The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-30
Russ J. Cowans'
Snort Chatter


While the current era OF horse
racing does not have the large
bulk OF Negroes employed as in
the days before the turn of the
century. a period that produced
such outstanding jockeys as Isaac
Murphy. Monk Oyerton. and jim
my Wingield. still a large number
will feel the governmental ban
which stops horse racing, Jan. 3.
In those days Immediately fol-
lowing the Civil War, and mp
through the first 10 years Of the,
present century, no less than so
per cent Of the employees were
colored, including trainers, jockeys,
checkers, grooms and exercise boys.
Today, while there are plenty of
Er0Oms and exercise boys, and q
few trainers. there are less than 10
Negro Jockeys riding horses at the
various tracks throughout the
country. The majority Of the boys.
regardless Of ability. get no further
than exercise boys.
X X X
Gus Greenlee, owner OF the
Crawford Giants and one OF the
original organizers OF the Negro
National League, called a meeting
for Wednesday in Pittsburgh, for
the avowed purpose Of organizing
a third league.
Ben Linton, owner Of the Motor
City Giants, was one OF the men
invited 10 attend this meeting. Abe
Saperstein. affiliated with the Bir-
mingham Black Barons, was also
extended an invitation.
Both Greenlee and Linton have
made efforts 10 obtain a franchise
in both the Negro American and
Negro National leagues without
favorable results.
Hayes, owner Of the Birming-
ham Black Barons. tried 10 move
his team TO Detroit. and WEIGH.
manager Of the Barons. made no
less than six trips 10 Detroit for
the purpose Of arranging to trans
fer The team. using Briggs Stadium
rs the home grounds.
The last attempt Of Welch TO OBJ
tain . franchise for Detroit was
made at the joint meeting Of the
two leagues in New York this
month.
The Birmingham owners are dis
gruntled because the Barons. the
champions of the Negro American
league. and one Of the best attrac-
tons in Negro baseball. were not
given one Of the four games played
last summer at Briggs Stadium.
Chicago American Giants. Memphis
Red Sex, and Kansas City Mon
archs. were the Negro American
league teams TO play here. The
Homestead Grays, Cuban Stars and
Baltimore Elites were the Negro
National league teams.
There's feeling among some OF
the owners that Birmingham had
better right 10 play here than
either Memphis or Chicago. and
this belief Is supported by some OF
the fans who have studied the
records.
The Negro National league adopt
cd system where all teams would
enjoy the profits derived from the
games at Briggs Stadium. For
instance. when Baltimore and the
Cubans played here. each OF the
participants turned over part OF
their share 10 the other four clubs
in the league The Negro Ameri-
can league had no such agreement.
X X X
Jim Taylor. recently given his
release as manager OF the Home
stead Grays. has been al the helm
~ more clubs than any man in
baseball. just 10 name a few. I'll
mention ST. Louis Stars. Chicago
American Giants, Detroit Stars.
and Birmin CHAM.
During the years when ne was
an active player. Jim was recog-
nized as one OF the best third base
men OF his time. A good hitter
and a good fielder. Jim always had
a yen 10 pitch. and whenever the
opportunity presented itself. Jim
would take his turn on the mound.
OF course he was no great shakes
on the mound.