OTD 9/22/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Split Twin Bill With Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

Monday, September 23, 1935

On Sunday, September 22, 1935, the Negro National League  Brooklyn Eagles and Glendale Farmers split games of a doubleheader at Farmer's Oval, Queens.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Playing before 5,700 fans at Farmer's Oval, the home team takes the opening game from the Eagles.  Brooklyn starter Terris McDuffie is knocked out of the box as the Farmers seize a 6-2 lead through five.  Right-hander Elbert Williams enters the game in relief of McDuffie, and Billy Nicholas tosses a scoreless ninth.  Farmer's first baseman Gene Rogers connects for a three-run home run, and third baseman Roy Tarr also homers for Queens.  Glendale starter Jack LaRocca holds Brooklyn to three runs on nine hits for the win.  Left fielder Fats Jenkins leads the Eagles with three hits, right fielder Ed Stone goes 2 for 4 with a triple, and third baseman Javier Perez accounts for two of Brooklyn's three runs scored.

The Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), Monday, September 23, 1935

Right-hander Leon Day holds Glendale to four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in game two as the Eagles draw even with the Farmers for a twin bill split.  Brooklyn punishes Dominick Torpe's offerings to all corners of the yard for 17 hits resulting in six runs.  First baseman George Giles goes 4 for 5 with a triple and stolen base.  Catcher Clarence Palm also triples, and Ed Stone homers for Brooklyn.  The Eagles turn a key double-play in the eighth to help preserve the victory.

OTD 9/15/1935: Negro National League Brooklyn Eagles Play Final Games at Ebbets Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Daily News (New York, NY), Sunday, September 15, 1935

On Sunday, September 15, 1935, the Brooklyn Eagles of the Negro National League, play their last games at Ebbets Field.  Abe and Effa Manley, the owners of the Brooklyn Eagles, purchase the Newark Dodgers and merge the two organizations into the Newark Eagles for the 1936 season.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Daily News (New York, NY), Monday, September 16, 1935

OTD 9/11/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Defeat Grover Cleveland Alexander's Western House of David in First-Ever Arc-Light Game at Ebbets Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Thursday, September 12, 1935

They tried this once before, on Monday, June 5, 1935, but the first-ever arclight game to be staged at Ebbets Field pitting the Brooklyn Eagles hosting the House of David Club was rained out with both parties unsure whether the game would ever be rescheduled.  

Well, herein, we have our answer.

On Wednesday, September 11, 1935, the Brooklyn Eagles host Grover Cleveland Alexander's western House of David in the first-ever arclight game staged at Ebbets Field.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Thursday, September 12, 1935

The now 48-year old Pete Alexander pitches the first inning, yielding one hit against leadoff batter Fats Jenkins, then retires to the dugout to coach the team.  Walter Laufer takes over pitching duties in the second and surrenders six runs on ten hits and one walk with two strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Eagles open the scoring in the home fourth.  But in the visitor's sixth, House of David ties the game at one.  That is until Eagle shortstop Bill Sadler triples him the go-ahead run as part of a three-run rally in the home sixth.  Brooklyn adds two more in the eighth en route to a 6-1 final score.

Fats Jenkins goes 3 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base.  First baseman George Giles, right fielder Ed Stone, and catcher Tex Burnett who goes 2 for 3, also wield triples for the Eagles.

Brooklyn right-hander Terris McDuffie is the true star of the game, limiting the House of Davis to a lone run on six hits and two walks with ten strikeouts and a hit batsman for good measure.

Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

 Thursday, September 12, 1935

 

OTD at Ebbets Field 9/8/1935: In the Crispus Attucks Community Council Benefit Doubleheader, the Philly Stars and New York Cubans Play to Nine-Inning Tie; Pittsburgh Crawfords Defeat Brooklyn Eagles

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The New York Age, Saturday, September 7, 1935

On Sunday, September 8, 1935, a charity doubleheader is staged at Ebbets Field for the Crispus Attucks Community Council of Brooklyn.  "The Council, named for a Negro patriot killed in the Boston Massacre of 1770, conducts relief work among Brooklyn's Negros."

