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Members of the Chicago American Giants pose for a team portrait in 1914 in Chicago. In the front row, from left, are Billy "Little Corporal" Francis (third base), Richard "Dick" Whitworth (pitcher), Joseph Preston "Pete" Hill (shortstop), Andrew "Rube" Foster (owner-manager), Bruce Petway (catcher), James "Pete" Booker (catcher) and an unidentified person. In the back row, from left, are Bill Gatewood (pitcher); Jesse Barber, also Barbour (first base); Leroy Grant (first base); John Henry "Pop" Lloyd (shortstop); and Robert "Jude" Gans (outfield).
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Members of the Chicago American Giants pose for a team portrait in 1914 in Chicago. In the front row, from left, are Billy “Little Corporal” Francis (third base), Richard “Dick” Whitworth (pitcher), Joseph Preston “Pete” Hill (shortstop), Andrew “Rube” Foster (owner-manager), Bruce Petway (catcher), James “Pete” Booker (catcher) and an unidentified person. In the back row, from left, are Bill Gatewood (pitcher); Jesse Barber, also Barbour (first base); Leroy Grant (first base); John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (shortstop); and Robert “Jude” Gans (outfield).

Chicago’s Negro League

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Members of the Chicago Union Giants, a Negro Leagues team, pose for a photograph around 1905 in Chicago.
Members of the Chicago Union Giants, a Negro Leagues team, pose for a photograph around 1905 in Chicago.
A player identified only as Johnson, of the Chicago Union Giants, stands at bat at a field in Chicago in 1905 while spectators watch from the bleachers.
A player identified only as Johnson, of the Chicago Union Giants, stands at bat at a field in Chicago in 1905 while spectators watch from the bleachers.
Chicago American Giants players pose on the field in Chicago in 1911.
Chicago American Giants players pose on the field in Chicago in 1911.
Andrew “Rube” Foster, second from right, was the founder of the Chicago American Giants and the father of the Negro Leagues. He also was inducted into the Hall of Fame. To his right is Ed Bolden, a Negro Leagues owner.
Willie Foster is shown in an undated photo when he played for the Negro Leagues. Foster, considered by some to be the best left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues, in 1926 led the Chicago American Giants to a pennant with 26 wins.
Willie Foster is shown in an undated photo when he played for the Negro Leagues. Foster, considered by some to be the best left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues, in 1926 led the Chicago American Giants to a pennant with 26 wins.
Members of the Chicago American Giants pose for a team portrait in 1914 in Chicago. In the front row, from left, are Billy “Little Corporal” Francis (third base), Richard “Dick” Whitworth (pitcher), Joseph Preston “Pete” Hill (shortstop), Andrew “Rube” Foster (owner-manager), Bruce Petway (catcher), James “Pete” Booker (catcher) and an unidentified person. In the back row, from left, are Bill Gatewood (pitcher); Jesse Barber, also Barbour (first base); Leroy Grant (first base); John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (shortstop); and Robert “Jude” Gans (outfield).
A team portrait of the Negro Leagues' Chicago Leland Giants baseball team, with manager and owner Frank Leland, seated center, in suit, in Chicago in 1907. Among those also pictured are Rube Foster, standing far right, and Pete Hill, standing far left.
A team portrait of the Negro Leagues’ Chicago Leland Giants baseball team, with manager and owner Frank Leland, seated center, in suit, in Chicago in 1907. Among those also pictured are Rube Foster, standing far right, and Pete Hill, standing far left.
George “Mule” Suttles, a first baseman and outfielder, was one of the most powerful home run hitters in the Negro Leagues, third all-time in home runs and RBIs. He played for the St. Louis Stars, Chicago American Giants, Birmingham Black Barons and the Newark Eagles, where he also managed in 1943.
The Chicago American Giants baseball team, with manager David Malarcher, middle row, fourth from left.
The Chicago American Giants baseball team, with manager David Malarcher, middle row, fourth from left.
Josh Gibson is out at home in the fourth inning of the 12th annual East-West All Star Negro baseball game at Comiskey Park. Gibson, playing for the East, was put out by Ted Radcliffe.
Josh Gibson is out at home in the fourth inning of the 12th annual East-West All Star Negro baseball game at Comiskey Park. Gibson, playing for the East, was put out by Ted Radcliffe.
David Malarcher in an undated photo when he was the manager of the Chicago American Giants.
David Malarcher in an undated photo when he was the manager of the Chicago American Giants.
The Chicago American Giants pose for a team photo circa 1941 while visiting Kansas City, Missouri.
The Chicago American Giants pose for a team photo circa 1941 while visiting Kansas City, Missouri.
Manager John “Buck” O’Neil of the Monarchs, who managed the West All Stars, greets Wesley Dennis, first baseman who hit a homer in the seventh inning, as he rounds third base on Aug. 22, 1954, at Comiskey Park during the Negro Leagues All Star game.
Bob Boyd is congratulated by coach Willie Wells and teammates after hitting a home run in the third inning at Comiskey Park, circa May 1949.
Bob Boyd is congratulated by coach Willie Wells and teammates after hitting a home run in the third inning at Comiskey Park, circa May 1949.
Isaiah Harris, West team pitcher, scores as the ball, thrown from right field, eludes James Portier, East's catcher, in the third inning of the Negro Leagues All-Star game at Comiskey Park on Aug. 22, 1954. West won, 8 to 4.
Isaiah Harris, West team pitcher, scores as the ball, thrown from right field, eludes James Portier, East’s catcher, in the third inning of the Negro Leagues All-Star game at Comiskey Park on Aug. 22, 1954. West won, 8 to 4.
Josh Gibson slides home safely during the 1944 East-West Negro Leagues All Star game at Comiskey Park in Chicago.
Josh Gibson slides home safely during the 1944 East-West Negro Leagues All Star game at Comiskey Park in Chicago.
A crowd cheers Brooklyn Dodgers Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Rex Barney on to victory on Sept. 19, 1949, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Robinson and Campanella at one time played in the Negro Leagues.
A crowd cheers Brooklyn Dodgers Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Rex Barney on to victory on Sept. 19, 1949, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Robinson and Campanella at one time played in the Negro Leagues.
White Sox catcher Sam Hairston in 1951. Hairston, who came from the Negro Leagues, played one year with the White Sox.
White Sox catcher Sam Hairston in 1951. Hairston, who came from the Negro Leagues, played one year with the White Sox.

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