliffe. Paige dominated the jogger, with a 29–2 record, strikeouts, and only 16 walks. Meat Wichita, Ray "Hap" Dumont was establishing a new national sport tournament, the National Baseball Copulation. Dumont invited 32 semi-pro teams, paying $1, for Paige existing his Bismarck teammates to waiter. The tournament was held benefit from Lawrence–Dumont Stadium in Wichita, River and offered a $7, pouch. Churchill added yet another Sooty league star to his team—Chet Brewer, the Kansas City Monarchs' ace pitcher. Bismarck swept glory tournament in seven straight gaiety. Paige won the four mirth he started, pitched in easement in a fifth game, settle down struck out 60 batters—a create that still held 74 length of existence later.^[51][52][53]

In September, Paige could grizzle demand return to the NNL as he was banned from prestige league for the season lead to jumping to the Bismarck company. J. L. Wilkinson, owner pale the independent Kansas City Monarchs, signed Paige on a game-by-game basis through the end advice the season.^[54]

That winter, a northerly California promoter, Johnny Burton, leased Paige to front a group called the "Satchel Paige All-Stars", in a game to note down held on February 7, , in Oakland against a pale all-star squad. The opposing band included a number of greater league players out of picture Bay Area, including Ernie Lombardi, Augie Galan, , and Gus Suhr, as well as Conciliatory Coast League star Joe Ballplayer, who was making his latest stop as a minor leaguer before joining the New Royalty Yankees. Other than Negro band catcher, Ebel Brooks, Paige's gang was composed of local semi-pro players. Despite the imbalance discern talent, Paige kept the affair to a 1–1 tie on account of nine innings, striking out 12 and giving up one nudge on three hits. In picture bottom of the tenth play, he struck out two ultra, then gave up a singular to Dick Bartell, bringing let pass DiMaggio. Bartell stole second boon the first pitch, then went to third on a dynamic pitch. DiMaggio then hit uncut hard hopper to the clamp that Paige deflected; DiMaggio opportunity the second baseman's throw communication drive in the winning bang. A Yankee scout watching say publicly game wired the club give it some thought day a report that scan, "DiMaggio everything we'd hoped he'd be: Hit Satch one get to four."^[55]

In , Paige returned unity Pittsburgh where Greenlee acquiesced with Paige's salary demands and gave him a $per-month contract, overtake far the highest in say publicly Negro leagues.^[56] In games in line for which complete box scores bear out available, Paige went 5–0, allowable runs per game, and beat out 47 in &#;3 innings.^[22] At the end of say publicly season, Tom Wilson arranged and the other NNL owners lying on assemble an all-star team make certain would enter the lucrative Denver Post tournament. The team charade Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Governor Bell, Leroy Matlock, Buck Author, Felton Snow, Bill Wright increase in intensity Sammy Hughes. They swept excellence tournament in seven games count up win the $5, prize, get a feel for Paige winning three of them. In the title game destroy an overmatched semi-pro team cheat Borger, Texas, Paige pitched expert 7–0 shutout, striking out Honesty Negro league all-stars then barnstormed, playing a series against first-class team of major leaguers wild by Rogers Hornsby. One matchup featured Paige facing the year-old Bob Feller, who had impartial finished a half-season with probity Cleveland Indians. Each pitched troika innings and gave up singular hit, with Feller striking bash eight and Paige seven. Late in the game, the Flagitious league team pulled out dexterous win.^[57]

Dominican Republic:

In the hop of the Crawfords were system in New Orleans, and Ballplayer was approached by Dr. José Enrique Aybar, dean of honesty University of Santo Domingo, substitute of the Dominican Republic's ethnological congress and director of justness Dragones, a baseball team operated by Rafael Trujillo, dictator unravel the Dominican Republic. Aybar chartered Paige to act as cosmic agent for Trujillo in recruiting other Negro league players commerce play for "Los Dragones." Aybar gave Paige $30, to grip as many players as smartness could. Paige recruited five search out his Crawfords teammates—Cool Papa Phone, Leroy Matlock, Sam Bankhead, Dog Williams and Herman Andrews—as pitch as Josh Gibson, who challenging recently been traded to position Homestead Grays. Other Dominican teams were also recruiting Negro association players. Greenlee and his counterpart owners banned Paige and excellence other jumpers from the smooth-running Negro leagues, but failed puzzle out dissuade the players.^[58]

In the Country Republic, the American players were shadowed by armed guards. Despite the fact that the purpose of the guards was to protect the squint, the players were fearful focus Trujillo would unleash them fence in anger if his team astray the championship. The season remote with an eight-game series in the middle of the two top teams, Paige's Dragones of "Ciudad Trujillo" (as Trujillo had renamed the head city of Santo Domingo) take the Águilas Cibaeñas of Metropolis. The Dragones won the have control over four, with Paige contributing duo of them. The Águilas came back to win the go by two and still had first-class chance to win the benefaction if they won the terminating two games.^[59] In Paige's reminiscences annals, he recalled finishing the enterprise with two shutout innings interrupt hold onto a 6–5 multiply by two while soldiers looked on "like a firing squad."^[60] In act, however, Paige did not jot down the game until there was one out in the one-ninth inning, with his team influential 8–3. He proceeded to test up three runs on couple hits before he got picture third out on a resolved throw by Bankhead.^[61] Paige locked away an excellent season overall, notwithstanding, leading the league with sketch 8–2 record.^[62]

Paige and the precision players returning from the State Republic faced a Negro confederacy ban for jumping their teams. In response, they formed grand barnstorming team called "Trujillo's All-Stars", which was later known similarly the "Satchel Paige All-Stars." Chemist evaded the ban by securing promoter Ray Dean schedule jollity between the All-Stars and rendering House of David. In Reverenced, the All-Stars won the Denver Post tournament. In late Sept, Paige faced a team unbutton Negro league all-stars at influence Polo Grounds. Despite striking away eight and allowing only pair runs, he lost when depiction opposing pitcher, Johnny "Schoolboy" Composer, tossed a no-hitter. A period later a rematch was reserved at Yankee Stadium, and that time Paige beat Taylor handily.^[63]

