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Hall of Fame voters recognized Oscar Charleston as one of the greatest to play the game. The legendary Buck O’Neil also lists Charleston as the centerfielder on his All Time Negro League All Star team.

According to Baseball Reference, Charleston’s career numbers include a .364 average, .449 on-base percentage and a .615 slugging mark. The record shows averages of .433, .405, and .427 in 1921, ’24, and ’25 respectively.

A quick glance at O’Neil’s list finds it peppered with other Hall of Fame players. O’Neil lists Satchel Paige has the best right-hander and Willie Foster as the best southpaw. Calling those pitches on O’Neil’s squad is the immortal Josh Gibson.

Second baseman Newt Allen is the only choice who remains outside of Cooperstown. O’Neil tabs Buck Leonard at first base, Willie Wells at shortstop, Ray Dandridge at third. Cool Papa Bell if in left while Willard Brown is in right.

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Oscar Charleston received baseball’s ultimate honor in 1976 when the Veterans Committee selected him for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Committee also selected 19th-century slugger Roger Connor, third baseman Fred Lindstrom, and umpire Cal Hubbard. On the writers’ ballot, pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon got the nod.

Shown here is a letter from then-American League president and future Cooperstown man Lee MacPhail. Dated June 16, 1976, it invites Hall of Fame hurler Waite Hoyt to the induction.

The six-man class of ’76 was inducted in a ceremony on August 9, 1976.

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In 1976 Oscar Charleston became the seventh Negro Leaguer honored by the Hall of Fame. He was preceded by Satchel Paige (1971), Josh Gibson (1972), Buck Leonard (1972), Monte Irvin (1973), Cool Papa Bell (1974), and Judy Johnson (1975).

After Charleston’s induction in the bicentennial year, two more Negro Leaguers joined him before the decade was over. Both Martín Dihigo and Pop Lloyd received their plaques in 1977.

Shown here is Charleston’s Hall of Fame plaque.