Finally, the men of the Negro Baseball League and its players are getting the recognition they deserve.

Such players as Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Larry Doby, and Satchel Paige, who may have been the best pitcher of all time, did make it to the Major Leagues. Unfortunately, Josh Gibson perhaps the greatest hitter of all time, did not. Yes, he was good enough, but he did not fit the mold of a good Negro. Unfortunately, integration destroyed the Negro League as top Black players moved on to the (White) Major Leagues.

Many good players were left behind because of the quota system or they were considered too old. Sadly, these so-called “too old” players were better than many of the White Major League players. One of those players left behind a woman named Mamie “Peanut” Johnson.

So, let’s hop on the Memory Train to Ridgeway, S.C., and the year Sept. 27, 1935.

As a child she had to make her own baseballs. She did this by taking a rock and wrapping it really tight with twine. Then she sewed the end closed and wrapped the whole thing in tape.

She was discovered at Rosedale playground in Washington, D.C., by Bish Tyson, a baseball scout who would watch her play. He did not sign her until she was 18 years old.

When she was 19, she signed with the Indianapolis Clowns. While playing in Birmingham, Ala. One of the opposing players asked her, “How do you expect to strike anybody out? You’re no bigger than a peanut!” She ended up striking him out. That nickname, “Peanut,” stuck with her for the rest of her career.

She would become one of three women to play professional men’s baseball in the Negro League. She loved traveling to all the cities, even though life on the road was hard for Negro League players. Many hotels and restaurants did not serve Black people and hotels were hard to find. Instead of staying in hotels or barns with the men, the team arranged for her to stay in people’s homes.

While playing for the Clowns she became friends with the legendary Satchel Paige, who taught her how to throw a “wicked curve ball.”

Because of an arm injury, she only played three years. Nonetheless, her record as a pitcher was 38 wins and only six defeats. Mamie did get the opportunity to pitch at the legendary ballparks: Yankee Stadium, Comiskey Park and Griffith Stadium.

In her biography, “A Strong Right Arm,” she stated, “Mama never mentioned it but I’m sure I was born with a baseball in my hand.”

Mamie is keeping the legacy alive by touring around the country. She recently made a Detroit stop at Tony Dee’s Negro Apparels store in Ferndale.

As I always say, I am going to do my best to let everyone know about Mamie “Peanut” Johnson.

OTHER THOUGHTS
Family preachers, for your spiritual information, I have a long list of preachers on my family tree. My grandfather on my mother’s side was a preacher, my dad’s father was a preacher. My father-in-law was a minister and most recently my oldest son, Caleb, became a Baptist minister. I guess that’s why none of my shoes have holes in them, because I have a lot of soul savers in the family.

Even though I am not an ordained minister, I sometimes feel a biblical quote coming out. So here are some of my spiritual messages:

Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church.
Life has many choices, eternity has two. What’s yours?
Prevent “truth” decay, brush up on your Bible.
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due.
It is hard to stumble when you are down on your knees.
What part of “Thou shalt not” don’t you understand?
Bank One isn’t the only saving place.
A clear conscience makes a soft pillow.

Well church, the doors are open until next week. Until then, I’ll plant you now and dig you later. Peace and chicken grease!

Hugh Burrell can be reached at (313) 872-3437 and Hughburrell@aol.com.