It seems unlikely that a white entrepreneur from Iowa would put together one of the most powerful and long lived teams in Negro League history. On the other hand, this was only one of the contributions that J. L. Wilkinson made to the game of baseball.
This baseball loving Iowan with a keen sense for business opportunity was himself a star hurler in Iowa’s semipro circuit, operated a traveling women’s baseball club as early as 1909, founded a multi-ethnic team composed of players from nine different ethnic groups, pioneered night baseball, and founded one of the Negro Leagues’ most successful teams.
The Des Moines Register has a more in-depth look at Wilkinson, his colorful life and career. Read it here.
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