Category: Baseball

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Baseball NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile Sac & Fox

NDN All-Star #16 – Jim Thorpe on the Baseball Diamond

NDN All-Star #16 Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox)

Today, let’s talk about the greatest athlete of the 20th century – NDN All-Star #16 Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox), a legendary athlete who wasn’t just good at one sport but excelled in many! You might know him for his incredible achievements in football and the Olympics, and he even played on a barnstorming basketball team in the days before the NBA. But did you know he also made a mark in Major League Baseball?

First things first, let’s talk about who Jim Thorpe was. Born in 1887, he was a Native American from the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. Thorpe’s journey to fame began with his outstanding skills in track and field during his college years. But it wasn’t just running and jumping that he was good at; he had a natural talent for baseball too.

In 1913, Jim Thorpe joined the New York Giants Major League Baseball team. Thorpe played as an outfielder, showing off his incredible speed and agility. Even though baseball wasn’t his first love, he quickly adapted and became a solid player for the Giants. Fans were amazed at his powerful hits and lightning-fast sprints on the field.

One of Thorpe’s most memorable moments in baseball happened during the 1917 season. Playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Ol’ Jim hit home runs in three consecutive games. And this was back in the days before home runs were a common occurrence!

Talking about Ol’ Jim’s power at the plate, one story from his time playing baseball goes like this:

“Thorpe once hit home runs into three states during one game! First, he homered over the left field fence into Oklahoma. Then he homered over the right field fence into Arkansas.  And finally, he hit an inside-the-park home run that never left Texas!”

While that tale MAY be a little exaggerated (we are not entirely sure…) it does show how revered and well thought of that Jim Thorpe, the baseball player, was during his time on the diamond.

Despite his baseball success, Thorpe’s heart truly belonged to other sports, and he eventually left the MLB to pursue his passion for football. But let’s not forget the impact he made on the diamond. Jim Thorpe’s baseball career might have been short, but it left an enduring legacy, showcasing his incredible versatility as an athlete.

NDN All-Star #16 Jim Thorpe wasn’t just a one-sport wonder – he was a multi-talented athlete who could conquer any field or sport, including the baseball diamond. His time in Major League Baseball might have been relatively brief  (he played in 7 major league seasons), but the memories of his lightning-fast sprints, powerful hits, three-game home run streak, and other impressive feats on the baseball field continue to inspire young baseball players to this day. So, the next time you watch a baseball game, remember the extraordinary NDN All-Star #16 Jim Thorpe and the mark he left on America’s favorite pastime!

 

Bill Black, founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr. (Quah-Lee-Lah).
Bill Black(l), founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr.

Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present.  He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.

#NDNAllstars #JimThorpe #Sac&Fox #baseball #NYGiants #MLB #CincinnatiReds #BostonBraves

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

Thank you for your support!

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Baseball Book Review NDN All-Star Info Ojibwe

BOOK REVIEW – “Chief Bender’s Burden”

NDN All-Stars "GOOD READS" book review header

“Chief Bender’s Burden: The Silent Struggle of a Baseball Star” by Tom Swift

"Chief Bender's Struggle" book cover

When I started reading “Chief Bender’s Burden: The Silent Struggle of a Baseball Star” by Tom Swift, I was immediately drawn into the story of the life of NDN All-Star #5 Charles Albert “Chief” Bender (Ojibwe), a famous baseball pitcher from the early 1900s. The book not only talks about Bender’s amazing baseball career but also about the tough times he faced because of his race and background.

Charles Bender, called “Chief,” (as most Native American ball players at the time were) was a star pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics. The book talks a lot about his pitching skills, his best games, and how he helped his team win. (A little known fact – Chief Bender was the inventor of the Slider – a pitch that is a mainstay in baseball to this day.) But what makes this book special is how it talks about Bender’s life away from baseball. For instance, he was an excellent shot and won many shooting tournaments.

One thing I really liked about the book is how well Tom Swift researched and told Bender’s story. He describes what it was like to be at the baseball games, how the teams worked, and what life was like back then. It made me feel like I was actually there, watching Bender pitch.

