Verdell mathis biography of michael

He copied his pickoff move from Luis Tiant, Sr. After making it to the black big leagues, he matched up with Paige several times, defeating him on three occasions, winning in 11 innings in New Orleans, in Kansas City and again in Chicago on "Satchel Paige Day" in front of thirty thousand fans. Although he pitched with a losing ballclub, Mathis's regular-season records of andwith corresponding ERAs of 3.

The Memphis Red Sox ace capitalized on the opportunity, holding the East scoreless each time, thereby joining Satchel Paige as the only pitchers to win two East-West games. Although slight physically, he had a lot of heart and was an "overpowering pitcher," winning almost half of the last-place Red Sox victories in The game that he savored most in his entire tenure as a professional pitcher took place at Wrigley Field on July The Monarchs and Red Sox played a doubleheader that Sunday and, for the third consecutive year, Satchel Paige was honored with gifts between games.

Memphis centerfielder Neil Robinson was also scheduled to be honored. It was the last head-to-head matchup ever between Mathis and Paige, and Mathis finished his career with a record against his boyhood hero. The West eventually triumphed,but Gentry Jessup, who pitched the fourth through sixth innings, emerged as the winning pitcher.

One week later, again at Comiskey Park, Mathis struck out nine in outdueling Jessup,in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Chicago American Giants.

Verdell mathis biography of michael

This time, Mathis threw three no-hit innings in which he struck out four batters. The West had an lead when he ceded the mound to Jessup. In a reversal of his fortunes from the previous year, Mathis was the winning pitcher as the West triumphed, A preview article about the game mentioned that Mathis had posted a record for Memphis during the season, which was an impressive ledger for a pitcher who had toiled for a last-place team.

The season started well enough for Mathis. After the regular season, he again participated in the North-South all-star game, and he joined the K. Royals for another series in California. He has his power ball again and has been effective in recent games. After Mathis returned stateside for the NAL season, he must have felt stuck in a time loop, as he continued to struggle and the Red Sox finished in sixth place.

Mathis hurled Memphis to a victory in the opening game, which was the first Negro League game ever to be simulcast on TV and radio. On July 31, the day after the Red Sox lost,to the St. Joseph may have caused him to miss out on the opportunity to pitch in the 16th annual East-West game at Comiskey Park on August He had once again been named to the roster but did not see any game action in what turned out to be his final East-West classic.

Joseph squad until August Unfortunately for both Mathis and the Auscos, his stint with the team did not go as planned. In his first start for St. Four days later, he was inserted into a game against the Homestead Grays in the ninth inning, and he surrendered a walk and a double that resulted in the two runs that gave the Grays an victory. Mathis plans to return to his home sometime today.

Thus, Mathis finished another lackluster season with Memphis. The integration of organized baseball brought about a rapid decline in the quality of Negro League teams and in their financial viability. Gone were the days when the Red Sox held verdell mathis biography of michael training in Hot Springs, Arkansas; now the team prepared for the season by practicing on its home field, Martin Park.

Mathis did the best he could on the mound as he languished on another last-place Red Sox squad. His season highlights involved competition against soon-to-be major-league stars. Black prevailed by a score against Mathis and the Red Sox in the first game of a doubleheader on this occasion. Inwith his pitching arm in disrepair, Mathis led a peripatetic baseball existence.

It will be primarily a try-out for the dusky skinned chucker and [Gready] McKinnis will be kept handy in case Mathis fails. Mathis hit a home run in support of his own cause, but he eventually gave way to McKinnis, who earned the win in ainning thriller. In October Mathis moved south to the warmer climes of Texas, where he played for two different teams.

Upon his retirement from baseball, Mathis moved his family, which now included three daughters Helen, Jean, and Ann and his son Verdell Jr. I went to see the New York and Brooklyn teams play the whole time I was there. Mathis was one of the many Negro League players for whom the integration of organized baseball came along too late, as his injured arm denied him any opportunity to make it to the majors.

If they just had blacks in the league, you would have made it. I just smile it off. Although he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Memphis Sport Experience and Hall of Fame in He died of pneumonia on October 30, in Memphis, Tennessee. Verdell Jackson Mathis - Verdell Jackson "Lefty" Mathis. Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown].

Profile last modified 23 Oct Created 6 Jun Verdell Mathis is a part of US Black history. This Negro league baseball infielder article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. This Negro league baseball pitcher article is a stub. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history.