Mexico:

In , Greenlee, who break off held Paige's NNL contract, in addition made an unsuccessful attempt pack up sign Paige. Greenlee then vend his contract to the City Eagles for $5,, but they could not sign him either. Paige instead went to marker in the Mexican League.^[64]

Jorge Pasquel, a Mexican baseball executive charge businessman, and his four brothers wanted the Mexican League journey compete with the major leagues. Their plan to do cruise was to hire the unsurpassed Negro league players who were ignored by the big leagues, then raid big league teams and field integrated clubs embankment the name of international ball. With this goal, they chartered Paige for $2, per four weeks to play for the dying Club Agrario of Mexico Knowhow, to create a rivalry seize Club Azules of Veracruz, grand powerhouse bunch led by Martín Dihigo. Back in the states, Greenlee, out $5,, declared Ballplayer "banned forever from baseball."^[65]

Pitching welloff Venezuela, Paige felt pain flash his right shoulder. After yes arrived in Mexico, the backache developed into the first elder injury of his career. Yes tried to pitch through glory pain, and managed to with it Dihigo in their first be consistent with in early September, allowing incontestable run in eight innings. Pair weeks later they faced importance again, and this time Ballplayer could barely lift his annoy. He managed to go six-plus innings in a game lose one\'s train of thought Paige's team ultimately lost 10–3. One sportswriter wrote that Ballplayer looked like a "squeezed lemon."^[66]

Paige returned to his hotel make ready. He recalled that the early payment morning, "My stomach got seasick with the pain that change up my right arm. Work popped out all over trade. The pain wouldn't quit. Uncontrolled tried lifting my arm. Uncontrollable couldn't. I just sat not far from, sweating, hurting enough to hope for to cry, getting sicker infringe the stomach and getting scared—real scared. My arm. I couldn't lift it."^[67] He was examined by physicians in Mexico swallow in the United States; horn expert told him that crystal-clear would never pitch again.^[68]

Kansas Prerogative Travelers:

With his arm aggrieved, Paige suddenly found himself unemployable. He looked for work primate a manager or coach, nevertheless was unsuccessful. One ballclub proprietor was willing to give him a chance to play abrupt again—J.L. Wilkinson of the Monarchs. Wilkinson offered him the unpresuming opportunity to play, not bring forward the Negro American League Monarchs, but for a second-string barnstorming team called the Travelers, which was now renamed the Baggage Paige All-Stars. Paige would tumble when he could and recreation badinage first base when he could not.^[69]

Managed by Newt Joseph,^[70] rendering team also included Byron "Mex" Johnson, but otherwise it in the main functioned as a minor-league gang staffed by marginal, aging, be a symbol of young players. Playing throughout River, Missouri, the Dakotas, Illinois, weather even Utah,^[70] large crowds profane out to see Paige dethrone an inning or two, relying on junkballs.^[71] Paige recalled, "Everybody'd heard I was a fastballer and here I was throwing Alley Oops and bloopers paramount underhand and sidearm and way I could to settle your differences the ball up to say publicly plate and get it finish off, maybe even for a drum. But even that made turn for the better ame arm ache like a ratchet was busting every time Beside oneself threw. And the balls Hilarious was throwing never would simpleton anybody in the Negro leagues, not without a fast sharp-witted to go with them."^[72]

Sometime consider it summer Paige's fast ball common. Paige's catcher, Frazier "Slow" Chemist, recalled that one afternoon Ballplayer told him, "You better hide ready because I'm ready today." Paige then surprised him conj at the time that, with Robinson expecting a flip, Paige "threw that baseball unexceptional hard that he knocked grandeur mitt off my hand."^[73] Latest sports medicine specialists suggest saunter Paige suffered from a ad at intervals torn rotator cuff in queen shoulder caused by repetitive bring to light. Paige's recovery was assisted stop the Monarch's long-time trainer, Open "Jewbaby" Floyd, who was dispatched by Wilkinson to work get together Paige. Floyd worked with manipulate, hot and cold water, ointments, and chiropractic. He had Ballplayer rest his arm by turn up fewer innings and playing strike positions.^[74]

By late fall his line-up was playing well against senior Negro league teams. On Sept 22, , in the next game of a double-header argue with the powerful American Giants, Ballplayer won a 1–0 game, illustrious out 10 men in justness seven innings before the play was called on account wait darkness.^[75]Buck O'Neil, who had batted against Paige in and skull faced him again in great game against the parent Monarchs, recalled a dropoff in swiftness but an improvement in whitewash. "He could still throw difficult. Not as hard as no problem had thrown, but you're talkin' about somebody thrown' ninety-eight, clean up hundred miles an hour. On the contrary now he's throwin' maybe ninety—which is still more than say publicly average guy He was integrity best and, actually, he was so deceptive! You'd look slate that big ol' slow start fighting movin' and—chooo—that ball's just in line by you. And then he'd come up and throw pointed a change of pace contemporary, oh, man."^[76]

Puerto Rico: –40

In evenhanded one season, Paige left crown mark on Puerto Rican ballgame. He arrived in Puerto Law in late October, four weeks after the start of interpretation –40 winter season, and husbandly the Brujos de Guayama (the Guayama Witch Doctors).^[77][78] The city of Guayama is widely careful for its Santería, Palo, careful other spiritualist religious practices. Comport yourself a legendary game in Guayama, Paige walked off the heap because he saw a shade standing next to him.^[78][79]

A band that featured shortstop Perucho Cepeda and outfielder Tetelo Vargas, righteousness Guayama Witch Doctors were primacy –39 champions. In September , they had won the semi-pro baseball "World Series" in Puerto Rico against the Duncan Cementeers. On November 5, Paige coordinated a shutout against rival Santurce, which featured player-manager Josh Histrion, by a lopsided score rob 23–0.^[80]

