How do You Honor 90 Years?

When the John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Committee published: "Out of the Shadows", Gils Wright, formerly with the New Jersey Historical Society, included these words in his introduction:

"This work of art thus serves as an impediment to historical amnesia; it is a reminder that black baseball players were historical actors in a story that was truly dramatic and compelling, a story of black athletes who excelled in the face of racial bigotry and adversity who demonstrated beyond a  shadow of a doubt that their mastery of the art of playing baseball was inferior to no one..."

On December 20th, the former Philadelphia Stars player, Mahlon Duckett will turn 90 years old.  Duckett continues to live in Philadelphia where he grew up and attended Overbrook High School.  

So, what do you give a 90 year old, former Negro League Player from Philadelphia for his birthday?  A man who happens to be the last living player for the Philadelphia Stars.  One of the few living Negro League players who played in Rube Foster's powerful social and economic construct that served as a focal point for the African-American community prior to "integration".  

 One of the few living pioneers  who can remember the 1946 Negro League World Series, and the 1946 Newark Eagles believed by many to have been "one of baseball's all time greatest franchises".

"The ’46 Eagles showcased a collection of players that rivaled any ever assembled.  At first base was Lennie Pearson, owner of a gaudy .393 average in the series.  Up the middle was Pearson’s high school friend, shortstop Monte Irvin, who led the Negro National League in runs batted in that year. He would go on to win a World Series ring with the ’51 New York Giants. His double play partner, Larry Doby, would be the first African American to play in the American League, where he won two home run titles.

The pitching staff included Leon Day, who marked his return from two years of war service by pitching a no-hitter on opening day that season. Another war veteran in the group, Max Manning, used a deceptive sidearm delivery to rack up an 11-1 record in ’46.

Three members of the ’46 team – Day, Doby and Irvin – would go on to be enshrined with the sport’s all-time greats in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  There they would be joined by two other Eagles: Ray Dandridge, regarded as one of the best third basemen in any league, and shortstop Willie Wells, who anchored the team’s “Million Dollar Infield” in the late ‘30s.  Even the team’s co-owner and business manager, Effa Manley, would be remembered as an extra-ordinary pioneer in the male-dominated world of baseball."   Soaring Eagles, Newark and the Negro Leagues

And Mahlon Duckett can describe for you what it was like at a packed stadium  during the Negro League East/West All Star Game.

Since it's formation in '90s, Mahlon Duckett has been an vital part of the work of the John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Committee, and has made yearly journeys to Atlantic City to share his knowledge, his warmth and his unmatchable generous spirit.

Believe me, Mahlon Duckett has all the ties, shirts, sharp suits, slippers and soaps-on-a-rope anyone could ever need.  He's got enough books, radios, magazine and newspaper subscriptions.  So, how do we honor the birth of this man 90 years ago?  We say "thank you", for his contributions to our legacy.  We say "thank you" for that sweet and gentle spirit that has only modeled dignity, humility and strength of character.  We then share his story and those of the men and women of the Negro Leagues so they are never forgotten.

Take a few moments to send Mahlon Duckett a birthday wish.  We're collecting 90 cards for 90 years.  Add your name to the numbers.