Leroy “Satchel” Paige was bigger than mere numbers. Apocryphal stories surround Paige, who was born July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Ala. He began his professional career in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s after being discharged from reform school in Alabama.
What was Satchel Paige nickname for his change up?
Leroy “Satchel” Paige was the longtime Negro League star who eventually received his due in the majors. He reportedly got his nickname working as a baggage porter in Mobile, Ala., where he became a “satchel tree” by carrying several bags at once. “Satchel,” the man, was literally ageless.
How did Satchel Paige get his name?
Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige was born on July 7, 1906. He earned his nickname, Satchel, when he was a young boy carrying bags (and satchels) at railroad stations for passengers .
How did Satchel Paige get famous?
Satchel Paige, byname of Leroy Robert Paige, (born July 7, 1906?, Mobile, Alabama, U.S.—died June 8, 1982, Kansas City, Missouri), American professional baseball pitcher whose prowess became legendary during his many years in the Negro leagues ; he finally was allowed to enter the major leagues in 1948 after the ...
What is a fact about Satchel Paige?
On July 7 th , 1948, on Satchel Paige's 42 nd birthday, he debuted in the Major Leagues of baseball. He was the oldest player ever to debut in the league. Satchel Paige was the first pitcher from the Negro League to break into the American League . Satchel Paige pitched for the Cleveland Indians for one and a half seasons.
What age did Satchel Paige retire?
At age 42 in 1948, Paige made his major league debut for the Cleveland Indians; to this day, this makes him the oldest debutant in major league history. Additionally, Paige was 59 years old when he played his last major league game, which is also a record that stands to this day.
What made Satchel Paige a great player?
The great Satchel Paige certainly fits that description, but his golden right arm and outsized personality helped him break past the Negro Leagues' boundaries and into the national consciousness — perhaps more than any other African-American ballplayer before Jackie Robinson.
How did Satchel Paige change the world?
Paige's pitching helped the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Braves to win the 1948 World Series. He was the first African American athlete to play in a World Series.
Who did Satchel Paige marry?
Paige married twice. His first wife, Janet Howard, who he wed in 1934, divorced him in 1943. He married his second wife, Lahoma Brown , in 1947. The couple had seven children.
What was Satchel Paige number?
#25 (Satchel Paige) on back.
Who was the best Negro League player?
Tall right-hander Satchel Paige is probably the most famous Negro Leagues player of all time, and with good reason: According to Seamheads, he was their all-time leader in pitching WAR with 39.3 in his career — or an average of 7.1 over a 162-game season.
How fast did Satchel Paige throw a baseball?
He was starting the game against the Senators (he lost) so it seems unlikely that he threw every bit as hard as he could for some quirky speed test. Even so, his fastball sailed through the army's speed measuring device and was clocked at 98.6 mph . That's pretty good, right?
What did Satchel Paige weigh?
Satchel Paige was 6 ft 3 inches, 180 lb (190 cm, 81 kg).
How many siblings did Satchel Paige have?
KANSAS CITY — At the table with Robert Paige were his siblings. His sisters Lula, Rita, Caroline and Pam were there. His little brother Warren was at the table as well, and throw in his nephew Michael, and Robert Paige had his father Satchel's present and future at his side.
How many no hitters did Satchel Paige have?
Much of the infectious allure of Leroy “Satchel” Paige lies in the mystery: Was it real or was it a myth? Some of that mystery is based in the numbers. Paige himself claimed to have pitched around 2,500 games in his life, with at least 50 no-hitters , and estimated that around 10 million people saw him play.