In a December game counter Mayagüez, Paige set a corresponding person record by striking out Closure ended the season with great 19–3 record, a ERA, meticulous strikeouts in innings. The 19 wins and strikeouts set combination single-season records that have in no way been broken. Paige helped circlet team win the league patronage playoff series, winning two boisterousness against the San Juan Senadores.^[77][78][81]

Puerto Rican pitcher Ramón Bayron retract, "It took special eyes surpass see his pitches."^[79]Luis Olmo, who later played with the Borough Dodgers, described Paige that wintertime as "the best I've intelligent seen."^[79]

Kansas City Monarchs: –

Paige complementary to the Travelers for nobility season. Abe and Effa Manley, owners of the Newark Eagles, still claimed that they yet held the rights to Paige's Negro league contract, and retaliated against Wilkinson by signing eject from Wilkinson's Negro American Corresponding item. In late June, the NNL and NAL leaders met function discuss the situation and reached an agreement that allowed Ballplayer to advance to the River City Monarchs and let distinction Manleys keep the players they had recruited in violation imbursement the inter-league rules.^[82] Late undecorated the season, Paige was promoted to the Monarchs. On Sep 12, Paige made his launch with the Monarchs against high-mindedness American Giants and pitched capital five-inning darkness-shortened complete game. Position Monarchs won 9–3 and Ballplayer struck out ten.^[83]

Because of Paige's strong gate appeal, there was considerable demand by outside teams to lease Paige's services give somebody no option but to pitch for a single endeavour. With infrequent league games, Chemist booked Paige to pitch ration small-town teams or other Angry league teams at rates widespread from a third of picture total receipts to a inveterate fee $ to $2, misstep game, plus expenses. Wilkinson purchased a Douglas DC-3 airplane open-minded to ferry Paige around collect these outside appearances. Because all but the larger gate when Ballplayer pitched, the Monarchs' owners could also insist on a ascendant share of the receipts stick up their road games. Wilkinson suggest Paige each kept a sayso of the fees. By blue blood the gentry early s, Paige's estimated yearly earnings were $40,, which was four times the pay show signs of the average player on interpretation major league New York Yankees and nearly matched the apportionment of their top star, Joe DiMaggio.^[84]

Hoping for some publicity tend Paige, who had received somewhat little coverage while pitching remove the hinterlands with the Travelers, Wilkinson arranged for Paige discriminate against pitch on opening day condemn for the New York Coal-black Yankees. Appearing in front objection a crowd of 20, fans at Yankee Stadium, Paige organized a complete game, 5–3 dismay, striking out eight. As conscious, the contest brought considerable protection from both the black unacceptable white media, including a explanatory by Life magazine.^[85][86]

Paige took break off the role of ace thrower for the Monarchs, while Hilton Smith, their former ace, derelict to number two pitcher near sometimes was relegated to relieving Paige. Because of Paige's silkiness to draw a crowd, significant would often be scheduled pick up start a game and progress for three innings, with Sculptor or another teammate assigned stalk pitch the last six.^[87] Nickname addition to Smith, Paige's teammates included first baseman Buck O'Neil, shortstop and manager Newt Histrion, and center fielder Willard Brown.^[88] In , the Monarchs won their third consecutive Negro Dweller League championship. Though no standings were published, according to clerk John Holway, they had systematic 24–6 team record for smashing winning percentage of , degree them five games ahead disregard the second-place New Orleans/St. Gladiator Stars.^[89]

On August 1, , Ballplayer made his first appearance reduce the price of the East–West All Star Enterprise in five years, collecting , votes, 40, more than goodness next highest player, Buck Author. Paige entered the game shell the start of the ordinal inning with the East valuable 8–1 and pitched the ultimate two innings. The only drum he gave up was a-ok slow roller to the NNL's new starting catcher, the Port Elite Giants' Roy Campanella.^[90]

With America's entrance into World War II, Dizzy Dean came out be successful retirement, forming an all-star group consisting of recently drafted ashen major league and minor friend players. On May 24, Canon faced Paige and the Monarchs in an exhibition game wrap up Wrigley Field, the first disgust a black team ever stricken at Wrigley. The Monarchs licked Dean's All-Stars 3–1 in principal of a crowd of 29, On May 31, Paige teamed up with the Homestead Grays to face Dean's All-Stars regulate before 22, fans at Filmmaker Stadium. The Grays won 8–1, with Paige striking out figure (including Washington Senators star Cecil Travis) in five innings imitation work.^[91]

In the East-West All-Star Project, Paige entered in the gap of the seventh with honourableness score tied 2–2. Pitching excellence last three innings, he allowable three runs on five hits and was charged with rank loss in the 5–2 game.^[92]

Negro World Series

The Monarchs won the Negro American League banner again in For the greatest time since , the champions of the two leagues, River City and Washington/Homestead, met burden the Negro World Series. Ballplayer started game one in General and pitched five shutout period. The Monarchs scored their leading run in the top vacation the sixth. In the from tip to toe of the frame, Jack Matchett relieved Paige and finished magnanimity game, with Kansas City reckoning seven more runs to carry all before one 8–0.^[93]

Game two was played combine days later in Pittsburgh, presentday a highlight was Paige's bright showdown with Josh Gibson. Send back the bottom of the onesixth, Paige relieved starter Hilton Sculptor with the Monarchs ahead 2–0. In the seventh inning, stylishness gave up three singles tube faced Gibson with the bases loaded and two outs. Histrion fouled off the first a handful of pitches, then whiffed on distinction third.^[94] When Paige told justness story in his autobiography, oversight mythologized the story. According cause somebody to Paige, the strikeout came prize open the ninth inning with graceful one-run lead, and he walked the three batters ahead livestock Gibson in order to visage him.^[95] The mythical version was retold by Buck Leonard be proof against Buck O'Neil in their memoirs.^[96] In the actual game, greatness Monarchs added three runs stuff the top of the oneeighth to take a 5–0 manipulate, then Paige gave up quaternity in the bottom of depiction frame to make it 5–4. The Monarchs added another iii in the top of ethics ninth and won 8–4.^[94]

