September 29, 1999 20:43:09 CST
Radcliffe To Become Baseball’s Oldest Professional Player
Double Duty Returns To The Field For Schaumburg
NLB Dot Com
Staff
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Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe |
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, the oldest living Negro League star, is set to become the oldest player ever to appear on the roster of a professional baseball team. The 96-year-old Radcliffe is scheduled to take the field in the uniform of the Schaumburg (IL) Flyers on June 19, 1999 in an actual Northern League game against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks.
Radcliffe began his long professional baseball career with the Detroit Stars (Negro National League) in 1928. During the next two decades he played for more than a dozen Negro League teams and became one of black baseball’s most colorful figures.
Sportwriter Damon Runyon nicknamed Radcliffe "Double Duty" after watching him serve as both catcher and pitcher in opposite ends of a doubleheader while playing for the Pittsburgh Crawfords — catching Satchel Paige during the opening game, then pitching the second game himself. But, Radcliffe’s talents on the mound and behind the plate weren’t his only contributions. He also served as player manager for several teams, including the 1938 pennant winning Memphis Red Sox .
For tickets and additional information about the June 19th game, contact the Schaumburg Flyers ticket office at (874) 891-2255.
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