As Bender was a Native American, he faced a lot of racism and discrimination. The book shows how hard it was for him to deal with people judging him because of his background instead of his talent. His strength and determination to keep going, even when things were tough, are really inspiring. Bender’s story shows that he was not just a great player but also a strong and brave person.

The book covers Bender’s life from his early days in Minnesota, to his time at Carlisle Industrial School, to his major league career, and his life in baseball after his playing days were over. His Hall of Fame career is well detailed, and his reliability as a clutch pitcher is shown again and again. One great quote that stuck with me about Bender came from none other than Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack, who said: “If everything depended on one game, I just used Albert – the greatest money pitcher of all time.” Swift also describes Bender’s baseball knowledge and intellect when he describes Bender’s time as a coach.

Swift writes in a way that is easy to understand and interesting to read. The book is good for anyone who likes baseball or is interested in American history and social issues. It moves at a good pace, and you can tell that Swift really cares about Bender’s story.

“Chief Bender’s Burden” is a powerful and thought-provoking book. It shines a light on an important but often overlooked figure in baseball history. Tom Swift has written a great tribute to NDN All-Star #5 Charles Bender, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring and educational read.

You can get your own copy of this book here.

 

 

#NDNAllstars #ChiefBender #Ojibwe #baseball #bookreview #TomSwift

 

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

Thank you for your support!

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Baseball Cahuilla NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile

NDN All-Star #18 John Tortes Meyers – Just a Cahuilla Catcher from California

NDN All-Star #18 John Tortes Meyers (Cahuilla)

Hey NDN All-Stars fans! Today, let’s dive into the stories history of baseball and explore the remarkable career of NDN All-Star #18 John Tortes Meyers (Cahuilla). You might not have heard his name as often as, say Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson, but Meyers left an indelible mark on the game, and there’s more to his story than meets the eye.

Born in 1880, John Tortes Meyers, also known as “Chief” Meyers (most Native American ball players in those days were called that), was a standout catcher during the “Deadball Era” of baseball. His journey to the big leagues was nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in California, Meyers discovered his love for baseball at a young age, playing in sandlots with his friends. He played for a number of years in various minor league and semi-pro baseball leagues before he got a break. Little did he know that this passion would lead him to become one of the most respected players of his time.

Meyers’ skill as a catcher quickly caught the attention of baseball scouts, and he made his Major League debut in 1909 with the New York Giants, at the age of 28. His impressive abilities behind the plate and with a bat in hand made him an essential part of the team. Meyers played a crucial role in the Giants’ success during the early 20th century, contributing to their World Series victories in 1911, 1912, and 1913.

(See our earlier blog post about the great book written about the 1911 World Series by our friends Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr.)

As a member of the Cahuilla tribe, Meyers proudly embraced his roots. In an era when diversity in baseball was scarce, Meyers broke barriers and proved that talent knows no cultural or ethnic bounds. He became a source of inspiration for many aspiring players who dreamed of making it to the big leagues.

Off the field, Meyers continued to make a difference. Upon retiring from baseball after his 8 year Major League career, he remained active in his community, working to promote youth sports and education.

As we celebrate the rich tapestry of baseball history, let’s tip our hats to NDN All-Star #18 John Meyers and appreciate the enduring legacy he left for future generations of players and fans alike.

#NDNAllstars #JohnTortesMeyers #Cahuilla #baseball #catcher #NYGiants #MLB

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

 

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Baseball NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile NDN All-Stars Firsts Penobscot

NDN All-Stars “FIRSTS” – Baseball’s First Indian

NDN All-Stars "FIRSTS"

Leading off our NDN All-Stars “FIRSTS” mini-series, I want to talk a little about NDN All-Star #4 Louis Sockalexis (Penobscot).  “Sock” broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball a full 50 years before the more celebrated Jackie Robinson, when he played his first Major League game on April 22, 1897.