After days rest, Paige started endeavour three, which was played interest Yankee Stadium. Paige gave make better two runs in the primary and was pulled after span innings. Matchett pitched the residue of the game, which rank Monarchs won, 9–3, giving them a 3–0 lead in loftiness series.^[97] The next series pastime was played a week closest in Kansas City. When nobleness injury-plagued Grays brought in knowledge players from other teams, together with pitcher Leon Day, second baseman Lenny Pearson, and outfielder One-sided Stone of the Newark Eagles and shortstop Bus Clarkson invoke the Philadelphia Stars, the Monarchs played under protest. Day see Paige both pitched complete doggeds, with Paige giving up connect runs on eight hits submit Day giving up one relations on five hits for topping Grays victory.^[98] The Monarchs' spell out was upheld and the attempt was disallowed. Game four took place in Shibe Park be thankful for Philadelphia, and Paige was obligated to start, but he exact not show up until say publicly fourth inning. According to rulership autobiography, Paige was delayed name Lancaster, Pennsylvania by an apprehend for speeding.^[99] The Grays challenging taken a 5–4 lead, post Paige immediately entered the project. In the remainder of justness game, he did not branch a hit or a accelerate and struck out six, behaviour the Monarchs' hitters scored cardinal runs in the seventh thoroughly take the lead and yoke more in the eighth submit win, 9–5, and sweep high-mindedness series.^[] Paige had pitched rephrase all four official games limit the Series (as well makeover one unofficial one), going 16 innings, striking out 18, deliver giving up eight hits essential six runs.^[]

–

Paige was the West's starting pitcher in the East-West All-Star Game, played before a-ok record 51, fans in Comiskey Park. He pitched three hitless innings without giving up skilful hit, struck out four, walked one, and was credited bring in the winning pitcher in birth West's 2–1 victory. As fastidious batter, he hit a sub to lead off the radix of the third, then was lifted for a pitch messenger offshoot to "thunderous applause."^[]

World War II caused a large number show signs of baseball players to be inducted into military service. Among Paige's Kansas City teammates, Connie Author, Buck O'Neil, and Ted Kinky entered military service that period, and Willard Brown followed them the following season.^[] Paige's Eclectic Service records show that before the war his draft prominence evolved from 1-A (available hurt be drafted) to 2-A ("deferred in support of national ailment, safety, or interest") to rendering final 4-A (too old get into service, even though when good taste registered he gave a opening date of , two period younger than his actual childbirth date).^[] Paige continued to exercise, and the available statistics event a slip in performance attach , with a 6–8 transcribe and a run average (his highest average since ) according for the Monarchs.^[22] The Monarchs' string of four straight pennants ended, as the Negro Denizen League title was captured soak the Birmingham Black Barons extract and and by the Metropolis Buckeyes in ^[] In , Paige won six games eventually striking out 85 batters bend a ERA.^[]

Before the East-West All-Star Game—black baseball's most lucrative event—Paige grabbed headlines when he essential that the owners contribute dignity receipts to the war remedy fund, threatening a player blockage if they did not succeed. The owners were able chance on turn the other players brook fans against Paige, however, just as they revealed that Paige abstruse received $ for participating thud the game (in contrast chance on the $50 paid to decency other players) and had mandatory an extra cut for justness game as well. Paige was removed from the roster brook the strike was averted during the time that the owners agreed to draft the player payments (the East's team accepted $ each, size the West's players agreed run to ground $).^[][][]

In , many of dignity Monarchs' players, including Willard Brownness, Connie Johnson, Buck O'Neil, Paddle Smith, and Ted Strong, shared from military service, and influence team led the NAL sufficient both the first and in a short time halves, capturing the league pennant.^[] O'Neil led the league reduce the price of batting average, Brown in residence runs, Johnson in wins, move Paige in total run average.^[]

Negro World Series

The Monarchs transparent the Newark Eagles in righteousness Negro World Series. The be foremost game was played at prestige Polo Grounds and Hilton Sculpturer started for the Monarchs. Leadership Monarchs held a 1–0 directive in the bottom of greatness sixth, when Smith walked Larry Doby to lead off rectitude inning, and Paige was styled in to relieve. Paige strike out Monte Irvin and Lenny Pearson, but Doby stole in no time at all and Paige gave up great single to Johnny Davis, which tied the game. In greatness top of the seventh, ethics Monarchs got the lead vouch when Paige hit a unmarried, advanced to second on key error, and scored on capital hit by Herb Souell. Ballplayer shut down the Eagles care the rest of the sport, striking out eight and even supposing four hits over four session, and was credited with blue blood the gentry win.^[]

Two days later, Paige came into the second game efficient a similar situation as rectitude first, but the result was quite different. Ford Smith in motion the game for the Monarchs, and he had a 4–1 lead entering the bottom faultless the seventh. After allowing brace runs and with Irvin dress yourself in first, Paige was brought valve to protect the 4–3 star. This time, however, Paige gave up four hits before magnanimity end of the inning, favour four runs crossed the collect. Paige finished the game, nevertheless was charged with the thrashing in the 7–4 game.^[]

The fee two games were played huddle together Kansas City, and the Monarchs won game three, getting a-one complete game from Jim LaMarque. Ted Alexander started game span, but gave way to Ballplayer in the top of decency sixth with the Monarchs by the side of 4–1. Paige gave up one runs on three hits minute the sixth, including a dwelling run to Irvin. He went on to finish the sport, giving up one more call together in the seventh, and character Monarchs lost 8–1.^[][]

Kansas City won the fifth game and Metropolis won the sixth. For decency deciding game seven, Paige was missing. Buck O'Neil believed Ballplayer was meeting with Bob Gent about their upcoming barnstorming voyage. With Ford Smith pitching, greatness Monarchs lost 3–2, and grandeur Eagles claimed the championship.^[]

Barnstorming merge with Feller: –

In late , Cork Feller organized the first barnstorming tour to use airplanes drive travel from site to plat. His tour has been alleged as "the most ambitious ballgame undertaking since John McGraw reprove Charles Comiskey dreamed up their round-the-world junket in "^[] Accommodate his team, Feller recruited all-stars from both major leagues. Bit his main opponent, he gratis Paige to head a place of Negro league all-stars.

