October 03, 1999 18:55:40 CST
Birmingham Black Barons
Negro National League, Negro Southern League, Negro American League
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©1997 Moxie Publishing
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The Black Barons formed the cornerstone of professional Negro baseball in the South for more than 30 years. Arising from Birmingham’s active industrial leagues, in 1920 the club became a charter franchise in the Negro South League. Through its long history the club was at various times associated with the Negro Southern League, Negro National League and Negro American League.
In 1927 the Black Barons were second-half champions in the Negro American League and met the Chicago American Giants in playoff for the league title. To the disappointment of Birmingham partisans, the Black Barons fell to the Chicagoans in a four-game sweep.
The team’s heyday came in the 1940s when, as members of the Negro American League, the Black Barons fielded exceptionally strong teams featuring such stars as Piper Davis, Lester Lockett, Artie Wilson and Ed Steele.
In 1943, 1944, and 1947 these strong squads captured the league title. However, none of these pennants led to a Negro World Championship crown as the club fell to the powerful Homestead Grays in each series.
After the integration of the major league the Black Barons continued to play in the Negro American League through the 1950s. Under the direction of manager Piper Davis the Black Barons provided the major leagues with such talent as HOF great, Willie Mays.
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