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, September 7, 1935

The first game pits the New York Cubans, winners of the Negro National League's second half, against the 1934 champion Philadelphia Stars.  The second game features the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Negro National League first-half winners, versus the Brooklyn Eagles.  No less than ten future Hall of Famers, including the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, participate in the twin bill benefit.

The New York Age, Saturday, September 7, 1935

Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), Saturday, September 7, 1935

"The Cubans-Philly game will be a grudge battle because it was the Cubans, second-half champions, who knocked the Stars out of a chance to defend their league title in a series the other weekend." - Times-Union.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

PHILADELPHIA STARS vs. NEW YORK CUBANS

GAME ONE - The Philadelphia Stars and New York Cubans duel to a two-all tie.  Extra innings are not played to begin the second game on time.  

Right-hander Webster McDonald starts for Philadelphia and is opposed by Johnny Taylor for New York.  After five scoreless innings, Philly takes a 2-0 lead in the sixth.  The Cubans knot the game in the eighth.  Johnny Taylor yields just two hits and three walks with five strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  In relief of Taylor, southpaw Neck Stanley allows one hit and one walk over the final two innings.  Webster McDonald surrenders nine hits, two for extra bases, and three walks with six strikeouts. 

Left fielder Chaney White, second baseman Obie Lackey, and center fielder Lloyd Davenport account for Philadelphia's three hits.  Meanwhile, first baseman Jud Wilson and catcher Biz Mackey are held hitless in four at-bats apiece.  Right fielder Ted Page and McDonald score for Philly.

New York left fielder Lázaro Salazar leads the Cubans with three hits, including a double.  Center fielder Alejandro Oms also doubles.  Playing third base, Martín Dihigo and right fielder Clyde Spearman each singled and scored.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, September 9, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS vs. BROOKLYN EAGLES

GAME TWO - The Brooklyn Eagles open with a run in the third, but the Crawfords promptly answer with two in the fourth.  Brooklyn ties the score in the bottom half of the fourth, then retakes the lead in fifth.  But the Eagles would score no more.  Pittsburgh left-hander Leroy Matlock holds the Eagles scoreless over the final four frames.  

In the meantime, the Crawfords erupt for two runs in the sixth, three in the seventh, and five more in the eighth.  After holding Pittsburgh hitless over the first three innings, Brooklyn Eagle starter Leon Day is knocked out of the box, but not before yielding twelve runs on twelve hits and five walks with three strikeouts through 7.1 innings pitched.  Right-hander Will Jackman fares no better, allowing four hits while failing to retire a batter.  In relief of Jackman, Terris McDuffie limits the Crawfords to a single hit over the final 1.2 innings.

The Crawfords get credited with eight outfield putouts and fifteen infield putouts but only three infield assists and one by shortstop Chester Williams.  The point here is the Brooklyn Eagles make solid contact, alas to no avail.  First baseman George Giles and second baseman Harry Williams lead Brooklyn with two hits each.  Williams and left fielder Fats Jenkins both hit for extra bases and scored.  Catcher Tex Burnett accounts for Brooklyn's third run.  But it's worth noting Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was not a participant.  Otherwise, Pittsburgh Crawford starter Leroy Matlock allows eight hits and no walks with three strikeouts for the win.

All nine Crawford batters hit safely.  Chester Williams and Matlock lead the team with three hits each.  Leadoff man Cool Papa Bell wields two hits and scored twice; catcher Josh Gibson goes 2 for 4 with two runs scored; first baseman Oscar Charleston singled and scored in four trips, and third baseman Judy Johnson and right fielder Jimmy Crutchfield each hit for extra bases.

The Negro National League championship games between the 

Pittsburgh Crawford and the New York Cubans are forthcoming.

OTD Battle of the Boroughs 8/20/1935: Brooklyn Eagles are Defeated By Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

On Tuesday, August 20, 1935, the Brooklyn Eagles of the Negro National League are defeated by the Glendale Farmers at their home oval in Queens.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Returning to Ebbets Field later in the month, the Eagles visit neighboring Queens, playing into extra innings at Farmer Oval.  

Starting for Glendale, Matty Swanson yields three runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  He exits to a no-decision, relieved by Eddie Miller in the eighth.  Eagle starter Billy Nicholas, a product of Textile High School in New York City, likewise limits Glendale to three runs through nine.

