Satchel Paige
| Birthdate | 7/7/1905 |
| Death Date | 6/8/1982 |
| Debut Year | 1948 |
| Year of Induction | 1971 |
| Teams | Athletics, Browns, Indians, Negro Leagues |
| Position | Pitcher |
Satchel Paige pitched in two MLB All Star games after the age of 45. His last big league appearance came after his 59th birthday.
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Satchel Paige agrees to an interview on ABC
Satchel Paige agrees to an interview on ABC
Don’t Look Back was the title of the book and movie about the life and times of Satchel Paige. In the collection is a contract Paige signed in agreement to be interviewed on ABC radio about the book and movie.
At the bottom of the contract, a brief introduction of Paige is written, “He was in the black leagues from 1926-1947 when blacks weren’t allowed in the Major Leagues.
He feels that the hitters of his era were better than the hitters of today because the ball was deader and the fences were farther back.”
Paige had two All Star seasons in his three years with the St. Louis Browns
Paige had two All Star seasons in his three years with the St. Louis Browns
Satchel Paige signed with the Browns at age 45 and made two All Star teams in his three seasons with St. Louis. This sort of performance is what made Paige a legend.
For over 20 years he toiled away in the Negro Leagues, a victim of baseball’s color barrier. Even the great Mickey Mantle, one of the Majors’ best hitters of the day could not mistake Paige’s greatness, calling him, “The toughest pitcher I ever faced.”
Buck O'Neil lists Paige on the RHP on his All Time Negro League team
Buck O'Neil lists Paige on the RHP on his All Time Negro League team
Hall of Fame voters recognized Satchel Paige as one of the greatest pitchers to play the game. The legendary Buck O’Neil also lists Paige as his right-handed pitcher on his All Time Negro League All Stars.
A quick glance down the list finds it peppered with other Hall of Fame players.
1935 PCL scorecard signed by Satchel Paige and others
1935 PCL scorecard signed by Satchel Paige and others
According to PSAcard.com, Paige often signed his first name with two “L” letters at the end. Shown here is one such example. Paige has autographed the inside of a 1935 Pacific Coast League game-day scorecard.
Along with the Paige are the signatures of Hall of Fame shortstop Arky Vaughan, 1941 NL MVP Dolph Camilli, 1935 home run champ Wally Berger, and 217-game winner Fred Fitzsimmons.
Closeup of Satchel Paige autograph
Closeup of Satchel Paige autograph
Of the five men whose signature decorate the scorecard, Satchel Paige demands the most interest. Certainly Arky Vaughan’s autograph is more rare and more expensive but the exploits of the great Negro League pitcher are more well known.
Taking a closer look we see Satchel adding an extra “L” to the end of his first name. PSAcards.com makes note of how common this way of signing his name was throughout his life.
Paige pitched in MLB until almost 60 - Jim Gosger was his last batter
Paige pitched in MLB until almost 60 - Jim Gosger was his last batter
It was supposed to be a mere publicity stunt. Athletics owner Charlie Finley signed Satchel Paige to a one-day contract to take the mound on Satchel Paige night. Hoping to boost attendance, Finley was a true showman, bringing out a rocking chair for Pagie to sit in before the start of the game.
The visiting Red Sox must have been licking their chops at the prospects of facing the 59-year old Paige. But something happened on the way to the publicity stunt — Paige quieted the Boston bats for three innings, surrendering only one hit, by future Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzesmki.
The last batter to face Paige was Jim Gosger. In the collection is this questionnaire about that night. Gosger thoughtfully pens his recollections.
