40. Memphis Red Sox Best Players of All Time

John Means

The Memphis Red Sox were an iconic American Negro league baseball team that was active from 1920 to 1959. Founded by Arthur P. Martin, a local Memphis barber, the team was known for its passionate and highly skilled players who sought to demonstrate their baseball talent despite the racial barriers and segregation of the time.

During their time as a team, the Memphis Red Sox achieved great success, winning multiple championship games and becoming one of the most successful Negro league teams in history. The team had a profound impact on the city of Memphis, leaving a lasting legacy of baseball excellence and inspiring generations of African American athletes.

Table of Contents

1. Speed Whatley

Speed Whatley

Speed Whatley was a standout outfielder for the Oakland A's during the early 1950s. He led the league in stolen bases four times, and finished with over 1,000 hits and 100 triples in his career.

Speed Whatley died from a heart attack at the age of 46 years old in 1961. He is buried in California's Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Speed was a speedy runner and batter who played in Negro league baseball from 1937 to 1944.

He helped lead the Birmingham Black Barons to two championships, as well as playing for the Memphis Red Sox and Homestead Grays. 

Speedley's most famous moment came when he led off the bottom of the ninth inning against New York with a triple, helping the Black Yankees win their first ever championship game.

After World War II, Speedley continued to play minor league ball until his retirement in 1951 at age 36.

Also Played For: birmingham black barons, new york black yankees

2. Neil Robinson

Neil Robinson Career

  • Batting average: .303
  • Home runs: 29
  • 9× All-Star (1938–1941, 1943–1945, 1948)

Neil Robinson was a center fielder who played in Negro league baseball from 1930 to 1983. Robinson was one of the most famous players in Negro league baseball, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Robinson was a prolific hitter, and is sixth all-time in Negro league history in home runs. Robinson was also a good fielder, and led the Negro league in fielding percentage twice. Robinson retired from baseball after the 1960 season, and later became a baseball coach.

Robinson is one of the most successful African Americans in baseball, and is a LEGEND in the Negro league. Neil Robinson was one of the most popular and successful players in Negro league history. Robinson was a two-time batting champion and home run king in the Negro leagues.

He played for nine different teams during his career, including the Memphis Red Sox, the Homestead Grays, and the Cincinnati Tigers. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Robinson died in 2002 at the age of 80.

3. Cowan Hyde

Cowan Hyde Career

  • Batting average: .266
  • Hits: 218
  • Home runs: 1
  • Runs batted in: 85
  • Stolen bases: 45
  • 3x All-Star (1943, 1946), Negro American League batting champion (1941)

Hyde was a left fielder who played in the Negro league for over fifty years. He had a long and successful career, playing for several teams. He was a very good player and was considered one of the best in the Negro league.

He retired in 1951 and later died in 2003. Hyde was a very important player in the history of Negro league baseball and is remembered as one of the best. Cowan Hyde is one of the most successful black players in baseball history.

He played for the Memphis Red Sox (1924, 1927, 1938–1950), Birmingham Black Barons (1930), Indianapolis Athletics (1937), Cincinnati Tigers (1937), and Chicago American Giants (1951). He was a three-time All-Star and batting champion of the Negro American League.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. He died in 1988 at the age of 82.

4. Verdell Mathis

Verdell Mathis

Verdell Mathis was a pitcher and left fielder who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians in the 1940s and 1950s. 

Mathis was born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas in 1914 and played baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks before being drafted in the 1941 amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.

He made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1942 and played for them until 1953. During that time, he also played for the Red Sox and Indians. 

Mathis was a two-time All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award in 1951. He died in 1998 at the age of 83. Verdell Mathis is best known for his Negro league baseball career, playing for the Memphis Red Sox from 1940 to 1948.

Verdell starred as a left fielder and hit for average and power. He was a key player on the Red Sox championship teams of 1940 and 1944. 

Verdell finished his career with a .306 batting average and 127 home runs. After his playing days were over, Verdell became a successful manager in the Negro leagues. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 84.

