Bud Fowler

Bud Fowler
Fowler in 1885
Born
John W. Jackson

(1858-03-16)March 16, 1858
Fort Plain, New York
DiedFebruary 26, 1913(1913-02-26) (aged 54)
Frankfort, New York
NationalityAmerican
Years active1877–1895
Known forProfessional baseball player

John W. "Bud" Fowler (March 16, 1858 – February 26, 1913) was an African-American baseball player, manager, and club organizer. He is the earliest known African-American player in organized professional baseball; that is, the major leagues and minor leagues.

Early life

The son of a fugitive hop-picker and barber, Bud Fowler was christened John W. Jackson.

Professional baseball career

Early career

Fowler first played for an all-white professional team based out of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1872. He was 14 years old. He is documented as playing for another professional team on July 21, 1877. He was 19. On April 24, 1878, he pitched a game for the Picked Nine, who defeated the Boston Red Caps, champions of the National League in 1877. He pitched some more for the Chelsea team, then finished that season with the Worcester club.

References

  1. ↑ Riley, James A. (1994). "Fowler, John W. (Bud)". The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Carroll & Graf. pp. 294–95. ISBN 0-7867-0959-6.
  2. ↑ Rader, Benjamin G. (2008). Baseball : a history of America's game (3rd ed.). Urbana: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-03302-5.
  3. ↑ Queen, Frank, ed. (21 July 1877). "Our Boys vs. Franklin" (PDF). New York Clipper. Vol. 25, no. 17. New York City, NY. p. 131. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Queen, Frank, ed. (4 May 1878). "Boston vs. Picked Nine" (PDF). New York Clipper. Vol. 26, no. 6. New York City, NY. p. 45. Retrieved 5 December 2014.