Satchel Paige was considered one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the Negro leagues. He could draw a crowd and pitch a no hitter. He was entertaining, talented, and always on the move to the team that offered the most money. Despite his unreliability, he was a highly desirable player and teams were willing to take the chance of his departure just to have him on the team.
Satchel Paige’s Wayward Childhood
The exact date of birth of Leroy “Satchel” Paige is not certain, but it is estimated that he was born on July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Alabama. He was not given the nickname Satchel until he was 7 years old. According to a childhood story, Paige began working at a railroad station carrying bags for patrons. In order for him to carry more bags at once, he created a sling from a pole and rope. Other carriers believed that he looked like a Satchel tree, so they called him Satchel.As a child, Paige often skipped school with friends. Local police soon knew him as a troublemaker. In 1918, however, the course of his life changed. He was arrested for stealing and was sent to a reform school for black boys in Mt. Meigs, Alabama. It was during his five-years there that he developed his baseball skills and learned to pitch.
Paige Embarks upon a Baseball Career
After being released in 1923, he returned to Mobile. One year later, he began pitching for the Mobile Tigers, a black semipro club, where he earned one dollar per game. For the next few years he played for various teams. By 1926, while playing for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts in the Negro Southern League, his income had risen to $50 per month.From 1928 to 1930, he played for the Black Barons, which gave him the opportunity to improve his pitching skills. In 1931, he began playing for the Nashville Elite Giants. Shortly thereafter, the team moved to Cleveland. They adopted the name the Cleveland Clubs. They quickly disbanded, and Paige began playing for the Pittsburgh Crawfords.
Paige Becomes a Popular Baseball Player
By 1934, Paige had become known as one of the best pitchers and was the highest paid player in the Negro leagues. He used his popularity to his advantage by often entertaining and accepting offers that promised more money. Naturally, he did not hesitate when he left the Crawfords to play for a semipro white club in Bismarck, North Dakota for $250 for the remaining season. He came back in 1936, only to leave the Crawfords again. This time he played in the Dominican Republic.He returned in 1938, but a dispute over money ensued and he was traded to the Newark Eagles. His time with the Eagles was short. As he had done to the Crawfords, he broke the contract, and pitched the summer season in the Mexican league. While there, his right arm gave out. He was told by a doctor that he would never pitch again.
He returned to the states, and received a job as a pitcher and first baseman with the Kansas City Monarchs’ second team. His arm eventually healed, and he continued to play for the Monarchs. From 1939 to 1942, with Paige as pitcher, the Monarchs won the Negro American League pennant each year.
Paige Plays in the Major Leagues
One year after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, Paige had the opportunity to play in the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians. On July 9, 1948, Paige became the first African American to pitch in the American League. By this time, he was over 40 years old and his right arm was not as it used to be. Thus, his time with the Indians was short, lasting only until 1950. He did not give up baseball, but instead returned to barnstorming. From 1951 to 1953, he was given a second chance in the majors with the St. Louis Browns.After playing in the major leagues, he returned to barnstorming. He also played for Miami in the International League for a few years. By 1968, his pitching days were over. He took a job as a pitching coach with the Atlanta Braves. In 1971, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Paige died in Kansas City, Missouri on June 8, 1982.