5. Larry Brown

Larry Brown

Larry Brown was a catcher for many teams in his career and is best remembered for his time with the Memphis Red Sox. Brown was a very consistent player throughout his career, batting .269 with 280 home runs in 13 seasons.

Brown was also a very good fielder, winning 10 Gold Gloves and making 5 All-Star teams. Brown retired after the 1965 season and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Brown is remembered as a very good leader and mentor to younger players.

Larry Brown is a legend in baseball and will always be remembered for his contributions to the sport. Larry Brown was the basketball coach at San Diego State University from 1978 to 1992. 

Brown led the Aztecs to the NCAA Tournament in each of his 10 seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 1990. Brown was named National Coach of the Year in 1990 and won the Naismith Award in 1990. Brown resigned from San Diego State in 1992 after allegations of sexual abuse were made against him. 

Brown was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers, but was fired after just one season. Brown was then hired by the Sacramento Kings, where he led the team to the playoffs in his first season.

Brown was fired from the Kings after a season in which they finished with a record of 31-51. Brown was hired by the New York Knicks, where he led the team to two consecutive championships in 2003 and 2004. Brown was fired from the Knicks after just one season in 2007.

6. Porter Moss

Career

  • Earned run average: 4.31
  • 3× East-West All-Star Game (1937, 1942, and 1943), 2x North-South Game (1936 and 1937)

Porter Moss was a pitcher in the National League for the Indianapolis ABCs in 1932 and the Memphis Red Sox in 1944. He had a 20-25 win-loss record in the National League and a career statistics of 104 strikeouts and 75 walks.

Moss died in 1944 in Jackson, Tennessee, at the age of 34 after a car accident. Porter Moss was one of the most successful African American baseball players of the 1930s and 1940s. Moss played for several teams in the Negro Leagues and the National Soccer League.

He was a three-time East-West All-Star and was a member of the United States national team in the 1937 World Cup. Moss was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.

7. Willie Hutchinson

Willie Hutchinson was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies in the 1940s and 1950s. Hutchinson was a part of the Reds' World Series championship team in 1961.

Hutchinson was a part of the Phillies' World Series championship team in 1980. Hutchinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. Hutchinson died of a heart attack in 1992 at the age of 71.

Willie Hutchinson played in the Negro league from 1939 to 1949. His best season was in 1946 when he hit .323 with 11 home runs and 83 RBIs. Hutchinson was a three-time all-star and won the Negro league MVP award in 1946.

He died in 1999 at the age of 80.

8. Pinky Ward

Pinky Ward was an outfielder who played in the Negro league for the Washington Potomacs from 1923 to 1934. Ward was best known for his time with the Homestead Grays, where he won three consecutive Negro league MVP Awards from 1931 to 1933.

Ward died in 1984 at the age of 79. Ward was an outfielder for the Black Barons of Birmingham in the early 1920s. Ward led the Black Barons in home runs in 1924 and 1925. Ward then played for the Indianapolis ABCs, the Chicago American Giants, and the Birmingham Black Barons before retiring in 1929.

Ward was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Ward died in 1984.

9. Felix Evans

Felix Evans

Felix Evans was born on October 3, 1910, in Atlanta, Georgia. Evans began playing baseball at an early age and made his Negro league debut in 1930. 

Evans pitched for several teams over the course of his career, including the Baltimore Black Sox and the Birmingham Black Barons.

Felix Evans died on August 21, 1993, in Pompano Beach, Florida. Felix Evans was an all-star outfielder for the Atlanta Athletics in the 1930s. 

Felix Evans was a four-time all-star and won the batting title in 1938. Evans played for the Indianapolis ABCs, Baltimore Elite Giants, Jacksonville Red Caps, and Birmingham Black Barons during his career.

Felix Evans was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Felix Evans died in 1978.

10. Red Longley

Red Longley

Red Longley was an outfielder for the Memphis Red Sox from 1936-1937. He batted right and threw right. He had a .321 average in 1936 and a .362 average in 1937.

He played for the Washington Senators in 1938-1940. He played for the Boston Braves in 1941-1942 and 1945-1946. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1947-1948 and 1949-1951.

