New York Black Yankees

The New York Black Yankees were a professional baseball team based in Albany, New York which played in the Negro Leagues from 1936 to 1948.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Albany, New York - Negro Leagues

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The team were founded in Harlem by financier James "Soldier Boy" Semler and dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Related Topics:
Harlem - James "Soldier Boy" Semler - Bill "Bojangles" Robinson

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The team's left fielder Fats Jenkins was chosen by fans to play in the East team for the first East-West All-Star Game in 1933. A succession of other players were sent to the big game in 1937–1942, 1947 and 1948.{{Inote|Peterson p.288-310|Peterson288}}

Related Topics:
Fats Jenkins - East-West All-Star Game

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The team's schedule could be punishing. In the 1930s they played two doubleheaders 350 miles apart on successive days. They left Pittsburgh after the first two games at about 22:00 to cross the Allegheny Mountains for South Orange, New Jersey. One of the two cars broke down so nine of the 16 players crowded into the other car to ensure that play would start on time. They arrived just twenty minutes behind the scheduled start time. They were given five minutes to warm up. The other seven players arrived a few minutes later so they were able to lunch and sleep before taking two of their exhausted team mates to play the second game. Despite their fatique the team won boith games.{{Inote|Peterson p.156|Peterson156}}

Related Topics:
Pittsburgh - Allegheny Mountains - South Orange, New Jersey

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