Bud Fowler

American Hall of Fame 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.

Bud Fowler
Fowler in 1885
Born
John W. Jackson

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

Early life

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The son of a fugitive hop-picker and barber, Bud Fowler was christened John W. Jackson.[1]

Professional baseball career

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Early career

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Fowler first played for an all-white professional team based out of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1872. He was 14 years old.[2] He is documented as playing for another professional team on July 21, 1877. He was 19.[3] 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.[4] He pitched some more for the Chelsea team, then finished that season with the Worcester club.

References

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  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.