Brooklyn opens the scoring with a run in the first.  Afterwhich, Matty Swanson grounds the Eagles with five scoreless innings.  Trailing 2-1 after six, Brooklyn breaks through with two runs in the seventh to seize a one-run lead.  But it does not last.  Glendale ties the game in the bottom half of the frame at three.

After a scoreless eighth and ninth, into extra innings, they go at Farmer Oval.  Still facing Eddie Miller, the Eagles go down quietly in the top half of the tenth.  In the home half of the frame, left fielder Jimmy Ashworth drives home catcher Ben Ferriola with the winning run.

This marks Glendale's first win against Brooklyn in three tries.  Eddie Miller earns the victory in relief of Matty Swanson, allowing no runs on just two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over the final three innings.  Jimmy Ashworth leads the Farmers with three hits and two runs batted in; Ben Ferriola wields two hits, scored twice, and drives home two; and third baseman Roy Tarr slashes a triple and drives home one.

Billy Nicholas allows all four runs on eleven hits and six walks with six strikeouts in a losing effort.  Both left fielder Fats Jenkins and second baseman Harry Williams post two hits and a stolen base.  Catcher Clarence Palm homers for Brooklyn.  Jenkins and third baseman Javier Perez account for the Eagles' two other runs scored.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

OTD Negro National League vs. Semipros 8/16/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Defeat Springfield Grays at Sherwood Oval; Newark Dodgers Triumph at Bay Ridge Oval

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Saturday, August 17, 1935

On Friday, August 16, 1935, the Negro National League Brooklyn Eagles defeated the Springfield Grays, 5-0, at Sherwood Oval, Springfield Gardens, Queens.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Brooklyn Eagle starter Billy Nicholas hurls a gem, limiting the Springfield Grays to just three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in a complete-game shutout victory.  His batterymate Clarence Palm is the Eagles hitting star, going 2 for 3 with a home run and three runs batted in.  Otherwise, the Grays limit Brooklyn to five hits, the other accounted for by Fats Jenkins, Bill Sadler, and George Giles, who drives home a run.

⚾

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Saturday, August 17, 1935

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, not more than two miles from where I presently live, fellow members of the Negro National League, the Newark Dodgers defeated the Bay Ridge Baseball Club at Bay Ridge Oval, 15th Avenue at 86th Street.

Despite yielding ten hits, Newark hurler William Bell puts forth a fine performance, limiting the Bay Ridgers to one run, one walk, with eight strikeouts for the win.  Six different Dodgers wield multiple hits.  Third baseman Ray Dandridge goes 2 for 3 with a run scored.  Left fielder Jim Williams goes 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored, and center fielder Marvin Barker triples and scored.

Bay Ridge first baseman Al Ambramowitz goes 2 for 4 with a double, and second baseman Bobby Cummings wields a double and scores the home team's only run.

OTD Negro National League 8/10/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Overpower Homestead Grays in Altoona, Pennsylvania

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Altoona (PA) Tribune, Sunday, August 10, 1935

On Saturday, August 10, 1935, in a Negro National League contest, the Brooklyn Eagles defeated the Homestead Grays at the Cricket Field, Altoona Pennsylvania.

Altoona (PA) Tribune, Sunday, August 10, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE II

BROOKLYN EAGLES

vs.

HOMESTEAD GRAYS

Pitching is not the order of this day.  Both teams score early, often, and late.  Twelve extra-base hits are struck in this contest, with four going for home runs.  The game is declared final after the eighth, with Brooklyn pushing across 13 runs on 14 hits.  Despite a three-run rally in the eighth, the Grays still come up two runs short.

Brooklyn winning pitcher Otis Starks surrenders all eleven Homestead runs on 17 hits and three walks with three strikeouts.  Grays left fielder Vic Harris leads Homestead with four hits, including a double, home run, and two runs scored.  Playing right field this game, Louis Dula connects for three hits with a double.  Center fielder Jerry Benjamin, second baseman Matt Carlisle, and third sacker Jimmy Binder 

wield two hits apiece, including a double, respectively.

