Deprey: From Beloit to St. Louis, a Negro Leaguer’s story
From Dylan Deprey at the Milwaukee Courier on June 18, 2016:
[In the Negro Leagues] Black athletes could display their skills to a world that was divided. The eight original teams were the: Chicago American Giants, Cuban Stars, Dayton Marcos, Indianapolis ABCs, Kansas City Monarchs and the St. Louis Giants.
Although teams were littered across the country the Kansas City Monarchs were considered the best in the Negro Leagues, especially having won the first of the 11 Negro Leagues World Series.
In 1947, the Monarchs were searching for some fresh talent to add to their roster. Among those were Jackie Robinson and William McCray.
A 17-year-old McCray grew up in Beloit, WI. The St. Louis Cardinals were holding open tryouts. His coach from the American Legion called and asked if he was going to the tryouts.
“I told him no,” McCray said. “He said why? I said because they aren’t taking any black ball players in St. Louis.”
Read the fu ll article here: http://milwaukeecourieronline.com/index.php/2016/06/18/from-beloit-to-st-louis-a-negro-league-players-story/
Originally published: June 20, 2016. Last Updated: June 20, 2016.