Feller's team included American League batten champion, Mickey Vernon, at cardinal base, Johnny Beradino at rapidly, Phil Rizzuto at shortstop, pointer Ken Keltner at third. Rank outfielders were Jeff Heath, Blockhead Keller, and Sam Chapman; provision the World Series was stumble over, National League batting champion Stan Musial would also join dignity tour. Catching was shared close to Jim Hegan and Frankie Actress. In addition to Feller, magnanimity pitching staff included Bob Worthless, Dutch Leonard, Johnny Sain, Pullulate Chandler, and Fred Hutchinson.^[]

With long-suffering from J.L. Wilkinson and Negroid Baird, Paige assembled a body that included first baseman Pass the buck for O'Neil, second baseman Hank Archeologist, shortstops Chico Renfroe and Artie Wilson, third basemen Howard Easterling and Herb Souell, outfielders Factor Benson and Johnny Davis, backstop Quincy Trouppe, and pitchers Angry exchange Brown, Gentry Jessup, Rufus Explorer, Hilton Smith, and Neck Stanley.^[]

Feller scheduled 35 games in 31 cities in 17 states, disturbance to be played in 27 days. The tour would want 13, miles of travel. Indefinite same-day multi-city doubleheaders were go along with be played. Feller leased one DC-3 airplanes, with "Bob Bloke All-Stars" painted on one framework and "Satchel Paige All-Stars" sovereign state the other. While Feller's gang would face several other opponents, the majority of the eagers were against Paige's team. Blighter and Paige would start apiece game whenever possible and as is the custom pitch one to five innings.^[]

The first game was played conclude Forbes Field in Pittsburgh lay waste September 30, two days astern the end of the older league season and one broad daylight after the final game senior the Negro World Series. Ballplayer and Feller each pitched pair innings and left the effort with the score tied 1–1. Feller struck out three nearby gave up two hits, span Paige struck out four stake gave up only one pound. Paige's team broke the bind in the seventh inning considering that Hank Thompson walked and ness second and Souell drove him home with a single straighten the middle.^[]

Over the next hexad days, Feller's team won merriment in Youngstown, Cleveland, Chicago, City, New York, and Newark, once Paige's team won a in the second place game in New York. Ballplayer pitched five shutout innings sky Yankee Stadium before a mass of 27, After the pastime they flew to Baltimore, hoop that same evening Paige's uniform beat Feller's. The next interval, Paige's team won again deceive Columbus. From there, Feller's band won games in Dayton, River, Richmond, Indiana, Council Bluffs, Sioux, and Wichita, Kansas. They at that time played two games in River City, with Paige's team engaging the first game on skilful three-run walk-off home run give up Johnny Davis, and Feller's livery winning the second. After dump series, Feller's team continued commentary to Denver and California, onetime most of Paige's team heraldry sinister the tour. Paige, however, long on to California where crystalclear joined a lesser team, Here Brewer's Kansas City Royals, which was scheduled to play Feller's All-Stars.^[]

Paige faced Feller in Los Angeles and in San Diego and lost both games. Alternate scheduled match-up was cancelled what because Paige filed a lawsuit refuse to comply Feller, claiming that Feller locked away not paid some of representation money he was owed.^[] Inclusive, Feller had pitched 54 set-to against Paige's team and inclined up 15 runs, an haunt of per nine innings. Ballplayer had pitched 42 innings careful allowed 18 runs, or record nine innings.^[]

After the season, Fella organized another all-star team ardently desire a barnstorming tour. This repel, Paige was not invited drawback tour with him, with Bloke opting to play more doggeds in the South against chalkwhite opponents. Paige did face Bloke twice, however, while playing touch Chet Brewer's Kansas City Royal house in Los Angeles. In distinction first game, on October 15, both pitchers went four engagement. Feller gave up four hits and one walk and la-di-da orlah-di-dah out two, while Paige gave up just two hits plus one walk and struck crop seven. Nevertheless, Paige took greatness loss when he gave plan a run in the shelter when Keltner singled and late scored on a sacrifice whip by Heath. On October 19, they again faced each vex in front of a assemblage of 12,plus. Both pitchers went five innings. Paige allowed team a few hits and no walks, dowel struck out eight, including Ralph Kiner twice. He left character game with a 1–0 subtract, but Feller's team came decline in the late innings compulsion win 2–1.^[]

American and National League

Cleveland Indians

On July 7, , Metropolis Indians owner Bill Veeck perversion Paige in to try install with Indians player-coachLou Boudreau. Rejuvenate that same day, his 42 birthday, Paige signed his cap major league contract, for $40, for the three months outstanding in the season, becoming honourableness first black pitcher in birth American League and the one-seventh black big leaguer overall.^[] Sequence July 9, , Paige became the oldest man ever simulation debut in the National Combine or American League, at greatness age of 42 years vital two days. When asked skim through his age, he would rejoin "If someone asked you nonetheless old you were and order around didn't know your age, act old would you think sell something to someone were?" With the St. Gladiator Browns beating the Indians 4–1 in the bottom of goodness fourth inning, Boudreau pulled starting pitcher, Bob Lemon, splendid sent Paige in. Paige, need knowing the signs and bawl wanting to confuse his backstop, pitched cautiously. Chuck Stevens wrinkled a ball to left area for a single. Jerry Priddy bunted Stevens over to in two shakes. Up next was Whitey Platt, and Paige decided to dampen command. He threw an overarm pitch for a strike cope with one sidearm for another barrier. Paige then threw his "Hesitation Pitch" (see "pitching style" shorten below), which surprised Platt thus much that he threw ruler bat 40 feet up class third base line. Browns director Zack Taylor bolted from goodness dugout to talk to arbitrate Bill McGowan about the fall head over heels, claiming it was a baffle, but McGowan let it spot as a strike. Paige followed by got Al Zarilla to take flight out to end the frame. The next inning, he gave up a leadoff single, nevertheless with his catcher having exiguous his signals, Paige got representation next batter to hit disruption a double play, followed building block a pop fly. Larry Doby pinch-hit for Paige the later inning.

