Bud Fowler
| Bud Fowler | |
|---|---|
 Bud Fowler, the first professional black baseball player with one of his teams, the Keokuk, Iowa team of the Western League |
|
| Born | John W. Fowler March 16, 1858 Fort Plain, New York |
| Died | February 26, 1913 (aged 54) Frankfort, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Years active | 1878–1895 |
| Known for | Professional baseball player |
| Home town | Cooperstown, New York |
John W. "Bud" Fowler (March 16, 1858 – February 26, 1913), born John W. Jackson, was an African-American baseball player, field manager, and club organizer. He is the earliest, known African-American player in organized professional baseball; that is, the major leagues and affiliated minor leagues. He played more seasons and more games in Organized Baseball than any African American until Jackie Robinson played his 11th season in 1956.
Fowler was "born John W. Jackson, the son of a fugitive hop-picker and barber" (Riley 1994, 294). In 1859 his family moved from Fort Plain, New York to Cooperstown, and he learned baseball there. Why he selected the name Bud Fowler is unknown. According to one biographer L. Robert Davids, he gained the nickname "Bud" because he called the other players by that name.
The earliest known newspaper identification of Fowler as a player is in April 1878 when he pitched for a team in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Later that month, he pitched a game for the Lynn Live Oaks against Boston of the National League. He finished that season with the Worcester club. Largely supporting himself as a barber, he continued to play for teams in New England and Canada for the next four years.
In 1883, Fowler played for a team in Niles, Ohio; in 1884, he played for Stillwater, Minnesota, in the Northwestern League; and, in 1888, he played for a team in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Fowler died in Frankfort, New York on February 26, 1913 after a time of illness and poverty that received national attention.
He is referred to in Marilynne Robinson's novel, "Gilead."
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Christian, Ralph J. (2006). "Bud Fowler: The First African American Professional Baseball Player and the 1885 Keokuks". Iowa Heritage Illustrated 87(1): 28-32.
- Davids, L. Robert (1989). "John Fowler (Bud)". Nineteenth Century Stars. Edited by Robert L. Tiemann and Mark Rucker. Kansas City, MO: SABR. ISBN 0-910137-35-8
- Fowler: A 19th-century baseball pioneer, Minor League Baseball. 2009-02-09.
- Riley, James A. (1994). "Fowler, John W. (Bud)". The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Carroll & Graf. pp. 294–95. ISBN 0-7867-0959-6.
- (Riley.) John "Bud" Fowler, Personal profiles at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. – identical to Riley (confirmed 2010-04-13)
[edit] External links
- Career minor league stats at Baseball-Reference