For Homestead, pitchers Willie Gisentaner, Joe Strong, and Roy Williams all take their share in the loss.  Eagle center fielder Clarence Griffin wields three hits, highlighted by a home run with four runs scored.  Catcher Clarence Palm also collects three hits.  Second baseman Harry Williams doubles and homers, and Crush Holloway also homers for Brooklyn.

Pittsburgh (PA) Sun-Telegraph,

Monday, August 11, 1935

OTD Negro National League 8/4/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Routed By Newark Dodgers in Twin Bill at Ebbets Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE II

NEWARK DODGERS

vs.

BROOKLYN EAGLES

FROM

Ebbets Field

On Sunday, Aug 4, 1935, in a Negro National League matchup, the Brooklyn Eagles lost both games of a doubleheader to the Newark Dodgers.  The visitors twice rally during the latter innings to capture victory at Ebbets Field, Bedford Avenue at Sullivan Place.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle,

Monday, August 5, 1935

GAME ONE - Brooklyn opens the scoring in the first, but Newark responds with two runs in the second followed by a three-run third.  The Eagles claw back with a run in the home fourth then erutpt for three runs in the sixth tying the game at five.  However, Newark remains resolute with three runs in the eighth highlighted by pinch-hitter Frank McCoy's bases loaded double, and one last run in the ninth for a 9-5 victory in favor of the visitors.  

Newark right-hander William Bell allows eleven hits and no walks in a winning effort.  At the plate for Brooklyn, Fats Jenkins goes 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored, second baseman Harry Williams is likewise 2 for 4 with a double, stolen base, and one run scored, and first baseman George Giles lashes a triple.

Eagle starter Will Jackman yields 17 hits and no walks with five strikeouts in a losing effort.  Newark second baseman Flash Miller leads the Dodgers going 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored; William Bell also connects for three hits.  Five other Dodgers weild multiple hits.  Third baseman Ray Dandridge is 2 for 5 with two runs and a triple, and shortstop Ted Bond wields two hits with a stolen base.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, August 5, 1935

GAME TWO - In a high-scoring, albeit closely contested affair, Newark outlasts Brooklyn to capture game two.  

Starting for Brooklyn, right-hander Leon Day has certainly seen better days.  He is knocked out of the box after recording just three outs but not before yielding five hits.  Forced into quick relief duty, former NYC high-schooler Billy Nicholas allows two more hits as the Dodgers tally six runs in the second inning.  

The Eagles respond in prolific fashion, with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, five runs in the third, and after Newark posts two runs in the top of the fifth, Brooklyn tallies three more for a 10-8 lead through four.  

However, Otis Starks pitching in relief of Nicholas followed by Will Jackman cannot hold.  Starks surrenders seven hits over 4.1 innings and Jackman allows another five hits in 1.2 innings as the Dodgers flourish in the closing fames with two runs in the seventh, three in the eighth, and one more in the ninth en route to a 14-12 victory and twin bill sweep at Ebbets Field. 

Starting game two in right field, Bert Johnson leads Newark going 5 for 6 with a triple and three runs scored.  Meanwhile, Ray Dandridge goes 4 for 6 giving him six total hits in eleven at-bats with five runs scored over two games.

The Dodgers in game two strike for 22 hits, the Eagles are not far behind with 19 hits.  Newark starter Alonza Bailey lasts just 4.2 innings.  As previously noted, Leon Day does not make it out of the second but does escape with a no-decision.  William Bell earns the victory, Brooklyn's Otis Starks, the loss.  Otherwise, it was clear that moundwork was not order of the day.

Times Union (Brooklyn, N.Y.),

Monday, August 5, 1935

OTD Negro National League 7/29/1935: Newark Dodgers Ride William Bell's Right Arm to Victory Over Visiting Brooklyn Eagles

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Central New Jersey Home News, Tuesday, July 30, 1935

"WILLIAMS' EIGHTH INNING TRIPLE GIVES 

NEWARK DODGERS VICTORY OVER BROOKLYN, 3-2"

On Monday, July 29, 1935, in a scheduled Negro National League match, the host Newark Dodgers defeated the invading Brooklyn Eagles at the local high school stadium.

