On This Day In Alabama History: Satchel Paige Died

By Alabama NewsCenter Staff

June 8, 1982

Leroy “Satchel” Paige, who starred in the Negro Leagues and, late in his career, in major league baseball, died in Kansas City. A native of Mobile, there is uncertainty about his date of birth, but he was believed to be 76 at the time of his death. One of the greatest Negro League players, he first appeared in the majors in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black pitcher in the American League and the first to pitch in a World Series. He remained in the majors until 1953, then continued to barnstorm and also play for minor league teams. In 1965, he briefly returned to the majors, becoming at 59 the oldest player to pitch in the big leagues. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first Negro Leaguer in Cooperstown.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.

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