OTD Brooklyn Semipros 7/18/1935: Bay Parkways Defeat The Homestead Grays In First Ever Night Game At Erasmus Field

From the desk: NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE & BROOKLYN SEMIPRO

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, July 19, 1935

On Thursday, July 18, 1935, not more than two miles from where I presently live, Joe Rosner's Bay Parkway Dukes defeat Cum Posey's Negro National League Homestead Grays in the first-ever night game at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M Station along the Culver Line.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Friday, July 19, 1935

BAY PARKWAY DUKES vs. 

HOMESTEAD GRAYS

With a new lighting system in place, George Smith starts for the Bay Parkways and is opposed by Tom "Big Train" Parker for Homestead.  The Grays apparently see the ball well as they jump out to a prompt 2-0 lead in the first.  Bay Parkway answers with runs in the third and fourth innings.  The Homestead Grays then take a 3-2 lead in the fifth, but it does not last again.  The Dukes tie the game in the sixth, then erupt for three runs in the seventh for a 6-3 lead.  The teams again traded two runs apiece in the eighth inning, giving Bay Parkway an 8-5 lead and the final margin of victory, but not before Homestead poses one last threat.

With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, and first baseman Buck Leonard due up, manager Harry Hesse removes George Smith in favor of Al Morris.  Leonard had previously doubled and homered off Smith.  When play resumes, Al Morris strikes out Buck Leonard on three pitches to end the game.  

George Smith yields five runs on seven hits and five walks with ten strikeouts through 8.2 innings pitched for the win.  Four of Homestead's seven hits go for extra bases; left fielder Vic Harris goes 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored; center fielder Ray Brown triples in four at-bats and pitches in relief of Big Train Parker (striking out four with one walk), while Buck Leonard accounts for six total bases.

Homestead starter Tom Parker allows eight runs on seven hits and seven walks with 13 strikeouts in a losing effort.  The slugging Parkways make their hits count as five go for extra bases.  Right fielder Bruce Caldwell leads the Dukes, going 2 for 4 with a double, home run, and two runs scored, and Frank Posnack is 2 for 5 with two doubles and one run scored.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, July 19, 1935

First Night Game at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn

 

Once Upon A Summer 7/14/1918: John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Brooklyn Royal Giants Sweep Twin Bill at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Saturday, July 13, 1918

l; The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), Saturday, July 13, 1918

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

Having defeated the New York Lincoln Giants in six of eight contests to date, the Brooklyn Royal Giants return to Dexter Park as the recognized Colored champion.  Cycling back to his Dexter Park debut, John Donaldson tossed a five-hit, six strikeouts, complete-game shutout over the Cuban Stars.

On Sunday, July 14, 1918, in a clash of local semipro titans, the Brooklyn Royal Giants defeat Bushwick in both games of a doubleheader by identical scores of 6 to 1.

"There was no joy for the Bushwicks in their double-header with the Royal Giants yesterday at Dexter Park.  Max Rosner's players just had an off day in the field, and to make matters worse could not make any headway against the pitching of (John) Donaldson and Brooks.  The Royals played at their best yesterday, and when the Royals are playing at their best it takes some wonderful baseball to beat them.  The Bushwicks yesterday were far from being in wonderful form." - The Brooklyn Citizen, Monday, July 15, 1918

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York),

(BOX) Monday, July 15, 1918

GAME ONE - In his return to Dexter Park, southpaw JOHN DONALDSON limits Bushwick to one run on seven hits (one for extra bases) and one walk with five strikeouts for the win.  Batting fifth in the lineup, Donaldson is held hitless and makes two assists in the field.  His mound opponent, Bushwick starter Marty Walsh in a losing effort yields six runs on eleven hits and four walks with five strikeouts.  Giants' center fielder Tom Fiall goes 2 for 3 with a double, second baseman Joe Hewitt is 2 for 4 with two runs scored, and left fielder Tommy Pugh triples and scores two runs.  Brooklyn also steals four bases.

⚾

GAME TWO - The Royal Giants complete the twin bill sweep on the strength of Irvin Brooks' right arm.  Brooklyn's twirler allows one run on just three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a rain abbreviated six-inning winning effort.  Bushwick's Herman Schwartje surrenders six runs on eight hits and one walk with no strikeouts for the loss.  Irvin Brooks helps his own cause with two hits and a run scored, Eddie Douglass also wields two hits, and John Henry Lloyd doubles in three trips to the plate.  Batting fourth and playing left field, John Donaldson is again held hitless in three at-bats.

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Monday, July 15, 1918

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON w/BROOKLYN:

1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, 2K; (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 walk, 6K, (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 walks, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 walk, 5K (Bushwick; Dexter Park) 

• LINE: 36 innings, 6 runs, 28 hits, 6 walks, 15 strikeouts, 1.50 ERA

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
• 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST: Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021