SATCHEL PAIGE

Leroy “Satchel” Paige was the most colorful and popular player in the Negro Leagues. He was also the best paid, earning close to $50,000 a year. Paige got his nickname, “Satchel” as a youngster working as a train porter, but his real talent was throwing a baseball. A tall, lanky right-hander, Paige gained fame when he joined the Pittsburgh Crawfords. He barnstormed around the country, sometimes pitching both ends of a double header. By 1939, when the Kansas City Monarchs signed Paige, his fastball had lost its bite. To compensate, he developed several off-speed pitches and hesitation deliveries that baffled hitters. In 1948, at age 42, he was acquired by Cleveland, becoming the oldest player to make his major league debut. Paige posted a 6-1 record that season, helping his club win the pennant.