WKSU News: Minority baseball in Cleveland originated in a segregated league

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Minority baseball in Cleveland originated in a segregated league The Negro Leagues later gave the Cleveland Indians stars like Satchel Paige and Larry Doby by WKSU's VIVIAN GOODMAN	Reporter Vivian Goodman

The Cleveland Indians trotted onto Progressive Field on a warm night this month wearing the vintage cotton uniforms of the Cleveland Buckeyes, the Negro League team that gave the city a World Series title before fading into obscurity, along with baseball's color line.

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1947 Cleveland Buckeyes
Standing L to R: Archie Ware, Johnnie Cowans, Al Smith, Jesse Williams, Joe Atkins, Willie Grace, Ckyde Nelson, Leon Kellman, and Sam Jethroe.
Kneeling are Clyde Williams and Quincy Trouppe

Larry Doby in Newark Eagles uniform, undated.

Cleveland Buckeyes Bus
1947 From L to R: Johnnie Cowan, Jesse Williams, Clyde Williams, and Doc Bracken. Sam Jones is peering out the door.

The Cleveland Indians wore Cleveland Buckeyes uniforms in an August 1st home game.

The Cleveland Baseball and Broadcast Heritage Museum is located inside downtown Cleveland's Colonial Arcade. It's only open during weekday lunch hours.

Cleveland's Negro League Teams

Cleveland Tate Stars, 1922 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Browns, 1924 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Elites, 1926 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Hornets, 1927 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Tigers, 1928 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Cubs, 1931 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Cubs, 1932 (Negro Southern League)
Cleveland Stars, 1932 (East-West League)
Cleveland Giants, 1933 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Red Sox, 1934 (Negro National League)
Cleveland Bears, 1939-40 (Negro American League)
Cincinnati-Cleveland Buckeyes, 1942 (Negro American League)
Cleveland Buckeyes, 1943-48 (Negro American League)
Cleveland Buckeyes, 1950 (Negro American League)