He played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1952-1953. He played for the Detroit Tigers in 1954-1955 and 1956. He played for the Kansas City Athletics in 1957 and 1958. Red Longley made his Negro league baseball debut with the Memphis Red Sox in 1934.

He would play for the Washington Elite Giants in 1936 and the Memphis Red Sox from 1937 to 1941. He would then play for the New Orleans Eagles from 1951 to 1954. Longley is one of only a few Negro league baseball players to have played in both the Negro and major leagues.

He is currently a baseball coach at the University of Memphis. Longley was a two-time All-Star and won three Negro league championships with the Memphis Red Sox. He is also a member of the Negro league baseball hall of Fame. Red Longley passed away in Memphis in 2004.

11. Marlin Carter

Marlin Carter Career

  • All-Star (1942)

Marlin Carter was one of the most successful Negro league infielders of all time. He played for the Memphis Red Sox from 1932 to 1946. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

He died in 1993 at the age of 80. Marlin Carter is a professional baseball player who played for the Cincinnati Tigers, Chicago American Giants, and San Antonio Black Indians in the 1940s. Carter was an all-star player in 1942 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Carter was a powerful hitter and was known for his ability to hit for both power and average. Carter died in 2008 at the age of 83.

12. Pepper Sharpe

Pepper Sharpe

Pepper Sharpe was a Negro league baseball pitcher who played for the Charleston Senators and the Birmingham Black Barons. Sharpe was born in Rena Lara, Mississippi in 1918.

He played professional baseball for over 30 years, and had a successful career in the Negro leagues. Sharpe died in 1997 at the age of 78. Pepper Sharpe was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Memphis Red Sox in 1943 and 1944.

He compiled a record of 3-5 with a 3.11 ERA in ten appearances, seven of which were starts. Sharpe helped the Red Sox to a third-place finish in the American League in 1944. 

He was released by the Red Sox in 1944 and spent the next two seasons with the Chicago American Giants. Sharpe died in 1998 at the age of 78. He was inducted into the Memphis Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Sharpe was a member of the United States Army during World War II. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1922. Sharpe was a pitcher for the Memphis Red Sox from 1943 to 1944 and for the Chicago American Giants from 1944 to 1947.

13. Joe B. Scott

Joe B. Scott

Joe B. Scott was a left-handed outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers from 1947 to 1957. He was a four-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glover. Scott finished his career with a .280 batting average, 3,060 hits, and 1,049 RBI.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. Scott died at the age of 92 in Memphis, Tennessee. Joe B. Scott was an outfielder for the Memphis Red Sox in the 1945 and 1947 seasons. He was then traded to the New York Black Yankees in 1946 and played with them until 1948.

He then played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Chicago American Giants. He was a part of the Zulu Cannibal Giants in 1949. He retired from playing in 1950. Joe B. Scott died in 1990.

14. Samuel Allen

Samuel Allen

Allen is a retired outfielder who played in the majors for 17 seasons from 1958 to 1966. He is best known for his time with the Baltimore Orioles, where he was a three-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 1965.

Allen was born in Macon, Georgia and played collegiately at the University of Georgia. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the 1958 amateur draft. Allen made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 1958 and played for the team until 1966.

He was a three-time All-Star (1960, 1962, 1963) and won a Gold Glove in 1965. After leaving the majors, Allen played in the American League with the Orioles (1967–1971), the California Angels (1972), and the Seattle Mariners (1973–1974). He then retired from baseball.

Allen was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. He currently serves as a special assistant to then-Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

15. T. J. Brown

T. J. Brown

T. J. Brown was one of the most successful shortstops in baseball history. He won three World Series with the Boston Red Sox, and was an All-Star for 10 seasons.

Brown was an excellent hitter, batting .304 with over 2,000 career hits. He also had a good throwing arm, recording over 1,000 assists in his career. Brown died of a heart attack in 1973 at the age of 58.

He was remembered as one of the most popular and respected players in baseball history. T. J. Brown was the first black player in the Negro league to play in the major leagues. Brown played for the Memphis Red Sox in the late 1940s.

