Charleston, Oscar (1896-1954), ranks among the greatest baseball players in the history of the Negro leagues. The Negro leagues were professional baseball leagues for black players who were barred from white-controlled major league baseball from the late 1890’s until April 15, 1947, when Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Charleston hit for a consistently high batting average and was one of the leading home run hitters in the Negro leagues. He played center field during his peak years and switched to first base later in his career. He was known for his speed, both in the outfield and as a baserunner. Charleston was also a leading manager. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Negro league statistics are generally incomplete and often unreliable, but Charleston has been credited with having a lifetime batting average of well above .300. He probably hit more than .400 during several seasons and was often among the league leaders in home runs and stolen bases. Charleston was famous for his competitive spirit and fierce temper. He was known to fight with fans and umpires, as well as with other players.
Oscar McKinley Charleston was born on Oct. 12, 1896, in Indianapolis. He joined the United States Army as a teenager and began playing organized baseball while stationed in the Philippines. In 1915, after leaving the army, he began his professional career with the Indianapolis ABCs. Like numerous other black players at the time, Charleston played with many teams in the Negro leagues. Beginning in the early 1920’s, Charleston served as player-manager on several teams. During the early 1930’s, he was player-manager of the Pittsburgh Crawfords team that included other future Hall of Fame players Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Judy Johnson, Buck Leonard, and Satchel Paige.
Charleston ended his playing career in 1941, but continued managing until 1948. He then worked in the baggage department of the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Philadelphia. Charleston died on Oct. 5, 1954.
See also Negro leagues .