Facing Newark starter William Bell, the Eagles jump out to an early first-inning lead on center fielder Clarence Griffin's two-run home run, which clears the scoreboard in the right field, with base runner  Tex Burnett for the ride.  

But William Bell yields no more.  The Dodger twirler goes on to toss eight shutout innings, allowing a total of just six hits and two walks with four strikeouts for the win.  

Tex Burnett accounts for two of Brooklyn's six hits, while Griffin, Crush Hollaway, Ed Stone, and Javier Perez account for the rest.  

Losing pitcher, Will Jackman surrenders three runs on eight hits and no walks with a pair of strikeouts.

Left fielder Jim Williams leads Newark, going 2 for 4 with a double, triple, and a run scored. 

The Dodgers push one run across in the second.  Afterwhich, the score remains unchanged through the seventh inning.  With one out in the eighth, Newark's center fielder Paul Arnold singles.  With two outs, third baseman Ray Dandridge beats out a bunt, putting runners on the corners.  Williams then follows with a bases-clearing triple off the outfield wall, giving the Dodgers a 3-2 advantage and the final margin of victory. 

Brooklyn Eagles vs. Newark Dodgers

The Central New Jersey Home News, Tuesday, July 30, 1935

OTD Negro National League 7/13/1935: Brooklyn Eagles and Pittsburgh Crawfords Split Twin Bill at Ebbets Fields

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY 

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Sunday, July 14, 1918

On Saturday, July 13, 1935, in a Negro National League contest, the Brooklyn Eagles and Pittsburgh Crawfords split games of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field.

GAME ONE - Crawford right-hander Roosevelt Davis limits the Eagles to three runs on just six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts for the win.  Brooklyn's first baseman George Giles poses the biggest threat going 2 for 4 with a double and home run.  The teams battle to a two-all tie through five, and Brooklyn even takes a one-run lead in the sixth on Giles' clout.  But Pittsburgh posts four runs in the eighth to knock Elbert Williams out of the box and put the game out of reach.  The Crawfords score once more in the top of the ninth for good measure.  Elbert Williams walks two and strikes out two in a losing effort.  Left-hander Otis Starks closes out the game in relief of Williams.  Left fielder and native New Yorker Fats Jenkins bats 1 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

• FINAL: PITT 7; BRK 3

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), Sunday, July 14, 1918

GAME TWO: Despite opening the scoring in the second, Pittsburgh overtakes Brooklyn with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth for a 3-1 lead.  However, the Eagles answered with three runs in the sixth, and starter Leon Day makes them stand, closing out the game with three scoreless innings for the win.  All told, Leon Day yields three runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts and a hit batsman for good measure.  Pittsburgh's Jimmy Crutchfield is 2 for 5 with a double, stolen base, and run scored, center fielder Cool Papa Bell goes 2 for 4 with a triple, stolen base, and run scored, and Judy Johnson hits safely in both games.  Brooklyn's George Giles once again poses a threat, this time to Crawford starter Bill Harvey with two hits and a run scored.  Otherwise, Harvey yields only five hits and four walks in losing effort.

• FINAL: PITT 3; BRK 4

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Wednesday, July 10, 1935

OTD Negro National League 6/29/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Defeat Chicago American Giants at Cole's Park

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), 

Sunday, June 30, 1935

On Saturday, June 29, 1935, in a Negro National League contest, the Brooklyn Eagles defeated the Chicago American Giants at Cole's Park, Chicago, Illinois.

After three scoreless frames, the Eagles and Giants trade single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.  Chicago then pushes across the go-ahead run in the eighth.  Nursing a 3-2 lead in the top half of the ninth, Chicago's first baseman Steel Arm Davis fails to secure a throw from second baseman Jack Marshall thus clearing the way for Brooklyn to muster four unanswered runs and secure a come-from-behind 6-3 victory.  

All but center fielder Willie Ward hits safely for the Eagles.  First baseman George Giles leads Brooklyn with two hits, including a double, two stolen bases, two runs scored, and right fielder Ed Stone delivers two runs batted in.  Fats Jenkins, catcher Clarence Palm, third sacker Javier Perez, and Bill Yancey drive home a run apiece.  Starter Will Jackman allows three runs on seven hits and four walks through nine innings for the win.