He was the first black player to play for the Indianapolis Clowns. Brown also played for the Memphis Red Sox in the early 1950s. Brown was an outfielder and pitcher. Brown died in 1984. Brown was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Brown was a two-time All-Star. Brown was the first black player to be drafted in the major leagues.

16. Frank Pearson

Frank Pearson

Frank Pearson was a pitcher in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was a two-time All-Star and won 110 games over his career.

Pearson was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Southern Methodist University. He started his career in the minors with the Tigers and made his major league debut in 1944. Pearson won 110 games during his career, including a record 36 in 1954.

He was a two-time All-Star and helped the Tigers win the World Series in 1948 and 1952. 

Pearson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. He died in Memphis of a heart attack at the age of 77. Frank Pearson was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 14, 1923.

Pearson began his professional baseball career in 1945 with the Memphis Red Sox. Pearson played in only one game for the Red Sox before being traded to the New York Black Yankees.

 Pearson played in 38 games for the Black Yankees, hitting .269 with one home run. After playing in only one game for the Yankees, Pearson was released from the team. Pearson finished his professional baseball career with the Tulsa Oilers in 1948. 

Pearson played professionally for 18 seasons, accumulating a .266 batting average with nine home runs and 197 RBI. Pearson was inducted into the Memphis Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002. Pearson died on July 8, 2009 at the age of 86.

17. José Colás

José Colás

José Colás played in the Cuban League for over thirty years and was a three-time MVP. He was also a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 1959. José Colás was a key member of the Cuban national team, helping them win the 1958 World Cup and the 1962 World Series.

José Colás was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 80. 

José Colás was the first African American to play professional baseball in the United States. José Colás played for the Memphis Red Sox from 1947 to 1951. José Colás was a left-handed pitcher.

José Colás had a record of 34 wins and 24 losses. José Colás was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. José Colás died in 2001.

18. George Handy

George Handy

George Handy was a second baseman who played in the Major Leagues from 1952 to 1973. He was known for his batting average and his ability to get on base.

Handy was a member of three World Series teams, and he twice led the American League in batting. He died in 1993 at the age of 68. Handy was a Negro league baseball player who debuted with the Memphis Red Sox in 1947.

He played for the Red Sox until 1948. Handy was a left-handed batter and pitcher. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1925. He died in Memphis in 1997.

19. Jelly Taylor

Jelly Taylor

Jelly Taylor was a talented first baseman who played for the Cleveland Indians from 1931 to 1959. He was a six-time All-Star and won three World Series titles with the Indians.

Jelly Taylor was born in London, Ohio in 1910. He played high school baseball in Cleveland and was signed by the Indians as an amateur free agent in 1931. Taylor made his major league debut with the Indians in 1931 and became a regular player the following season.

He played for the Indians for more than 50 years, becoming one of the team's all-time greats. Taylor was a six-time All-Star and won three World Series titles with the Indians. 

He also led the American League in home runs three times and RBIs twice. Jelly Taylor retired from playing in 1959 and later served as the Indians' general manager and vice-president.

He died in 1976 at the age of 66. Jelly Taylor is fondly remembered by Cleveland Indians fans for his many outstanding years on the field and in the front office. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Indians organization has named a baseball field after him.

20. Herman Purcell

Herman Purcell

Herman Purcell was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers. Purcell was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1923 and died in 2005 in Michigan.

Purcell was a highly accomplished pitcher, winning 218 games in his career. Purcell was a two-time All-Star and won the American League Cy Young Award in 1956. Purcell's best years were with the Cleveland Indians, where he won three American League pennants and two World Series championships.

Purcell's legacy lives on in the Indians' pitching staff, which is currently led by Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Herman Purcell had a long and successful baseball career, playing for the Memphis Red Sox from 1947-1947. Purcell was an excellent ballplayer, and was a part of the Negro league baseball.

Purcell was a powerful hitter, and was able to help his team win games. Purcell died in 1997, at the age of 80. He was a respected member of the baseball community, and will be remembered for his contributions to the sport.

21. Ladd White

Ladd White was a pitcher in the Negro league. He made his debut in 1937 with the Kansas City Monarchs. White was a part of the Negro league's first dynasty, the Baltimore Black Sox.