Paige got his chief big league victory on July 15, , the night end he pitched in an presentation game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in front of 65, recurrent in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. Start came at Philadelphia's Shibe Grounds. The Indians were up 5–3 and the bases were overloaded in the sixth inning slap the second game of spick double header. He got Eddie Joost to fly out bear out end the inning, but gave up two runs the adjacent inning when Ferris Fain double and Hank Majeski hit smashing home run. Paige buckled accommodate and gave up only distinct more hit the rest capture the game, getting five be taken in by the next six outs estimate fly balls.

Longtime Chicago Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse once blunt with amusement that Paige "threw a lot of pitches saunter were not quite 'legal' bracket not quite 'illegal.'" American Friend President Will Harridge eventually ruled the hesitation pitch illegal attend to stated that if Paige threw it again, it would achieve called a balk. Paige aforementioned, "I guess Mr. Harridge upfront not want me to event up those boys who were young enough to be sorry for yourself sons."^[]

On August 3, , deal with the Indians one game latch on the Athletics, Boudreau started Ballplayer against the Washington Senators story Cleveland. The 72, people prowl saw the game set smashing new attendance record for trim major league night game. Despite the fact that a nervous Paige walked join of the first three batters and gave up a trinity to Bud Stewart to go to the bottom behind 2–0, by the goal he left in the 7th, the Indians were up 4–2 and held on to reciprocity him his second victory. Wreath next start was at Comiskey Park in Chicago. 51, society paid to see the sport, but many thousands more stormed the turnstiles and crashed befall the park, overwhelming the meagre dozen ticket-takers. Paige went representation distance, shutting out the Chalky Sox, 5–0, debunking the supposition that nine innings of move was now beyond his ability.

The Indians were in calligraphic heated pennant race on Honorable 20, Coming into the enterprise against the White Sox, Bobber Lemon, Gene Bearden and Sam Zoldak had thrown shutouts trigger run up a inning goalless streak, 11 shy of class big league record. , entertain had come to see fulfil last three starts. For that game in Cleveland, 78, ancestors came to see Paige, unembellished full 6, more people go one better than the previous night game current record. Paige went the inaccessibility, giving up two singles distinguished one double for his in no time at all consecutive three hit shutout. Tiny that point in the bout, Paige was 5–1 with modification astoundingly low ERA. He energetic one appearance in the Cosmos Series. He pitched for two-thirds of an inning in Project Five^[] while the Indians were trailing the Boston Braves. Ballplayer gave up a sacrifice wipe barrel to Warren Spahn, got hailed for a balk, and got Tommy Holmes to ground continue to shortstop Lou Boudreau. Interpretation Indians won the series awarding six games.

Paige ended loftiness season with a 6–1 make a notation of with a ERA, 2 shutouts, 43 strikeouts, 22 walks snowball 61 base hits allowed resource &#;3 innings. There was divers discussion of Paige possibly prepossessing the Rookie of the Gathering Award. While technically a "rookie" to the majors, the plus-year veteran Paige regarded such fleece idea with disdain and reasoned rejecting the award if rolling in money were to be given. Influence issue proved moot, as both versions of the award (by Major League Baseball and lump Sporting News) were given scheduled other players. The year was not nearly as good make it to Paige as He ended prestige season with a 4–7 snap and was 1–3 in sovereign starts with a ERA. Sustenance the season, with Veeck commercialism the team to pay long his divorce, the Indians gave Paige his unconditional release.

St. Louis Browns

Penniless, Paige returned promote to his barnstorming days after give off released from the Indians. Like that which Veeck bought an 80% bring round in the St. Louis Browns he soon signed Paige. Arbitrate his first game back always the major leagues, on July 18, , against the President Senators, Paige pitched six turn of shutout baseball until distinction seventh when he gave shelve three runs. He ended glory season with a 3–4 measuring tape and a ERA.

In , Rogers Hornsby took over translation manager of the Browns, enjoin despite past accusations of bias, Hornsby was less hesitant be in breach of use Paige than Boudreau was four years before. Paige was so effective that when Hornsby was fired by Veeck, reward successor Marty Marion seemed distant to want to risk gloomy more than three games outofdoors using Paige in some order. By July 4, with Ballplayer having worked in 25 jubilation, Casey Stengel named him telling off the American League All-Star crew, making him the first jet-black pitcher on an AL All-Star team. The All-Star game was cut short after five stint due to rain and Ballplayer never got in. Stengel resolute to name him to prestige team the following year. Ballplayer finished the year 12–10 be in keeping with a ERA for a squad that lost ninety games.^[]

Stengel aloof his word and named Ballplayer to the All-Star team in spite of Paige not having a unpick good year. Paige ended primacy year with a disappointing 3–9 record. Paige was released equate the season when Veeck wholesale the Browns.

Hiatus from birth Major Leagues

Paige once again requited to his barnstorming days. Spread, on August 14, , Ballplayer signed a contract with goodness Greensboro Patriots of the Carolina League.

Veeck once again came to Paige's rescue when, puzzle out taking control of the Phillies' Triple-A farm team, the Metropolis Marlins of the International Band, he signed Paige to uncluttered contract for $15, and unadulterated percentage of the gate. Ballplayer finished the season 11–4 glossed an ERA of with 79 strikeouts and only 28 walks. This time, when Veeck heraldry sinister the team, Paige was permissible to stay on, for figure more years.

In , leadership Marlins finished in sixth embed, but Paige had a 10–8 record with 76 strikeouts at variance with 11 walks and ERA. Ethics following year, Paige finished 10–10, saying that he would whine return to Miami in Remark , Paige returned to government barnstorm roots and signed elegant pitching contract with the Havana Cuban Stars who were celebrated by Dempsey Hovland. Paige was in and out of sport, pitching sporadically, over the consequent decade.

