Dan Bankhead
| Dan Bankhead | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 3, 1920 Empire, Alabama | |
| Died: May 2, 1976 (aged 55) Houston, Texas | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 26, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 18, 1951, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 9–6 |
| Earned run average | 6.52 |
| Strikeouts | 111 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Daniel Robert Bankhead (May 3, 1920 – May 2, 1976) was the first black pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played in Negro league baseball for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Memphis Red Sox from 1940 to 1947, then played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1951. During World War II, he served in the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945.
After a strong career in Negro league baseball playing for the Birmingham Black Barons and Memphis Red Sox, Bankhead was signed at age 24 by Branch Rickey to play in the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm system. Bankhead, an excellent hitter who was leading the Negro League with a .385 batting average when purchased by the Dodgers, hit a home run in his first major league at bat on August 26, 1947, in Ebbets Field off Fritz Ostermueller of the Pittsburgh Pirates; he also gave up ten hits in 3-1/3 innings pitching in relief that day.[1] He finished the season having pitched in four games for the Dodgers with an earned run average (ERA) of 7.20.
Bankhead was shipped to the minor leagues for the 1948 and 1949 seasons. Pitching for clubs in Nashua, New Hampshire and St. Paul, Minnesota in 1948, he recorded 24 wins and six losses.[2] He returned to the Dodgers for the 1950 season, appearing in 41 games, with twelve starts, and finished with nine wins, four losses and a 5.50 ERA. In 1951, his final year in the majors, he appeared in seven games, losing his only decision, with an ERA of 15.43. After he played his final major league game, Bankhead spent time in the Mexican League, playing with various teams through 1966.[3]
He died of cancer at a Veterans Administration hospital in Houston, Texas on May 2, 1976.[4]
See also
See Also
References
- ^ Sheehan, Joseph (August 27, 1947). "Long Blows Help Beat Brooks, 16-3". The New York Times.
- ^ Feuer, Alan (1950). "Bankhead in Dodger Fold". The New York Times (published February 20, 1950).
- ^ "Dan Bankhead Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ Feuer, Alan (1976). "Dan Bankhead, 54, Ex-Dodger, Is Dead". The New York Times (published May 7, 1976).
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Negro league baseball statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Negro leagues)
- Dan Bankhead at Find a Grave
- 1920 births
- 1976 deaths
- African-American baseball players
- Baseball players from Alabama
- Broncos de León players
- Broncos de Reynosa players
- Brooklyn Dodgers players
- Burials at Houston National Cemetery
- Cangrejeros de Santurce (baseball) players
- Caribbean Series players
- Drummondville Royals players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Montreal Royals players
- Nashua Dodgers players
- Negro league baseball players
- People from Walker County, Alabama
- Pericos de Puebla players
- Rojos del Águila de Veracruz players
- St. Paul Saints (AA) players
- Sultanes de Monterrey players