Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

[ValKehl]

Hammerin' Henry, without a doubt!

[DerekMichael]

Josh Gibson. He could have been a record setter, but never got the chance. He was only 35 when I died if I remember correctly.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by DerekMichael

Josh Gibson. He could have been a record setter, but never got the chance. He was only 35 when I died if I remember correctly.

When did you die?

[Koufax32fan]

My initial thought upon reading the question - Hank Aaron, for many of the reasons already mentioned.

Upon some reflection (if 20 to 30 seconds counts), my vote(s) would go to Rube Foster and Effa Manley and Rachel Robinson. The question wasn't limited to men and we shouldn't forget the contributions of these 2 great women.

Jimmy Claxton, to many accomplishments to list but I'll start with among the first African Americans to integrate the PCL, and semi-professional leagues in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Reno. Among the first African American managers of a white semi-pro baseball team, the Roslyn Yippers 1926-27 (I believe Ike Ward's management of the Colville baseball team from 1913 to 1915 was the first in Washington, perhaps nationally). The first to be depicted on an American baseball card, well this list could just get exhaustive.....

[orator1]

Hank Aaron, for the reasons already mentioned.

[ATP]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Jimmy Claxton, to many accomplishments to list but I'll start with among the first African Americans to integrate the PCL, and semi-professional leagues in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Reno. Among the first African American managers of a white semi-pro baseball team, the Roslyn Yippers 1926-27 (I believe Ike Ward's management of the Colville baseball team from 1913 to 1915 was the first in Washington, perhaps nationally). The first to be depicted on an American baseball card, well this list could just get exhaustive.....

The issue with Claxton, and don't get me wrong, I live in Seattle and respect all PCL history...he just did not "impact" baseball. Most believed he may or may not have been African American.

Originally Posted by ATP

The issue with Claxton, and don't get me wrong, I live in Seattle and respect all PCL history...he just did not "impact" baseball. Most believed he may or may not have been African American.

Respect your opinion Jeff, but Claxton's father, William Edward Claxton (1862-1943), was one of the original 50 African American strikebreakers in Roslyn, Washington August 1888. Jimmy played for forty years (1906-46) in semi-professional baseball, segregated and integrated teams up-and-down the west coast. Though of mixed ancestry he was most certainly first-most African American, and opened the doors for others such as his nephew, Jack Tanner, the first African American superior court judge in Washington state history. A teammate of Claxton's on the 1946 Tacoma Casino Giants.

[Bored5000]

Hank Aaron was the name I immediately thought of when I read the topic.

[The Nasty Nati]

Doc Ellis

[ATP]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Respect your opinion Jeff, but Claxton's father, William Edward Claxton (1862-1943), was one of the original 50 African American strikebreakers in Roslyn, Washington August 1888. Jimmy played for forty years (1906-46) in semi-professional baseball, segregated and integrated teams up-and-down the west coast. Though of mixed ancestry he was most certainly first-most African American, and opened the doors for others such as his nephew, Jack Tanner, the first African American superior court judge in Washington state history. A teammate of Claxton's on the 1946 Tacoma Casino Giants.

I agree with all of this. The issue is that not many other people do, except those who may live in the NW or follow PCL history closely. I do not mean to undermine what Claxton accomplished, I just don't feel what he did really impacted mainstream baseball on a nationwide level, as great as he was.
Best,
Jeff

Originally Posted by ATP

I agree with all of this. The issue is that not many other people do, except those who may live in the NW or follow PCL history closely. I do not mean to undermine what Claxton accomplished, I just don't feel what he did really impacted mainstream baseball on a nationwide level, as great as he was.
Best,
Jeff

Very well said Jeff.

This will sound like hyperbole, but Claxton was great, perhaps the greatest semi-professional ballplayer to ever play the game. Not to diminish Robinson's achievement but Claxton integrated the Tacoma Industrial League and Seattle Inter-City League in 1924. He even threw a no-hitter June 23, 1924 in the TIL. At the time, nearly 25% of the white male population in the United States was a member of the KKK. By the time Robinson and Doby played professional baseball, one of the largest institutions in the US, the armed services, had fully integrated. Quite the disparity in social circumstances.

I don't think you can go wrong with a list like this and I agree about Aaron, and others but I'm a hopeless Claxton apologist. Forgive my weaknesses.