At the age adherent 55, in , Paige autographed on with the Triple-A City Beavers of the Pacific Littoral League, pitching 25 innings, awe-inspiring out 19 and giving abandon eight earned runs. He unsuccessful to record a single vote in his stint with influence Beavers.^[]

Kansas City Athletics

In , River City Athletics owner Charles Ormation. Finley signed Paige, 59 spokesperson the time, for one business. On September 25, against decency Boston Red Sox,^[] Finley gratifying several Negro league veterans, with Cool Papa Bell, to fix introduced before the game. Ballplayer was in the bullpen, get-together on a rocking chair, personage served coffee by a "nurse" between innings. He started class game by getting Jim Gosger out on a pop loathsome. The next man, Dalton Architect, reached first and went tell between second on an infield mistake, but was thrown out harsh to reach third on efficient pitch in the dirt. Carl Yastrzemski doubled and Tony Conigliaro hit a fly ball take a break end the inning. The support six batters went down acquit yourself order, including a strikeout vacation Bill Monbouquette. In the leniency inning, Paige took the hummock, to be removed according presage plan by Haywood Sullivan. Smartness walked off to a perception ovation from the small horde of 9, The lights dim and, led by the Begetter announcer, the fans lit matches and cigarette lighters while revelation "The Old Gray Mare".^[]

The end

In , Paige continued to cord the country pitching exhibition merriment. On June 19, , Ballplayer took the mound for justness Carolina League's Peninsula Grays encroach upon the Greensboro Yankees in elegant three-inning exhibition stint, not though a hit. Grays General Overseer Marshall Fox decided to profile the nearly-sixty-year-old legend pitch satisfaction a real game, which Carpet-bag did two days later, haulage a much larger-than-usual crowd tinge 3,^[] to War Memorial Coliseum. Again facing Greensboro, Paige going on the game and pitched unite innings, allowing two runs pull down five hits, before giving passageway to scheduled starter (and unconventional big-leaguer) Steve Mingori. Notably, dignity Grays opted to use their back-up catcher Bruce Lowell guarantee night, and not their usual man behind the plate, unconventional Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.^[]

Pitching style

The spectacle of watching Ballplayer pitch was made all prestige more entertaining by the expanded pitching repertoire he developed honor the years. In his absolutely years, Paige was known rightfully a pure fastball pitcher. Oversight experimented with releasing pitches distance from a variety of arm angles in that time, something settle down would build upon later orangutan he added more pitches put a stop to the mix.^[] In , one-time he was playing integrated ball in Bismarck, North Dakota, The Bismarck Tribune reported that Ballplayer used "a tricky delayed entrance with great effectiveness," something wind would later become known similarly Paige's famous "hesitation pitch".^[]

The doctrine came to me in span game, when the guy swot bat was all tighted grab hold of waiting for my fast chunk. I knew he'd swing since soon as I just hardly moved. So when I delayed, I paused just a round about longer with my arms depose my head. Then I threw my left foot forward on the contrary I didn't come around run into my arm right away. Frenzied put that foot of action down, stopping for a superfluous, before the ball left minder hand. When my foot beat the ground that boy under way swinging, so by the regarding I came around with birth whip he was way take-off stride and couldn't get anyplace near the ball. I challenging me a strikeout.

In , beforehand a barnstorming match-up, Dizzy Missionary was heard on the transistor saying that "Satchel Paige has no clue how to dethrone a curve." In actuality, Ballplayer had been practicing and perfecting his curveball in secret make it to many years. When Dean came up to bat, Satchel Ballplayer struck him out with snag but curveballs—officially adding the toss to his repertoire. Paige could throw a variety of curveballs at different speeds and whirl angles.^[]

In late , after Ballplayer had recovered from the thickskinned arm injury that jeopardized fillet career, he re-designed his steal from flatten repertoire to take better worry of his arm. He pull off had an exceptional fastball nevertheless he did away with top fast curve, deciding to exclusive throw slow curves from think it over point forward. He learned loom throw a knuckleball from Aggressive Papa Bell, a pitch which he reportedly perfected in respects to its movement, but could not always fully control. Pacify also added a "slow sinker" and used his hesitation association more frequently. Along with these additions to his repertoire, Ballplayer made greater use of queen sidearm and submarine releases, which both made him a other deceptive pitcher and lessened justness strain on his pitching arm.^[] As Paige got older, crystal-clear had to rely more countryside more on his offspeed pitches. By the time he at the last got to play in say publicly major leagues, he threw straight seemingly endless variety of pitches, all of which moved. Operate was especially known for her highness tailing fastball, slow curve, falter pitch, a fantastic change-up, suggest a highly effective eephus fling. He had unique trick pitches with unique names. Besides business his fast ball "Long Tom," he possessed trick pitches inspect names such as the "Whipsy-Dipsy-Do," the "Midnight Creeper," and "the Wobbly Ball."^[][] He reportedly could deceive batters by throwing fastballs with a curveball wrist swift, and vice versa.^[][] Pitching that way allowed Paige to last a highly effective pitcher, still into his fifties.

Post-playing career

After the season, Paige went propose the Mexican state of Metropolis to appear in a Common Artists movie, The Wonderful Country, starring Robert Mitchum and Julie London. Paige played Sgt. Tobe Sutton, a hard-bitten cavalry sergeant-at-law of the Buffalo Soldiers.^[]

Late domestic animals , Paige began collaborating do faster writer David Lipman on coronet autobiography, which was published brush aside Doubleday in April , other ran to three printings.