Sockalexis was a true baseball phenom – hitting, running, fielding – he could do it all better than anyone at that time! After a stellar career in college at Holy Cross and Notre Dame, Sockalexis signed with the Cleveland Spiders.

Sockalexis played brilliantly during his first season and was quickly became a media darling as he traveled around the country, attracting sportswriters and fans wherever he went. However, he also had to endure racist barbs from the opposing teams and the fans in the stands. Despite non-stop heckling and taunts and harassment, “Sock” seemed to take it all with grace and good humor; so much so that after a while, even many of the opposing team’s fans were won over. Through it all, Sockalexis continued to astound baseball fans with his on field accomplishments.

The story of Louis Sockalexis’ baseball career doesn’t end in glory, however. Unfortunately, Sockalexis fell prey to alcoholism, and ended up only playing parts of three major league seasons.  After he was released from his major league contract, he played a few more seasons in minor and independent leagues. His last game in organized baseball was for the Lowell Tigers in 1907.

Our first “FIRST” – NDN All-Star #4 Louis Sockalexis was a baseball player like no other, and a true baseball pioneer!

Thanks, “Sock” for making it possible for the rest of the Native Baseball Players to play the game they love at the highest level! Here are some of the NDN All-Stars who have followed NDN All-Star #4 Louis Sockalexis and played baseball in the Majors:

Charles Bender, Ojjibwe

Johnny Bench, Choctaw

Jim Thorpe, Sac & Fox

John Tortes Meyers, Cahuilla

Early Wynn, Cherokee

Zach Wheat, Cherokee

Pepper Martin, Osage

Allie Reynolds, Creek

Jacoby Ellsbury, Navajo

Joba Chamberlin, Winnebago

Kyle Lohse, Nomlaki

“””Indian”” Bob Johnson”, Cherokee

Bobby Madritsch, Lakota

Roy Johnson, Cherokee

Lane Adams, Choctaw

Koda Glover, Cherokee

Moses Yellow Horse, Pawnee

Rudy York, Cherokee

Ed Summers, Kickapoo

“Elon “”Chief”” Hogsett”, Cherokee

Dwight Lowry, Lumbee

Adrian Houser, Cherokee

Ryan Helsley, Cherokee

Dylan Bundy, Cherokee

Jon Gray, Cherokee

Vallie Eaves, Cherokee

Brandon Bailey, Chickasaw

Robbie Ray, Cherokee

Bucky Dent, Cherokee

Gene Locklear, Lumbee

Jayhawk Owens, Cherokee

Euel Moore, Chickasaw

Louis Bruce, Mohawk

Louis Leroy, Mohican

Anthony Seigler, Navajo

Darrell Evans, Yavapai

Jim Bluejacket, Cherokee

 

#ndnallstars #louissockalexis #baseball #MLB #cleveland #Penobscot #FIRSTS

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

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Baseball NDN All-Star Info Ojibwe

Cool new Children’s Book!!!

"Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series" book cover

Just came across some information about a cool new children’s book featuring the first World Series NDN All-Star face-off ever!

The book “Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series” – written by Traci Sowell and illustrated by Arigon Starr, tells the true story of NDN All-Star #5 Charles Albert “Chief” Bender (Ojibwe) and NDN All-Star #18 John Tortes Meyers (Cahuilla) and their meeting in the 1911 World Series between Bender’s Philadelphia A’s and Meyers’ New York Giants.

I haven’t read it yet, but as soon as my copy gets here, I will update this blog post with my thoughts.

Have you read this book?  Leave a comment and tell me what you thought!  I know – it’s a KIDS book!  But it’s a KIDS book about NDN ALL-STARS!!!

#NDNAllstars #ChiefBender #WorldSeries #JohnTortesMeyers #ChildrensBook #TraciSowell #ArigonStarr #MLB #Ojibwe #Cahuilla

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

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Baseball NDN All-Star Profile Penobscot

NDN All-Star #4 – Louis Sockalexis (Penobscot)

 

There is a lot to be said about being FIRST.

