Paige, Satchel (1906-1982), was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He pitched for touring Black teams and teams in the Negro leagues for more than 20 years, at a time when Black players were not allowed to play in the white-controlled major leagues. Paige was past his prime when he joined the Cleveland Indians (now called the Cleveland Guardians) in 1948 and became the first Black pitcher in the American League. Nevertheless, he won 6 games and lost 1 that season and helped Cleveland win the pennant. Paige also pitched for Cleveland in 1949 and for the St. Louis Browns from 1951 to 1953. He made a final appearance in 1965, pitching in one game for the Kansas City (now Oakland) Athletics. Paige’s career major league record was 125 victories and 82 defeats.
Paige was born on July 7, 1906, in Mobile, Alabama. His full name was Leroy Robert Paige. Paige earned the nickname “Satchel” from carrying satchels at the Mobile railroad depot as a boy. He began playing baseball professionally in 1924, and often pitched against white major leaguers in exhibition games. In 1937, New York Yankee star Joe DiMaggio called him the greatest pitcher he ever faced. Paige also became famous for his homespun humor. In 1971, Paige was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He died on June 8, 1982.
