EARLY SPRING

The Harrisburg Giants 2006-I season is almost ready to get underway with the St. Louis Stars invading West End Grounds next week. The Giants goal is to improve upon their 2005-II record of 79-75. To do so they have bolstered their lineup with the addition of two 19^th century greats – Frank Grant and Clarence Williams. Last year’s Achilles heel – pitching – appears to be no less of a problem this year as observers of Giants training sessions report both Geechie Corbett and Daltie Cooper appearing to be a little off last year’s form.

 

Here is the expected opening day lineup including last year’s unofficial averages:

 

Fats Jenkins, LF                        .309      Fats is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame being considered on 2/28/06

Rap Dixon, RF                          .306      Rap is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame being considered on 2/28/06

Oscar Charleston, CF/mgr         .343      Oscar was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1976

John Beckwith, 3B                    .292      John is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame being considered on 2/28/06

Rev Cannady, SS                      .283      Rev was considered for Hall, 2005

Ben Taylor, 1B                          .250      Ben is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame being considered on 2/28/06

Frank Grant, 2B                        DNP    Frank is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame being considered on 2/28/06

Clarence Williams, C                 DNP    Waxey was considered for Hall, 2005

Geechie Corbett                        20-4

 

On the bench will be Hall of Fame candidate Spottswood Poles and two others given consideration for the Hall in Heavy Johnson and Nat Rogers. In addition, there are eight other all-star caliber players on the roster. The strength of the team will remain offense, outfield, and baseball acumen. Based on their strengths, the Harrisburg Giants were the highest paid team in all of blackball in 1927.

Greatness

79-75 … how could the Harrisburg Giants, who you likely never heard of, have a 79-75 record against a schedule made up the Murderer’s Row Yankees, the Gas House Gang, the World Champion Boston Red Sox, Koufax & Drysdale’s Dodgers, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Lou Gehrig & on and on.

Because they were a pretty good team in their own right. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is currently considering inducting additional Negro League players into the Hall of Fame. Currently, there are 18 Negro League players in the Hall plus Robinson, Campanella, Banks, Mays, Aaron & Doby for a total of 24. Now an additional 94 were given consideration and 39 remain so on a ballot to be voted on in late February. Of these, 118 greatest Negro League players (24 in the Hall and 94 considered), 11 played for Harrisburg or the Harrisburg Giants. They are listed below:

Oscar Charleston Harrisburg Giants 1924-27 Hall of Fame, 1976 (i.e the best)
Ben Taylor Harrisburg Giants 1925 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
John Beckwith Harrisburg Giants 1926-27 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Frank Grant Harrisburg Ponies 1890 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Sol White Monarchs 1889, Harrisburg early 1891 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Rap Dixon Harrisburg Giants 1922-28 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Fats Jenkins Harrisburg Giants 1923-28 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Spot Poles Harrisburg Colored Giants 1906-08 on ballot (i.e. among 63 best)
Heavy Johnson Harrisburg Giants 1924, ‘27 considered (i.e. among best 118)
Nat Rogers Harrisburg Giants 1924-25 considered (i.e. among best 118)
Rev Cannady Harrisburg Giants 1925-27 considered (i.e. among best 118)
Clarence Williams Harrisburg Ponies 1890 considered (i.e. among best 118)


Thus, according to the Hall of Fame … 9% of the 118 greatest Negro League players of all-time … played on the Harrisburg Giants … hence their rather stellar 79-75 record.