Willie Mays of the 1948
Birmingham Black Barons
I was asked to research whether Willie Mays
ever played here in Cleveland against the Cleveland
Buckeyes. I found out that he did.
Willie played for the 1948 Birmingham Black
Barons. The Black Barons and the Buckeyes were both
in the Negro American League. Willie had previously
played for a Negro minor league team, the Chattanooga
Choo-Choos.
On July 11, 1948, the Black Barons played a
double-header at League Park here in Cleveland.
As you can see from the box score, Willie pinch hit
in the first game for Jim Zapp who had
gone 0 for 3. Willie bounced into a double play,
second baseman Bill Reynolds to first baseman,
Archie Ware.