Louis Sockalexis – he should have been as big of a deal as Jackie Robinson.  “Sock” as he was called, broke the major league baseball color barrier in the 1890s, becoming the first Native American to play major league baseball.  Yet – not many people have ever even heard of him!

Sockalexis took the baseball world by storm when he began playing for the then Cleveland Spiders in 1897.  He was a media darling when he began his career and played stellar baseball on the field.  He hit .338 and stole 16 bases in just 66 games his first season.

Sockalexis had to endure endless racial taunts and war whoops from heckling baseball fans.  But he handled them well.

People who saw him play in person said he could hit like Babe Ruth, run like Ty Cobb and throw like Tris Speaker.  Actually, they said “better than” – but I didn’t want to lay it on too thick…

Sadly, Sockalexis’ career was cut short by alcoholism.  While it was said that he could do all of those baseball things better than anyone else, Hall of Fame baseball general manager Ed Barrow also said that he was “also the best drinker.”  His play suffered greatly and after parts of just three major league seasons, his promising career ended.

Oh, what might have been…

He went home to the Penobscot reservation and became a minor league player until 1907, when he played his last game in organized baseball.  After his playing days ended, he coached baseball for the youth on the reservation for a time and worked doing manual labor.  He died in 1913 at the age of 42.

One of the many stories attached to Louis Sockalexis is that the Cleveland Spiders, the team that Sock played for, changed their name to the “Indians” in 1915.  Legend has it that the name was an honor to the bright – although brief – stellar career of Louis Sockalexis.  There are many people who debunk this story – but I have decided to believe it.  ‘Nuff said.

#ndnallstars #louissockalexis #baseball #MLB #cleveland #Penobscot

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

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Baseball Football NDN All-Star Profile Sac & Fox Track & Field

NDN All-Star #1 – Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox)

My first selection in the NDN All-Star Draft is… Jim Thorpe.  NFL Hall of Famer, 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist and Major League baseball player… and just about any other athletic activity known to man… Thorpe was just THE BEST!

In this blog post let’s talk about football.  Jim was a BRILLIANT football player!  He was the best runner, the best receiver, the hardest tackler and he even kicked field goals using the old “drop kick” method!  (He frequently toured in later years giving clinics on his drop kicking technique – routinely making field goals from 50+ yards…)

Thorpe dominated the game – and almost single handedly built professional football from a loose, rag tag organiztion with very low attendance to a spectacle almost on par with the king of sports at the time – baseball.  People would come from miles around and pay to see “Ol’ Jim run!”  As a matter of fact, there is a good story about the legendary football coach Knute Rockne, during his playing days, and his encounter with Big Jim.  Rockne bragged how he would stop that big Indian!  And on the first couple of plays, he tackled Thorpe for losses.  Each time, Jim got up and said something to the effect of “Nice tackle.  But – you better let Ol’ Jim run. That’s what people paid to see.”  Rockne laughed!  So, on the third play, “Ol’ Jim” took the ball, planted his foot and turned up field.  He blasted right over Rockne on his way to a long touchdown.  On his way back to his side of the field, Thorpe walked by a crumpled and groggy Rockne who was being helped up by his teammates and said “Good job, Rock.  You really let Ol’ Jim run!”  CLASSIC!

He was so respected in the football world that when the predecessor of the National Football League was formed in 1920, Thorpe was unanimously elected as the first President of the league, as well as being the main superstar and ticket draw!

Jim Thorpe meant so much to pro football, he was elected to the first class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – there is a cool life sized statue of him right in the middle of it – and was voted to the 50th Anniversary All-Time team!

I could go on and on about NDN All-Star #1 Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox), but I need to keep a few stories on hand for his two other roster spots, #16 for his baseball career track and #21 for his field exploits.

Jim Thorpe – everyone’s #1 Draft Pick!

Click here for a short video from the NFL about the great Jim Thorpe!

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

#ndnallstars #jimthorpe #football #sac&fox #nfl #carlisleindians #cantonbulldogs