Giants' starter Ossie Brown walks one and strikes out three and is relieved in the ninth but not before yielding six runs on nine hits in a losing effort.  Right-hander Melvin Powell finishes the game in relief of Brown.  Shortstop Willie Wells is held hitless; Turkey Stearns, a hit and a run scored.  Steel Arm Davis leads Chicago with three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in.  Left fielder Mule Suttles accounts for the Giants' third run batted in.

The Billings Gazette (Billings, Montana), 

Sunday, June 30, 1935

OTD Negro National League 6/17/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Fall To Homestead Grays at Altoona, Pa.

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), Tuesday, June 18, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brooklyn Eagles

vs.

Homestead Grays

On this day, Monday, June 17, 1935, in a Negro National League game, the Brooklyn Eagles fall to the Homestead Grays at Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Brooklyn jumps out to a 1-0 lead in the first and takes a two-run lead in the top half of the second.  But the Grays knot the game in the bottom half of the frame.  The teams then traded runs in the third.  Homestead takes their first lead with two runs in the fifth, then scores the game's pivotal run in the home eighth, as Brooklyn tallies single runs in the eighth and ninth innings but falls one tally short.

Eagles starter Will Jackman allows six runs (five earned) on ten hits and two walks with one strikeout in a losing effort.  Homestead right-hander Joe "Baby Face" Strong yields three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts through five innings.  In relief of Strong, C.D. Mosley surrenders two runs on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts for the win.

For Homestead, first baseman Buck Leonard goes 4 for 4 with three doubles, a home run, two runs batted in, three runs scored, and a stolen base, left fielder Vic Harris is 2 for 4 with a double, one run batted in, and a run scored, and center fielder Ray Brown goes 1 for 3 with a double, stolen base, and a run batted in.  Starter Joe Strong also helps his own cause with a hit and two runs batted in

Second basemen Harry Williams homers for Brooklyn.  Catcher Leon Ruffin leads the Eagles with three hits and two runs scored.  First baseman George Giles goes 2 for 5 with a double, triple, and run scored.  Third baseman Javier Perez also doubles and drives in a run.  Leon Day played right field and went hitless in four at-bats.

OTD 6/15/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Split Double Header With Homestead Grays At Greenlee Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Pittsburgh Press

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brooklyn Eagles

vs.

Homestead Grays

FROM

Greenlee Field

On Saturday, June 15, 1935, in a Negro National League contest, the Brooklyn Eagles and Homestead Grays split games of a doubleheader at Greenlee Field in the Hill District, Pittsburgh.

 

GAME ONE is a tightly contested affair, pitting Eagles' right-hander Elbert Williams against Ray Brown for Homestead.  The Grays open with three runs in the third.  But Brooklyn answers with four runs in the fourth and another three in the fifth.  Afterwhich, it's a matter of holding on as the Homestead Grays rally for a pair in the eighth and one in the ninth but comes up a run short, and thus bow to the visitors, 7 to 6.  

Grays starter Ray Brown walks five and strikeout three in a losing effort; Elbert walks three and strikes out two for the win.  Leon Day makes a brief appearance for Brooklyn walking one.  

Javier Perez and Elbert Williams lead the Eagles with two hits apiece, and second baseman Harry Williams wields Brooklyn's only extra-base hit.  Of Homestead's eight hits, five go for extra bases, doubles from Jerry Benjamin, Ray Brown, two from Vic Harris, and a home run off the bat of George Scales.

The Pittsburgh Press

GAME TWO very early turns into a lopsided affair.  Homestead jumps out to a five-run lead with three in the second and two in the third.  The Brooklyn Eagles score their lone run of the game on Harry Williams' home run in the sixth, but the Grays mount three more runs in the bottom half of the frame and score one for good luck in the eighth en route to a 9-1 victory.  

Together, Brooklyn's Will Jackman and Otis Starks surrender nine runs on 16 hits, three going for extra bases.  Homestead's Ray Brown finishes with a double and triple.  Matt Carlisle also hits two triples, and Tommie Dukes lashes one.

Grays' starter Willie Gisentaner yields just one run on eight hits for the win.