John Donaldson

:For the British judge, see John Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington

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John Wesley Donaldson (February 20, 1892 - April 12, 1970) was an American Negro League baseball player.

Related Topics:
February 20 - 1892 - April 12 - 1970 - American - Negro League baseball

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Born in Glasgow, Missouri, Donaldson began playing professional baseball around 1912, a time in American history when racial segregation prevented any chance for him to try out for a team in Major League Baseball. As such, he spent his entire career playing for Negro League teams in Tennessee, New York the U.S. Midwest, and in Saskatchewan, Canada. He became one of the best left-handed pitchers in Negro League baseball but was also a capable center fielder, a good hitter, and a solid baserunner.

Related Topics:
Glasgow, Missouri - Racial segregation - Major League Baseball - Tennessee - New York - U.S. Midwest - Saskatchewan - Canada - Pitcher - Center fielder

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In 1913, he accomplished the remarkable feat of pitching three consecutive no-hit games. While not all Negro League records can be certified as accurate, Donaldson was reported to have struck out more than 240 batters over a 12-game span while leading his "All Nations" team to the 1916 league championship. His championship club was eventually disbanded, but post-war it was reassembled in Kansas City, Missouri. Renamed the Kansas City Monarchs, Donaldson played there until 1923 when he formed his own team of All-Stars to play exhibition games against local baseball clubs throughout the Midwest. After more than twenty years as a player, Donaldson retired in 1934. Living in Chicago, he found work with the U.S. Postal Service and later was hired as a scout by the Chicago White Sox.

Related Topics:
No-hit - Struck out - 1916 - Kansas City, Missouri - Kansas City Monarchs - 1934 - Chicago - U.S. Postal Service - Chicago White Sox

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Donaldson died in Chicago and was buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

Related Topics:
Burr Oak Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois

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