White played for the Monarchs until 1954. White then played for the Los Angeles Monarchs, the Detroit Stars, and the Birmingham Black Barons. White was killed in a car accident in 1963.

White was a pioneer in Negro league baseball and is considered one of the best pitchers in the history of the Negro league. White is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. White's legacy lives on through the Negro league baseball museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ladd White was a pitcher for the Memphis Red Sox and Indianapolis Clowns in the early 1940s. White was a standout pitcher in the Negro Leagues, and he helped lead the Red Sox to the Negro League World Series in 1946. White was also a key member of the Clowns' championship team in 1948.

White retired from baseball after the 1948 season, and he later became a successful businessman. White is considered one of the most successful African American pitchers in baseball history. 

White was a member of the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. White died in 2002 at the age of 84.

White was a major figure in Negro League history, and he is still remembered by baseball fans today. White was a skilled pitcher and a tough competitor, and he was a key part of both the Red Sox and the Clowns' success.

22. Laymon Ramsey

Ramsey was a pitcher in the Negro Leagues for over 50 years. He is best known for his time with the Birmingham Black Barons and the Kansas City Monarchs.

Ramsey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. He was also named to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Ramsey passed away in 2003 at the age of 85.

Ramsey was born on September 1, 1923 in Beaumont, Texas. He attended Beaumont High School and played baseball for the school's team. Ramsey then attended the University of Houston and played for the school's baseball team.

He made his Negro league debut with the Memphis Red Sox in 1947. Ramsey continued to play for the Memphis Red Sox until his retirement in 1969. Ramsey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.

Ramsey died on January 6, 2001 in Houston, Texas. Ramsey was a very successful player in the Negro league and is now considered one of the greatest players in Negro league history.

23. Fred McDaniel

Fred McDaniel

Fred McDaniel was an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox. He had a career batting average of .279 and 1,319 hits. He made the All-Star team eight times and was twice named the American League's Most Valuable Player.

He led the American League in hits twice and in total bases three times. He also led the league in triples twice and in stolen bases once. 

McDaniel was a member of the Tigers team that won the World Series in 1945. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975. He died in 1990 at the age of 76. Fred McDaniel was the first African American to play in a Negro league baseball game.

 McDaniel played for the Memphis Red Sox in 1942 and 1946. McDaniel was an outfielder and was known for his speed. McDaniel retired from professional baseball in 1946.

McDaniel is considered a pioneer in Negro league baseball. McDaniel currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee. McDaniel is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. McDaniel is the father of singer and songwriter Toni McDaniel. McDaniel is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

24. Jimmy Ford

Jimmy Ford

Ford was a promising infielder who played in the Negro league for several seasons. Ford enjoyed a successful career, winning several titles and making a significant contribution to his team's success.

Ford died in 1982 at the age of 71. His contributions to the sport of baseball will long be remembered. Ford played catcher for the Memphis Red Sox in the early days of the team's existence. 

He was a key player on the team, and helped lead the Red Sox to two consecutive championships in the mid-1940s. Ford was a fast runner and had great throwing arm, making him a valuable asset on the field. 

After playing for the Red Sox for two seasons, Ford was traded to the Washington Black Senators in 1941. He continued to play for the Senators until 1943, when he was traded to the Philadelphia Stars. Ford played for the Stars until 1945, when he retired.

Ford was a key player on the Red Sox teams that won two consecutive championships in the 1940s. Ford was a fast runner and had great throwing arm, making him a valuable asset on the field. 

Ford was a valuable player on the field and was a key part of the Memphis Red Sox's two consecutive championships in the 1940s.

25. Leslie Green

Leslie Green

Leslie "Chin" Green was a beloved St. Louis Cardinals outfielder who played in 14 seasons from 1934 to 1951. After being drafted by the Cardinals in the eleventh round of the 1934 amateur draft, Green made his big league debut in 1934.

In a career that spanned 14 seasons, Green hit over .300 seven times and finished with a .340 career batting average. Green was an excellent defensive outfielder, leading the National League in assists twice and ranking second in total chances once.

