Whirty: 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes toppled the greatest dynasty in Negro Leagues history
From SABR member Ryan Whirty at Home Plate Don’t Move on October 21, 2015:
They were the definition of underdogs, going up against arguably the greatest dynasty in Negro Leagues history. Heck, they had massively overachieved just to win the Negro American League pennant.
But 70 years ago, the Cleveland Buckeyes did it. They toppled the mighty Homestead Grays of the Negro National League, a team loaded with future Hall of Famers like Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard, with a resounded 4-0 sweep.
It was a Negro World Series for the ages, and the Buckeyes — who boasted no future Hall members in their lineup — came out on top, redefining history and stamping their indelible mark on the legacy of postseason baseball in Cleveland in the process.
“The Cleveland Buckeyes … astounded the diamond world by knocking off the Homestead Grays, long the dominant force in Negro baseball, in four straight games in the world series,” wrote legendary Pittsburgh Courier sportswriter Wendell Smith. “… Cleveland ‘breezed’ through the series in easy fashion.”
Read the full article here: https://homeplatedontmove.wordpress.com/2015/10/21/back-in-action-and-the-buckeyes-are-on-deck/
Originally published: October 21, 2015. Last Updated: October 21, 2015.