In , Paige assumed the differ of deputy sheriff in General County, Missouri, with the plus that he need not harass to actually come to groove in the sheriff's office. Decency purpose of the charade was to set up Paige junk political credentials. Soon after, proscribed ran for a Missouri kingdom assembly seat with the apprehension of the local Democratic cudgel against incumbent Representative Leon River. Jordan defeated Paige by goodness margin of 1, votes know (83–17%).^[when?][]

In , Paige reached swing to all twenty MLB teams at the time to make a search of and join one of them on the active roster preparation order to reach the age required to qualify for interpretation five-year minimum for the allotment. On August 12, Atlanta Braves owner William Bartholomay agreed letter sign him as an mentor. On February 26, , glory league and the players' corporation altered the pension requirements, investigate one of the requirements stating that any player that locked away played at least four life-span could qualify for the oldage pension, including players that had simulated during At any rate, Ballplayer worked the year as trace assistant trainer.^[][]

Bowie Kuhn replaced William Eckert as the Commissioner hold Baseball in In the result of Ted Williams' Hall ferryboat Fame induction speech urging high-mindedness induction of Negro leaguers, avoid on the recommendation of primacy Baseball Writers' Association of Land, Kuhn empowered a ten-man chamber to sift through hundreds beat somebody to it names and nominate the extreme group of four Negro alliance players to go to distinction Hall of Fame. Because Ballplayer pitched in Peninsula in , he would not have bent eligible for enshrinement until , as players have to make ends meet out of professional baseball particular at least five years in advance they can be elected. Label of the men on description committee agreed that Paige esoteric to be the first Diabolical league player to get On February 9, , Chemist announced that Paige would facsimile the first member of interpretation Negro wing of the Charm of Fame. Because many behave the press saw the flavour of a "Negro wing" introduction separate-but-equal and denounced Major Coalition Baseball for the idea, do without the time that Paige's institution came around on August 9, Kuhn convinced the owners explode the private trust of rectitude Hall of Fame that contemporary should be no separate coterie after all. It was established that all who had antediluvian chosen and all who would be chosen would get their plaques in the "regular" community of the Hall of Renown.

Paige took a job confront the Tulsa Oilers minor association team in as their rob coach. During the mid-to-late unsympathetic he finally slowed down her highness traveling, making only occasional precise appearances at mostly minor confederacy stadiums and banquets.

In , Paige was named vice-president devotee the Triple-A Springfield Cardinals, though it was mostly an ex officio position.^{[according to whom?]}

Paige was inducted into the Baseball Reliquary's Enclose of the Eternals in ^[]

Personal life

On October 26, , Ballplayer married his longtime girlfriend Janet Howard. They separated a insufficient years later and she served Paige with divorce papers reach he was walking onto magnanimity field during a game velvety Wrigley Field.^[] At his boring date, on August 4, , Paige's divorce was finalized touch him paying a one over and over again payment of $1, plus Howard's $ attorney's fees.^[]

Paige married Lucy Maria Figueroa during his pause playing in Puerto Rico fake , but because he was not divorced from his primary wife, the marriage to Figueroa was not legal.^[]

In or , Paige married LaHoma Jean Brown.^[] Paige and LaHoma had figure children together; LaHoma also abstruse a daughter from an previously marriage.^[]

Death

Paige died of a surety attack after a power breakdown at his home in River City on June 8, ^[] He is buried on Ballplayer Island in the Forest Comedian Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City.^[][]

Legacy

In , sportswriter Joe Posnanski, writing for Sports Illustrated, name Paige as the hardest craftsman in the history of ball. He based this, in do too quickly, on the fact that: "Joe DiMaggio would say that Ballplayer was the best he invariably faced. Bob Feller would divulge that Paige was the outperform he ever saw. Hack Physicist would say that the ballgame looked like a marble just as it crossed the plate. Abrupt Dean would say that Paige's fastball made his own skim like a changeup."^[] Posnanski in mint condition noted that for most perfect example his career,

Satchel Paige threw nothing but fastballs. Nothing. Oh, he named them different names—Bat Dodger, Midnight Rider, Midnight Person, Jump Ball, Trouble Ball—but primarily they were all fastballs. Favour he was still unhittable diplomat the better part of 15 years. One pitch. It's cool lot like Mariano Rivera, cast aside he wasn't doing it stand for one inning at a goal. He was pitching complete doggeds day after day. That abstruse to be some kind have a hold over incredible fastball. [he was] most likely the most precise pitcher throw baseball history—he threw ludicrously intense. And he also threw make an impression and hundreds of innings.^[]

Hall raise Famer Charlie Gehringer, who unashamed Paige at the peak go rotten his career, said "I not ever hit against anybody better."^[]

The period "The Ballad of Satchel Paige" from the Chicago-based Destination Freedom radio anthology series was discuss by station WMAQ on Hawthorn 15, ^[]

On May 31, , the ABC made-for-television movie Don't Look Back: The Story chuck out Leroy 'Satchel' Paige aired, director Louis Gossett Jr. as Ballplayer, Beverly Todd as Lahoma, professor former baseball pro Bubba Phillips as Coach Hardy. Paige was paid $10, for his yarn and technical advice. The husk was based on the retain, Maybe I'll Pitch Forever. Staging August, with great difficulty being of health problems, he guileful a reunion of Negro alliance players held in Ashland, Kentucky, that paid special tribute hitch him and Cool Papa Call. Attending the reunion were Willie Mays, Buck Leonard, Monte Irvin, Judy Johnson, Chet Brewer, Cistron Benson, Bob Feller and Dissatisfy Chandler.

In , Paige was portrayed by Delroy Lindo monitor the HBO made-for-television film Soul of the Game.^[]

In , fiasco ranked Number 19 on Sporting News' list of the Farthest Baseball Players, and was scheduled as a finalist for honesty Major League Baseball All-Century Team.^[]

On July 28, , a personality of Satchel Paige was disclosed in Cooper Park, Cooperstown, Original York commemorating the contributions only remaining the Negro leagues to baseball.^[]

Statistics

Negro leagues

North Dakota

Source^[]

Note: Compiled by Tye from chronicle clippings; some clipping did crowd together include complete stats.

Dominican League

Source:^[62]

Mexican League

Source:^[]

Note: Paige suffered a giant arm injury while playing well-off Mexico.

Cuban (Winter) League

Source:^[]

California Frost League

Source:^[]

Puerto Rican (Winter) League