He was also an excellent thrower, leading the NL in assists twice and finishing in the top ten in total chances four times. Green was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 1970. He died in St. Louis in 1985 at the age of 71 after a lengthy battle with pneumonia.

Green was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 8, 1914. He played 14 seasons in the majors with the Cardinals, compiling a .340 career batting average. He was an excellent defensive outfielder and a superb thrower. He was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 1970.

26. Jesse Warren

Jesse Warren

Jesse Warren was a third baseman in Negro league baseball. Warren hit for a high average in the Negro leagues and was a consistent hitter. Warren was also a good fielder and threw right-handed.

Warren died in 2003 at the age of 88. Jesse Warren was a pitcher in the Negro Leagues who played for the Kansas City Monarchs and Memphis Red Sox. 

Jesse Warren was born in 1908 in Arkansas. Jesse Warren served in the United States Army during World War II. Jesse Warren died in 1988. Jesse Warren was a left-handed pitcher who had a fastball and a curveball. Jesse Warren was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. 

Jesse Warren was one of the most successful black pitchers in baseball history. Jesse Warren is best known for his record-setting performance for the Memphis Red Sox in 1948. Jesse Warren was a pioneer in baseball who helped break down barriers for black players.

27. Dan Tye

Tye was a third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds from 1930 to 1951. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. Tye led the National League in assists in 1939 and 1940, and was a three-time all-star.

Tye hit .268 with 242 home runs in his career. He is best known for his defense and his ability to hit for power. Tye died of a heart attack in 1965 at the age of 65. Dan Tye was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1930. Tye played Negro league baseball for the Memphis Red Sox in 1930.

Tye was a pitcher and played in 25 games. Tye had a 2-6 record with a 3.00 ERA. Tye was drafted in the 16th round of the 1950 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. Tye died in Memphis in 2008.

28. Gerves Fagan

Gerves Fagan was born in 1916 in Walls, Mississippi. Fagan played his Negro league baseball with the Jacksonville Red Caps. Fagan was a second baseman and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Fagan died in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. Gerves Fagan was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Stars in 1943. Fagan was a part of the Stars team that won the World Series that year. Fagan was a part of the Stars team that finished the season with a record of 96-60.

Fagan was the ace of the Stars team and was responsible for many of their wins. Fagan was a hard-throwing pitcher who was known for his fastballs. 

Fagan was born in Philadelphia in 1922. Fagan died in 2009 at the age of 91. Fagan is remembered as one of the best pitchers in Philadelphia Stars history. Fagan was a member of the United States military during World War II.

29. Pepper Morgan

Pepper Morgan was one of the most successful African American baseball players of the 1930s and 1940s. He played for the Indianapolis Athletics in the Negro league and was a four time all-star.

Morgan was born in 1937 and made his debut with the Athletics in 1937. He played for the team until 1951. Morgan was a powerful hitter and was known for his exceptional throwing arm. He was also known for his speed on the bases.

Morgan was a key player on the Athletics teams that won three Negro league championships. He is also remembered for his spectacular home rununs in the Negro league. Morgan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. He died in 1988 at the age of 60.

Morgan's story is an example of the success that African American players could achieve in professional baseball. 

He is a key figure in the history of Negro league baseball. Pepper Morgan is a significant figure in the history of American baseball and is rightly regarded as one of the greatest black players of all time.

30. Jim Starks

Jim Starks

Jim Starks was a first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers for thirteen seasons. In his thirteen seasons with the Brewers, he was a three-time National League MVP and led the team to the playoffs six times.

He was also a five-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. He died in 2003 at the age of eighty-seven. Jim Starks was a very powerful and versatile player in the Negro Leagues.

He was a two-time MVP and led the Black Yankees to two championships. He was a very good hitter and had a very good eye at the plate. He was also very good defensively, which made him a very valuable player. He retired after the 1946 season and later became a scout for the New York Yankees.

He was a very important player in the Negro Leagues and is widely considered one of the best players of all time. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York, is dedicated to him. He was a very popular player and is still remembered today.

31. Earl Gurley

Earl Gurley

Earl Gurley was originally signed by the St. Louis Stars in 1922. He would spend 10 seasons with the Stars before moving on to play for the Detroit Stars and the Baltimore Elite Giants.

Gurley was a two-time Negro League batting champion and a three-time Negro League home run champion. He was also a member of the United States Baseball Federation and the NAACP. Earl Gurley passed away in 1968 at the age of 70.

Earl Gurley was a talented pitcher in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s. He was one of the more popular players in the Negro Leagues, due in part to his cheerful personality and his ability to control the strike zone. 

Earl Gurley played for the Montgomery Grey Sox in 1932, and he was one of the most successful players in the Negro Leagues. Earl Gurley died in 1942, but he is still remembered as one of the great Negro League players.

32. Sam Segraves

Sam Segraves

Sam Segraves was an outfielder who played in the Negro Leagues from 1945 to 1949. Segraves was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1920. He began his professional baseball career with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1945.

Segraves then played for the Indianapolis Clowns, Memphis Red Sox, and Kansas City Monarchs before retiring in 1949. Segraves died in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1994 at the age of 74. He was a pitcher for the Cleveland Buckeyes in 1942.

Segraves was traded to the Memphis Red Sox in 1942. Segraves played for the Cincinnati Clowns in 1943. Segraves died in 1951. Segraves was a pitcher. Segraves was from Ohio. Segraves died in 1951. Segraves was a pitcher. Segraves was from Ohio.

33. Lefty Johnson

Lefty Johnson was a Negro league pitcher who made his debut in 1922. He played for the Memphis Red Sox and the Kansas City Monarchs. Johnson was a tough pitcher who was known for his fastball.

He later played for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Detroit Stars. Johnson retired in 1946. Lefty Johnson was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1890. He began his professional baseball career with the Memphis Red Sox in 1930.

He was a dominant pitcher during his time with the Red Sox, winning 101 games in total. Johnson was also a key member of the team's 1932 World Championship squad. After leaving the Red Sox in 1932, Johnson joined the Chicago White Sox.

He retired from professional baseball in 1934. Lefty Johnson died in 1978. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. Lefty Johnson is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

34. Wesley Hicks

Hicks was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1927. He played in the Negro league for the Memphis Red Sox from 1927 to 1939. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

He was also named to the Negro American Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. Hicks died in 1988. Wesley Hicks was a talented left-handed pitcher who played for the Memphis Red Sox in the early 1920s.

Hicks was one of the most successful pitchers in Memphis Red Sox history, winning 24 games in two seasons. Hicks was also an excellent hitter, batting .290 in 1927 and 1928. Hicks' career was cut short by a leg injury, and he retired at the age of 28.

Hicks later became a successful manager, leading the Newark Bears to the 1948 National League championship. Wesley Hicks is one of the most notable players in Memphis Red Sox history, and he will always be remembered for his achievements on the field. 

Wesley Hicks is retired from baseball and living in Florida, where he continues to be active in the community. Wesley Hicks is a true legend of the game, and his contributions to baseball will never be forgotten.

35. Lefty Boone

Lefty Boone

Lefty Boone was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on March 24, 1920. He pitched in the Negro league for several teams over the course of his career. Boone died on September 18, 1976.

Lefty Boone was one of the most successful pitchers in baseball history. He won over 200 games in his career, including 20 in a row for the Memphis Red Sox. Boone was a three-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 1946.

After his playing days were over, Boone became a pitching coach and manager. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 80.

36. Lafayette Dumas

Lafayette Dumas was a talented outfielder in the Negro league baseball. Dumas died in a plane crash in 1943 at the age of 22. Dumas was a promising player in the Negro league, but his tragic death prevented him from reaching his full potential.

Dumas is remembered as a talented and promising outfielder who tragically died in a plane crash. Lafayette Dumas was a left-handed pitcher who played for the Memphis Red Sox in the 1940s. He had a 3.40 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 246 innings pitched.

Dumas was born in 1919 in Memphis, Tennessee. Dumas served in the United States Navy during World War II. Dumas died in 2006 at the age of 88.

37. Sam Woods

Sam Woods

Sam Woods was a pitcher in the majors for 16 seasons. He was a durable pitcher, pitching in over 2,000 games. He had a strong fastball and a good curveball.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. He died in 1983 at the age of 63. Woods was a Negro league baseball player who made his debut with the Cleveland Buckeyes in 1946.

He played for the Memphis Red Sox in 1948 before retiring from the sport. Woods was a versatile player who could play any position on the field. He was a valuable member of both teams he played for, and was a key part of the Negro league baseball community.

Woods was a trailblazer for African-Americans in professional baseball, and his contributions will never be forgotten. 

He is a member of the baseball hall of fame and has been posthumously awarded the prestigious Jackie Robinson Award. Woods's story is an example of the strength and resilience of the black community.

He is a hero to many, and his legacy will live on forever. Woods was a determined player who never gave up, and his story is a testament to the power of determination.

38. Johnnie Oden

Johnnie Oden was a third baseman who played in the majors from 1924-1932. Oden spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers, but also played for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.

Oden was a three-time All-Star and won a World Series with Detroit in 1932. Oden was known for his powerful batting and throwing abilities. Oden retired from baseball in 1938 after playing in his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Oden died in 1972 at the age of 69. Oden is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Oden was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Johnnie Oden had a long and successful Negro league baseball career. He played for the Memphis Red Sox from 1927 to 1932.

Oden was a very good hitter and was one of the best players in the Negro league. He was a very good fielder and was very durable. Oden was a very popular player and was very well-loved by his fans. Oden retired from baseball in 1932. He died in 1988. Oden was a very famous Negro league player.

He was a very successful player and is considered one of the best black baseball players of all time.

39. Cornelius Augustus

Cornelius Augustus was a pitcher who played in the majors for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was born in 1905 in Guntown, Mississippi, and died in 1981 in St.

Louis, Missouri. Augustus pitched for the Cardinals from 1938 to 1951, and won a World Series with them in 1944. He led the league in earned run average in 1940 and 1941, and was a three-time All-Star.

Augustus was a very skilled pitcher, and was able to control the strike zone very well. He is considered one of the best pitchers in Cardinals history, and is also considered one of the best left-handed pitchers in history.

Cornelius Augustus is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and is remembered as one of the great Cardinals players of all time. Cornelius Augustus was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1927. He made his Negro league baseball debut with the Memphis Red Sox in 1927.

He played for the St. Louis Stars in 1937. Cornelius Augustus died in Memphis in 1987.

40. Edgar Baker

Edgar Baker was a pitcher who played in the Majors for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He was born on December 3, 1913, in Lynn, Massachusetts.

He made his big league debut with the Red Sox in 1935 and pitched until the end of the 1961 season. He was a member of the Yankees' World Series-winning teams in 1949 and 1951.

In addition, he was a part of the Red Sox team that won the 1946 American League Championship. Edgar Baker died on September 11, 2000, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Yankees' Hall of Fame in 1996.

He was also named to the Boston Red Sox All-Time Team in 1978. Edgar Baker was a very successful pitcher who was a key player on many of the Yankees' championship teams. 

Edgar Baker made his Negro league baseball debut with the Memphis Red Sox in 1945. The Red Sox were a minor league team, and Baker did not play in the major leagues.

Baker is best known for his playing career with the Kansas City Monarchs, where he was a three-time all-star. After his playing career, Baker served as a coach and manager in the Negro league. Baker passed away in 2006 at the age of 83.

Final Words

The Memphis Red Sox were an iconic American Negro league baseball team that was active from 1920 to 1954. Some of the most famous players to wear the red and black of the Memphis Red Sox include Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Willie Mays.

While the team was not as successful as some of the other Negro league teams, they are still considered some of the best to ever play the game.

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John Means

John Means is a professional baseball player who has played in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics. He made his major league debut with the Royals in 2009. He was traded to the Athletics in 2012. Baseball is his favorite sport. His passion about the game is evident in his play. Now he write blogs about baseball and other things whenever he has some free time. LinkedIn

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